2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ESP

When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
Rtraction control is still activated.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
Rthe engine's torque is restricted only to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can
spin. The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting action, which provides better grip.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Characteristics when ESP
®is deactivated
If ESP
®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP
®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RPRE-SAFE®Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP
®intervenes.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems (
Ypage 71).
GWARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (
Ypage 272) as well as dis-
play messages (
Ypage 242).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 71).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (
Ypage 191) and
hill start assist (
Ypage 154).
PRE-SAFE®Brake
General information
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 71).
PRE-SAFE
®Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
Driving safety systems77
Safety
Z

For PRE-SAFE®Brake to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be opera-
tional.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE
®Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
PRE-SAFE
®Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead, and
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE
®Brake has detected a risk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE
®
Brake cannot prevent a collision without your
intervention.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE
®Brake will initially brake your vehi-
cle by a partial application of the brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
a collision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergency braking cannot prevent a colli-
sion. There is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action.
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE
®Brake cannot always clearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE
®Brake may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rnot give a warning or intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE
®Brake warns you. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a col-
lision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE
®Brake does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossing traffic
Rwhen cornering
As a result, PRE-SAFE
®Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In the event of snowfall or heavy rain, the rec-
ognition can be impaired.
Recognition by the radar sensor system is
also impaired in the event of:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else covering the sensors
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at low speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle.
Function
XTo activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate PRE-SAFE®Brake in the on-board
computer (
Ypage 231).
When the PRE-SAFE®Brake is deactivated,
the multifunction display in the assistance
graphic shows the æsymbol.
Starting at a speed of around 4 mph (7 km/h),
this function warns you if you rapidly
approach a vehicle in front. An intermittent
warning tone will then sound and the ·
78Driving safety systems
Safety

distance warning lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster.
XBrake immediately to defuse the situation.
or
XTake evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
PRE-SAFE
®Brake can also brake the vehicle
automatically under the following conditions:
Rthe driver and front-passenger have their
seat belts fastened
and
Rthe vehicle speed is between approx-
imately 4 mph (7 km/h) and 124 mph
(200 km/ h)
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h) PRE-SAFE
®Brake can also detect
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objects are stopped or parked vehicles.
iIf there is an increased risk of collision,
preventive passenger protection measures
(PRE-SAFE
®) are activated.
If the risk of collision with the vehicle in front
remains and you do not brake, take evasive
action or accelerate significantly, the vehicle
may perform automatic emergency braking,
up to the point of full brake application. Auto-
matic emergency braking is not performed
until immediately prior to an imminent acci-
dent.
You can prevent the intervention of the PRE-
SAFE
®Brake at any time by:
Rdepressing the accelerator pedal further.
Ractivating kickdown.
Rreleasing the brake pedal.
The braking action of PRE-SAFE
®Brake is
ended automatically if:
Ryou maneuver to avoid the obstacle.
Rthere is no longer any danger of a collision.
Rthere is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle.
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in partic-
ular if:
Rboth right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake.
Rthe vehicle starts to skid.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 71).
No steering support is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if:
RESP®is malfunctioning.
Rthe lighting is faulty.
Power steering will, however, continue to
function.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be star-
ted (yet the vehicle's battery is charged),
Protection against theft79
Safety
Z

The SmartKey centrally locks/unlocks:
Rthe doors
Rthe trunk lid
Rthe glove box
Rthe stowage compartment under the arm-
rest
Rthe stowage compartment in the rear com-
partment
Rthe fuel filler flap
The turn signals flash once when unlocking
and three times when locking.
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible
signal can be activated and deactivated using
the on-board computer (
Ypage 235).
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (
Ypage 234).
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a KEY-
LESS-GO key in the vehicle.
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry
the SmartKey with you. You can combine the functions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a con-
ventional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by
using KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it
using the &button on the SmartKey.
When locking or unlocking with KEYLESS-GO,
the distance between the SmartKey and the
corresponding door handle must not be
greater than 3 ft (1 m). A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey determines whether a valid Smart-
Key is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example:
Rwhen the external door handles are
touched
Rwhen starting the engine
Rwhile the vehicle is in motion
XTo unlock the vehicle:
touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
XTo lock the vehicle: touch sensor sur-
face :.
XConvenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface ;for an exten-
ded period.
Further information on the convenience
closing feature (
Ypage 99).
XTo unlock the trunk lid: pull the handle on
the trunk lid.
The vehicle only unlocks the trunk lid.
Deactivating and activating
If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for an
extended period of time, you can deactivate
the KEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey.
The SmartKey will then use very little power,
thereby conserving battery power. For the
purposes of activation/deactivation, the
vehicle must not be nearby.
SmartKey83
Opening and closing
Z

dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-dow during the opening procedure. If some-
body becomes trapped, release the switch or
pull the switch to close the side window again.
GWARNING
While closing the side windows, body parts in
the closing area could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If somebody
becomes trapped, release the switch or press
the switch to open the side window again.
GWARNING
If children operate the side windows they
could become trapped, particularly if they are left unsupervised. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
Side window reversing feature
The front side windows are equipped with an
automatic reversing feature. If a solid object
blocks or restricts one of the front side win-
dows from traveling upwards during the auto-
matic closing process, the side window opens
again automatically. During the manual clos-
ing process, the side window only opens
again automatically after the corresponding
switch is released. However, the automatic
reversing feature is only an aid and does not
relieve you of the responsibility of paying
attention when closing a side window.
GWARNING
The reversing feature does not react:
Rto soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers
Rwhile resetting
This means that the reversing feature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximity during the closing procedure. If
someone becomes trapped, press the switch
to open the side window again.
Opening and closing the side win-
dows
Opening and closing the side windows
in the front
The switches for the side windows are located
on the driver's door. There is also a switch for
the front-passenger side window on the front-
passenger door.
The switches on the driver's door take prec-
edence.
:Left
;Right
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock.
XTo open manually: press and hold the cor-
responding button.
XTo open fully: press the button beyond the
point of resistance and release it.
Automatic operation is started.
XTo close manually: pull the corresponding
button and hold it.
Side windows97
Opening and closing
Z

XTo close fully:pull the button beyond the
point of resistance and release it.
Automatic operation is started.
XTo interrupt automatic operation: press
or pull the corresponding button again.
iYou can continue to operate the side win-
dows after you switch off the engine. This
function is available for up to five minutes
or until the driver's or front-passenger door
is opened.
Opening/closing the rear side windows
XTo open: open the front side window on the
corresponding side (
Ypage 97).
XPress the corresponding switch again and
release.
The corresponding rear side window opens
fully.
XTo stop the rear side windows: briefly
pull the corresponding switch up and
release.
XTo close: close the front side window on
the corresponding side (
Ypage 97).
XPull the respective switch and hold it.
The corresponding rear side window will
continue to close until you release the
switch.
Opening and closing all side windows
Using the switch on the center console
You can use the switch on the center console
to close all side windows simultaneously.
XOpen the cover in the lower center console.
The switch for all side windows is under the
cover.
XTo open all side windows: press but-
ton :to the point of resistance.
XTo open all side windows fully: press
switch :beyond the point of resistance.
All side windows open simultaneously.
iIf, after opening the windows, you close
one side window using the switch in the
door control panel:
Rthe front side window closes first and
Rthen the corresponding rear side window
closes.
XTo close all side windows: pull switch:.
All side windows begin the closing proce-
dure simultaneously. The rear side win-
dows close after the front side windows.
XMake sure that all the side windows are
fully closed.
Using the SmartKey
GWARNING
When using the convenience closing feature,
parts of the body could be trapped in the clos-
ing area when a side window is being closed.
There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. Make sure that no body parts are in
close proximity during the closing procedure.
If someone is trapped:
XRelease the &button immediately.
XPress and hold the %button until the
side windows open again.
98Side windows
Opening and closing

You can use the SmartKey to open or close all
side windows simultaneously.
XClose the roof (Ypage 101).
XOpen the trunk partition (Ypage 102).
XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO:point the
tip of the SmartKey at the door handle on
the driver's door.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: the Smart-
Key must be within 6 ft (2 m) of the vehicle.
XTo open all side windows: press the%
button on the key until the side windows
are fully opened.
XTo interrupt the opening procedure:
release the %button.
XTo close all side windows: press the&
button on the key until the side windows
are fully closed.
XTo interrupt the closing procedure:
release the &button.
Convenience closing with KEYLESS-GO
GWARNING
When using the convenience closing feature,
parts of the body could be trapped in the clos-
ing area when a side window is being closed.
There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. Make sure that no body parts are in
close proximity during the closing procedure.
If someone is trapped:
XRelease the recessed sensor surface on the
door handle immediately.
XPull the door handle immediately and hold
it until the side windows open again.
With KEYLESS-GO you can close all side win-
dows simultaneously. The KEYLESS-GO key
must be outside the vehicle. All the doors
must be closed.
XTouch recessed sensor surface :on the
door handle until the side windows are fully
closed.
iMake sure you only touch recessed sen-
sor surface :.
XMake sure that all the side windows are
closed.
XTo interrupt convenience closing:
release recessed sensor surface :on the
door handle.
Resetting the side windows
If a side window can no longer be closed fully,
you must reset it.
XClose all the doors.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock.
XPull the corresponding switch on the door
control panel until the side window is com- pletely closed (
Ypage 97).
XHold the switch for an additional second.
If the side window opens again slightly:
XImmediately pull the corresponding switch
on the door control panel until the side win-
dow is completely closed (
Ypage 97).
XHold the switch for an additional second.
XIf the respective side window remains
closed after the button is released, then it
has been set correctly. If this is not the
case, repeat the steps above again.
Side windows99
Opening and closing
Z

Problems with the side windows
GWARNING
If you close a side window again immediately after it has been blocked or reset, the side window
closes with increased or maximum force. The reversing feature is then not active. Parts of the
body could be trapped in the closing area in the process. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Make sure that no parts of the body are in the closing area. To stop the closing process, release
the switch or push the switch again to reopen the side window.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
A side window cannot
be closed because it is
blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window
guide.XRemove the objects.
XClose the side window.
A side window cannot
be closed and you can-
not see the cause.If a side window is obstructed during closing and reopens again
slightly:
XImmediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding
switch again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased force.
If a side window is obstructed again during closing and reopens
again slightly:
XImmediately after the window blocks, pull the corresponding
switch again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the anti-entrapment feature.
Roof
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you do not fully open/close the soft top, the
soft-top hydraulics depressurize after a short
time. This causes the soft top to lower unex-
pectedly and may cause you or others to be
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Always open or close the soft top completely.
GWARNING
Closing the roof manually is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure, which
requires a lot of strength. You or others can
become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Only have the soft top closed manually at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!Never sit on the rear compartment trim or
stow heavy objects there. You will other-
wise damage the roof and rear compart-
ment trim of the vehicle.
!Do not forget that the weather can
change abruptly. Make certain that the roof
is closed when you leave the vehicle. The
vehicle electronics can be damaged if
water enters the vehicle interior.
!When opening and closing the roof, make
sure that:
100Roof
Opening and closing