2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class Eco stop start

RAccel.(evaluation of all acceleration pro-
cesses):
-The bar fills up: moderate acceleration,
especially at higher speeds
-The bar empties: sporty acceleration
RConstant(assessment of driving behavior
at all times):
-The bar fills up: constant speed and
avoidance of unnecessary acceleration
and deceleration
-The bar empties: fluctuations in speed
RCoasting(assessment of all deceleration
processes):
-The bar fills up: anticipatory driving,
keeping your distance and early release
of the accelerator. The vehicle can coast
without use of the brakes.
-The bar empties: frequent braking
iAn economical driving style specially
requires driving at moderate engine
speeds.
To achieve a higher value in the categories
Acceleration
and Constant:
Robserve the gearshift recommendations.
Rdrive in drive program E.
iOn long journeys at a constant speed, e.g.
on the highway, only the bar for Constant
will change.
iThe ECO display summarizes the driving
characteristics from the start of the journey
to its completion. For this reason, the bars
change dynamically at the beginning of the
journey. On longer journeys, there are
fewer changes. For more dynamic changes,
carry out a manual reset.
For more information on the ECO display, see
(
Ypage 226).
Brakes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
!On long, steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes. To use
engine braking, shift to a lower gear in good
time. This helps you to avoid overheating
the brakes and wearing them out exces-
sively.
When making use of the engine braking
effect, it is possible that a drive wheel may
not turn for some time, e.g. in the case of
suddenly changing or slippery road surface
conditions. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is espe-
cially important if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
176Driving tips
Driving and parking

!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from
the vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be too low. Observe additional warning mes-
sages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!As the ESP®system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition system
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1in the ignition lock or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when:
Rtesting the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
Ryou intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically by ESP
®may seriously damage the brake
system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals.
Information on BAS (Brake Assist)
(
Ypage 72).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your vehi-
cle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality
standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
Driving tips177
Driving and parking
Z

secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
Depending on the specified minimum dis-
tance, your vehicle will come to a standstill at
a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in
front. The specified minimum distance is set
using the control on the cruise control lever.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated and:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may also be shifted into position Pautomat-
ically.
Storing the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed
GWARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle acceler-
ates or decelerates. If you do not know the
stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Pay attention to the road and traffic condi-
tions before calling up the stored speed. If you
do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
Cruise control lever
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards you :.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Setting a speed
Cruise control lever
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to
the speed set.
XTo adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up :to the
Driving systems187
Driving and parking
Z

Activationconditions
You can activat eth eHOLD function if:
Rth evehicl eis stationary
Rth eengin eis runnin gor if it has been auto -
matically switched off by th eECO start /
stop function
Rth edriver' sdoor is closed or your seat belt
is fastene d
Rtheelectric parking brak eis release d
Rthetransmission is in position D,Ror N
RDISTRONI C PLUSis deactivated
Activating the HOLD function
XMakesur ethat th eactivation condition s
are met .
XDepress th ebrak epedal .
XQuickl ydepress th ebrak epedal further
until :HOL D
appear sin th emultifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th ebrak epedal .
iIf depressing th ebrak epedal th efirst
time does no tactivat eth eHOLD function ,
wait briefly and then tr yagain .
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
callyif:
Ryou accelerate and th etransmission is in
position Dor R.
Ryou shif tth etransmission to position P.
Ryou apply thebrakes again wit h acertain
amoun tof pressur euntil HOLD
disappear s
from th emultifunction display.
Ryou secure th evehicl eusin gth eelectric
parking brake.
Ryou activat eDISTRONI C PLUS.
iAfter atime, th eelectric parking brak e
secures th evehicl eand relieves th e service
brake.
The electric parking brak eautomatically
secures th evehicl eif th e HO LD function is
activated and :
Rthedriver' sdoor is open and th edriver' s
seat belt is unf astened.
Rtheengin eis switched off ,unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th eECO start/
stop function .
Rasystem malfunction occur s.
Rthepower suppl yis no tsufficient.
If amalfunction occur s,then th etransmission
may also be shifte dint oposition Pautomat -
ically.
RACE START
Import ant safety notes
iObserveth esafet ynote sfor th eSP ORT
handlin gmod e (
Ypage 76) .
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicate drac ecircuit s.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start .The precondition for
this is asuitable high-grip road surface.
iRACE START is only available for th e
Mercedes‑ AMG SL 63 .
Conditions for activati on
You can activateRACE START if:
Rth edoor sare closed.
Rth eengin eis runnin gand it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
17 6‡( 80 †). This is the case when the oil
temperature gauge in the multifunction dis-
play stops flashing.
192Driving systems
Driving and parking

Selecting sports tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The message SPORT
appears in the multi-
function display.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you want
more direct contact with the road when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on wind-
ing country roads.
Selecting comfort tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The message COMFORT
appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style.
Active Body Control (except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level
General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. In the SPORT
suspension setting, it is lowered by up to
0.5 in (13 mm) and in COMFORT by up to
0.2 in (5 mm). As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
Rhave selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
Rswitch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
194Driving systems
Driving and parking

Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you switchoff the engine.
Setting raised level
XMake sure that the engine is running or thatit has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XMake sure that a speed of 75 mph
(120 km/h) is not exceeded.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now restar-
ted.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rare driving faster than approximately
75 mph (120 km/h).
Rdrive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h).
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled ABC suspension system features improved driving dynamics
and ride comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned individ-
ually to each wheel and depends on:
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Rthe vehicle load
Ryour individual selection of the sporty or
comfort button
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Selecting sports tuning
Driving systems195
Driving and parking
Z

XMake sure that the engine is running or thatit has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you prefer a
firmer suspension setting.
Selecting comfort tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Comfortable
suspension tuning is selected.
The ABC
ActiveBodyControlCOMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display
You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND dis-
play.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
XMake sure COMAND is switched on
(
Ypage 297).
XPress button :.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display.
Example: displays in the COMAND display
:
Selection of raised level (Ypage 194)
;Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
=Selected suspension setting, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (
Ypage 195)
?G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
ACurrent vehicle level
196Driving systems
Driving and parking

Active Body Control(Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Vehicle level
Genera lnotes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve th edriving dynamics, th evehicl eis
lowered as it sspee dincreases. In th eSP ORT
suspension setting ,it is lowered by up to
0. 5in (13 mm) and in COMF ORTby up to
0. 2in (5 mm). As th espee dis reduced, th e
vehicl eis raised up to th eset vehicl eheight .
Selec tth e"Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised "for driving wit hsnow
chain sor on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
The vehicl eis slightly lowered when th e
engin eis switched off .
GWARNING
When th evehicl eis bein glowered, people
could become trapped if their limb sare
between th evehicl ebody and th ewheels or
underneat hth evehicle. There is aris kof
injury.
Mak esur eno on eis underneat hth evehicl eor
in th eimmediat evicinity of th ewhee larches
when th evehicl eis bein glowered.
Setting raised level
XMak esur ethat th eengin eis runnin gor that
it has been switched off by th eECO start /
stop function .
XMakesur ethat aspee dof 75 mph
(12 0km/ h)is not exceeded.
XIf icon ;is not shown: press=
or ; on the steering wheel to select the
DriveAssist
menu.
XPress the 9or: button to select
Vehicle Level
.
XPress the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Level Press 'OK' to Raise.
XPress theabutton.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now restar-
ted.
Icon ;appears. The vehicle height is
adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf icon ;is shown: press=or; on
the steering wheel to select the DriveAs‐
sistmenu.
XPress the9or: button to select
Vehicle Level
.
XPress the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Level Press 'OK' to Lower.
XPress theabutton.
Icon ;is faded out. The vehicle is adjusted
to normal level.
Driving systems197
Driving and parking
Z