2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ESP

Position of the steering wheel for driv-
ing
The steering wheel is moved to the last selec-
ted position when:
Rthe driver's door is closed
Ryou insert the SmartKey into the ignition
lock
or
Ryou press the Start/Stop button once on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
When you close the driver's door with the
ignition switched on, the steering wheel is
also automatically moved to the previously
set position.
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored when you switch off the ignition or
when you store the setting with the memory
function (
Ypage 119).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
triggered in an accident, the steering column
will move upwards when the driver's door is
opened. This occurs irrespective of the posi-
tion of the SmartKey in the ignition lock. This
makes it easier to exit the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY fea-
ture is activated in the on-board computer
(
Ypage 235).
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting the engine.
GWARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side reduces the size of the image. Visible
objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2in the ignition lock.
XPress button :for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button ;for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button =as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
XPress adjustment button =up, down, to
the right or to the left.
The exterior mirror must be set to a position
that provides you with a good overview of
traffic conditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
116Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (
Ypage 34).
Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, operation of the headlamps varies due
to legal requirements and self-imposed obli-
gations.
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options
Exterior lighting can be set using:
Rthe light switch
Rthe combination switch (Ypage 125)
Rthe on-board computer (Ypage 233)
Light switch
Operation
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps
2XRight-hand standing lamps
3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
XTurn the light switch to Ã.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
Rremove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
Ropen the driver's door with the SmartKey in position 0
Automatic headlamp mode
GWARNING
When the light switch is set to Ã, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
L.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
122Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers

4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5 LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it
is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the ignition is
switched on and the light switch is set to the
L position. This is a particularly useful
function in the event of rain and fog.
XTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L.
The green Lindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Parking lamps
!If the battery has been excessively dis-
charged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the Tparking lamps
for several hours. If possible, switch on the
X right or the Wleft standing lamp.
1WLeft-hand standing lamps
2XRight-hand standing lamps
3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps
XTo switch on: turn the light switch to T.
The green Tindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Standing lamps
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps
2XRight-hand standing lamps
3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
5LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps
Switching on the standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illumina-
ted.
XTo switch on the standing lamps: the
SmartKey is not in the ignition lock or it is in
position 0.
XTurn the light switch to W(left-hand side
of the vehicle) or X(right-hand side of
the vehicle).
124Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wiper s

Combination switch
Turn signal
:High-beam headlamps
;Turn signal, right
=High-beam flasher
?Turn signal, left
XTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?.
High-beam headlamps
:High-beam headlamps
;Turn signal, right
=High-beam flasher
?Turn signal, left
XTo switch on manually: turn the Smart-
Key to position 2in the ignition lock or start
the engine.
XVehicles without Adaptive Highbeam
Assist: turn the light switch to Lor
Ã.
XVehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
turn the light switch to L.
XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the high-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
XTo deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it
automatically controls activation of the high-
beam headlamps (
Ypage 127).
High-beam flasher
:High-beam headlamps
;Turn signal, right
=High-beam flasher
?Turn signal, left
Exterior lighting125
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

driving. This allows you to identify pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active:when the lights are switched on.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes
You can use this function to set the head-
lamps to change between low beam and high beam automatically. The system recognizes
vehicles with their lights on, either approach-
ing from the opposite direction or traveling in
front of your vehicle, and consequently
switches the headlamps from high beam to
low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the dis-
tance to the other vehicle. Once the system
no longer detects any other vehicles, it reac-
tivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users:
Rwho have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
Rwho have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
Rwhose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
may fail to recognize other road users that
have lights, or may recognize them too late. In this or similar situations, the automatic high-
beam headlamps will not be deactivated or
activated regardless. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid. Youare responsible for adjusting the vehicle's
lighting to the prevailing light, visibility and
traffic conditions.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be restricted if there is:
Rpoor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
Rdirt on the sensors or the sensors are
obscured
Exterior lighting127
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

Interior lighting control
General notes
In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
disc harging, the interior lighting functions are
automatical lydeactivated after some time
unless the SmartKey is inposition 2in the
ignit ion lock.
Automatic interior lighting control
Overhead control panel
:
p Toswit ch the left-hand reading lamp
on/o ff
;c Toswit ch the interior lighting on
=| Toswit ch the interior lighting/auto-
mat icinterior lighting control off
?p To switch the right-hand reading
lamp on/o ff
AToswit ch the automat icinterior lighting
control on
XTo switch on: set the switch to center
position A.
XTo switch off: set the switch to the |
position.
The interior lighting automatically switches
on ifyou:
Runlock the vehicle
Ropen a door
Rremove the SmartKey from the ignit ion lock
The interior lightis activated for a short while
when the SmartKey is removed from the igni-
tion lock. You can activate th isdelayed switch-off using the on-board computer
(
Ypage 234).
Manual interior lighting control
XTo switch
the interi orlighti ng on: set the
switch to the cposition.
XTo switch the interi orlighti ng off: set the
switch to the |or (if the door isclosed)
to the center posit ion.
XTo switchthe reading lamps on/off:
press the pbutton.
Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting isactivated automatical ly
if the vehicle isinvolved inan acc ident.
XTo switch off the crash-responsive
eme rgency lighti ng:press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or
XLock and then unlock the vehicle using the Sm artKey.
Replacing bulbs
GDANGER
Xenon bulbs carry ahigh voltage. You can get
an electric shock if you remove th ecover of
th eXenon bulb and touch th eelectrical con-
tacts .Ther eis aris kof fatal injury.
Never touch th epart sor th eelectrical con-
tacts of th eXenon bulb. Always hav ewor kon
th eXenon bulbs carrie dout at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
The front and rear lamps of your vehicle are
equipp edwith either Xenon or LED bulbs. Do
not replace the bulbs yourself. Contact a
qualif ied specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
Replacing bulbs129
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

Driving
Important safet ynotes
GWARNING
Objects in th edriver's footwell can restric tth e
peda ltrave lor obstruct adepressed pedal.
The operatin gand road safet yof th evehicle is
jeopardized. There is aris kof an accident.
Mak esur ethat all objects in th evehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they canno tente r
th edriver's footwell. Install th efloormat s
securely and as specifie din order to ensur e
sufficien tclearanc efo rth epedals. Do no tuse
loose floormat sand do no tplac efloormat son
to pof on eanother.
GWARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correc tusag e
of th epedals, e.g. :
Rshoes withthic ksoles
Rshoes wit hhig hheels
Rslipper s
There is aris kof an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensur ecorrec t
usag eof th epedals.
GWARNING
If you switch of fth eignition whil edriving,
safety-relevant function sare only available
wit hlimitations, or no tat all. Thi scould affect,
fo rexample, th epowe rsteerin gand th ebrake
boostin geffect .You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake .There is aris k
of an accident.
Do no tswitch of fth eignition whil edriving.
GWARNING
If th eparking brake has no tbee nfull y
release dwhen driving, th eparking brake can :
Roverheat and cause afir e
Rlos eits hol dfunction .
There is aris kof fir eand an accident. Release
th eparking brake full ybefor edrivin goff.
!Do no twarm up th eengin ewit hth evehi-
cl e stationary. Drive of fimmediately. Avoid
hig hengin espeeds and drivin gat full throt-
tl e until th eengin ehas reached it soperat -
in g temperature .
Only shift th eautomatic transmissio nto
th edesire ddrive position when th evehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinnin gth edrive
wheels when pulling away on slipper y
roads. You could otherwise damage th e
drive train .
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles :at low engin e
oil temperature sbelo w68 ‡(+2 0†), th e
maximum engin espeed is restricte din
order to protect th eengine. To protect th e
engin eand maintain smoot hengin eoper-
ation ,avoid drivin gat full throttle when th e
engin eis cold.
SmartKe ypositions
SmartKe y
gTo removeth eSmartKey
1Powe rsupply fo rsom econsumers ,suc h
as th ewindshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply fo rall consumers )
and drive position
3To start th eengin e
iThe SmartKey can be turned in th eigni-
tion loc keve nif it is no tth ecorrec tSmart -
Key fo rth evehicle. The ignition is no t
switched on .The engin ecanno tbe started.
Driving151
Driving and parking
Z

KEYLESS-GO
Generalnotes
Vehicles wit hKEYLESS-GO are equipped wit h
a SmartKey featurin gan integrate dKEYLESS -
GO start function and adetachable Start /
Stop button.
The Start/Sto pbutto nmus tbe inserted in th e
ignition loc kand th eSmartKey mus tbe in th e
vehicle.
When you insert th eStart/Sto pbutto nint o
th eignition lock, th esystem needs approx -
imately two seconds recognition time. You
can then use th eStart/Sto pbutton.
Pressing th eStart/Sto pbutto nseveral times
in succession correspond sto th edifferen t
ke yposition sin th eignition lock. This is only
th ecas eif you are no tdepressing th ebrak e
pedal .
If you depress th ebrak epedal and press th e
Start/Sto pbutton, th eengin estart simmedi-
ately.
A chec kwhic hperiodically establishes aradi o
connection between th evehicl eand th e
SmartKey determine swhether avalid Smart -
Key is in th evehicle. This occurs, for example,
when starting th eengine.
To start th evehicl ewithout actively usin gth e
SmartKey:
Rth eStart/Sto pbutto nmus tbe inserted in
th eignition lock.
Rth eSmartKey mus tbe in th evehicle.
Rth evehicl emus tno tbe locke dwit hth e
Sma
rtKey or KEYLESS-GO (
Ypage 83).
Do no tkeep th eSmartKey:
Rwit helectronic devices, e.g. amobile
phone or another SmartKey.
Rwit hmetallic objects ,e.g. coins or metal
foil.
Rinside metallic objects ,e.g. ametal case.
This can impair th efunctionalit yof th eKEY-
LESS-GO key. If you loc
kth evehicl ewit hth eSmartKey' s
remot econtrol or wit hKEYLESS-GO ,after a
short time:
Ryou will no tbe able to switch on th eignition
wit hth eStart/Sto pbutton.
Ryou will no tbe able to start theengin ewit h
th eStart/Sto pbutto nuntil th evehicl eis
unlocke dagain .
iThe engin ecan be switched off while th e
vehicl eis in motion by pre ssing and holding
th eStart/Sto pbutto nfor three seconds.
This function operate sindependentl yof th e
ECO start/sto pautomatic engin eswitch -
off function .
Key positions wit hKEYLESS-G O
:Start/Stopbutto n
;Ignition loc k
As soo nas th eignition is switched on ,all th e
indicator lamp sin th ein strumen tcluste rligh t
up. Further information on situationswher e
an indicato rlamp either fails to go out after
startin gth eengin eor lights up while drivin g
(
Ypage 272).
If Start/Sto pbutto n: has no tyet been
pre ssed, this correspond sto th eke ybein g
remove dfrom th eignition .
XTo switch on th epower supply :press
Start/Sto pbutto n: once .
The powe rsuppl yis switched on .You can
no wactivat eth ewindshield wiper s,for
example.
152Driving
Driving and parking