2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ESP

because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane. Activat-
ing DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with
crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
Rwhen pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
Rwhen maneuvering on steep slopes
Rwhen waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
Rthere is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
Rthe electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function (
Ypage 192) .
Driving systems191
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

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

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
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. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemSPORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
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 lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. Comfortable
suspension tuning is selected.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
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.
XCall up the driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display (
Ypage 315).
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display.
198Driving systems
Driving and parking

Example: displays in the COMAND display
:
Selection of raised level (Ypage 197)
;Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
=Selected suspension setting, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (
Ypage 198)
?G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
ACurrent vehicle level
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure that
there are no persons, animals or objects in
the area in which you are maneuvering.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to position D,R or N
Rrelease the electric parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors
General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
Rbelow the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
Rabove the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading
ramps.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)
Driving systems199
Driving an d parking
Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds,
and the indicator lamp
in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 546).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle.
A suitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. Active steering intervention
can assist you during parking.
You may also use PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 199).
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
Rthat are on straight roads, not bends
Rthat are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When maneu-
vering, parking or pulling out of a parking
space, make sure that there are no persons,
animals or objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering.
GWARNING
The vehicle swings out when parking and in
doing so could cross into the opposite lane.
This could result in a collision with another
road user. There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users when park-
ing. Stop the vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Parking Assist parking procedure.
202Driving systems
Driving and parking

XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. ThePark Assist Canceled
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button on the cen-
ter console (
Ypage 201).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if:
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
Ra wheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. The
÷ ESP warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
goes out and the Park Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If Active Parking Assist is canceled, you must
steer again yourself.
Rear view camera
General notes
Rear view camera :is in the trunk lid handle.
Rear view camera :is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind your vehicle with guide lines in the COMAND
display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
iThe text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear
view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your imme-
diate surroundings. You are always responsi-
ble for safe maneuvering and parking. When
maneuvering or parking, make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the area
in which you are maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in a limited manner:
Rif the tailgate is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
Rif the camera is exposed to very bright light
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
Rif there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
Rif the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the
rear view camera may be restricted due to
additional accessories on the rear of the vehi-
cle (e.g. license plate holder, bicycle rack).
206Driving systems
Driving and parking