2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Activation conditions
You can activate RACE START if:
R the doors are closed
R the engine is running and the engine and
transmission are at operating temperature.
This is the case when the oil temperature
gauge in the multifunction display is shown in
white (Y page 213).
R ESP ®
is functioning correctly (Y page 67)
R the drive program S,S+ orRace is selected
(Y page 140)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is
depressed (left foot)
R the transmission is in position D
Activating RACE START i
When manual mode (Y
page 147) is active,
the transmission automatically shifts up to
RACE START in the drive program. This func-
tion supports maximum acceleration with
RACE START. After going through an acceler- ating process once from a stationary position,
this function is automatically deactivated.
X Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Pull and hold both steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
X The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Release both steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles.
i If the activation conditions are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is cancelled. The RACE RACE
START not possible See Owner's Man‐
START not possible See Owner's Man‐
ual
ual message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift
paddle (Y page 147).
or X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel shift
paddle (Y page 147).
The RACE START available Depress
RACE START available Depress
accelerator
accelerator message appears in the multi-
function display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is cancel- led. The
RACE START cancelled
RACE START cancelled message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases.
The RACE
RACE START START Release
Release brake
braketo
tostart
start
message appears in the multifunction display.
i If the brake pedal is not released after a
short while, RACE START is cancelled. The
RACE RACE START
START cancelled
cancelled message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation.
The RACE RACE START
START active
active message appears in
the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal during RACE
START or if any of the activation conditions are
no longer fulfilled. The RACE START not pos‐
RACE START not pos‐
sible See Owner's Manual sible See Owner's Manual orRACE START
RACE START
cancelled
cancelled message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i After using it several times in short succes-
sion, RACE START will be unavailable until a
certain distance has been driven. Adaptive Damping System
General notes Suspension with the adaptive adjustable damp-
ing provides improved driving comfort and con-
tinuously controls the calibration of the damp-
ers. The damping characteristics adapt to the
current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface conditions
R the selected drive program (Y page 139).174
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Selecting the Comfort or Economy drive
programs In the
Comfort andEconomy drive programs,
the driving characteristics of your vehicle are
more comfortable. Select one of these drive
programs if you prefer a more comfortable driv- ing style. Also select these drive programs when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of motorway.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :repeat-
edly until the ComfortorEconomy drive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Sportdrive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport Plus mode The firmer suspension settings in the
Sport
Plus drive program ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads or, ideally, when driving on closed race
circuits.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Sport Plusdrive
program is selected. Activating the driving dynamics display
Using the driving dynamics display in the multi-
media system display, you can see the drive
program you selected as well as additional infor- mation on the vehicle's operating state.
X Switch on the multimedia system. You can
find further information in the separate
COMAND Online operating instructions.
X Press button :.
The driving dynamics display appears in the
multimedia system display.
The following information on the vehicle's oper- ating status is displayed in the driving dynamics
display:
R Drive program selected (Y page 139)
R Accelerator pedal position shown in %
R Brake pedal position shown in %
R Steering angle
R Damping setting selected
R G-FORCE cross displaying longitudinal and
lateral acceleration (only available in Sportor
Sport Plus drive programs) Active Body Control ABC (except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Setting the vehicle level General notes
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT button (Y page 139) or the level button.
The setting always corresponds to the last
selected function.
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is low- ered as its speed increases. In the Sportand
Sport Plus drive programs, it is lowered by up to Driving systems
175Driving and parking Z

13 mm compared to the normal vehicle level. In
the Comfort andCURVE drive programs, it is
lowered by up to 5 mm compared to the normal vehicle level. As the speed is reduced, the vehi-
cle is raised to the set vehicle height.
Select the normal level for normal road surfaces and the raised level for driving with snow chains
or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
R have selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
R switch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of thewheel arch or the underbody when you switch
off the engine.
! When the engine is switched off, the vehicle
is lowered if SPORT suspension tuning has
been selected at the normal level. The vehicle
is automatically lowered by approximately
10 mm. Make sure when parking that you
position your vehicle so that it does not make
contact with the kerb as the vehicle is low-
ered. Your vehicle could otherwise be dam-
aged. Setting the raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
X Make sure that a speed of 120 km/h is not
exceeded.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
If the engine has been switched off by the ECO
start/stop function, it is now restarted.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 50 mm.
Setting the normal level
X Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is lit: press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to the normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R drive faster than approximately 120 km/h
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 80 km/h
R or switch to the drive program while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
Suspension settings General notes
The electro-hydraulically controlled suspension
features improved driving dynamics, driving
safety and ride comfort. You can also choose
between a sporty, a particularly sporty, a com-
fortable and a comfortable mode with cornering function (CURVE). 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

The suspension is continuously tuned to each
wheel individually and depends on:
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R the vehicle load
R the drive program selected
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program is
activated when the engine is next started. If the
ignition is switched off for more than four hours,
the Comfort drive program is activated when
the engine is next started.
Selecting Comfort mode In the
Comfort drive program, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Select this mode if you prefer a more com-
fortable driving style.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Comfortdrive
program is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this mode if you
prefer a firmer suspension setting.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Sportdrive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport Plus mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport Plus drive program ensures even bet-
ter contact with the road. Select this mode if you prefer a firmer suspension setting.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Sport Plusdrive
program is selected. Selecting the CURVE setting
In the CURVE drive program, the curve tilting
function is activated. The vehicle inclines
inwards by up to 2.65 degrees on bends. The tilt function and the comfort suspension tuning
increase driving comfort in corners. CURVEis
available in the speed range between 15 km/h
and 180 km/h. Select this mode on winding
roads in particular. Outside this speed range,
the CURVE drive program is the same as the
Comfort drive program.
The curve tilting function monitors the area in
front of your vehicle by means of a camera
attached at the top of the windscreen. This func-
tion is automatically active if you select the
CURVE drive program. The system is opera-
tional at speeds of up to 180 km/h.
X Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the CURVEdrive
program is selected.
The system is deactivated if you select a differ-
ent drive program.
The system may be impaired or may not function if:
R if you are driving slower than 15 km/h or
faster than 180 km/h.
R if the vehicle is fully laden.
R if you drive with very high lateral acceleration.
Activating the driving dynamics display Using the driving dynamics display in the multi-
media system display, you can see the drive
program you selected as well as additional infor-
mation on the vehicle's operating state. Driving systems
177Driving and parking Z

X
Switch on the multimedia system. You can
find further information in the separate
COMAND Online operating instructions.
X Press button :.
The driving dynamics display appears in the
multimedia system display.
The following information on the vehicle's oper- ating status is displayed in the driving dynamics display:
R Drive program selected (Y page 139)
R Accelerator pedal position shown in %
R Brake pedal position shown in %
R Steering angle
R Activity of the ABC spring struts
R Vehicle level display (Y page 175)
R Level settings animation
R G-FORCE cross displaying longitudinal and
lateral acceleration (only available in Sportor
Sport Plus drive programs) Active Body Control ABC (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Setting the vehicle level General notes
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Y page 140) or the on-board
computer (Y page 178). The setting always cor-
responds to the last selected function.
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is low-
ered as its speed increases. In the Sportand
Sport Plus drive programs it is lowered by up to
13 mm, and in the Comfortdrive program by up
to 5 mm compared to the normal vehicle level.
As the speed is reduced, the vehicle is raised to
the set vehicle height.
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program is
activated when the engine is next started. If the
ignition is switched off for more than four hours,
the Comfort drive program is activated when
the engine is next started.
Select the normal level for normal road surfaces and the raised level for driving with snow chains
or on particularly poor road surfaces. Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the engine
is switched off. G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury.
When lowering the vehicle, make sure no one
is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches.
! If you have selected the normal level and
switched the engine off, the vehicle is low-
ered. The vehicle is automatically lowered by approximately 10 mm. Make sure when park- ing that you position your vehicle so that it
does not make contact with the kerb as the
vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could other-
wise be damaged.
Setting the raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
X Make sure that a speed of 120 km/h is not
exceeded.
X If symbol ; ;is not shown: press=
or ; on the steering wheel to select the
Assist. Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle level
Vehicle level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: :Vehicle
Vehicle
level Raise with OK
level Raise with OK.
X Press the abutton.
If the engine has been switched off by the ECO
start/stop function, it is now restarted. 178
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Symbol
;appears. The vehicle height is
adjusted to the raised level.
Adjusting to normal level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
X If symbol ;
; is shown: press=or;
on the steering wheel to select the Assist. Assist.
menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle level
Vehicle level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: :Vehicle Vehicle
level Lower with OK
level Lower with OK.
X Press the abutton.
Symbol ;is faded out. The vehicle is adjus-
ted to the normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R drive faster than approximately 120 km/h.
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 80 km/h.
R or switch to the drive program while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
Suspension settings General notes
The electro-hydraulically controlled suspension
features improved driving dynamics, driving
safety and ride comfort. You can also choose
between a particularly sporty or a comfortable
tuning.
The suspension is continuously adjusted for
each wheel individually and depends on:
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R the vehicle load
R the drive program selected Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock.
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected setting is activa-
ted when the engine is next started. If the igni-
tion is switched off for more than four hours, the
comfortable setting is activated when the
engine is next started.
Selecting the sporty setting 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.
X Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The sports sus-
pension setting is selected.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
Selecting the comfort setting In comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

mode if you prefer a more comfortable driving
style.
X Make sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is lit: press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The comfortable
suspension setting is selected.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT AMG Ride Control COMFORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
Activating the driving dynamics display in the COMAND display Using the driving dynamics display in the multi-
media system display, you can see the drive
program you selected as well as additional infor-
mation on the vehicle's operating status.
X Switch on COMAND Online. You can find fur-
ther information in the separate COMAND
Online operating instructions.
The following information on the vehicle's oper- ating status is displayed in the driving dynamics display:
R Drive program selected (Y page 140)
R Accelerator pedal position shown in %
R Brake pedal position shown in %
R Steering angle
R Vehicle level display (Y page 178)
R Activity of the ABC spring struts
R Level settings animation
R G-FORCE cross to display longitudinal and lat-
eral acceleration (only available in Sport,
Sport Plus andRACE drive programs)
R Overrun mode animation PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area around
your vehicle using six sensors in the front
bumper and six sensors in the rear bumper.
PARKTRONIC indicates visually and audibly the
distance between your vehicle and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a substitute
for your attention to the immediate surround-
ings. The responsibility for safe manoeuvring
and parking remains with you. Make sure that there are no persons, animals or objects in
range while manoeuvring and parking.
! 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 objects
which absorb ultrasonic sources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes or a
pneumatic drill, could cause PARKTRONIC to
malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the electric parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take into account obsta- cles located:
R below the detection range, e.g. persons, ani-
mals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods vehicles :
Example: sensors in the front bumper, left-
hand side
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and slush.
Otherwise, they may not function correctly. 180
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them (Y page 285).
range Front sensors
Centre Approx. 100 cm
Corners Approx. 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approx. 120 cm
Corners Approx. 80 cm
Minimum distance
Centre Approx. 20 cm
Corners Approx. 15 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, the rel-
evant warning displays light up and a warning
tone sounds. If the distance falls below the min- imum, the distance may no longer be shown. Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
:
Segments on the left-hand side of the vehi-
cle
; Segments on the right-hand side of the vehi-
cle
= Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located on
the dashboard above the centre air vents. The
warning display for the rear area is located on
the cover behind the seats in the rear compart-
ment.
The warning display for each side of the vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red segments.
PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow segments
showing operational readiness =light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running. Transmission posi-
tion Warning display
D
Front area activated
R,
Nor the vehicle is
rolling backwards Rear and front areas
activated P
No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the vehi-
cle's distance from the obstacle. Driving systems
181Driving and parking Z