2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER steering

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The coolant temperature
display is showing more
than 120 †. The coolant warning lamp may also
be on and a warning tone
may sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 279). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue driving
to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start traffic. DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change the drive program. Depending on the drive program
selected, the following vehicle characteristics
will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the suspension
R the steering
R the curve tilting function (vehicles with Active
Body Control)
R the control thresholds of ESP ®
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,
drive program Cis activated when the engine is
next started. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as
many times as necessary until the desired
drive program is selected.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After a short time the
display goes out and the status icon of the
selected drive program appears.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed briefly in the display of the mul-
timedia system.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop func-
tion is deactivated at the factory due to the
quality of the available fuel. In this case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available in any
drive program, regardless of the display in the
multimedia system display.
Available drive programs: C
Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
S
Sport Sporty driving characteris-
tics
S+
Sport Plus Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
I
Individual Individual settingsDYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
139Driving and parking Z

E
Economy
(vehicles with
adjustable
damping) Particularly economical
driving characteristics
CV
CURVE
(vehicles with
Active Body
Control) Particularly economical
driving characteristics with
cornering function
Additional information for drive programs
(Y
page 145). DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
General notes
Select the drive program using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller.
Available drive programs: I
Individual Individual settings
C
Comfort Comfort-orientated, engine
and transmission settings
optimised for economy
S
Sport Sporty engine and trans-
mission settings
S+
Sport Plus Particularly sporty trans-
mission settings
RACE
Maximum sportiness and
engine and transmission
settings suitable for the
racetrack Depending on the drive program selected, the
following vehicle characteristics will change:
R the drive (engine management)
R the transmission management
R ESP ®
R the suspension
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop function
R the driver assistance systems
R the availability of gliding mode
Further information for automatic drive program characteristics (Y page 145). Additionally, in drive program
Iyou can config-
ure the respective vehicle characteristics using
the multimedia system. You can find informa-
tion on this in the Digital Owner's Manual.
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,
drive program Cis activated when the engine is
next started. Selecting the drive program
X
Turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
program is selected.
The status icon of the selected drive program
is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed briefly in the display of the mul-
timedia system.
The drive program indicator on DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :lights up in red.
Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 145). 140
DYNAMIC SELEC
Tcont roller (Mercedes-AMG vehi cles)Driving and parking

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up. Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterised by the follow-
ing:
R the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
R low fuel consumption resulting from the auto-
matic transmission shifting up sooner. The
vehicle is driven in the low engine speed range
and the wheels are less likely to spin.
R the suspension exhibits comfortable damping
settings.
R the steering exhibits a comfortable steering
curve.
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
i Select this drive program for difficult road
conditions, e. g. snow and ice or wet road sur- faces.
Drive program S (Sport) Drive program Sis characterised by the follow-
ing:
R the vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later. As
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points, the fuel consumption may be
higher.
R the suspension exhibits firm damping set-
tings. R
the steering exhibits a sporty steering curve.
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later. As
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points, the fuel consumption may be
higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly firm
damping settings (vehicles with adaptive
adjustable damping).
R the suspension exhibits firm damping set-
tings (vehicles with Active Body Control).
R the steering exhibits a sporty steering curve.
R ESP ®
emphasises the vehicle's own over-
steering and understeering characteristics.
This enables a more active driving style. This
drive program requires more interaction from
the driver. Further information on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
i Only select this drive program if the road
conditions are good, e.g. the road is dry and
the route ahead is clearly visible.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program Ithe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
R the suspension
R the steering
R the control thresholds of ESP ®
Information on configuring drive program Iwith
the multimedia system can be found in the Dig-
ital Owner's Manual. Automatic trans
mission
145Driving an d parking Z

Vehicles with adaptive adjustable damp-
ing: drive program E (Economy)
Drive program Eis characterised by the follow-
ing:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly economical
driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
R the suspension exhibits comfortable damping
settings.
R the steering exhibits a comfortable steering
curve.
R during deceleration, the engine is disconnec-
ted from the drive train. The vehicle uses
kinetic energy and consumes less fuel (gliding
mode).
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Vehicles with Active Body Control: drive
program CURVE
Drive program CURVEis characterised by the
following:
R increased driving comfort on bends.
R the vehicle tilts actively into the bend. Further
information on the cornering function
(Y page 176).
R the vehicle exhibits particularly economical
driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
R comfortable suspension setting.
R the steering exhibits a comfortable steering
curve.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
R the automatic transmission shifts up sooner.
This results in the vehicle being driven at
lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.
R during deceleration, the engine is disconnec-
ted from the drive train. The vehicle uses kinetic energy and consumes less fuel (gliding
mode).
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles Drive program RACE
Drive program RACEis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack.
R all vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness.
R the gearshift recommendation gives you
information for slowly warming up the drive
assemblies and for adopting a fuel-efficient
driving style (Y page 147). You can follow the
gearshift recommendations at all times and
change gear accordingly using the steering
wheel gearshift paddles. On the basis of the
gearshift recommendation, using the steering
wheel gearshift paddles, you can optimise the drive train and engine operating mode at any
time.
R if you have selected a gear manually, this will
be maintained until the vehicle speed signifi-
cantly increases or decreases.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later. As
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points, the fuel consumption may be
higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly firm
damping settings.
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not available.
R ESP ®
switches to SPORT handling mode. The
M handling mode warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The SPORT SPORThan‐
han‐
dling mode
dling mode message appears in the multi-
function display. Observe the important
safety notes for the SPORT handling mode
(Y page 70).
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a limi-
ted degree. The engine's torque is only
restricted to a limited degree and the drive
wheels can spin. Further information on ESP ®
(Y page 70). 146
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later. As
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points, the fuel consumption may be
higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly firm
damping settings.
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not available.
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Drive program S (Sport) Drive program Sis characterised by the follow-
ing:
R the vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics.
R the vehicle pulls away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifts up later. As
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points, the fuel consumption may be
higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly firm
damping settings.
R gliding mode is not available.
R the ECO start/stop function is not available.
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Drive program C (Comfort) Drive program Cis characterised by the follow-
ing:
R the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economical
driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle has improved driving stability, for
example on slippery road surfaces.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin. R
gliding mode is available.
R the ECO start/stop function is available.
R ESP ®
provides the optimum compromise
between traction and stability. Further infor-
mation on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program Ithe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine management)
R the transmission management
R ESP ®
R the suspension
Information on configuring drive program Iwith
the multimedia system can be found in the Dig-
ital Owner's Manual.
i To permanently shift the gears manually in
drive program Iusing the steering wheel pad-
dles, select the M(manual) setting for the
transmission. Manual gearshifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel gearshift paddles. The transmission must
be in position D.
Depending on which gearshift paddle is pulled,
the automatic transmission immediately shifts
into the next gear up or down, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
R temporary setting
R permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically. Automatic transmission
147Driving and parking Z

Temporary setting
X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion D.
X Pull steering wheel gearshift paddle :or;.
The temporary setting will be active for a certain amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun
phase or when driving on steep terrain.
X To deactivate: pull steering wheel gearshift
paddle ;and hold it in place.
or X Use the lever to switch the transmission posi-
tion.
or X All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles):
use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to
change the drive program.
X Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.
Permanent setting All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion D.
X Press button :.
X To deactivate: press button:.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion D.
X Press button :.
X To deactivate: press button:.
or X If position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I: shift to drive program Iwith the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.
Shifting gears All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the currently engaged gear is reached and you continue to 148
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage.
X To shift down: pull steering wheel gearshift
paddle :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic downshifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
! If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-
vated, the automatic transmission does not
shift up automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is reached. When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the rev counter. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage. X
To shift up: pull steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
X To shift down: pull steering wheel gearshift
paddle :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic downshifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down. Gearshift recommendation All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles) !
If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-
vated, the automatic transmission does not
shift up automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is reached. When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the rev counter. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage. Automatic transmission
149Driving and parking Z

:
Gear indicator
; Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
X When the UP
UPmessage appears in the multi-
function display, pull on the right-hand steer- ing wheel gearshift paddle.
Kickdown X
For maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting. 150
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking