2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER ESP

boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a riskof an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid
high engine speeds and driving at full throttle
until the engine has reached its operating
temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
at low engine oil
temperatures (below +20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to protect the engine. To protect the engine and main-
tain smooth engine operation, avoid driving at
full throttle when the engine is cold. Key positions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the vehicle
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How-
ever, the ignition will not be switched on. The
engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
key featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO start
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the key must be in the vehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times insuccession corresponds to the different key
positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the key
determines whether a valid key is in the vehicle.
This occurs, for example, when starting the
engine. 132
DrivingDriving and parking

To start the vehicle without actively using the
key:
R the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock
R the key must be in the vehicle
R the vehicle must not be locked with the key or
KEYLESS-GO (Y page 78)
Do not keep the key:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another key
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal film
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can affect the function of the key with KEY- LESS-GO.
If you lock the vehicle with the key's remote
control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short time:
R you will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button
R you will not be able to start the engine with the
Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again
The engine can be switched off while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for three seconds. This function
operates independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO :
Start/Stop button
; Ignition lock
When you switch on the ignition, all of the indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
Further information on situations where an indi-
cator lamp either fails to go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving (Y page 245).
If Start/Stop button :has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the key being
removed from the ignition. X
To switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button :once.
The power supply is switched on. You can now activate the windscreen wipers, for example.
The power supply is switched off again if:
R the driver's door is opened and
R you press Start/Stop button :twice when
in this position
X To switch on the ignition: press Start/Stop
button :twice.
The ignition is switched on.
If you press Start/Stop button :once when
in this position, the ignition is deactivated
again.
Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock and start the vehicle as normal
using the key.
X Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop but-
ton from the ignition lock when you leave the
vehicle. You should, however, always take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle. As long as
the key is in the vehicle:
R the vehicle can be started using the Start/
Stop button
R the electrically powered equipment can be
operated Starting the vehicle
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they can:
R open doors and endanger other persons or
road users
R climb out and be injured by the traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-
ple, trap themselves. Driving
133Driving and parking
Z

i
Upshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly.
Information on automatically releasing the elec- trical parking brake (Y page 155).
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away for-
wards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll. G
WARNING
After a while, hill start assist no longer holds
the vehicle and it may roll away. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient
R the transmission is in position N
R the electric parking brake is applied
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts auto-
matically. The ECO start/stop function thereby
helps you to reduce the fuel consumption and
emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes :
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is switched on
whenever you start the engine using the key or
the Start/Stop button.
If the è ECO symbol is shown in the multi-
function display, the ECO start/stop function
switches the engine off automatically if the vehi- cle stops moving.
If the ECO start/stop function has been man-
ually switched off (Y page 136) or a malfunction
has caused the system to be switched off, the
è orç ECO symbol is not displayed.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function is only available in drive program C.
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission in Dor N, the ECO start/stop func-
tion switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational and
the è ECO symbol is displayed in the multi-
function display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system
R the engine is at normal operating temperature
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
R the battery is sufficiently charged
R the system detects that the windscreen is not
misted up when the air-conditioning system isswitched on Driving
135Driving and parking Z

Problems with the engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The engine does not
start. The HOLD function or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is activated.
X Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 172) or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC (Y page 167).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again:
X Turn the key back to position 0in the ignition lock.
or X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
X Restart the engine again (Y page 133). Avoid excessively long and
frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 296).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop. 138
DrivingDriving and parking

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

Additional settings
:
ECO start/stop function (Y page 135)
; ESP ®
(Y page 67)
= Suspension (Y page 179)
? To permanently activate manual gearshift-
ing (Y page 147)
When you press buttons :-? the corre-
sponding setting is selected. The DYNAMIC
SELECT controller setting is overwritten.
These settings will also be maintained if you use
the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to change to
drive program RACE,S+ ,S or C.
If you switch to drive program I, all stored char-
acteristics will be adopted. This is also the case
if you have previously pressed buttons :-?. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi- cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
! If the engine speed is too high or if the vehi-
cle is rolling, do not shift the transmission
directly from Dto R, from Rto Dor directly to
P.
Do not open the driver's door while the vehi-
cle is in motion. At low speeds in transmission position Dor R, park position Pis otherwise
engaged automatically.
The transmission could be damaged. j
Park position
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
The selector lever always returns to its original
position. The current transmission position P,R,
N or Dappears in the transmission position dis-
play in the multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
! If the engine speed is too high or if the vehi-
cle is rolling, do not shift the transmission
directly from Dto R, from Rto Dor directly to
P.
Do not open the driver's door while the vehi-
cle is in motion. At low speeds in transmission position Dor R, park position Pis otherwise
engaged automatically.
The transmission could be damaged. Automatic trans
mission
141Driving an d parking Z

Transmission positions
B Park position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion Pwhen the vehicle is stationary
(Y page 141). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. In order to secure the vehi-
cle, always apply the electric parking
brake in addition to the parking lock.
If the key is removed from the ignition lock, the transmission is locked.
The automatic transmission shifts
into Pautomatically:
R when the key is removed from the
ignition lock
R when the engine is switched off
with the transmission in position R
or Dand one of the doors is
opened
In the event of a malfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-
sion may lock in position P. Have the
vehicle electronics checked immedi-
ately at a qualified specialist work-
shop. C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi- tion Rwhen the vehicle is stationary. A Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission only to position Nif
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral
Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7 Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available. Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position
D. Gearshifting is determined
by:
R the selected drive program
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts 144
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking