2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER steering

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

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing 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.
X If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 285).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves.
X See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. It measures the road on both
sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suitable parking space. Active steering inter-
vention can assist you during manoeuvring and
parking. You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Y page 180).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that no persons, animals or objects
are in the manoeuvring range.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Active Park-
ing Assist is also unavailable. G
WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could cause you to collide with other road users.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park-
ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as kerbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tyres.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.: R parking or stopping restrictions
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as closely as possible
past the parking space
R parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly
R parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly Driving systems
183Driving and parking Z

R
snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 181) warning messages during the
parking procedure
R at any time, you can intervene in the steering
procedure to correct it. Active Parking Assist will then be cancelled.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist
R never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are fitted
R make sure that the tyre pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces
that are:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R on straight roads, not bends
R on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of Active
Parking Assist will not be detected when the
parking space is measured. These are not taken
into account when the parking procedure is cal- culated, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or
loading ramps of goods vehicles. G
WARNING
If objects are located above the detection
range, Active Parking Assist may start to steer into the parking space too soon. As a result,
you could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop the vehicle and switch Active
Parking Assist off.
For further information on the detection range
(Y page 180). Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces at right angles to the direction of
travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low kerb
R you forward park
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces that are parallel or at right angles
to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a kerb
R the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass pav-
ing blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
manoeuvre into
R the parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer :
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is activated automatically
when driving forwards. The system is opera-
tional at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel and
are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel and
at least 1.0 m longer than your vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 1.0 mwider than your vehi-
cle
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the size of a parking space if it is at
right angles to the direction of travel. You will 184
Driving systemsDriving and parking

need to judge whether your vehicle will fit in
the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you will
see parking symbol ;as a status indicator in
the instrument cluster. When a parking space
has been detected, an arrow towards the right or the left also appears. Active Parking Assist only
displays parking spaces on the front-passenger side as standard. Parking spaces on the driver's
side are displayed as soon as the turn signal on the driver's side is activated. When parking on
the driver's side, this must remain activated
until you confirm the use of Active Parking Assist by pressing the abutton on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel. The system automatically
determines whether the parking space is paral-
lel or at right angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are driv-
ing past it, and until you are approximately 15 m away from it.
Parking G
WARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter- vening actively in the steering. There is a risk
of accident if you do not apply the brakes
yourself.
Always apply the brakes yourself when park-
ing and manoeuvring.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking symbol
shows the desired parking space in the instru- ment cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist: press
the a button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. When reversing, drive at a speed below 10 km/h. Otherwise, Active Parking
Assist will be cancelled.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Manoeuvring may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Park Assist active Select D Park Assist active Select D
Observe surroundings
Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile the
vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings
and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
The Park Assist active Select R Park Assist active Select R
Observe surroundings
Observe surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Park Assist switched off
Park Assist switched off message
appears in the multifunction display and a warn- ing tone sounds. The vehicle is now parked.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions. When Active Park-
ing Assist is finished, you must steer again your-
self. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips:
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the park-
ing space after parking is dependent on vari-
ous factors. These include the position and
shape of the vehicles parked in front and
behind it and the conditions of the location. It
may be the case that Active Parking Assist
guides you too far into a parking space, or not
far enough into it. In some cases, it may also
lead you across or onto the kerb. If necessary, you should cancel the parking procedure with
Active Parking Assist.
R You can also preselect transmission position
D. The vehicle redirects and does not drive as
far into the parking space. Should the trans-
mission change take place too early, the park-
ing procedure will be cancelled. A sensible Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z

parking position can no longer be achieved
from this position.
Exiting a parking space In order that Active Parking Assist can assist you
when exiting the parking space:
R the border of the parking space must be high
enough at the front and the rear. A kerb stone is too small, for example.
R the border of the parking space must not be
too wide, as the position of the vehicle must
not exceed an angle of 45° to the starting
position as it is manoeuvred into the parking
space.
R a manoeuvring distance of at least 1.0 mmust
be available.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist.
X Start the engine.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the turn signal in the direction you
will drive out of the parking space.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
message appears in the multifunction display
%.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or X To exit a parking space using Active Park-
ing Assist: press theabutton on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake Observe surroundings
and brake Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Pull away, being ready to brake at all times. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of approx-
imately 10 km/h when exiting a parking
space. Otherwise, Active Parking Assist will
be cancelled.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor Ras
required or according to the message while
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
Park Assist
active active Accelerate
Accelerate and
andbrake
brake Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings
message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
If you reverse after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
X Drive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and the
Park
Park Assist Assist switched
switched off
offmessage appears
in the multifunction display. You will then have
to steer and merge into traffic on your own.
PARKTRONIC is still available. You can take over the steering before the vehicle has exited the
parking space completely. This is useful, for
example, when you recognise that it is already
possible to pull out of the parking space.
Cancelling Active Parking Assist You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time.
X Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be cancelled at
once. The Park Assist cancelled Park Assist cancelled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button on the centre
console (Y page 182).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active Park-
ing Assist is immediately cancelled. The
Park Assist cancelled Park Assist cancelled message appears
in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is cancelled automatically
if:
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no lon-
ger possible
R you are driving faster than 10 km/h
R a wheel spins and 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 cancelled Park Assist cancelled
message appears in the multifunction display. 186
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bottom-
most guideline. :
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 4.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
; White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)
= Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
? Yellow lane marking the course the tyres will
take at the current steering wheel angle
(dynamic) A
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
B Vehicle centre axis (locating aid)
C Bumper
D Red guide line at a distance of approximately
0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the transmis-
sion is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. :
Front warning display
; Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
= Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: when
PARKTRONIC is operational (Y page 181), addi-
tional measurement operational readiness indi-
cator ;appears in the multimedia system. If
the PARKTRONIC warning displays are active or
light up, warning displays :and =are also
active or light up correspondingly in the multi-
media system.
"Reverse parking" function Reversing straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel
:
White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)
; Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
= Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle
? Red guide line at a distance of approximately
0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle 188
Driving systemsDriving and parking