2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS ECU

G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they coul ds et it in motion by, for example:R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicl ee quip-
ment and become trapped. There is ar isk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alway st ake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
G WARNING
If persons, particularl yc hildren are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme hea to r
cold, there is ar isk of injury ,p ossibly even
fatal .N ever leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularl yont he metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is ar isk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you ,a lway se nsure that the child restraint
system is not expose dtod irect sunlight. Pro-
tect it with ab lanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been expose dtod irect
sunlight, let it cool dow nb efore securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicl eo ccupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly .P articular attention must be pai dt o
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
( Y
pag e4 0) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts ( Y
pag e4 1).
Ab ooster seat may be necessary to achieve
prope rs eat bel tp ositioning for children over
40 lbs (18 kg )u ntil they reach ah eight where a three-point seat bel tc an be properly fastened
without ab ooster seat.
Special seatbelt retractor
G WARNING
If the seat bel tisr eleased while driving, the
child restraint system wil lnol onger be
secure dp roperly .T he special seat bel tr etrac-
tor is disable da nd the inertia real draw sina
portion of the seat belt. The seat bel tc annot
be immediatel yr efastened. There is an
increased risk of injury ,p ossibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicl ei mmediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat bel tr etractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
The seat bel tont he front-passenger's side is
equipped with as pecial seat bel tr etractor.
When activated, the special seat bel tr etractor
ensure st hat the seat bel tc annot slacken once
the child seat is secured.
Installing ac hild restraint system: X
Make sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions. X
Pul lt he seat bel ts moothly out of the belt
loop. X
Engage seat bel tt ongue in bel tb uckle.
Activating the special seat bel tr etractor:X
Pul lt he seat bel to ut full ya nd let the inertia
reel retract it again.
Whil et he seat bel tisr etracting, you should
hear ar atcheting sound .T he special seat belt
retractor is enabled. X
Push the child restraint system dow nsot hat
the seat bel tist ight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat bel tr etractor:X
Make sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions. X
Press the release button of the seat belt
buckle ,h old the bel tt ongue and guide it back
toward st he bel tl oop.
The special seat bel tr etractor is deactivated.54
Children in the vehicle
Safety

Child restraint system The use of seat belt sa nd child restraint systems
is required by law in: R
all 50 states R
th eU .S .t erri toriesR
th eD istrict of ColumbiaR
all Canadian provinces
You can obtain further informatio na bout the
correc tc hi ld restraint system from any author-
ize dM ercedes-Ben zC enter.
G WARNING
If th ec hi ld restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on as uitable seat ,itc anno tp rotect as
intended. The child canno tt he nber estrained
in th ee vent of an accident, heav yb raking or
sudde nc ha nges of direction .T her eisa n
increased ris kofi njury, possibly eve nf atal.
Mak es ure that you observ et he child restraint
system manufacturer' si nstallatio ni nstruc-
tions and th en otes on use. Pleas ee ns ure,
that th eb ase of th ec hi ld restraint system is
always restin gc ompletely on th es eat cush-
ion .N ever plac eo bjects, e.g .c ushions, under
or behin dt he child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems wit ht he original cover
designe df or them. Only replace damaged
covers wit hg enuine covers.
G WARNING
If th ec hi ld restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is no ts ecured, it can com el oos ei n
th ee vent of an accident, heav yb raking or a
sudde nc ha ng eind irection .T he child
restraint system coul dbet hr own about ,s tr ik-
ing vehicle occupants .T her eisani ncreased
ris kofi njury, possibly eve nf atal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, eve nift he ya re no tb ein gu sed. Make
sure that you observ et he child restraint sys-
te mm anufacturer' si nstallatio ni nstructions.
Further informatio nons to win go bjects, luggage
and loads securely can be foun du nde r“ Stowi ng
options/stowage compartments”
( Y
page 219). G WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securin gs ys-
tems whic hh ave been damaged or subjected
to al oad in an acciden tc an no longer protect
as intended. The child canno tt he nb e
restraine dint he event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudde nc ha nges of direction .T here
is an increased ris kofi njury, possibly even
fatal.
Replac ec hi ld restraint systems whic hh ave
been damaged or subjected to al oad in an
acciden tass oon as possible. Hav et he secur-
ing systems on th ec hi ld restraint system
checked at aq ualified specialist workshop,
before you install ac hi ld restraint system
again.
The securin gs ystem of child restraint systems is
th es eat belt system.
i If you install ac hi ld restraint system on the
front-passenger seat ,bes ure to observ et he
instruction sa nd safety note sont he "Occu-
pan tC lassificatio nS yste m( OCS)"
( Y
page 45). Ther ey ou will also fin di nforma-
tio nond eactivatin gt he front-passenger front
air bag.
All child restraint systems must mee tt he fol-
lowin gs ta ndards: R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safet yS ta ndards
21 3a nd 225 R
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safet yS ta ndards
21 3a nd 210.2
Confirmation that th ec hi ld restraint system cor-
responds to th es ta ndards can be foun dona n
instruction label on th ec hi ld restraint system.
This confir mation can also be foun di nt he instal-
lation instruction st ha ta re included wit ht he
child restraint system.
Observ et he warning labels in th ev ehicle inte-
rior and on th ec hi ld restraint system.
Child restraint system on th ef ro nt-
passenge rs eat
General notes
If you install ac hi ld restraint system on the
front-passenger seat ,a lways observ et heChildren in th ev ehicle 55
Safety Z

instructions and safet yn otes on the "Occupant
Classification System (OCS)" ( Y
page 45).
You can thus avoid the risk st hat could arise as
ar esult of: R
an incorrectly categorized perso nint he front-
passenger seat R
the unintentional deactivatio noft he front-
passenger front air bag R
the unsuitable positionin goft he child
restraint system, e.g. too clos etot he dash-
board
Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to install ar earward-
facin gc hild restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenge rf ront air bag is deactivated.
Only if the PASSENGER AI RB AG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit ( Y
page 39) is the front-
passenger front air bag deactivated.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If you secur eac hild in af orward-facin gc hild
restraint system on the front-passenge rs eat,
always move the front-passenge rs eat as far
back as possible .T he entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushio noft he front-passenge rs eat. The back-
rest of the child restraint system must lie as flat
as possible against the backrest of the front-
passenger seat. The child restraint system must
not touc ht he roof or be subjected to al oad by
the head restraint .A djust the angle of the seat
backrest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly. Always make sure that the shoulder belt
strap is correctly routed fro mt he front-
passenger seat belt guide to the shoulder belt
guide on the child restraint system. The shoul-
der belt strap must be routed forward and down
fro mt he front-passenge rs eat belt guide.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions. Pets in th ev ehicle
G WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, the yc ould press buttons or
switches, for example.
As ar esult ,t he yc ould: R
activat ev ehicle equipmen ta nd become
trapped, for example R
activat eord eactivat es ystems, thereby
endangerin go ther road users
Unsecure da nimals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the even tofana ccident or sud-
den steerin gorb raking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is ar isk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secur ea nimals properly during
the journey, e.g. use as uitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems In this section, you will fin di nformation about
the followin gd rivin gs afet ys ystems:R
AB S( A nti-lock B raking S ystem)
( Y
page 57) R
BA S( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 57)R
Activ eB rak eA ssist ( Y
page 58)R
Adaptive brak el ight s( Y
page 60)R
ESP ®
( E lectronic S tability P rogram)
( Y
page 60) R
EB D( E lectronic B ra ke force D istribution)
( Y
page 63) R
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ( Y
page 63)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your drivin gs tyle or if you are
inattentive, the drivin gs afet ys ystems can nei-
the rr educ et he risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics .D ri vin gs afet ys ystems are
merely aids designed to assist driving.56
Driving safety systems
Safety

X
To deactivate: press and hol db ut ton C for
abou tf iv es econds unti lat one sounds.X
To activate: press and hol db ut ton D for
abou tf iv es econds unti lat one sounds.
If yo up ress one of the two buttons and do not
hea rat one, the relevant setting ha sa lr eady
been selected.
The vehicl eisl oc ked automaticall yw he nt he
ignition is switched on and the wheels are turn-
ing.
Yo uc ould therefore lock yoursel fo ut if:R
the vehicl eisb ei ng pushed.R
the vehicl eisb ei ng towed.R
the vehicl eisonar olle rd yn amometer.
Yo uc an also switch the automatic locking func-
tio nona nd off using the on-board computer
( Y
page 173).
Unlocking/lockin gt he driver's door
using the mechanical key
i If yo uw an ttoc entrall yl oc kt he vehicl eu si ng
the mechanical key ,b egin by pressing the
locking button for the interio rl oc king mech-
anism whil et he driver's door is open. Then
lock the driver's door using the mechanical
key.
X
To unlock: turn the mechanical key counter-
clockwise as far as it will go to position G .X
To lock: turn the mechanical key clockwise as
far as it will go to position G .
If yo uu se the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-thef ta la rm sys-
tem will be triggered .S witch off the alarm
( Y
page 64). Trunk
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If objects, luggage or load sa re not secured or
not secured sufficiently ,t hey could slip ,t ip
ove rorbef lung around and thereb yh it vehicle
occupants. There is ar is kofi njury ,p ar ticu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or as ud -
de nc hange in direction.
Alway ss tor eo bj ects so tha tt hey canno tb e
flung around .S ecure objects, luggage or
load sa gain st slipping or tipping before the
journey.
! The trunk li ds wi ng su pwar ds when opened.
Therefore, make sure tha tt her eiss uf ficient
clearance above the trunk lid.
! Onl yc lose the trunk once the roo fisl owere d
completely. Otherwise, yo uc ould damag et he
roof.
If yo uc lose the trunk li db ef ore the roo fi s
lowered completely, the loading ai ds wi tch
lights up and aw ar ning tone sounds.
The opening dimensions of the trunk li dc an be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
( Y
page 295).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the trunk. You
could otherwise lock yoursel fo ut .
The trunk li dc an be: R
opened/close df rom outside R
opene da ut omaticall yf rom outsideR
locked separately R
opene dw it ht he emergency release button R
unlocke dw it ht he mechanical key
Yo us houl dp referabl yp la ce luggage or load si n
the trunk.72
Trunk
Opening and closing

The seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
G WARNING
When you adjust as eat, you or other vehicle
occupant sc ould become trapped, e.g. on the
seat guide rail. There is ar isk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting as eat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
G WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move forwards as far as the next catc hd uring
movemen ts uch as braking or abrupt changes
of direction .Asar esult, you would be pushed
against your seat belt by the unsecured driv-
er's seat.
This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle. The seat belt cannot protec tasi nten-
ded and could result in additional injury.
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Before every journey, make sure that the driv-
er's seat is fully engaged.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
( Y
page 43) and "Children in the vehicle"
( Y
page 53).
G WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
motion .T his could cause you to lose control of
the vehicle. There is ar isk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the vehicle.
G WARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupant sc ould be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment button sa nd become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustmen ts ys-
tem. G WARNING
If the head restraints are not installed or not
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide pro-
tection as intended. There is an increased risk
of injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the
event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
G WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do
the following while driving: R
adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steerin gw heel or mirrors R
fasten the seat belt
There is ar isk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting the engine.
! To prevent damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following notes: R
Do not spill liquids ont ot he seats. Dry the
seats as soon as possible if liquid does get
spilled on the seats. R
If the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. Also, do not use
the seat heating to dry the seats. R
Clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section. R
Do not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place pointed object sont he seat
cushions such as knives, nails or tools.
Where possible, use the seats only for car-
rying passengers. R
When operating the seat heating, do not
cover the seats with insulating materials,
e.g. blankets ,c oats, bags, protective cov-
ers, child seats or booster seats. R
When the seat heating is switched on, the
seat surface can be damaged as ar esult of
object sb eing placed on the seats; for
example, seat cushions, child seats and
protective covers not approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Seats 85
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

If somebod yb ecomes trapped:R
press one of the memory function position
buttons, or R
press one of the memory function memory
buttons, or R
move the switch for steering wheel adjust-
ment in the opposite direction to that in
which the steering wheel is moving
The adjustment process is stopped.
G WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could: R
slip and/or fall R
damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is ar isk of injury.
Alway su se secure climbing aids, e.g. as uita-
ble ladder.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting in
and out of you rv ehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board computer
( Y
page 174).
Position of the steering whee lw hen the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active The steering wheel swings up when you: R
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock R
open the driver's door with KEYLESS-GO in
position 1R
open the driver's door and the SmartKey is in
position

X
Turn housing cover C counter-clockwise and
pull it out. X
At the bulb holder, push the bulb upwards,
disconnect it and pull it out of bulb holder D .X
Insert the new bulb into bulb holder D at the
top, push it down and secure it in place. X
Attach housing cover C and turn it clockwise
until it engages.
Side marker lamp s( halogen head-
lamps) Due to their location, have the bulbs in the side
marker lamp changed at aq ualified specialist
workshop.
Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers
on/off
! Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry, as this could damage
the wiper blades. Moreover, dust that has col-
lected on the windshield can scratc ht he glass
if wiping takes place when the windshield is
dry.
If it is necessary to switch on the windshield
wipers in dry weather conditions, alway su se
washer fluid when operating the windshield
wipers.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on the
windshield after the vehicle has been washed
in an automatic car wash, wax or other resi-
dues may be the reason for this. Clean the
windshield using washer fluid after washing
the vehicle in an automatic car wash.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due to
optical influences and the windshield becom-
ing dirty in dry weather conditions, the wind-
shield wipers may be activated inadvertently.
This could then damage the windshield wiper
blades or scratc ht he windshield.
For this reason, you should alway ss witch off
the windshield wipers in dry weather. Combination switch
G
? Windshield wiper offH
b Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor set
to low sensitivity) I
c Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity) J

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If th ee ng in eiss witched off automatically and
you exit th ev ehicle, th ee ng in eisr estarte d
automatically. The vehicl em ay begi nm oving .
Ther eisar is kofa cciden ta nd injury.
If you wish to exit th ev ehicle, always tur no ff
th ei gnition and secure th ev ehicl ea gainst
rollin ga way.
General notes
C
ECO start/sto pd isplay
The ECO start/sto pf unction is activated when -
eve ry ou switch on th ee ng in eu sin gt he Smart -
Key or th eS ta rt/Sto pb utton.
If th ee ng in eh as been switched off automati-
call ybyt he ECO start/sto pf unction ,t he