2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS ESP

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
As ide window cannot be
closed because it is
blocked by objects, e.g.
leaves in the window
guide. X
Remove the objects. X
Close the side window.
As ide window cannot be
closed and you cannot
see the cause. If as ide window is obstructed during closing and reopens again
slightly: X
Immediately after the window blocks, pull the correspondin gs witch
again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed with increased force.
If as ide window is obstructed again during closing and reopens again
slightly: X
Immediately after the window blocks, pull the correspondin gs witch
again until the side window has closed.
The side window is closed without the automatic reversing feature.
The side windows cannot
be opened or closed
using the convenience
opening/closing fea-
ture. The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged. X
Check the SmartKey battery ( Y
page 68) and replace it if necessary
( Y
page 68).
Roof
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you do not fully open/close the soft top, the
soft-top hydraulics depressurize after as hort
time. This causes the soft top to lower unex-
pectedly and may cause you or others to be
trapped. There is ar isk of injury.
Always open or close the soft top completely.
G WARNING
Closing the roof manually is ac omplicated
and technically demanding procedure, which
requires al ot of strength. You or others can
become trapped. There is ar isk of injury.
Only have the soft top closed manually at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Never sit on the rear shelf or store heavy
object st here. You will otherwise damage the
roof and the rear shelf of your vehicle. ! Do not forget that the weather can change
abruptly. Make certain that the roof is closed
when you leave the vehicle. The vehicle elec-
tronics can be damaged if water enters the
vehicle interior.
! When opening and closing the roof, make
sure that: R
there is sufficient clearance, as the roof
swings upwards. R
there is sufficient clearance behind the
vehicle, as the trunk lid swings backwards
beyond the bumper. R
the trunk is only loaded to below the trunk
partition. R
the trunk partition is not pushed up by the
load. R
the trunk partition is closed. R
the trunk lid is closed. R
the outside temperature is above 5‡
(

Exterio rm irrors
Adjusting th ee xterio rm irrors
G WARNING
You coul dl ose control of your vehicle if you do
th ef ollowin gw hile driving:R
adjust th ed river' ss eat ,h ead restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors R
fasten th es eat belt
Ther eisar isk of an accident.
Adjust th ed river' ss eat ,h ead restraint ,s te er-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting th ee ngine.
G WARNING
The exterio rm irror on th ef ront-pa ssenger
side reduces th es iz eoft he image .V isible
object sa re actually closer than they appear.
This mean st ha ty ou coul dm isjudge th ed is-
tance from road user st ra velin gb ehind, e.g.
when changing lane .T her eisar isk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason ,a lways mak es ure of the
actual distanc ef ro mt he road user st ra veling
behin dbyg lancin go ve ry our shoulder.
X
Mak es ure that th eS ma rtKey is in position G
or H in th ei gnition lock.X
Press button C for th el eft exterio rm irror or
button D for th er igh te xterio rm irror.
The indicator lamp in th ec orrespondin gb ut-
to nl ight supinr ed.
The indicator lamp goes out again after some
time. You can adjust th es electe de xterior mirror usin gb utton

The daytime runnin gl amps improve the visibility
of your vehicle during the day. To do this, the
daytime runnin gl amps function must be
switched on using the on-board computer
( Y
page 172).
If the engine is runnin ga nd you turn the light
switch to ` or X ,t he manual settings
take precedenc eo ver the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X ,t he low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is ar isk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it is
dark, the parking lamps and low-beam head-
lamps switch on when the ignition is switched on
and the light switch is set to the X position.
This is ap articularly useful function in the event
of rain and fog. X
To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey to position H in the igni-
tion lock or start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X .
The green X indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of thick
fog. Please take not eoft he country-specific
regulations for the use of rear fog lamps. X
To switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
SmartKey to position H in the ignition lock or
start the engine. X
Turn the light switch to X or X .X
Press the ^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. X
To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
^ button.
The yellow ^ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. Parking lamps
! If the battery charge is very low, the parking
lamps or standin gl amps are automatically
switched off to enable the next engine start.
Always park your vehicle safely and in aw ell lit
area, in accordanc ew ith the relevant legal
stipulations. Avoid using the ` parking
lamps over ap eriod of several hours. If pos-
sible, switch on the right-hand d or left-
hand c standin gl amps.X
To switch on: turn the light switch to ` .
The green ` indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Standing lamps Switching on the standin gl amps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illuminated. X
To switch on the standing lamp s: the
SmartKey is not in the ignition lock or it is in
position

X
To switc hont he high-beam headlamps:
turn the light switch to X or X .X
Press the combinatio ns wi tch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow C .
In the X position, the high-bea mh ead-
lamps are onl ys wi tched on when it is dark and
the engine is running.
The blue W indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on. X
To switc ho ff the high-beam headlamps:
move the combinatio ns wi tch back to its nor-
ma lp osition.
The blue W indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goe so ut .
Hazard warning lamps
X
To switc hont he hazard warning lamps:
press button C .
All turn signals flash. If yo un ow switch on a
turn signa lu si ng the combinatio ns wi tch ,o nly
the turn signa ll am pont he corresponding
side of the vehicl ew il lf lash.X
To switc ho ff the hazard warning lamps:
press button C .
The hazard warning lamps automaticall ys wi tch
on if: R
an ai rb ag is deployed orR
the vehicl ed ec elerates rapidly from as peed
of above 45 mph (70 km/h )a nd come stoa
standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off automati-
cally if the vehicl er eache sas peed of above
6m ph (10 km/h )a gain afte raf ul lb rake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps stil lo pe rate if the
ignition is switched off. Cornerin gl ig ht functionThe cornering light functio ni mprove st he illu-
minatio noft he roa do ve raw id ea ngle in the
direction yo ua re turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. The cornering
light functio nc an onl ybea ctivate dw he nt he
low-bea mh eadlamps are switched on.
Active: R
if yo ua re driving at speed sb elow 25 mph
(40 km/h )a nd switch on the turn signa lo r
turn the steering wheel R
if yo ua re driving at speed sb et ween 25 mph
(40 km/h )a nd 45 mph (70 km/h )a nd turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp ma yr emai nl it for as hort
time ,b ut is automaticall ys wi tched off afte rn o
more tha nt hre em inutes.
Cornerin gl ig ht functio nw it ht raffi cc ir cle
function:
The cornering light functio ni sa ctivate donb ot h
side sb ef ore entering at raffic circle throug ha n
evaluation of the current GP Sp osition of the
vehicle. It remains active unti la fte rt he vehicle
ha sl ef tt he traffic circle .Int hi sw ay ,p edes trians
crossing the road, for example, are illuminated
by your vehicl eing oo dt ime.
Active light function The active light functio ni sas ys tem tha tm oves
the headlamps according to the steering move-
ments of the front wheels .Int hi sw ay ,r elevant
areas remai ni llum inated whil ed riving .T his
allows yo utor ecognize pedestrians ,c yclists
and animals sooner.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Vehicles with Lane Keeping Assist: the active
light functio ne valuate st he course of the lane in
which yo ua re driving and pre-emptively con-
trol st he active light function.
Adaptiv eH ighbeam Assist
General notes
Yo uc an us et hi sf unctio ntos et the headlamps
to change between lo wb ea ma nd high beam
automatically. The system recognizes vehicles
with thei rl ig hts on, either approaching from the
opposite direction or traveling in front of yourExterior lighting 97
Lights and windshield wiper s Z

vehicle, and consequently switches the head-
lamp sf rom high bea mtol ow beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-beam
headlamp range depending on the distance to
the other vehicle. Once the system no longer
detects any other vehicles, it reactivates the
high-beam headlamps.
The system' so ptical sensor is located behind
the windshiel dn ear the overhea dc ontrol panel.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users: R
who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians R
who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists R
whos el ighting is blocked ,e .g. by ab arrier
On very rare occasions, Adaptive Highbeam
Assist may fail to recognize other road users
that have lights, or may recognize them too
late. In this, or in similar situations, the auto-
matic high-beam headlamp sw il ln ot be deac-
tivated or wil lbea ctivated regardless. There is
ar isk of an accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamp si n
good time.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist cannot take into
account road ,w eather or traffic conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid .Y ou are
responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, visibility and traffic con-
ditions.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
restricted if there is: R
poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow R
dirt on the sensors or the sensors are
obscured Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off X
To switch on: turn the light switch to X .X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the directio nofa rrow C .
The

Where possible, avoid spinnin gt he drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
Key positions
SmartKey
Z
To remove the SmartKeyG
Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipersH
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive positionI
To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
start function and ad etachable Start/Stop but-
ton.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey 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 in
succession corresponds to the differen tk ey
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 ,t he engine start si mmedi-
ately.
Ac heck which periodically establishes ar adio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether av alid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs ,f or example, when
starting the engine.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey: R
the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock. R
the SmartKey must be in the vehicle. R
the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO ( Y
page 65).
Do not keep the SmartKey: R
with electronic devices, e.g. am obile phone
or another SmartKey. R
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil. R
inside metallic objects, e.g. am etal case.
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey's
remot ec ontrol 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
C
Start/Stop button
D
Ignition lock116
Driving
Driving and parking

As soo na st he ignition is switched on, al lt he
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up .F urther informatio nons it uations where an
indicator lamp either fails to go ou ta fte rs tarting
the engine or lights up whil ed riving
( Y
page 204).
If Start/Stop button C ha sn ot ye tb ee n
pressed, thi sc orrespond stot he key being
remove df rom the ignition.X
To switc hont he power supply: press
Start/Stop button C once.
The powe rs uppl yiss wi tched on. Yo uc an now
activate the windshield wipers, for example.
The powe rs uppl yiss wi tched off agai ni f:R
the driver's door is opene da ndR
yo up ress Start/Stop button C twice when
in thi sp ositionX
To switc hont he ignition: press Start/Stop
button C twice.
The ignition is switched on.
If yo up ress Start/Stop button C once when
in thi sp osit ion, the ignition is switched off
again.
Removing the Start/Sto pb uttonYo uc an remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock and start the vehicl easn ormal
using the SmartKey. X
Remove Start/Stop button C from ignition
lock D .
Yo udon ot have to remove the Start/Stop but-
ton from the ignition lock when yo ul eave the
vehicle. Yo us hould, however, always take the
SmartKe yw it hy ou when leaving the vehicle. As
long as the Sma rtKe y isint h
e vehicle:R
the vehicl ec an be started using the Start/
Stop button R
the electrically powered equipment can be
operated
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children ar el ef tu nsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
operate the vehicle's equipment. Additionally, children could set the vehicl ei n
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake R
shift the automatic transmission ou tofp ar k
position P R
start the engine
There is ar is kofana ccident and injury.
Never leav ec hildren or animals unattended in
the vehicle.
Whe nl eavi ng the vehicle, always take the
SmartKe yw it hy ou and lock the vehicle. This
also applie stom obil ep hones if the "Digital
Ca rK ey in smartphone "f un ctio ni sa ctivated
via the Mercedes me connect we ba pp .
G WARNING
Combustion engine se mi tp oiso nou se xhaust
gases such as carbo nm onoxide. Inhaling
thes ee xhaus tg as es lead stop oiso ning. There
is ar is koff ata li njury .T herefore neve rl eave
the engine running in enclose ds paces with-
ou ts uf ficient ventilation.
G WARNING
Flammabl em at erial si ntroduced through
environmenta li nfluence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaus ts ys tem or
parts of the engine tha th ea tu p. There is ar isk
of fire.
Carry ou tr egular checks to make sure that
ther ea re no flammabl ef oreig nm at erial si n
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
During ac ol ds tart, the engine runs at higher
speed stoe nabl et he catalytic converter to
reach its operating temperature .T he sound of
the engine ma yc hange during thi st ime.
Automati ct ransmission X
Depres st he brake peda la nd kee pi t
depressed. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .
Transmission positio nd is play ] is shown in
the multifunctio nd is play.Driving 117
Driving an dp arking Z

i You can star tt he engin eint ra nsmission
position ] and \\ .
Starting procedur ew ith th eS martKeyTo star tt he engin eu sing the SmartKey instead
of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/Stop button out
of the ignition lock. X
Turn the SmartKey to position I in the igni-
tion lock ( Y
page 116 )a nd release it as soon
as the engin eisr unning.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start th ee ngineThe Start/Stop button can be used to star tt he
vehicle manually without insertin gt he SmartKey
int ot he ignition lock .T he Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle. This mode for
startin gt he engin eo perates independently of
the ECO start/sto pa utomatic engin es tar tf unc-
tion. X
Depress the brak ep edal and keep it
depressed. X
Press the Start/Stop button once
( Y
page 116).
The engin es tarts.
Pulling away
Genera ln otes
G WARNING
If the engin es peed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or R ,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
ar isk of an accident.
When engagin gt ra nsmission position D or R ,
always firmly depres st he brak ep edal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
! Change gear in good tim ea nd avoid spin-
nin gt he wheels. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pulling
away.
The vehicle lock sc entrally onc ey ou have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time. You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature ( Y
page 173).
It is only possible to shift the transmission from
position ] to the desired position if you
depres st he brak ep edal. Only the nist he shift
lock released.
i Upshifts tak ep lace at higher engin es peeds
afte rac old start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brak e( Y
page 133).
Hill start assist Hill star ta ssist helps you when pulling away
forwar dorinr everse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for as hor tt im ea fte ry ou have
removed your foot from the brak ep edal. This
gives you enough tim etom ove your foot from
the brak ep edal to the accelerator pedal and to
depres sitb efor et he vehicle begins to roll.
G WARNING
After as hor tt ime, hill star ta ssist will no lon-
ger brak ey our vehicle and it could roll away.
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brak ep edal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill star ta ssist is not active if: R
you are pulling away on al evel road or on a
downhill gradient R
the transmission is in position \\R
the electric parking brak eisa ppliedR
ESP ®
is malfunctioning
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/sto pf unction switches the
engin eo ff automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engin es tarts automatically when the driver
want stop ull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.118
Driving
Driving and parking