2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

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

You are responsible for maintainin gt he distance
to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time, and for stayin ginl ane.
Always adapt your drivin gs tyle to suit the pre-
vailing road and weather condition sa nd main-
tain as afe distance from the vehicle in front.
Drive carefully.
The drivin gs afet ys ystems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contac tb etwee nt he tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tir et re ad depth se tc .int he "Wheels and tires"
section ( Y
page 260).
In wintry drivin gc onditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, sno wc hains.
Only in this way will the drivin gs afet ys ystems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Genera li nformationAB Sr egulates brak ep ressure in such aw ay that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steerin gt he vehicle when
braking.
The % AB Sw arnin gl amp in the instrument
cluster light supw hen the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engin eisr unning.
AB Sw ork sf rom as peed of about 5m ph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surfac ec onditions.
AB Sw ork sons lippery surfaces, even when you
only brak eg ently.
Important safet yn otes
i Observe the "Importan ts afet yn otes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 56).
G WARNING
If AB Sism alfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerabilit ya nd brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding
and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have AB Sc hecked imme-
diately at aq ualified specialis tw orkshop.
When AB Sism alfunctioning, other systems,
including drivin gs afet ys ystems, will also becom ei noperative .O bserve the information
on the AB Sw arnin gl amp ( Y
page 204) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrumen tc luster ( Y
page 179).
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depres st he
brak ep edal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make af ull brake application: depress
the brak ep edal with full force.
If AB Si ntervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brak ep edal.
The pulsatin gb rak ep edal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and function sasa
reminder to tak ee xtra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
Genera li nformationBA So perates in emergenc yb raking situations.
If you depres st he brak ep edal quickly, BAS
automatically boost st he braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safet yn otes
i Observe the "Importan ts afet yn otes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 56).
G WARNING
If BA Sism alfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergenc yb raking situation is
increased. There is ar isk of an accident.
In an emergenc yb raking situation, depress
the brak ep edal with full force. AB Sp revents
the wheels from locking.
Braking X
Keep the brak ep edal firmly depressed until
the emergenc yb raking situation is over.
AB Sp revent st he wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual onc ey ou
release the brak ep edal. BA Sisd eactivated.Driving safet ys ystems 57
Safety Z

Active Brak eA ssist
Gene ra li nf orm ation
i Observ et he "Importan ts afet yn otes "s ec -
tion ( Y
page 56).
Active Brake Assis tc onsists of ad istanc ew arn -
ing function wit hana utonomous braking func-
tion and Adaptive Brake Assist.
Active Brake Assis tc an help you to minimiz et he
ris kofac ol lision wit ht he vehicl einf ront or
reduce th ee ffects of suc hac ol lision .
If Active Brake Assis td etects that there is ar is k
of collision ,y ou will be warned visually and
acoustically. If you do no tr eac ttot he visual and
audible collision warning ,a utonomous braking
can be initiate dinc riti cal situations. If you apply
th eb rak ey ourself in ac riti cal situation ,A da p-
tive Brake Assis toft he Active Brake Assis ts ys-
te ms upport sy ou.
Import ant safety notesIn particular, th ed etection of obstacles can be
impaire di f:R
there is dir tont he sensor sora nythin ge lse
covering th es ensor sR
there is snow or heav yr ainR
there is interferenc ebyo th er radar source sR
there are stron gr adar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages R
an arrow vehicl eist ra veling in front, e.g. a
motorbik eR
av ehicl eist ra veling in fron tonad ifferen tl in eR
you are drivin gan ew vehicl eors ervicing on
th eA ctiv eB ra ke Assis ts ystem has jus tb een
carrie do ut
Observ et he important safet yn otes in th e
"Breaking-in notes" section ( Y
page 115).
Followin gd amag etot he fron te nd of th ev ehicle,
hav et he configuration and operation of th e
radar sensor checke dataq ualified specialis t
workshop .T his also applie stoc ol lision sats low
speeds wher et he re is no visible damag etot he
fron toft he vehicle.
Activating/deactivating
Active Brake Assis tisa utomatically active after
switching on th ei gnition .
You can activat eord eactivat eA ctiv eB ra ke
Assis tu sin gt he on-board computer ( Y
page 171). When deactivated, th ed istanc e
warning function and th ea utonomous braking
function are also deactivated.
If Active Brake Assis tisd eactivated, th e

Function St arting at as pee dofa ppr oximately 4m ph
(7 km/h), th ed istanc ew arning function warns
you if you rapid ly appr oac hav eh icle in front. An
intermitten tw arning tone will then soun d, and
the

Important safety notes
G WAR NING
Adaptive Brake Assist canno ta lways clearly
iden tif yo bj ect sa nd co mple xt ra ff ic situa-
tions.
In suc hc ases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:R
interven eu nnecessar ilyR
no ti ntervene
Ther eisar is kofana cc iden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntot he traff ic sit-
uation and be read yt ob rake. Terminate the
interventio ninan on-cri tical driv ing situation.
G WAR NING
Adaptive Brake Assist does no tr eact:R
to peop le or animalsR
to oncomin gv eh icle sR
to crossing traff icR
when cornering
As ar esult, th eA da pt ive Brake Assist may not
interven eina ll critical conditions. Ther eisa
ris kofana cc iden t.
Always pay careful attentio ntot he traff ic sit-
uation and be read yt ob rake.
Always adapt your spee dtos uit th ep re vailin g
road and traff ic conditions.
Due to th en ature of th es ystem, particularly
co mpli cated but non-critical driv ing conditions
may also caus eB ra ke Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is no ta vailab le due to a
malfunctio nint he radar sensor system, the
brak es ystem remains availab le wit hf ull brake
boostin ge ffect and BA S.
Adaptive brak el ights
i Observ et he "Im portan ts afety notes" sec-
tio n( Y
page 56).
If you brak es harply from as pee dofm or et ha n
50 km /h or if braking is assiste dbyB AS or
Brake Assist wit hC ross-Traffic Assist ,t he brake
lamps flas hr apid ly. In th is way, traff ic traveling
behin dy ou is warned in an eve nm or en ot ic eable
manner. If you brak es harply from as pee dofm or et ha n
70 km /h to as ta ndstill, th eh azard warning
lamps are activated automatically. If th eb rakes
are applie da gain ,t he brak el amps light up con-
tinuously. The hazard warning lamps switch off
automatical ly if you travel faster than 10 km/h.
You can also switch off th eh azard warning
lamps usin gt he hazard warning button
( Y
page 97).
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observ et he "Importan ts afety notes" sec-
tio n( Y
page 56).
ESP ®
monitors driving stabilit ya nd traction ,i .e .
power transmission between th et ires and the
road surface.
If ESP ®
detect st ha tt he vehicle is deviating from
th ed irection desired by th ed river, on eorm ore
wheel sa re braked to stabiliz et he vehicle .T he
engin eo utput is also modifie dtok ee pt he vehi-
cle on th ed esired course wit hin physical limits.
ESP ®
assists th ed river when pullin ga way on
wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize
th ev ehicle durin gb raking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observ et he "Importan ts afety notes" sec-
tio n( Y
page 56).
ET St ra ction control is part of ESP ®
.
ET Sb rakes th ed riv ew heel si nd ivid ually if they
spin .T his enables you to pull away and acceler-
ate on slippery surfaces, for example if th er oad
surface is slippery on on es ide .Ina ddit ion ,m ore
driv et or que is transferred to th ew heel or
wheel sw it ht ra ction.
ET Sr emains active when you deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctionin gitw ill no tp rovide
any vehicle stabilization .T her eisani ncreased
ris kofs ki ddin gorofana ccident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Hav eE SP ®
checked at aq ualified specialist
worksho p.60
Driving safety systems
Safety

When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on ESP ®
( Y
page 257).
If the

Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivatedIf ESP ®
is deactivate da nd on eorm or ew heels
start to spin ,t he