2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS brakes

Brake fluid
Displa ym essage ............................ 184
Note s. ............................................ 293
Brake forc ed istribution
see EBD (electroni cb rake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 60
Displa ym essage ............................ 189
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 57
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 59
BAS .................................................. 57
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 293
Displa ym essage ............................ 179
EBD .................................................. 63
High-performance brake system .... 137
Important safety notes .................. 136
Maintenance .................................. 137
Parking brake ................................ 132
Riding tip s. ..................................... 136
Warning lamp ................................. 204
Breakdow na ssistance
Reflective safety jacke t. ................. 244
Where will If ind...? ........................ 244
see Fla tt ire
see Towing away
Brightness contro l( in strument
cluste rl ig hting) ................................... 32
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
C
California
Important notic ef or retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 24
Calling up am alfunction
see Displa ym essages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Ca rw as h. ....................................... 238
Exhaus tp ip e. ................................. 243
Exterior lights ................................ 242
Matte finish ................................... 240
Note s. ............................................ 238
Paint .............................................. 240 Power washe r. ............................... 239
Rear vie wc amera .......................... 242
Sensors ......................................... 242
Washing by hand ........................... 239
Wheel s. .......................................... 241
Window s. ....................................... 241
Wipe rb lade s. ................................. 241
CD
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ua l. ................................................. 211
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 169
Cente rc on sole
Lower section .................................. 35
Upper section .................................. 34
Central locking
Automati cl oc king (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 173
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey ). ....... 65
Changin gb ulbs
Sid em arker lamps (rear) ............... 101
Child
Restraint system .............................. 55
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 56
On the front-passenger sea t. ........... 55
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 56
Children
Specia ls ea tb el tr etractor ............... 54
Childre nint he vehicle
Important safety notes .................... 53
Cigarette lighter ................................ 223
Cleaning
Mirror turn signa l. .......................... 242
Climate control
Air-conditioning system ................. 104
Automati cc limate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 106
Controlling automaticall y. .............. 109
Cooling with ai rd ehumidifica tion .. 108
Defrosting the window s. ................ 111
Defrosting the windshield .............. 110
Genera ln otes ................................ 104
Indicato rl am p. ............................... 109
Information abou tu si ng auto-
mati cc limate control ..................... 107
Ma xi mu mc ooling .......................... 111
Note sonu si ng the air-condition-
ing system ..................................... 1056
Index

Callin gup( on-board computer) .... .1 78
Driving systems ............................ .1 93
Engine ............................................ 190
General notes ................................ 177
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 178
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 202
Lights ............................................. 189
Safety systems .............................. 179
SmartKey ....................................... 201
Tire s. .............................................. 196
Vehicle .......................................... .1 98
Distanc eP ilot DISTRONIC
Activating ....................................... 142
Calling up as pee d. ........................ 143
Cruise control lever ....................... 142
Displa yM essage ............................ 195
Displays in the instrument cluster .. 145
Driving tip s. ................................... 146
Function/note s. ............................ 140
Important safety notes .................. 141
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 145
Stopping ........................................ 144
Storing as peed .............................. 143
Switching off .................................. 146
Warning lamp ................................. 209
Distance recorder
see Odometer
see Tri po dometer
Distance warnin g( wa rning lamp) .... 209
Distance warnin gf unction
Function/note s. ............................... 58
Doors
Automati cl oc king (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 173
Automati cl oc king (switch) ............... 71
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey ). ...................................... 65
Control panel ................................... 37
Displa ym essage ............................ 200
Emergency locking ........................... 72
Emergency unlocking ....................... 72
Important safety notes .................... 70
Opening (fro mi nside ). ..................... 71
Overview .......................................... 70
Drinking and driving ......................... 134
Drive program
Automati ct ransmissio n. ................ 125 Displa y. .......................................... 122
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AM Gv ehicles) ............... 175
Driver's door
see Doors
Drivin ga broad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 238
Drivin gonf loo de dr o
ads .................. 138
Drivin gs afety system
Active Brake Assist .......................... 58
Drivin gs afety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 57
ADAPTIV EB RAK E. ............................ 63
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 59
Adaptive brake lights ....................... 60
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 57
Distance warning function ............... 58
EBD (electroni cb rake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 63
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 60
Important safety information ........... 56
Overview .......................................... 56
Drivin gs ystem
AMG sports suspension
(Mercedes-AM GS LC 43) ............... 149
Drivin gs ystems
Adaptive Damping System ............. 149
ATTENTIO NA SSIST ........................ 158
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 159
Cruise control ................................ 138
Displa ym essage ............................ 193
DISTRONIC PLU S. .......................... 140
HOLD function ............................... 148
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 161
Lane Tracking packag e. ................. 159
Parking Guidance ........................... 152
PARKTRONIC ................................. 149
Rear vie wc amera .......................... 154
Drivin gt ips
Automati ct ransmission ................. 125
Brakes ........................................... 136
Break-in perio d. ............................. 115
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONIC ............. 146
Downhil lg radient ........................... 136
Drinking and driving ....................... 134
Driving in winter ............................. 138
Driving on floode dr oads ................ 1388
Index

Driving on we tr oads ...................... 138
Exhaus tc heck ............................... 134
Fuel ................................................ 134
Genera l. ......................................... 134
Hydroplaning ................................. 138
Icy roa ds ur faces ........................... 138
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 137
Snow chains .................................. 262
Subjecting brakes to al oa d. .......... 136
We tr oa ds ur face ........................... 136
DVD video
Operating (on-boar dc omputer) ..... 169
se ea ls oD igita lO pe rator' sM an -
ua l. ................................................. 211
DYNAMIC SELECT button .................. 121
E EASY-ENTRY feature
Activating/deactivating ................. 174
Function/note s. ............................... 89
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsiv e. ............................ 90
Function/note s. ............................... 89
Switching on/of f. .......................... 174
EBD (electroni cb rake forc ed istri-
bution)
Displa ym essage ............................ 181
Function/note s. ............................... 63
EC Od isplay
Function/note s. ............................ 135
On-board compute r. ...................... 166
EC Os tart/sto pf unction
Automati ce ngine start .................. 119
Automati ce ngine switch-off .......... 119
Deactivating/activating ................. 120
Genera li nformation ....................... 119
Important safety notes .................. 119
Introduction ................................... 118
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automati cm easures afte rana cci-
dent ................................................. 53
Emergenc yr elease
Driver's doo r. ................................... 72
Trunk ............................................... 74 Vehicl e. ............................................ 72
Emergenc ys pare wheel
Genera ln otes ................................ 286
Important safety notes .................. 285
Removing ....................................... 286
Storage location ............................ 286
Stowing .......................................... 286
Technical data ............................... 286
Emergenc yT ensionin gD ev ices
Activation ......................................... 50
Emission sc on trol
Service and warranty information .... 24
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 207
Displa ym essage ............................ 190
ECO start/stop function ................ 118
Engine number ............................... 290
Irregula rr unning ............................ 120
Jump-starting ................................. 253
Starting problems .......................... 120
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 118
Starting with KEYLESS-GO ............. 118
Switching off .................................. 131
Tow-starting (vehicle ). .................... 258
Engine electronics
Note s. ............................................ 288
Problem (malfunction) ................... 120
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 235
Ad di tives ........................................ 293
Checking the oi ll ev el ..................... 234
Checking the oi ll ev el using the
dipstick .......................................... 234
Displa ym essage ............................ 191
Filling capacity ............................... 293
Genera ln otes ................................ 292
Note sa bout oi lg rade s. .................. 292
Note sono il level/consumption .... 234
Temperature (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AM GS LC 43) ................ 175
Entering an address
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ua l. ................................................. 211
ESP ®
(Electroni cS tability Pro-
gram)
AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 175
Characteristics ................................. 61 Index 9

From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 71
Upshift indicator
(on-board computer, Mercedes-
AMG SLC 43) ................................ .1 75
USB devices
Connecting to the Medi aI nter-
face ............................................... 218
VVehicle
Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Display message ............................ 198
Electronics ..................................... 288
Equipment ....................................... 24
Individua ls ettings .......................... 172
Limited Warranty ............................ .2 8
Loading .......................................... 271
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 72
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 65
Lowering ........................................ 284
Maintenance .................................... 25
Parking for al ong perio d. ............... 133
Pulling awa y. .................................. 118
Raising ........................................... 281
Reporting problems ......................... 27
Securing from rolling away ............ 281
Tow-starting ................................... 256
Towing away .................................. 256
Transporting .................................. 258
Unlocking (i nane mergency) ........... 72
Unlocking (SmartKey ). ..................... 65
Vehicl ed at a. .................................. 295
Vehicl eb attery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicl ed ata ....................................... 295
Vehicl ed imensions ........................... 295
Vehicl ee mergenc yl oc king ................ 72
Vehicl ei dentificatio nn umber
see VIN
Vehicl ei dentificatio np late .............. 289
Vehicl et oo lk it .................................. 245
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 169
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ua l. ................................................. 211 VIN
Sea t. .............................................. 290
Type plate ...................................... 289
W Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 204
Active Brake Assist ........................ 209
Brake Assist ................................... 209
Brakes ........................................... 204
Check Engine ................................. 207
Coolant .......................................... 207
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONIC ............. 209
Distance warning ........................... 209
ESP ®
.............................................. 205
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 206
Fue lt ank ........................................ 207
Genera ln otes ................................ 202
Parking brake ................................ 206
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 39
Reserve fue l. .................................. 207
Restraint system ............................ 206
Sea tb el t. ....................................... 203
SPOR Th an dling mod e. .................. 206
Tire pressure monitor .................... 210
Warning triangle ................................ 244
Warranty .............................................. 24
Washer fluid
Displa ym essage ............................ 201
Weather display (COMAND)
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ua l. ................................................. 211
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 284
Wheel bolt tightenin gt orque ........... 284
Wheel chock ...................................... 281
Wheels
Changing aw heel .......................... 280
Checking ........................................ 260
Cleaning ......................................... 241
Emergency spare whee l. ................ 285
Important safety notes .................. 260
Information on driving .................... 260
Interchanging/changing ................ 280
Mounting an ew whee l. .................. 283
Mounting aw heel .......................... 281
Overview ........................................ 26020
Index

The following text is published as required of
manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Fed-
eral Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
"National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966".
If you believe that your vehicle has ad efect
which could cause ac rash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA )ina ddition to notifying Mercedes-Benz
USA ,L LC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints ,itm ay
open an investigation, and if it finds that as afety
defect exists in ag roup of vehicles, it may order
ar ecall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or Mercedes-Benz
USA ,L LC.
To contact NHTSA ,y ou may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotlin et oll-free at
1-888-327-4236(TTY: 1-800-424-9153 ); go to
http://www.safercar.gov ;orw rite to: Admin-
istrator ,N HTSA ,4 00 Sevent hS treet, SW.,
Washington ,DC2 0590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov
Limited Warranty
! Observe the notes in this Operator's Manual
regarding the correc to peration of your vehi-
cle and possible damage to the vehicle. Dam-
age to the vehicle which is caused by violation
of these notes is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty or the new
or used-vehicle warranty.
QR codes for the rescue card
The QR codes are secured in the fuel filler flap
and on the opposite side on the B-pillar. In the
event of an accident ,r escue services can use
the QR code to quickly find the appropriate res-
cue card for your vehicle. The current rescue
card contains the most important information
about your vehicle in ac ompact form, e.g. the
routing of the electric cables.
You can find more information under http://
portal.aftersales.i.daimler.com/public/ content/asportal/en/communication/
informationen_fuer/QRCode.html.
Data stored in the vehicle
Data storage Aw ide range of electronic components in your
vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about: R
vehicle's operating state R
incidents R
malfunctions
In general, this technical information docu-
ment st he state of ac omponent, am odule, a
system or the surroundings.
These include, for example: R
operating conditions of system components,
e.g. fluid levels R
the vehicle's status messages and those of its
individual components, e.g. number of wheel
revolutions/speed, deceleration in move-
ment ,l ateral acceleration, accelerator pedal
position R
malfunction sa nd defects in important system
components, e.g. lights, brakes R
vehicle reaction sa nd operating conditions in
special driving situations, e.g. air bag deploy-
ment ,i ntervention of stability control sys-
tems R
ambient conditions, e.g. outside temperature
This data is of an exclusively technical nature
and can be used to: R
assist in recognizing and rectifying malfunc-
tions and defects R
analyze vehicle functions, e.g. after an acci-
dent R
optimize vehicle function
The data cannot be used to trace the vehicle's
movements.
When your vehicle is serviced, technical infor-
mation can be read from the event data memory
and malfunction data memory.
Services include, for example: R
repair services R
service processes R
warranties R
quality assurance28
Data stored in the vehicle
Introduction

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

In addition to driving style, the actual consump-
tion is affected by other factors, such as: R
load R
tire pressure R
cold start R
choice of route R
active electrical consumers
These factors are not include dint he ECO dis-
play.
An economical driving style specially requires
driving at moderate engine speeds.
Achieving ah igher valu eint he categories
"Acceleration" and "Constant": R
observe the gearshift recommendations. R
drive the vehicle in drive program C or E .
In urba nt raffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram C is recommended.
On long journeys at ac onstant speed ,e .g. on the
highway, only the outer area for "constant" will
change.
The ECO display summarizes the driving style
from the start of the journey to its completion.
Therefore, there are more marked changes in
the outer area satt he start of aj ourney. On lon-
ger journeys, there are fewer changes. For more
marked changes, perform am anua lr est
( Y
page 167).
Further information on the ECO display
( Y
page 166).
Braking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you shift down on as lippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheel sc ould lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on as lippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
! On long, steep gradients, you must reduce
the load on the brakes. To use engine braking,
shift to al owe rg ear in good time. This helps you to avoid overheating the brakes and wear-
ing them out excessively.
When making use of the engine braking
effect, it is possible that ad rive wheel may not
turn for some time, e.g. in the case of sud-
denly changing or slippery road surface con-
ditions. This could cause damage to the drive
train. This type of damage is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Change into al owe rg ear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilo tD ISTRONIC.
Heavy and light loads
G WARNING
If you rest you rf oot on the brake peda lw hile
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail .T here is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake peda lasaf ootrest. Never
depres st he brake peda la nd the accelerator
peda latt he same time.
! Depressing the brake peda lc onstantly
results in excessive and premature wea rt o
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to ah eavy
load ,don ot stop the vehicle immediately ,b ut
drive on for as hort while. This allows the airflow
to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If you have driven for al ong time in heavy rain
withou tb raking, there may be ad elayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depres st he brake peda lm ore
firmly .M aintai nag reater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on aw et road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly whil ep aying attention to
the traffic conditions. This wil lw arm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.136
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you driv eons alted roads ,al ayer of salt resi-
due may for mont he brak ed isc sa nd brake
pads. This can result in as ignificantly longer
braking distance. R
In orde rtop revent any salt build-up, apply the
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
th et ra ffic conditions.R
Carefully depress th eb rak ep edal and the
beginnin ga nd end of aj ou rney.R
Maintain ag reater distanc etot he vehicle
ahead.
Servicing th eb rakes
! The brak ef luid level may be to ol ow, if:R
if th er ed brak ew arning lamp light supi n
th ei nstrumen tc luster andR
you hear aw arning tone while th ee ngine is
running
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brak ef luid level may be to ol ow due to
brak ep ad wear or leaking brak el ines.
Hav et he brak es ystem checked immediately.
Consult aq ualifie ds pecialist workshop to
arrange this.
! As th eE SP ®
system operates automatically,
th ee ngine and th ei gnitio nm ust be switched
off (th eS ma rtKey must be in position