2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS ignition

SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 68
Changing the programming ............ .6 6
Checkin gt he battery ...................... .6 8
Display message ............................ 201
Doo rc entral locking/unlocking ....... 65
Important safety note s. ................... 65
Los s. ................................................ 69
Mechanical key ................................ 67
Opening/closing the roo f. ............... 79
Overview .......................................... 65
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 116
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 69
Starting the engine ........................ 118
SMS
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ua l. ................................................. 211
Sno wc hains ...................................... 262
Sockets
Center console .............................. 223
Genera ln otes ................................ 223
Sound
Switching on/of f. .......................... 212
Special seat belt retractor .................. 54
Specialist workshop ............................ 27
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 167
In the Instrument cluster ................. 32
Segments ...................................... 163
Selecting the display uni t. .............. 172
Sport handlin gm ode
Activating/deactivating
(Mercedes-AM GS LC 43) ................. 62
Warning lamp ................................. 206
Standin gl amps
Displa ym essage ............................ 189
Switching on/of f. ............................. 96
Start/sto pf unction
see ECO start/stop function
Startin g( engine ) ................................ 117
Steering
Displa ym essage ............................ 200
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 89
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 88
Butto no verview ............................... 33 Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 164
Important safety notes .................... 88
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ................................................. 93
Steering whee lp addle shifters ........ 126
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 175
Stowag ea reas ................................... 219
Stowag ec om partments
Armrest (under ). ............................ 219
Cente r console .............................. 220
C u ph olders ................................... 221
Door ............................................... 220
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 220
Glove box ....................................... 219
Important safety information ......... 219
Rear wall ........................................ 220
Stowag en et ................................... 220
Stowag en et ....................................... 220
Summe rt ires ..................................... 262
Sun visor ............................................ 222
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 173
Switchin ga ir-recirculatio nm ode
on/off ................................................. 112
Switchin gonm edi am ode
Via the device list .......................... 217
T
Tachometer ........................................ 163
Tail lamps
Displa ym essage ............................ 189
see Lights
Tank content
Fue lg auge ....................................... 32
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 290
Emergency spare whee l. ................ 286
Information .................................... 288
Tires/wheels ................................. 284
Vehicl ed at a. .................................. 295
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 227
Emergency cal l. ............................. 225
Genera ln otes ................................ 224
MB info cal lb ut ton ........................ 226
Roadsid eA ssistance button .......... 226
Self-test ......................................... 224 Index 17

Panic alarm X
To activate: press 3 button C for at
least one second.
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed. X
To deactivate: press 3 button C again.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
or X
Press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the vehicle.
Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident.
The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during
an accident.
The restraint system comprises: R
Seat belt system R
Air bags
The components of the restraint system work in
conjunction with each other. They can only
deploy their protective function if, at all times, all
vehicle occupants: R
have fastened their seat belts correctly
( Y
page 41)R
have the seat and head restraint adjusted
properly ( Y
page 84)
As the driver, you also have to make sure that
the steering wheel is adjusted correctly.
Observe the information relating to the correct
driver's seat position ( Y
page 84). You also have to make sure that an air bag can
inflate properly if deploye d( Y
page 43).
An air bag supplements ac orrectly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the air bag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. For exam-
ple, if, in the event of an accident, the protection
offered by the seat belt is sufficient, the air bags
are not deployed. When an accident occurs, only
the air bags that increase protection in that par-
ticular accident situation are deployed. How-
ever, seat belts and air bags generally do not
protect against object sp enetrating the vehicle
from the outside.
Information on restraint system operation can
be found under "Triggering of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and air bags" ( Y
page 50).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information on
children traveling with you in the vehicle as well
as on child restraint systems ( Y
page 53).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Modifications to the restraint system may
cause it to no longer work as intended. The
restraint system may then not perform its
intended protective function and may fail in an
accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example.
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system.
Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic
components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify components of the
restraint system to accommodate ap erson with
disabilities, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for details. USA only: for further
information contact our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-80 0F OR-MERCEDES
(1 ‑ 800 ‑ 367 ‑ 6372).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
driving aids which have been approved specifi-
cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at38
Occupant safety
Safety

The system does not deactivate: R
the side impact air bag R
the headbag R
the Emergency Tensionin gD evices
Requirements To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit: R
with the seat belt fastened correctly R
in an almost upright position with their back
against the seat backrest R
with their feet restin gont he floor, if possible
If the front passenger does not observe these
conditions, OCS may produce af alse classifica-
tion, e.g. because the front passenger: R
transfers their weight by supporting them-
selves on av ehicle armrestR
sits in such aw ay that their weight is raised
from the seat cushion
If you install ac hild restraint system on the
front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
correc tp ositionin goft he child restraint system.
Never place object su nder or behind the child
restraint system, e.g. ac ushion. The entir eb ase
of the child restraint system must alway sr est on
the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat.
The backrest of the forward-facing child
restraint system must lie as flat as possible
against the backrest of the front-passenger
seat.
The child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be subjected to al oad by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint position accordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Always observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions. Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
C
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp D
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps inform you whether the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated or
enabled. X
Press the Start/Stop button once or twice, or
turn the SmartKey to position G or H in the
ignition lock.
The system carries out self-diagnostics.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamps must light up simul-
taneously for approximately six seconds.
The indicator lamps display the status of the
front-passenger front air bag. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up for 60 sec-
onds, subsequently both indicator lamps are
off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and OFF): the
front-passenger front air bag is able to deploy
in the event of an accident. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
off, only the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp shows the status of the front-passenger
front air bag. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp may be lit continuously or be off.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bag
changes while the vehicle is in motion ,ana ir bag
display message appears in the instrument clus-
ter ( Y
page 187). When the front-passenger
seat is occupied, alway sp ay attention to the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp. Be
aware of the status of the front-passenger front
air bag both before and during the journey.46
Occupant safety
Safety

continu etop erform thei rp rotective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of ac rash.
G WARNING
Emergency Tensioning Devices that have
deployed pyrotechnicall ya re no longer opera-
tiona la nd are unabl etop erform thei ri nten-
ded protective function. Thi sp oses an
increase dr is kofi njury or eve nf ata li njury.
Have pyrotechnicall yt riggere dE mergency
Tensioning Devices replaced immediatel yata
qualified specialist workshop.
An electri cm otor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trig-
ger the tightening of the sea tb el tinh az ardous
situations. Thi sp rocedure is reversible.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are triggered
or ai rb ag sa re deployed, yo uw il lh ea rab an g,
and some powder may also be released .T he
u restraint system warning lamp lights up.
Only in rar ec ase sw il lt he bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder that is released generally does
not constitute ah ealth hazard ,b ut it may cause
short-term breathing difficulties in peopl ew it h
asthma or othe rr espiratory problems. Provided
it is saf etodos o, yo us houl dl ea ve the vehicle
immediatel yoro pe nt he window in order to pre-
vent breathing difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contai np erchlorate material,
which may require specia lh an dling and regard
for the environment. National guidelines must
be observe dd ur ing disposal .InC alif ornia, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Metho dofo perationDuring the firs ts tag eofac ollision, the restraint
system control uni te valuates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as: R
duration R
direction R
intensity
Base dont he evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control uni tt riggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices during af ronta lo r
rea rc ollision. An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if: R
the ignition is switched on R
the components of the restraint system are
operational .Y ou can find further information
under "Restraint system warning lamp"
( Y
page 38) R
the sea tb el tb uc kle tongu eh as engaged in
the bel tb uc kle of the respectiv es eat
If the restraint system control uni td etects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activate di ndepend-
ently of each othe rinc ertain fronta lc ollision
situations: R
Front ai rb ag sasw el lasd river' sa nd front-
passenger knee bags
The front-passenger front ai rb ag is activate do r
deactivated depending on the person on the
front-passenger seat. The front-passenger front
ai rb ag can only deploy in an accident if the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp is off.
Observe the information on the PASSENGER AIR
BAG indicator lamps ( Y
page 39).
You rv ehicle ha st wo-stage front ai rb ag s. In the
firs td eployment stage, the front ai rb ag is filled
with propellant gas. The front ai rb ag is fully
deployed with the maximum amount of prop el-
l
ant ga sifas econd deployment threshol di s
reached within af ew milliseconds.
The activation threshol doft he Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the ai rb ag sisd etermined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at variou sp oints in
the vehicle .T hi sp rocess is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment shoul dt ake place in good
time at the star toft he collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determine db y: R
the distribution of force sd ur ing the collisionR
the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehicle R
the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle ha sc ollided
Factor sw hich can only be see na nd measured
afte rac ollision ha so ccurred do not play ad eci-
siv er ol eint he deployment of an ai rb ag .N or do
they provid eani ndication of ai rb ag deploy-
ment.
The vehicle can be deforme dc onsiderably ,w it h-
ou tana ir ba gb eing deployed. Thi sist he case if
only parts which are relativel ye as il yd eformedOccupan ts afety 51
Safety Z

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

engine can be started by anyone with av alid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is alway sd eactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's batter yisc harged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contac tana uthorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA )o r
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alar ms ystem)X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp C flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds. X
To switch off: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open: R
ad oorR
the vehicle with the mechanical key R
the trun kl idR
the hood R
the glove box R
the stowage space under the armrest X
To tur nt he alar mo ff with the SmartKey:
press the 6 or 7 button on the Smart-
Key.
The alarm is stopped.
or X
Inser tt he SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is stopped. X
To stop the alar mu sing KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is stopped.
or X
Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
The alarm is stopped.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.
If the alarm continues for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call sys-
tem automatically notifies the Customer
Assistance Center.
This is done either by tex tm essage or data
connection. The emergency call system
sends the message or data provided that: R
you have subscribed to the mbrace service. R
the mbrace servic eh as been activated
properly. R
the necessary mobile phone network is
available.64
Protection against theft
Safety

SmartKey
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake R
shift the automatic transmission out of park
position PR
start the engine
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended in
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. This
also applie stom obile phones if the "Digital
Car Key in smartphone" function is activated
via the Mercedes me connect web app.
G WARNING
If you attach heavy or large object stot he
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten-
tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a
risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large object stot he
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
insertin gt he SmartKey into the ignition lock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from stron gm ag-
netic fields. Otherwise, the remote control
function could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the vicin-
ity of powerful electrical installations.
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 affect the functionality of the Smart-
Key. SmartKey functions
C
7 Locks the vehicleD
T Unlock st he trunk lid

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine cannot be
started using the Smart-
Key. The on-board voltage is too low. X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work: X
Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary ( Y
page 253).
or X
Jump-start the vehicle ( Y
page 253).
or X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop.
The engine cannot be
started using KEYLESS-
GO. The SmartKey is in
the vehicle. The vehicle is locked. X
Unlock the vehicle and try to start the vehicle again.
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged. X
Check the SmartKey battery ( Y
page 68) and replace it if necessary
( Y
page 68).
If this does not work: X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
There is interference from ap owerful source of radio waves.X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You have lost aS mart-
Key. X
Have the SmartKey deactivated at aq ualified specialist workshop.X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.
You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.
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).
Doors
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
operate the vehicle's equipment. Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake R
shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P R
start the engine
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended in
the vehicle.70
Doors
Opening and closing