2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owner's Manual

The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode if you favor a firmer
suspension setting.
XMake sure that the engine is running or that ithas been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Selecting comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this
mode if you favor a more comfortable driving
style.
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it
has been switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is lit:press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. Comfortable sus-
pension tuning is selected.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemCOMFORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Activating the driving dynamics display
in the COMAND display
Using the driving dynamics display in the multi- media system display, you can see the drive
program you selected as well as additional infor-
mation on the vehicle's operating status.
XSwitch on COMAND. Further information can
be found in the Digital Operator's Manual. The following information on the vehicle's oper-
ating status is displayed in the driving dynamics
display:
RDrive program selected (Ypage 129)
RAccelerator pedal position shown in %
RBrake pedal position shown in %
RSteering angle
RVehicle level display (Ypage 165)
RActivity of the ABC spring struts
RLevel settings animation
RG-FORCE cross to display longitudinal and lat-
eral acceleration (only available in Sport,
Sport Plus andRACE drive programs)
ROverrun mode animation
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasound. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC visually
and audibly indicates the distance between your
vehicle and an object.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is
not a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking and
exiting a parking space. Make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu- vering area when you are maneuvering or park-
ing.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC
does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC
to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
Driving systems167
Driving and parking
Z

Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is activated auto-
matically when you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to positionh,kor
i
Rrelease the electric parking brake
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated at
speeds above 11 mph (18 km/ h). It is reactiva-
ted at lower speeds.
Range of the sensors
General notes
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC does not take into
account obstacles located:
Rbelow the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
Rabove the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or slush.
They can otherwise not function correctly. Clean
the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch
or damage them (
Ypage 267).
Range
Front sensors
CenterApprox. 40 in (approx.
100 cm)
CornersApprox. 24 in (approx.
60 cm)
Rear sensors
CenterApprox. 48 in (approx.
120 cm)
CornersApprox. 32 in (approx.
80 cm)
Minimum distance
CenterApprox. 8 in (approx. 20 cm)
CornersApprox. 6 in (approx. 15 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the rel-
evant warning displays light up and a warning
tone sounds. If the distance falls below the min-
imum, the distance may no longer be shown.
168Driving systems
Driving and parking

Warning displays
Warning display for the front area
:
Segments on the left-hand side of the vehi-
cle
;Segments on the right-hand side of the vehi-cle
=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located on
the dashboard above the center air vents. The
warning display for the rear area is located on
the cover behind the seats in the rear compart-
ment.
The warning display for each side of the vehicle
is divided into five yellow and two red segments. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is operational if yel-
low segments showing operational readiness =
light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running.
Transmission posi-
tionWarning display
hFront area activated
k, ior the vehicle
is rolling backwardsRear and front areas
activated
jNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the vehi-
cle's distance from the obstacle. In addition,
warning tones are issued.
When the distance to the obstacle is sufficient,
you will hear an intermittent warning tone. The
shorter the distance to the obstacle, the shorter
the frequency of the intermittent warning tones
becomes. When the minimum distance is
reached, you hear a continuous warning tone.
Deactivating or activating Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC
:Deactivates or activates Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC
;Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp ;lights up, Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is deactivated. Parking Pilot is
then also deactivated.
iParking Assist PARKTRONIC is automati-
cally activated when you turn the SmartKey to
position 2in the ignition lock.
Driving systems169
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
displays are lit. You also
hear a warning tone for
approximately two sec-
onds.
Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds,
and the indicator lamp in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.Parking Assist PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has been deacti-
vated.
XIf problems persist, have Parking Assist PARKTRONIC checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
displays are lit. Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five sec-
onds.The Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or malfunctioning.
XClean the Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 267).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves.
XCheck to see if Parking Assist PARKTRONIC functions in a different
location.
Parking Pilot
General notes
Parking Pilot is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It measures the road on both sides
of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suit-
able parking space. Active steering intervention
can assist you during parking and when exiting a
parking space. You can also still use Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 167).
Important safety notes
Parking Pilot is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. Make sure that no persons, animals or
objects are in the path of your vehicle.
When Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactiva-
ted, Parking Pilot is also unavailable.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
!If they cannot be avoided, drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and at an obtuse
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Parking Pilot may also show parking spaces that are not suitable for parking, e.g.:
Rwhere parking or stopping is prohibited
Rin front of driveways or entrances and exits
Ron unsuitable surfaces
170Driving systems
Driving and parking

Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the parkingspace as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly.
RParking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the warning messages of
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC during the park-
ing procedure (
Ypage 169).
RYou can intervene to correct the steering pro-
cedure at any time. Parking Pilot will then be
canceled.
RWhen transporting a load that protrudes from
your vehicle, you should not use Parking Pilot-
RNever use Parking Pilot when snow chains are
mounted.
RMake sure that the tire pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle.
Use Parking Pilot for parking spaces that are:
Rparallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
Ron straight roads, not bends
Ron the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
Detecting parking spaces
Objects located above the detection range of
Parking Pilot will not be detected when the park- ing space is measured. These are not taken into
account when the parking procedure is calcula-
ted, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or load-
ing ramps of trucks. Parking Pilot may therefore
guide you into the parking space too early.
GWARNING
If there are objects above the detection range, Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely.
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
Further information on the detection range
(
Ypage 168). Parking Pilot does not assist you parking in
spaces at a right angle to the direction of travel
if:
Rtwo parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
Rthe parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb
Ryou park forwards
Parking Pilot does not assist you parking in
spaces parallel with or at a right angle to the
direction of travel if:
Rthe parking space is on a curb
Rthe system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass pav-
ing blocks
Rthe area is too small for the vehicle to maneu-
ver into
Rthe parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer
:Detected parking space on the left
;Parking symbol
=Detected parking space on the right
Parking Pilot is activated automatically when
driving forward. The system is operational at
speeds of up to approximately 22 mph
(35 km/h). While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Parking Pilot will only detect parking spaces
which are:
Rparallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
Rparallel to the direction of travel and at least
59 in (1.5 m) wide
Rparallel to the direction of travel and at least
39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your vehicle
Rat right angles to the direction of travel and at
least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider than your vehicle
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/ h), you will see parking symbol ;as a
status indicator in the instrument cluster. When
a parking space has been detected, an arrow
towards the right or the left also appears. Park-
Driving systems171
Driving and parking
Z

ing Pilot displays only parking spaces on the
front-passenger side as standard. Parking
spaces on the driver's side are displayed as
soon as the turn signal on the driver's side is
activated. When parking on the driver's side,
this must remain activated until you confirm the
use of Parking Pilot by pressing theabutton
on the multifunction steering wheel. The system
automatically determines whether the parking
space is parallel or at right angles to the direc-
tion of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are driv-
ing past it, and until you are approximately 50 ft
(15 m) away from it.
Parking
GWARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter- vening actively in the steering. If you do not
brake there is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself when
maneuvering and parking.
XStop the vehicle when the parking space sym-bol shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster.
XShift the transmission to position k.
The Start Parking Pilot? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or
XTo park using Parking Pilot: press thea
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XBack up the vehicle, being ready to brake at all
times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Oth-
erwise, Parking Pilot is canceled immediately.
XStop as soon as Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
sounds the continuous warning tone, if not
before.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces. The
Parking Pilot Active Select D
Observe Surroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XShift the transmission to position hwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Parking Pilot immediately steers in the other
direction.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
iYou will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
XDrive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
XStop as soon as Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
sounds the continuous warning tone, if not
before.
The Parking Pilot Active Select R
Observe Surroundingsmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Parking Pilot Finished
message
appears and a warning tone sounds. The vehicle
is now parked.
Parking Pilot no longer supports you with steer-
ing interventions. When Parking Pilot has been
switched off, you must steer again yourself.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips:
RThe way your vehicle is positioned in the park-
ing space after parking is dependent on vari-
ous factors. These include the position and
shape of the vehicles parked in front and
behind it and the conditions of the location. It
may be the case that Parking Pilot guides you too far into a parking space, or not far enough
into it. In some cases, it may also lead you
across or onto the curb. Cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Pilot if necessary.
RYou can also preselect transmission position
h. The vehicle redirects and does not drive
as far into the parking space. Should the
transmission change take place too early, the
parking procedure is canceled. A sensible
parking position can no longer be achieved
from this position.
172Driving systems
Driving and parking

Exiting a parking space
In order for Parking Pilot to assist you:
Rthe border of the parking space must be highenough at the front and the rear. A curb is too
small, for example.
Rthe border of the parking space must not be
too wide. Your vehicle can be maneuvered
into a position at a maximum of 45° to the
starting position in the parking space.
Ra maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
Parking Pilot can assist you with exiting a park-
ing space only if you have parked the vehicle
parallel to the direction of travel using Parking
Pilot.
XStart the engine.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the turn signal in the direction you
will drive out of the parking space.
XShift the transmission to position hork.
The Start Parking Pilot? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or
XTo exit a parking space using Parking
Pilot: press the abutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XPull away, being ready to brake at all times. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of approx-
imately 6 mph (10 km/h) when exiting a park-
ing space. Otherwise, Parking Pilot is can-
celed immediately.
XDepending on the message or as required,
shift the transmission to position hork
when the vehicle is stationary.
Parking Pilot immediately steers in the other
direction. The Parking Pilot Active
Accelerate and Brake Observe Sur‐roundingsmessage appears in the multi-
function display.
iYou will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away. If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the Parking Assist PARKTRONIC warning dis-
plays, several times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and the
Parking
PilotFinishedmessage appears in
the multifunction display. You will then have to
steer and merge into traffic on your own. Park-
ing Assist PARKTRONIC is still available. You can
take over the steering before the vehicle has
exited the parking space completely. This is
useful, for example when you recognize that it is
already possible to pull out of the parking space.
Canceling Parking Pilot
You can cancel Parking Pilot at any time.
XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Parking Pilot is canceled immediately. The
Parking
PilotCanceledmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the "Park Assist PARKTRONIC" button
on the center console (Ypage 169).
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is switched off
and Parking Pilot is immediately canceled.
The Parking Pilot Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Parking Pilot is canceled automatically when:
Rparking using Parking Pilot is no longer pos-
sible
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
Ra wheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. The
÷ ESP®warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol dis-
appears and the multifunction display shows the
Parking Pilot Canceled
message.
When Parking Pilot is canceled, you must steer
again yourself.
Driving systems173
Driving and parking
Z

Rear view camera
General notes
Rear view camera :is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind your
vehicle with guide lines in the multimedia sys-
tem.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
iThe text shown in the multimedia system
display depends on the language setting. The
following are examples of rear view camera
displays in the multimedia system.
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering and parking. Make sure
that there are no persons, animals or objects in
the maneuvering area when you are maneuver-
ing or parking.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in
a limited manner:
Rif the trunk lid is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
Rif the camera is exposed to very bright light
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
Rif there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in win- ter
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(
Ypage 267)
Rif the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
case, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the rear
view camera may be restricted due to additional
accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
leaving the standard height can result in inac-
curacies in the guide lines, depe
nding on tech-
nical conditions.
iThe contrast of the display may be affected
by the sudden presence of sunlight or other
light sources, e.g. when exiting a garage. Pay
particular attention in this situation.
iIf usability is severely restricted, e.g. due to
pixel errors, have the display repaired or
replaced.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
XTo activate: make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 2in the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the Activation by R gearfunction is selected in the multimedia system;
see the Digital Owner's Manual.
XEngage reverse gear.
The multimedia system shows the area
behind the vehicle with guide lines.
The image from the rear view camera is avail-
able throughout the maneuvering process.
To deactivate: the rear view camera deacti-
vates if you drive forwards a short distances or
shift the transmission to j.
The inner segments of the warning indicator are
displayed in red if there is a complete system
failure. The indicator lamp in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up.
If the rear system fails:
Rthe rear segments are displayed in red when
reversing
Rthe rear segments are not displayed when
driving forwards
174Driving systems
Driving and parking