2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER manual transmission

matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage.
XTo shift down:pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine were to exceed the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
!If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-
vated, the automatic transmission does not
shift up automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
XTo shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine were to exceed the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-
vated, the automatic transmission does not
shift up automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached,
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
138Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in
the system, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake.
XIf this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it rolling
away.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
j.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a function
test at regular intervals while the engine is
switched off. The sounds that can be heard while
this is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo engage: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is engaged,
the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released:
Rwhen the SmartKey is in position 1in the
ignition lock (Ypage 122) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position j
and:
Rthe engine is switched off or
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being automatically applied, pull handle :.
The electric parking brake is also engaged auto-
matically if:
RDistance Pilot DISTRONIC brings the vehicle
to a standstill or
Rthe HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta- tionary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
Rthere is a system malfunction
Rthe power supply is insufficient
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada only)
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
engaged if the engine is switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Releasing automatically
The electric parking brake is released automat-
ically when all of the following conditions are
fulfilled:
Rthe engine is running
Rthe seat belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle
Rthe transmission is in position hork and
you depress the accelerator pedal or shift
from position jtoh ork
Rif the transmission is in position k, the trunk
lid must be closed
Parking143
Driving and parking
Z

Cruise controlisautomatically deactivated if:
Ryou engage the electr icparking brake
Ryou are driving at less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
RBrake Assist intervenes
Ryou move out of transmission position h
If cruise control isdeactivate d,you willhear a
warning tone. You willsee the Cruise Con‐
trol Offmessage inthe multifunction display
for approximate lyfive seconds.
iWhen you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored iscleared.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
General notes
Distance Pilot DI STRONIC regulates the speed
and automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the veh icledetected infront. Vehicle s
are detected with the aid of the radar sensor
system. Distance Pilot DI STRONIC brakes auto-
matically to avoid excee ding the set speed or to
maintain the designated distance from the veh i-
cle infront.
You must select a lower gear ingood time on
long and steep downhillgradients, especially if
the veh icle isladen. By doing so, you willmake
use of the braking effect of the engine. This
relieves the load on the brake system and pre-
vents the brakes from overheating and wearing
too quic kly.
If Distance Pilot DI STRONIC detects that there is
a risk of a co llision, you will be warned visually
and acoustically. Without your intervention, Dis-
tance Pilot DI STRONIC cannot prevent a co lli-
sion. An intermittent warning tone willthen
sound and the distance warning lamp willlight
up inthe instrument cluster. Brake immediately
in order to increase the distance from the veh i-
cle infront, or take evasive action, pro videdit is
safe to doso.
For Distance Pilot DI STRONIC to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must be
operational.
Distance Pilot DI STRONIC operates inthe range
between 0 mph (0 km/h) an
d 120 mph
(200 km/h).
Do not u

se Distance Pilot DISTRONIC while driv-
ing on roads with steep gradients. Since Distance Pilot DISTRONIC transmits radar
waves, it can resemble the radar detectors of
the responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
iUSA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as
a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar sensor
is intended for use in an automotive radar
system only. Removing, tampering with, or
altering the device will void any warranties,
and is not permitted by the FCC. Do not tam-
per with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device
will void any warranties, and is not permitted.
Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC does not react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects on the road, e.g. stopped
or parked vehicles
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
As a result, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC may
neither give warnings nor intervene in such
situations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
Driving systems151
Driving and parking
Z

If a malfunction in the electric parking brake
occurs, the transmission may also be shifted
into positionjautomatically.
RACE START
Important safety notes
iRACE START must not be used on normal
roads. RACE START must only be activated
and used on dedicated road circuits, outside
of public road use.
iRACE START is only available for Mercedes-
AMG vehicles except Mercedes-AMG C 43
4MATIC.
iRACE START is only available for Mercedes-
AMG vehicles except Mercedes-AMG C 43
4MATIC.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration from
a standing start. For this, a suitably high-grip
road surface is required and the vehicle and tires
must be in good working order.
GWARNING
If you use RACE START, individual tires may
start to spin and the vehicle could skid.
Depending on the selected ESP
®mode, there
is an increased risk of skidding and having an accident. Make sure that no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of the vehicle.
iObserve the safety notes on driving safety
systems (Ypage 60).
Be sure to read the safety notes and informa-
tion on ESP
®(Ypage 65).
Conditions for activation
You can activate RACE START if:
Rthe doors are closed.
Rthe engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
160 ‡ (71 †). This is the case when the oil
temperature gauge in the multifunction dis-
play is shown in white.
Rthe engine is running and the engine and
transmission are at operating temperature.
This is the case when the oil temperature
gauge in the multifunction display is shown in
white (
Ypage 197).
RESP®is functioning correctly. (Ypage 65)
Rthe drive program S,S+ orRace is selected
(Ypage 129)
Rthe steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is
depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE START
iWhen manual mode (Ypage 136) is active,
the transmission automatically shifts up to
RACE START in the drive program. This func-
tion supports maximum acceleration with
RACE START. After going through an acceler-
ating process once from a stationary position, this function is automatically deactivated.
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XPull and hold both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
XThe RACE START Confirm: Paddle UPCancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XRelease both steering wheel paddle shifters.
iIf the activation conditions are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is canceled. The RACE
START Canceledmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 136).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel pad-
dle shifter (Ypage 136).
The RACESTARTAvailableDepressgaspedalmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is can-
celed. The multifunction display shows the
RACE START Canceled
message.
XDepress the accelerator pedal completely,
until the engine speed stops increasing.
The RACE
STARTReleasebraketostartmessage appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
iIf you do not release the brake pedal within
five seconds, RACE START is canceled. The
Driving systems161
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

9
:Press and hold:
RIn theAudiomenu: selects a pre-
set list or a station list in the
desired frequency range, selects
an audio track or video scene using
rapid scrolling
RIn the Tel(Telephone) menu:
starts rapid scrolling if the phone
book is open
aRConfirms the selection or display
message
RIn the Tel(Telephone) menu:
switches to the telephone book
and starts dialing the selected
number
%Press briefly:
RBack
RSwitches off the Voice Control
System
RHides display messages or calls up
the last Tripmenu function used
RExits the telephone book/redial
memory
%Press and hold:
RCalls up the standard display in the
Tripmenu
Right control panel
~RRejects or ends a call
RExits the telephone book/redial
memory
6RMakes or accepts a call
RSwitches to the redial memory
W
XRAdjusts the volume
8RMute
?RSwitches on the Voice Control Sys-
tem
Further information on the Voice Control Sys-
tem is available in the separate operating
instructions.
Multifunction display
:Drive program (Ypage 131)
;Transmission position (Ypage 131)
=Text field
?Menu bar
ATime
BOutside temperature or speed
(Ypage 194)
Set the time using the multimedia system; see
the Digital Operator's Manual.
XTo display menu bar ?:press the =
or ; button on the steering wheel.
If you do not press the buttons any longer,
menu bar ?is faded out after a few seconds.
Text field =shows the selected menu or sub-
menu and display messages.
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play:
RZ Gearshift recommendation, when shifting
manually (Ypage 138)
Rj Parking Pilot (Ypage 170)
RCRUISECruise control (Ypage 149)
R_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Ypage 109)
Rè ECO start/stop function (Ypage 125)
RëHOLD function (Ypage 159)
RaSteering Pilot and Stop&Go Pilot
(Ypage 151)
Displays and operation187
On-board computer and displays
Z

XPress the=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Conveniencesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XUsing :or9, select the EasyEntry/Exitfunction.
If the EasyEntry/Exitfunction is activated,
the multifunction display shows the steering
wheel in orange.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature (
Ypage 101).
Switching the seat belt adjustment on/off
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Conveniencesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Belt Adjustmentfunction.
When the Belt Adjustmentfunction is acti-
vated, the seat belt is displayed in orange in
the multifunction display.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
For further information on belt adjustment, see
(
Ypage 44).
Switching the fold-in mirrors when lock-
ing feature on/off
This function is only available when the vehicle is
equipped with the electrical fold-in function.
This function is only available in Canada.
When you activate the Auto.
MirrorFoldingfunction, the exterior mirrors are folded in when
the vehicle is locked.
If you have switched on the Auto. Mirror
Foldingfunction and you fold in the exterior
mirrors using the button on the door
(
Ypage 103), they will not fold out automati-
cally. The exterior mirrors can then only be fol-
ded out using the button on the door.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Conveniencesubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Auto. Mirror Foldingfunction.
If the Auto. Mirror Foldingfunction is
switched on, the multifunction display shows
the exterior mirror in orange.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Restoring the factory settings
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Factory Settingsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
The Reset All Settings?function
appears.
XPress the :or9 button to select Noor
Yes.
XPress the abutton to confirm the selec-
tion.
If you have selected Yes
and confirmed, the
multifunction display shows a confirmation
message.
For safety reasons, the Daytime Running
Lightsfunction in theLightssubmenu is only
reset if the vehicle is stationary.
AMG menu (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Warm-up
:Digital speedometer
;Gear indicator
=Upshift indicator
?Engine oil temperature
ACoolant temperature
BTransmission oil temperature
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the AMGmenu.
Upshift indicator: upshift indicatorUP=
indicates that the engine has reached the
overrevving range when in the manual drive
program.
Menus and submenus197
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
T!
÷
Inoperative SeeOperator' sManual
EB D(electronic brak eforce distribution), AB Sand ES P®are malfunc -
tioning .
Other drivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems may also malfunc -
tion .
In addition ,th e÷, åand! warning lamp sligh tup in th e
instrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above. The fron tand rear wheels could therefor eloc k
if you brak ehard, for example.
The steerabilit yand braking characteristics may be severely affected.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can increase.
If ES P
®is no toperational, ES P®is unable to stabiliz eth evehicle.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
F(US A
only)
!(Canada
only)
Tur nOn the Igni‐
tio ntoReleas etheParkingBrake
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up.
You attempte dto release th eelectric parking brak ewhile th eignition
was switched off .
XSmartKey:tur nth eSmartKey to position 1in th eignition lock.
XKEYLESS-GO: switch on theignition .
F(USA
only)
!(Canada
only)
Please
Releas ePark‐ing Brake
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and awarning tone sounds. Acondition for automatic release of th e
electric parking brak eis no tfulfilled (
Ypage 142).
You are drivin gwit hth eelectric parking brak eapplied.
XReleas eth eelectric parking brak emanually.
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and awarning tone sounds.
You are usin gth eelectric parking brak efor emergenc ybraking
(
Ypage 142).
F(US A
only)
!(Canada
only)
Parkin gBrake See
Operator' sManual
The yellow !warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak eis malfunctioning .
To apply :
XSwitchth eignition off .
XPress theelectric parking brak ehandle for at least te nseconds.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop .
Display messages203
On-board computer and displays
Z