2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER brake

GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
Roverheat and cause a fire
Rlose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
!Do not warm up the engine while stationary.
Pull away immediately. Avoid high engine
speeds and full throttle until the engine has
reached its operating temperature.
In vehicles with automatic transmission,
engage positions P and R only when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
Key positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a
SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
start function and a detachable Start/Stop but-
ton.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different key
positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
122Driving
Driving and parking

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake
Rshift the automatic transmission out of park
positionP
Rstart the engine
There is a risk 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 applies to mobile phones if the "Digital
Car Key in smartphone" function is activated
via the Mercedes me connect web app.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
The catalytic converter is preheated for up to
30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of the
engine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift the transmission to position j.
Transmission position display jis shown in
the multifunction display.
iYou can start the engine in transmission
position jand i.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
To start the engine using the SmartKey instead
of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/Stop button out
of the ignition lock.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 122) and release it as soon
as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle manually without inserting the SmartKey
into the ignition lock. The Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle. This mode for
starting the engine operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine start func-
tion.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XPress the Start/Stop button once
(Ypage 122).
The engine starts.
Pulling away
General notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pulling
away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature (
Ypage 196).
It is only possible to shift the transmission from
position jto the desired position if you
depress the brake pedal. Only then is the shift
lock released.
124Driving
Driving an d parking

iUpshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake (
Ypage 143).
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forward or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
Ryou are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient
Rthe transmission is in position i
Rthe electric parking brake is applied
RESP®is malfunctioning
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
:ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when- ever you switch on the engine using the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the è
ECO symbol is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function is only available in drive program C.
Automatic engine switch-off
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission inhori, the ECO start/stop
function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
Rthe indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
Rthe outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system
Rthe engine is at normal operating temperature
Rthe set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
Rthe battery is sufficiently charged
Rthe system detects that the windshield is not
fogged up when the air-conditioning system is switched on
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is stopped automatically.
Driving125
Driving and parking
Z

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles):automat icengine switch-off can take
plac e a maximum of four times ina row (initial
stop, then three subsequent stops).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the number of con-
secutive automat icengine switch-offs isunlimi-
te d.
The HOLD function can beactivated ifthe
engine has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automat icstop phase. When
you depr ess the accelerator pedal,the engine
starts automatically and the braking effect of
the HOLD function isdeactivate d.
Automatic engine start
The engine starts automatically if:
Ryouswitch off the ECO start /stop function by
pressing the ECO button
Rin transmission position hori, the brake
pedal isreleased and the HOLD function isnot
active
Ryou depr ess the accelerator pedal
Ryou engage reverse gear k
Ryou move the transmission out of position j
Ryouswitch to drive program S+
Ryouswitch to drive program Sor M
(Mercedes-AMG veh icles)
Ryou unfasten your seat beltor open the driv-
er's door
Rthe veh iclestarts to roll
Rthe brake system requires th is
Rthe temperatureinthe veh icleinterior devi-
ates from the set range
Rthe system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
swit ched on
Rthe battery's condition of charge istoo low
Sh ifting the transmission to position jdoes
not start the engine.
Deactivating or activating the ECO
start/stop function
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
XTo deactivate: press ECO button :.
In dicator lamp ;goes out.
XTo activate: press ECO button :.
In dicator lamp ;lights up.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine willthen
not be switched off automatically when the vehi-
cle stops.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XTo deactivate: indrive program C, press ECO
button :.
or
XSwit ch to drive program S,S+ orM
(Ypage 129).
In dicator lamp ;goes out.
XTo activate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
126Driving
Driving and parking

Additional settings
:ECO start/stopfunction (Ypage 125)
;ESP®(Ypage 65 )
=Suspension (Ypage 166)
?Permanentactivation of manual gearshifting
(Ypage 136)
When you press buttons :-? thecorre-
sponding setting is selected. The DYNAMIC
SELECT controller setting is overwritten.
These setting swill also be maintaine dif you
switch to drive program RACE,S+, Sor Cwit h
th eDYNAMIC SELECT controller .
If you switch to drive program I,all store dchar-
acteristics will be accepted. This is also th ecas e
if you hav epreviously presse dbuttons :-?.
Aut oma tic trans mission
Import ant safety notes
GWARNIN G
If th eengin espee dis abov eth eidlin gspee d
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
th evehicl ecould pull away suddenly. There is
a ris kof an accident.
When engagin gtransmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress th ebrak epedal and do
no tsimultaneously accelerate .
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off th eengine.
The vehicl emay rol laway. There is aris kof an
accident.
Afte rswitching off th eengine, always switch
to parking position P.Preven tth eparked vehi-
cle from rollin gaway by applyin gth eparking
brake.
Selector lever
Overview oftrans mission positions
All vehicles (excep tMercedes-AM G vehi-
cles)
!If th eengin espee dis to ohigh or th evehicl e
is in motion ,do no tshif tth eautomatic trans -
mission directl yfrom htok, from ktoh
or directl yto j.
Do no topen th edriver's door while th evehi-
cle is in motion .At low speeds in transmission
position hork, otherwise park position j
is engage dautomatically.
The transmission could be damaged.
jPark position
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The selector lever always return sto it soriginal
position .The curren ttransmission position j,
k, iorh is shown in th etransmission posi-
tion display in th emultifunction display.
Mercedes-AM G vehicles
!If theengin espee dis to ohigh or th evehicl e
is in motion ,do no tshif tth eautomatic trans -
mission directl yfrom htok, from ktoh
or directl yto j.
Do no topen th edriver's door while th evehi-
cle is in motion .At low speeds in transmission
position hork, otherwise park position j
is engage dautomatically.
The transmission could be damaged.
130Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

jPark position
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The selector lever always returns to its original
position. The current transmission position j,
k, iorh is shown in the transmission posi-
tion display in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
:Transmission position
;Gear
=Drive program
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
:Transmission position
;Drive program The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
In addition to drive program
;being shown in
the multifunction display, the currently selected
drive program is indicated in red on the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (
Ypage 129).
Engaging park position P
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPress button :.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPress button:.
Automatic transmission131
Driving and parking
Z

Engaging park position P automatically
Park positionjis automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
Ryou open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in position hork
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position jif the HOLD function or Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the infor-
mation on the HOLD function (
Ypage 160) and
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Ypage 154).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only move the automatic transmission to
k when the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress the brake and keep it pressed.
XPush the selector lever forwards past the first
point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
(
Ypage 125).
Shifting to neutral N
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake
Rshift the automatic transmission out of park
position P
Rstart the engine
There is a risk 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 applies to mobile phones if the "Digital
Car Key in smartphone" function is activated
via the Mercedes me connect web app.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the selector lever forwards or back to
the first point of resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position korh, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to iautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to jautomatically.
With KEYLESS-GO: if you then open the driver's
or front-passenger door, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to jautomatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral i, e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a
towing system:
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles: switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XEngage neutral i.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the selector lever back past the first
point of resistance.
132Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Transmission positions
BPark position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion B (
Ypage 130) when the
vehicle is stationary. The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
If the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock, the transmission is
locked.
The automatic transmission shifts to B automatically:
Rwhen the SmartKey is removed
from the ignition lock
Rwhen the engine is switched off
with the transmission in position
Cor7 and one of the doors
is opened
In the event of a malfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-
sion may lock in position B. Have
the vehicle electronics checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion C when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to A
while driving. The automatic trans-
mission could otherwise be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
®is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position Aif
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads.
!Coasting in neutral imay
cause damage to the drive train.
7Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts through the
individual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position h. This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Automatic transmission133
Driving an d parking
Z