2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER parking brake

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
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RACE START Canceledmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation.
The RACE
STARTActivemessage appears in
the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph (Can-
ada: 50 km/h).
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal during RACE
START or if any of the activation conditions are
no longer fulfilled. The RACE START Not Pos‐
sible See Operator's ManualorRACESTART Canceledmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available again
after the vehicle has been driven a certain
distance.
Adaptive damping system
General notes
A suspension with the adaptive damping system
provides improved driving comfort and contin-
uously controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping characteristics adapt to the cur-
rent operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface conditions
Rthe selected drive program (Ypage 128).
Selecting the Comfort or Economy drive
programs
In the Comfort andEconomy drive programs,
the driving characteristics of your vehicle are
more comfortable. Select one of these drive
programs if you favor a more comfortable driv-
ing style. Also select these drive programs when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway.
In urban traffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram Cis recommended.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :repeat-
edly until the ComfortorEconomy drive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :as many
times as necessary until the Sportdrive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport Plus mode
The firmer suspension settings in the Sport
Plus drive program ensure even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads or, ideally, when driving on closed race
circuits.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT button :repeat-
edly until the Sport Plusdrive program is
selected.
162Driving systems
Driving and parking

Activating the driving dynamics display
Using thedrivin gdynamic sdisplay in th emulti-
media system display, you can see th edrive
program you selected as well as additional infor-
mation on th evehicle's operating state .
XSwitchon th emultimedia system. Further
information can be foun din th eDigital Oper -
ator' sManual.
XPress butto n:.
The drivin gdynamic sdisplay appear sin th e
multimedia system display.
The followin ginformation on th evehicle's oper -
ating status is displayed in th edrivin gdynamic s
display:
RDrive program selected (Ypage 128)
RAcceleratorpedal position shown in %
RBrake pedal position shown in %
RSteering angle
RDampingsetting selected
RG-FORCE cross displayin glongitudinal and
lateral acceleration (only available in Sportor
Sport Plu sdrive programs)
Active Body Control ABC (except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Setting the vehicle level
Genera lnotes
The vehicl elevel can be set usin gth eDYNAMIC
SELECT butto n (Ypage 128) or th elevel button.
The setting always correspond sto th elast
selected function .
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve th edrivin gdynamics, th evehicl eis low-
ere das it sspee dincreases. In th eSport and
Sport Plu sdrive programs, it is lowered by up to 0.
5in (13 mm )compared to th enormal vehicl e
level. In th eComfor tand CURVE drive pro -
grams, it is lowered by up to 0. 2in (5 mm )com-
pare dto the norm al vehicle level. As the speed
is reduced, the vehicle is raised up to the set
vehicle height.
Select the normal level for normal road surfaces
and the raised level for driving with snow chains
or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
Rhave selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
Rswitch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you switch
off the engine.
Setting raised level
XMake sure that the engine is running or that ithas been switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
XMake sure that a speed of 75 mph
(12 0km/ h)is not exceeded.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
If the engine has been switched off by the ECO
start/stop function, it is now restarted.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.2 in (31 mm).
Driving systems163
Driving and parking
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The system may be impaired or may not function
if:
Ryou are driving more slowly than 9 mph
(15 km/h)or faster than 112 mph
(180 km/h) .
Rthe vehicle is fully laden.
Ryou drive with very high lateral acceleration.
Activating the driving dynamics 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 state.
XSwitch on the multimedia system. Further
information can be found in the Digital Oper-
ator's Manual.
XPress button :.
The driving dynamics display appears in the
multimedia system display.
The following information on the vehicle's oper-
ating status is displayed in the driving dynamics
display:
RDrive program selected (Ypage 128)
RAccelerator pedal position shown in %
RBrake pedal position shown in %
RSteering angle
RActivity of the ABC spring struts
RVehicle level display (Ypage 163)
RLevel settings animation
RG-FORCE cross displaying longitudinal and
lateral acceleration (only available in Sportor
Sport Plus drive programs)
Active Body Control (ABC) (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
Setting the vehicle level
General notes
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Ypage 129 )or the on-board
computer (Ypage 166). The setting always cor-
responds to the last selected function.
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is low-
ered as its speed increases. In the Sportand
Sport Plus drive programs it is lowered by up to
0.5 in (13 mm), and in the Comfortdrive pro-
gram by up to 0.2 in (5 mm) compared to the
normal vehicle level. As the speed is reduced,
the vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, the Comfortdrive
program is activated. For further information
about starting the engine, see (
Ypage 123).
Select the normal level for normal road surfaces
and the raised level for driving with snow chains
or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the engine
is switched off.
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
Driving systems165
Driving and parking
Z

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.
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Driving and parking
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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

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
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