2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owner's Manual

NECK-PRO head restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The function of the head restraint may be
impaired if you:
Rattach objects such as coat hangers to the
head restraints, for example
Ruse head restraint covers
If you do so, the head restraints cannot fulfill
their intended protective function in the event of an accident. In addition, objects attached
to the head restraints could endanger other
vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Do not attach any objects to the head
restraints and do not use head restraint cov-
ers.
Method of operation
NECK-PRO head restraints reduce the likelihood
of head and chest injuries. The NECK-PRO head
restraints on the driver's and front-passenger
seats are moved forwards and upwards in the
event of a rear-end collision of a certain severity.
This provides better head support.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints have been trig-
gered in an accident, you must reset the NECK-
PRO head restraints on the driver’s and front-
passenger seat (
Ypage 55). Otherwise, the
additional protection will not be available in the event of another rear-end collision. You can rec-
ognize when NECK-PRO head restraints have
been triggered by the fact that they have moved
forwards and can no longer be adjusted.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
NECK-PRO head restraints checked for func-
tionality at a qualified specialist workshop after
a rear-end collision.
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO head
restraints
Do not insert your finger between the upholstery
of the head restraint and the seat. Pay particular
attention while resetting the NECK-PRO head
restraints.
XTilt the top of the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion forwards in the direction of arrow :.
XPush the NECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down as far as it will go in the direction of
arrow;.
XFirmly push the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion back in the direction of arrow =until
the cushion engages.
XRepeat this procedure for the second NECK-
PRO head restraint.
iResetting the NECK-PRO head restraints
requires a lot of strength. If you have difficulty
resetting the NECK-PRO head restraints, have
this work carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
PRE-SAFE®(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
PRE-SAFE®informs you of certain critical driving
situations and takes pre-emptive measures to
protect the vehicle occupants.
PRE-SAFE
®can take the following measures
independently of each other:
Rpre-tensioning the driver's and front-
passenger seatbelt.
Rclosing the side windows.
Occupant safety55
Safety
Z

Rsetting a more favorable seat position for the
front-passenger seat.
Rvehicles with a multicontour seat: increasing
the air pressure in the side bolsters of the seat
backrest.
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats. There is a danger that the seats and/or objects could be dam-
aged when PRE-SAFE
®is activated.
Should an accident not occur, the preventative
measures taken are reversed. Certain settings
must be made yourself.
XIf the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced,
move the seat backrest back slightly.
Seat belt pre-tensioning is released.
PRE-SAFE®PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction
PRE-SAFE®PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-end
collision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE
®PLUS takes pre-emptive
measures to protect the vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE®PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned about the intervention
of PRE-SAFE
®PLUS.
PRE-SAFE®PLUS does not intervene if the vehi-
cle is backing up.
When driving, or when parking or exiting a park-
ing space with assistance from Parking Pilot,
PRE-SAFE
®PLUS will not apply the brakes.
Function
PRE-SAFE®PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision. PRE-SAFE
®PLUS takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected:
Rif the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat belts
are pre-tensioned.
Rif the radar sensor system detects that a rear-
end collision is imminent:
-the brake pressure is increased if the driver
applies the brakes when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
-the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE®PLUS braking application is can-
celed:
Rif the accelerator pedal is depressed when a
gear is engaged
Rif the risk of a collision passes or is no longer
detected
Rif Distance Pilot DISTRONIC indicates an
intention to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, the original settings are
restored.
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on the
type and severity of the impact:
Rthe hazard warning lamps are switched on
Rthe emergency lighting is activated
Rthe vehicle doors are unlocked
Rthe front side windows are lowered
Rthe electrically adjustable steering wheel is
raised when the driver's door is opened
Rthe engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is switched off
Rvehicles with mbrace: automatic emergency
call
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m)in height is traveling in the
vehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
56Children in the vehicle
Safety

The child restraint system must be appropri-
ate to the age, weight and size of the child.
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and safetynotes in this section in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Ralways observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant classification system
(OCS)". (
Ypage 47)
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children.
Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 42) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 43).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
40 lbs (18 kg) until they reach a height where a
three-point seat belt can be properly fastened
without a booster seat.
Special seatbelt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt retrac- tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
The seat belt on the front-passenger's side is
equipped with a special seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt retractor
ensures that the seat belt cannot slacken once
the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly out of the seat belt
guide.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Children in the vehicle57
Safety
Z

Removingth echild restrain tsystem and deac -
tivating th especial seat belt retractor:
XMak esur eyou observ eth echild restrain t
system manufacturer' sinstallation instruc-
tions.
XPress th erelease butto nof th eseat belt
buckle and rout eth eseat belt tongue bac k
towards th eseat belt guide .
The special seat belt retracto ris deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belt sand child restrain tsystems
is require dby law in:
Rall 50 state s
RtheU.S. territories
Rth eDistric tof Columbia
Rall Canadian province s
You can obtain further information about th e
correc tchild restrain tsystem from any author-
ized Mercedes-Ben zCenter.
GWARNIN G
If th echild restrain tsystem is installed incor-
rectl yon asuitable seat ,it canno tprotect as
intended. The child canno tthen be restrained
in th eevent of an accident, heav ybraking or
sudde nchanges of direction .There is an
increased ris kof injury, possibl yeve nfatal.
Mak esur ethat you observ eth echild restrain t
system manufacturer' sinstallation instruc-
tion sand th enote son use. Pleas eensure,
that th ebase of th echild restrain tsystem is
always resting completely on th eseat cush-
ion .Never plac eobjects ,e.g. cushions, under
or behind th echild restrain tsystem. Only use
child restrain tsystems wit hth eoriginal cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
cover swit hgenuine covers.
GWARNIN G
If th echild restrain tsystem is installed incor-
rectl yor is no tsecured ,it can come loos ein
th eevent of an accident, heav ybraking or a
sudde nchang ein direction .The child
restrain tsystem could be throw nabout ,strik -
ing vehicl eoccupants. There is an increased
ris kof injury, possibl yeve nfatal.
Always instal lchild restrain tsystems prop-
erly, eve nif they are no tbein gused .Mak e
sur ethat you observ eth echild restrain tsys-
te m manufacturer' sinstallation instructions.
Further information on stowin gobjects ,luggag e
and loads securel ycan be foun dunder “Stowin g
options/stowage compartments ”
(
Ypage 242).
GWARNIN G
Child restrain tsystems or their securin gsys-
tems whic hhav ebeen damaged or subjecte d
to aload in an acciden tcan no longer protect
as intended. The child canno tthen be
restrained in th eevent of an accident, heav y
braking or sudde nchanges of direction .There
is an increased ris kof injury, possibl yeve n
fatal.
Replac echild restrain tsystems whic hhav e
been damaged or subjecte dto aload in an
acciden tas soo nas possible. Hav eth esecur-
ing systems on th echild restrain tsystem
checke dat aqualified specialist workshop,
before you instal l achild restrain tsystem
again .
The securin gsystem of child restrain tsystems is
th eseat belt system.
If you instal l achild restrain tsystem on th e
front-passenger seat ,be sur eto observ eth e
instruction sand safet ynote son th e"Occupant
Classification Syste m(OCS)" (
Ypage 47). There
you will also fin dinformation on deactivating th e
front-passenger fron tair bag.
All child restrain tsystems mus tmee tth efol -
lowin gstandards :
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 22 5
RCanadian Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 210. 2
Confirmation that th echild restrain tsystem cor-
responds to th esta
ndards can be foun
don an
instruction label on th echild restrain tsystem.
This confirmation can also be foun din th einstal -
lation instruction sthat are included wit hth e
child restrain tsystem.
Observ eth ewarning labels in th evehicl einte-
rio rand on th echild restrain tsystem.
58Children in the vehicle
Safety

Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
If you install a child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat, always observe the
instructions and safety notes on the "Occupant
Classification System (OCS)" (
Ypage 47).
You can thus avoid the risks that could arise as
a result of:
Ran incorrectly categorized person in the front-
passenger seat
Rthe unintentional deactivation of the front-
passenger front air bag
Rthe unsuitable positioning of the child
restraint system, e.g. too close to the dash-
board
Rearward-facing child restraint system
If it is absolutely necessary to install a rearward-
facing child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Only if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit (
Ypage 41) is the front-
passenger front air bag deactivated.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Forward-facing child restraint system
If you secure a child in a forward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat,
always move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible. Fully retract the seat cushion
length. The entire base of the child restraint sys-
tem must always rest on the seat cushion of the
front-passenger seat. The backrest of the 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 a load by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint position accordingly.
Always make sure that the shoulder belt strap is
correctly routed from the front-passenger seat
belt guide to the shoulder belt guide on the child restraint system. The shoulder belt strap must
be routed forward and down from the front-
passenger seat belt guide. If necessary, adjust
the front-passenger seat accordingly. Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 60)
RBAS (B rakeAssist System) (Ypage 60)
RBrake Assist with cross-traffic function
(Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 62)
RAdaptive brake lights (Ypage 65)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 65)
REBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 69)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 69)
Driving safety systems59
Safety
Z

RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic function(Ypage 69)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 71)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor overridethe laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving.
You are responsible for maintaining the distance
to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time, and for staying in lane.
Always adapt your driving style to suit the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions and main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (
Ypage 285).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and brak-
ing characteristics would be severely affec-
ted. There is an increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 229 )and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 201).
Brakes
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
60Driving safety systems
Safety

Braking
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion
General information
Brake Assist with cross-traffic function can help
you to minimize the risk of a collision with a
vehicle or a pedestrian and reduce the effects of
such a collision. If Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function detects a danger of collision, you are
assisted when braking.
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 60).
Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is only
available in vehicles with the Driving Assistance
package.
For Brake Assist with cross-traffic function to
assist you when driving, the radar sensor system
and the camera system must be operational.
The sensor system and camera system help
Brake Assist with cross-traffic function detect
obstacles:
Rthat are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time
Rthat cross the path of your vehicle
In addition, pedestrians in the path of your vehi-
cle can be detected.
Brake Assist with cross-traffic function detects
pedestrians using typical characteristics such
as body contours and the posture of a person
standing upright.
If the radar sensor system or the camera system
is malfunctioning, Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is restricted or no longer available. The
brake system is still available with comple te
b

rake boosting effect and BAS.
iObserve the restrictions described in the
"Important safety notes" section
(
Ypage 61).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function cannot always clearly identify objects and
complex traffic situations.
In such cases, Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function might:
Rissue an unnecessary warning or brake
Rissue no warning or not brake
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation; do not rely on the Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function alone.
Always be ready to brake and possibly take
evasive action.
GWARNING
Brake Assist with cross-traffic function can-
not always clearly identify people, particularly if they are moving. Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function cannot intervene in these
cases. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function does not react:
Rto small people, e.g. children
Rto animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rwhen cornering
As a result, Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function may not warn you or engage in
all critical situations. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
In the event of snowfall or heavy rain, the rec-
ognition can be impaired.
Driving safety systems61
Safety
Z

Recognition by theradar sensor system is also
impaire dif:
Rthere is dirt on th esensor sor anythin gelse
covering th esensor s
Rthere is interferenc eby other radar source s
Rthere are strongradar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicl eis traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicl eis traveling in fron ton adifferen tlin e
Rvehicles quickly mov eint oth eradar sensor
system detection range
Recognition by th ecamera system is also
impaire din th eevent of:
Rdirt on th ecamera or if th ecamera is covered
Rglar eon th ecamera system, e.g. from th esun
bein glow in th esk y
Rdarkness
Ror if:
-pedestrian smov equickly, e.g. int oth epat h
of th evehicl e
-thecamera system no longer recognizes a
pedestrian as aperson due to special cloth -
ing or other objects
-a pedestrian is concealed by other objects
-th etypical outlin eof aperson is no tdistin-
guishable from th ebackgroun d
Followin gdamag eto th efron ten dof th evehicle,
hav eth econfiguration and operation of th e
radar sensor schecke dat aqualified specialist
workshop. This also applie sto collision sat slow
speeds wher ethere is no visible damag eto th e
fron tof th e
ve
hicle.
Followin gdamag eto th ewindshield, hav eth e
configuration and operation of th ecamera sys-
te m checke dat aqualified specialist workshop.
Function
To avoi d acollision ,Brake Assist wit hcross -
traffic function calculates th ebrak eforce nec-
essary if:
Ryou approac han obstacle, and
RBrake Assist wit hcross-traffic function has
detecte d ariskof collision
When drivin gat aspeed under 20 mp h
(30 km/h) :if you depress th ebrak epedal ,
Brake Assist wit hcross-traffic function is acti-
vated. The increas ein brak epressur ewill be
carrie dout at th elast possibl emoment. When drivin
gat aspeed above 20 mp h
(30 km/h) :if you depress th ebrak epedal
sharply, Brake Assist wit hcross-traffic function
automatically increases th ebrak epressur eto a
degree suited to th etraffic situation .
Brake Assis twit hcross-traffic function provide s
braking assistanc ein hazardous situation swit h
vehicles in fron twithin aspee drange between
4 mph (7 km/h) and 15 5mph (25 0km/h).
Up to aspee dof approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h), Brake Assist wit hcross-traffic func-
tion may reac tto :
Rstationary objects in th epat hof your vehicle,
e.g. stoppe dor parked vehicles
Rpedestrian sin th epat hof your vehicl e
Robstacles crossing your path, whic hmov ein
th edetection range of th esensor sand are
recognized by th em
iIf Brake Assist wit
hcross-traffic function
require s aparticularly high braking force ,pre -
ventative passenger protection measures
(PRE-SAF E
®)are activated at th esam etime
(Ypage 55) .
XKeepth ebrak epedal depressed until th e
emergenc ybraking situation is over.
AB Sprevents th ewheels from locking.
Brake Assist wit hcross-traffic function is deac -
tivated and th ebrakes function as usual again if:
Ryou release th ebrak epedal
Rthere is no longer aris kof collision
Rno obstacle is detecte din fron tof your vehicl e
Ryou depress th eaccelerato rpedal
Ryou activat ekickdown
Active Brake Assist
General information
iObserv eth e"Importan tsafet ynotes" sec -
tion (Ypage 60) .
Active Brake Assis tconsist sof adistanc ewarn -
ing function wit han autonomous braking func-
tion and Adaptive Brake Assist .
Active Brake Assis tcan help you to minimiz eth e
ris kof acollision wit hth evehicl ein fron tor
reduce th eeffects of suc h acollision .
If Active Brake Assist detects that there is aris k
of collision ,you will be warned visually and
acoustically. If you do no treac tto th evisual and
62Driving safety systems
Safety