2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER brake

The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
Rthere is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
Rthe electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
!When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (
Ypage 160).
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if all of the
following conditions are fulfilled:
Rthe vehicle is stationary.
Rthe engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
Rthe driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened.
Rthe electric parking brake is released.
Rthe transmission is in position h,kori.
RDistance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions are
met.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XQuickly depress the brake pedal further
until :appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
iIf depressing the brake pedal the first time
does not activate the HOLD function, wait
briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
Ryou depress the accelerator and the trans-
mission is in position hork.
Rthe transmission is in position j.
Ryou depress the brake pedal again with a cer-
tain amount of pressure untilHOLDdisappears
from the multifunction display.
Ryou secure the vehicle using the electric park- ing brake.
Ryou activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
iAfter a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
When the HOLD function is activated, the trans- mission is shifted automatically to position jif
Rthe driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
160Driving systems
Driving and parking

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

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
Z

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.
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

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