2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER maintenance

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
We urge you to read this Operator's Manual
carefully and familiarize yourself with the vehi-
cle before driving. For your own safety and a
longer vehicle life, follow the instructions and
warning notices in this manual. Ignoring them
could result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or product designation of your
vehicle may vary depending on:
RModel
ROrder
RCountry specification
RAvailability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right to
introduce changes in the following areas:
RDesign
REquipment
RTechnical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and
illustrations.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
RDigital Operator's Manual
RPrinted Operator's Manual
RMaintenance Booklet
REquipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. If you sell the vehicle, always pass all
documents on to the new owner.
Your Operator's Manual:
Digital form inside the vehicle
The Digital Operator's Manual provides
comprehensive and specifically adapted
information on your vehicle's equipment
and multimedia system. It contains infor-
mative animations, individual language
settings and an intuitive search function.
Booklet inside the vehicle
In addition to this manual and the afore-
mentioned digital media, you also have the
option to obtain a comprehensive printed
version of the Supplement for your multi-
media system from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Digital form via the Internet
The Operator's Manual on the Internet pro-
vides easy access to all information
regarding your vehicle and multimedia sys-
tem. It also provides helpful animations,
interesting background information and a
wide array of search options.
Digital form as an App
Using the Mercedes-Benz Guides App, you
can view all the information on your vehicle
and multimedia system via mobile Internet
or download it independently of network
access. Available for smartphones or tab-
lets.
Please note that the Mercedes-Benz Guides App
may not yet be available in your country.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
2315843102
É2315843102ÃËÍ

Maintenance and care......................258
Engine compartment ........................... 258
Overview of the engine compartment .. 261
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 262
Care ..................................................... 263
Breakdown assistance .....................269
Where will I find...? .............................. 269
Flat tire ................................................ 271
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 275
Jump-starting ....................................... 278
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 280
Fuses ...................................................2 82
Wheels and tires............................... 285
Important safety notes ........................ 285
Operation ............................................ 285
Winter operation .................................. 287
Tire pressure ....................................... 288
Loading the vehicle .............................. 295
All about wheels and tires ................... 297
Changing a wheel ................................ 303
Wheel and tire combinations ...............3 08
Technical data................................... 310
Information regarding technical data ... 310
Vehicle electronics .............................. 310
Identification plates .............................3 11
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 312
Vehicle data ......................................... 317
Contents3

Engaging neutral ............................ 132
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 132
Engaging reverse gear ................... 132
Engaging the park position ............ 131
Gearshift recommendation ............ 138
Kickdown ....................................... 134
Manual shifting .............................. 136
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 197
Overview ........................................ 130
Problem (malfunction) ................... 139
Pulling away ................................... 124
Selector lever ................................ 130
Starting the engine ........................ 124
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 136
Transmission position display ........ 131
Transmission positions .................. 133
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 139
B
Back button ....................................... 237
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 60
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 76
Important safety notes .................... 75
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 277
Display message ............................ 214
Important safety notes .................. 275
Jump starting ................................. 278
Overview ........................................ 275
Belt
see Seat belts
Belt warning ......................................... 44
Blind Spot Assist
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 240
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 236
Telephony ...................................... 239
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System) Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety notes .................... 61
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 206
Notes ............................................. 315
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Adaptive ........................................... 65
Display message ............................ 212
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 60
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 64
BAS .................................................. 60
Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function ........................................... 61
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 315
Display message ............................ 201
EBD .................................................. 69
High-performance brake system .... 148
Important safety notes .................. 146
Maintenance .................................. 147
Parking brake ................................ 142
Riding tips ...................................... 146
Warning lamp ................................. 228
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Breakdown assistance
Reflective safety jacket .................. 269
Where will I find...? ........................ 269
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 33
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 25
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 263
6Index

Turn signalsDisplay message ............................ 212
Switching on/off ........................... 107
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 310
Installation ..................................... 310
Transmission output (maximum) .... 310
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Umbrella holder ................................. 243
Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 80
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 79
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 197
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ...............................................2 41
V
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 28
Data acquisition ............................... 29
Display message ............................ 222
Electronics ..................................... 310
Equipment ....................................... 25
Individual settings .......................... 194
Limited Warranty .............................2 9
Loading .......................................... 295
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 80
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 73
Lowering ........................................ 308
Maintenance .................................... 26
Parking for a long period ................ 144
Pulling away ................................... 124
Raising ........................................... 305
Reporting problems ......................... 28
Securing from rolling away ............ 305
Tow-starting ................................... 280
Towing away .................................. 280
Transporting .................................. 282
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 80
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 73
Vehicle data ................................... 317 Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 317
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 317
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 80
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 311
Vehicle level
Active Body Control (ABC) (except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 163
Active Body Control (ABC)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 165
Display message ............................ 215
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 270
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 191
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 236
VIN
Seat ............................................... 312
Type plate ...................................... 311W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 229
Active Brake Assist ........................ 234
Brake Assist ................................... 234
Brakes ........................................... 228
Check Engine ................................. 232
Coolant .......................................... 232
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 234
Distance warning ........................... 234
ESP
®.............................................. 229
ESP®OFF ....................................... 230
Fuel tank ........................................ 232
General notes ................................ 227
Parking brake ................................ 231
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 41
Reserve fuel ................................... 232
Restraint system ............................ 231
Seat belt ........................................ 227
SPORT handling mode ................... 231
Tire pressure monitor .................... 235
Warning triangle ................................ 269
Warranty .............................................. 25
Index21

systems, e.g. the brake system. Use only genu-
ine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of equal qual-ity. Only use tires, wheels and accessories that
have been specifically approved for your vehi-
cle.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject to
strict quality control. Every part has been spe-
cifically developed, manufactured or selected
for and adapted to Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Therefore, only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
should be used.
More than 300,000 different genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts are available for
Mercedes-Benz models.
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers maintain
a supply of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts for
necessary service and repair work. In addition,
strategically located parts delivery centers pro-
vide quick and reliable parts service.
Always specify the vehicle identification number
(VIN) when ordering genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts (
Ypage 311).
Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment
i
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. Country-specific differences are possi-
ble. Bear in mind that your vehicle may not
feature all functions described here. This also applies to safety-relevant systems and func-
tions. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all sys-
tems installed in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operator's Manual and Maintenance Book-
let are important documents and should be kept
in the vehicle.
Service and vehicle operation
Warranty
The implied warranty for your vehicle applies in
accordance with the warranty terms and condi- tions in the Service and Warranty Information
booklet.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
replace and repair all factory-installed parts in
accordance with the following warranty terms
and conditions:
RNew Vehicle Limited Warranty
REmission System Warranty
REmission Performance Warranty
RCalifornia, Connecticut, Maine, Massachu-
setts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
and Vermont Emission Control System War-
ranty
RState warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws)
Replacement parts and accessories are covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Parts and Accessories
warranties. These are available at any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iShould you lose your Service and Warranty
Information booklet, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center arrange for a replace-
ment. The new Service and Warranty Infor-
mation booklet will be posted to you.
Information for customers in Califor-
nia
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a reason-
able number of repair attempts Mercedes-Benz
USA, LLC and/or its authorized repair or service
facilities fail to fix one or more substantial
defects or malfunctions in the vehicle that are
covered by its express warranty.
During the period of 18 months from original
delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of
18,000 miles (approximately 29,000 km) on the
odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first,
a reasonable number of repair attempts is pre-
sumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a condition that is likely to cause
death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is
driven, that defect or malfunction has been
subject to repair two or more times, and you
Service and vehicle operation25
Introduction
Z

have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair.
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunction of a less serious nature than category (1)
has been subject to repair four or more
times and you have directly notified
Mercedes-Benz in writing of the need for its
repair.
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
3 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes all
the necessary maintenance work which should
be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty Booklet
with you when you bring the vehicle to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The service
advisor will record every service for you in the
Service and Warranty Booklet.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram offers technical help in the event of a
breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside Assis-
tance Hotline are answered by our agents 24
hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program
brochure (USA) or the "Roadside Assistance"
section in the Service and Warranty booklet
(Canada). You will find both in your vehicle lit-
erature portfolio.
Change of address or change of own-
ership
In the event of a change of address, please send us the "Notification of Address Change" in the
Service and Guarantee booklet or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service Center (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in contact-
ing you in a timely manner should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the entire
literature in the vehicle so that it is available to
the next owner.
If you have purchased a used car, please send us the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" in the
Service and Guarantee booklet or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
Rservice facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
Runleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic converter.
Rthe fuel may have a considerably lower octane
rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause engine dam-
age.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available for
delivery in Europe through our European Deliv-
ery Program. For details, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or write to one of the
following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
26Service and vehicle operation
Introduction

Operating safety
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or any required repairs
carried out, this can result in malfunctions or system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as any required repairs
carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system. There is a risk of fire.
When driving off road or on unpaved roads,
check the vehicle's underside regularly. In
particular, remove parts of plants or other
flammable materials which have become
trapped. In the case of damage, contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
Modifications to electronic components, their software as well as wiring can impair their
function and/or the function of other net-
worked components. In particular, systems
relevant to safety could also be affected. As a
result, these may no longer function as inten-
ded and/or jeopardize the operating safety of
the vehicle. There is an increased risk of an
accident and injury.
Never tamper with the wiring as well as elec-
tronic components or their software. You
should have all work to electrical and elec-
tronic equipment carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
!There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
Rthe vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
curb or an unpaved road
Ryou drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. a
curb, a speed bump or a pothole in the road
Ra heavy object strikes the underbody or
parts of the chassis
In situations like this, the body, the under-
body, chassis parts, wheels or tires could be
damaged without the damage being visible.
Components damaged in this way can unex-
pectedly fail or, in the case of an accident, no
longer withstand the loads they are designed
to.
If the underbody paneling is damaged, com-
bustible materials such as leaves, grass or
twigs can gather between the underbody and
the underbody paneling. If these materials
come in contact with hot parts of the exhaust system, they can catch fire.
In such situations, have the vehicle checked
and repaired immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. If on continuing your jour-
ney you notice that driving safety is impaired,
pull over and stop the vehicle immediately,
paying attention to road and traffic condi-
tions. In such cases, consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves
USA: "The wireless devices of this vehicle com-
ply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the two following two conditions: 1)
These devices may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and 2) These devices must accept any
interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation. Changes
or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment."
Canada: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) These devices may
not cause interference, and (2) These devices
must accept any interference, including inter-
ference that may cause undesired operation of
the device."
Operating safety27
Introduction
Z

Diagnostics connection
The diagnosticsconnection is only intended fo r
th econnection of diagnostic equipmen tat a
qualified specialis tworkshop .
GWARNING
If you connec tequipmen tto adiagnostic s
connection in th evehicle, it may affec tth e
operation of vehicle systems .As aresult ,th e
operatin gsafet yof th evehicle could be affec -
ted. There is aris kof an accident.
Only connec tequipmen tto adiagnostic scon-
nection in th evehicle, whic his approved fo r
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
GWARNING
Objects in th edriver's footwell may restric t
th eclearanc earound th epedals or bloc k a
depressed pedal. Thi sjeopardizes th eoper-
atin gand road safet yof th evehicle. There is a
ris kof an accident.
Stow all objects securely in th evehicle so that
they do no tget into th edriver's footwell.
Whe nusin gfloormat sor carpets, mak esur e
that they are properly secure dso that they do
no tslip or obstruct th epedals. Do no tplac e
severa lfloormat sor carpet son to pof on e
another.
!If th eengin eis switched of fand equipmen t
on th ediagnostic sconnection is used ,th e
starter battery may discharge.
Connectin gequipmen tto th ediagnostic scon-
nection can lead to emission smonitorin ginfor-
mation bein greset ,fo rexample. Thi smay lead
to th evehicle failin gto mee tth erequirements of
th enext emission stest durin gth emain inspec-
tion .
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Ben zCente ris aquali-
fie dspecialis tworkshop .It has th enecessary
specialis tknowledge ,tools and qualification sto
correctl ycarry out th ewor krequire don your
vehicle. Thi sis especially th ecas efo rwor krel -
evant to safety.
Observ eth enote sin th eMaintenance Booklet .Always hav
eth efollowin gwor kcarrie dout at an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter:
Rwor krelevant to safet y
Rserviceand maintenance wor k
Rrepair work
Ralterations, installation wor kand modifica-
tion s
Rworkon electronic component s
Correct use
If you remov eany warnin gstickers ,you or oth-
ers could fail to recogniz ecertain dangers.
Leave warnin gstickers in position .
Observ eth efollowin ginformation when drivin g
your vehicle:
Rth esafet ynote sin this manual
Rtechnical dat afo rth evehicle
Rtraffic rule sand regulation s
Rlaws and safetystandard spertainin gto moto r
vehicles
Problem swit hyou rvehicle
If you should experience aproblem wit hyour
vehicle, particularly on ethat you believe may
affec tit s saf eoperation ,we urg eyou to contact
an authorized Mercedes-Ben zCente rimmedi-
ately to hav eth eproblem diagnosed and recti -
fied. If th eproblem is no tresolved to your sat -
isfaction ,please discus sth eproblem again wit h
an authorized Mercedes-Ben zCente ror ,if nec-
essary, contact us at on eof th efollowin g
addresses.
In th eUSA
Customer Assistanc eCente r
Mercedes-Ben zUSA, LL C
3 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canad a
Customer Relation sDepartmen t
Mercedes-Ben zCanada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoo fAvenue
Toronto ,Ontario M4 G4C9
Reporting safet ydefect s
USAonly:
28Operating safety
Introduction