2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS suspension

Door central locking/unlocking ....... 74
Important safety notes.................... 74
Loss ................................................. 78
Mechanical key ................................ 76
Opening/closing the roof................ 92
Overview .......................................... 74
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 126
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 78
Starting the engine ........................ 128
SMS
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 243
Snow chains...................................... 295
Sockets
Front-passenger footwell ............... 255
General notes ................................ 254
Trunk ............................................. 255
Sound
Switching on/off........................... 244
Special seat belt retractor.................. 57
Specialist workshop............................ 28
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 194
In the Instrument cluster ................. 33
Segments ...................................... 190
Selecting the display unit............... 199
SPORT handling mode
Deactivating/activating
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................ 68
Warning lamp ................................. 238
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 217
Switching on/off........................... 110
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine)................................ 127
STEER CONTROL.................................. 72
Steering
Display message ............................ 230
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 103
Button overview ............................... 34
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 191
Important safety notes .................. 103
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 107
Steering wheel paddle shifters........ 141
Stopwatch (RACETIMER)................... 203
Stowage areas................................... 249
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 249
Center console .............................. 250
Center console (rear) ..................... 250
Cup holders ................................... 252
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 250
Glove box ....................................... 249
Important safety information ......... 249
Rear ............................................... 251
Stowage net ................................... 251
Stowage net....................................... 251
Stowage space
Umbrella holder............................. 250
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor.................................................... 252
Summer tires..................................... 295
Sun visor............................................ 253
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter).................................................. 200
Suspension settings
Active Body Control (ABC)
(except Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .. 169
Active Body Control (ABC)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 171
Suspension tuning
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 203
SVHC (Substances of Very High
Concern)............................................... 28
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off................................................. 122
Switching on media mode
Via the device list .......................... 248
T
Tachometer........................................ 190
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 217
see Lights
18Index

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
The engine is not run-ning smoothly and ismisfiring.
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanicalcomponent of the engine management system.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal slightly.Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-verter and damage it.
XHave the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialistworkshop.
The coolant tempera-ture display shows avalue above 248 ‡(120 †). The coolantwarning lamp may alsobe on and a warningtone may sound.
The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine isno longer being cooled sufficiently.
XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant tocool down.
XCheck the coolant level (Ypage 267). Observe the warning notesas you do so and add coolant if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suf-ficiently.
XAt coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the near-est qualified specialist workshop.
XAvoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving inmountainous terrain and stop-and-go traffic.
Notes on towing vehicles
The vehicle is not suitable for attaching towbar systems, such as those used for flat tow-ing or dinghy towing.
Attaching or using tow bar systems may resultin damage to the vehicle.
When towing a vehicle with tow bar systems,safe driving characteristics cannot be guaran-teed for the towing vehicle or the towed vehi-cle.
The vehicle/vehicle combination may swerve.
Observe the permissible towing methods(Ypage 289) and the notes on towing withboth axles on the ground (Ypage 289).
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to changethe drive program. Depending on the drive pro-gram selected the following vehicle character-istics will change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe curve tilting function (vehicles withActive Body Control)
Rthe control thresholds of ESP®
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key or the Start/Stop button, drive programCis activated. Further information about startingthe engine (Ypage 127).
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key, drive programCis activated. Furtherinformation about starting the engine(Ypage 127).
132DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
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XPress DYNAMIC SELECT buttonCas manytimes as necessary until the desired driveprogram is selected.The selected drive program appears in themultifunction display. After a short period oftime, the display goes out and the symbolfor the selected drive program appears.
In addition, the current drive program set-tings are displayed briefly in the multimediasystem display.
iIn a few countries, the ECO start/stopfunction is deactivated at the factory due tothe available fuel grade. In this case, theECO start/stop function is not available inany drive program, regardless of the displayin the multimedia system display.
Available drive programs:
CComfortComfortable and economi-cal driving characteristics
SSportSporty driving characteris-tics
S+Sport PlusParticularly sporty drivingcharacteristics
IIndividualIndividual settings
EEconomy
(vehicles withadjustabledamping)
Particularly economicaldriving characteristics
CVCURVE
(vehicles withActive BodyControl)
Particularly economicaldriving characteristics withcornering function
Additional information for drive programs(Ypage 138).
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
General information
Select the drive program using the DYNAMICSELECT controller.
Available drive programs:
IIndividualIndividual settings
CComfortComfort-oriented, opti-mum-economy engine andtransmission settings
SSportSporty engine and trans-mission settings
S+Sport PlusParticularly sporty trans-mission settings
RaceMaximum sportiness andengine and transmissionsettings suitable for theracetrack
Depending on the drive program selected thefollowing vehicle characteristics will change:
Rthe drive (engine management)
Rthe transmission management
RESP®
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop func-tion
Rthe driver assistance systems
Rthe availability of gliding mode
Further information for automatic drive pro-gram characteristics (Ypage 138).
Additionally, in drive programIyou can config-ure the respective vehicle characteristicsusing the multimedia system. You can findinformation about this in the Digital Operator'sManual.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-Key or the Start/Stop button, drive programCis activated. For further information aboutstarting the engine, see (Ypage 127).
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)133
Driving and parking
Z

DNeutral
Do not shift the transmission toDwhile driving. The automatictransmission could otherwise bedamaged.
No power is transmitted from theengine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allowyou to move the vehicle freely, e.g.to push it or tow it.
If ESP®is deactivated or faulty: shiftthe transmission to positionDifthe vehicle is in danger of skidding,e.g. on icy roads.
!Coasting in neutral\\maycause damage to the drive train.
:Drive
The automatic transmissionchanges gear automatically. Allforward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts through theindividual gears automatically when it is intransmission position[. This automatic gearshifting behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond thepressure point.The automatic transmission shifts to a lowergear depending on the engine speed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal once thedesired speed is reached.The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive programCis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently inforward and reverse gears, unless the accel-erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rlow fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.The vehicle is driven in the low engine speedrange and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rthe suspension exhibits comfortable damp-ing settings.
Rthe steering exhibits comfortable steeringcharacteristics.
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
iSelect this drive program for difficult roadconditions, e. g. snow and ice or wet roadsurfaces.
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive programSis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-istics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmis-sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits firm damping set-tings.
138Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Rthe steering exhibits sporty steering charac-teristics.
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive programS+is characterized by the fol-lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-ing characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmis-sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly firmdamping settings (vehicles with adaptivedamping system).
Rthe suspension exhibits firm damping set-tings (vehicles with Active Body Control).
Rthe steering exhibits sporty steering charac-teristics.
RESP®emphasizes the vehicle's own over-steering and understeering characteristics.This enables a more active driving style. Thisdrive program requires increased driver
interaction. Further information about ESP®
(Ypage 66).
iOnly select this drive program if the roadconditions are good, e.g. the road is dry andthe route ahead is clearly visible.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties ofthe drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe control thresholds of ESP®
Information about configuring drive programIwith the multimedia system can be found inthe Digital Operator's Manual.
Vehicles with adaptive damping system:
drive program E (Economy)
Drive programEis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits comfortable, economicalhandling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently inforward and reverse gears, unless the accel-erator pedal is depressed fully.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.The vehicle is driven in the low engine speedrange and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rthe suspension exhibits comfortable damp-ing settings.
Rthe steering exhibits comfortable steeringcharacteristics.
Rduring deceleration, the engine is discon-nected from the drive train. The vehicle useskinetic energy and consumes less fuel(coasting mode).
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Vehicles with Active Body Control:
CURVE drive program
TheCURVEdrive program is characterized bythe following:
Rincreased driving comfort on bends.
Rthe vehicle tilts actively into the bend. Fur-ther information on the curve tilting function(Ypage 169).
Rthe vehicle exhibits comfortable, economicalhandling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently inforward and reverse gears, unless the accel-erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rcomfortable suspension setting.
Rthe steering exhibits comfortable steeringcharacteristics.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting upsooner. This results in the vehicle beingdriven at lower engine speeds and thewheels being less likely to spin.
Rduring deceleration, the engine is discon-nected from the drive train. The vehicle uses
Automatic transmission139
Driving an d parking
Z

kinetic energy and consumes less fuel(coasting mode).
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
RACE drive program
iThe RACE drive program may not be usedon normal roads. RACE must only be activa-ted and used on dedicated race circuits, noton public roads.
TheRACEdrive program is characterized bythe following:
Rthe vehicle exhibits driving characteristicssuitable for the racetrack.
Rall vehicle systems are set for maximumsportiness.
Rthe gearshift recommendation gives youinformation for slowly warming up the driveassemblies and for adopting a fuel-efficientdriving style (Ypage 141). You can followthe gearshift recommendations at all timesand shift gear accordingly using the steeringwheel paddle shifters. On the basis of thegearshift recommendation, using the steer-ing wheel paddle shifters, you can optimizethe drive train and engine operating mode atany time.
Rif you have selected a gear manually, thiswill be maintained until the vehicle speedincreases or decreases dramatically.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmis-sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly firmdamping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
RESP®switches to SPORT handling mode.ThetSPORT handling mode warninglamp in the instrument cluster lights up. TheSPORT Handling ModeSPORT Handling Modemessage appears inthe multifunction display. Observe theimportant safety notes for the SPORT han-dling mode (Ypage 68).
RESP®only improves driving stability to alimited degree. The engine's torque is only
restricted to a limited degree and the drivewheels can spin. Further information about
ESP®(Ypage 68).
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive programS+is characterized by the fol-lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-ing characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmis-sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly firmdamping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive programSis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-istics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.The fuel consumption possibly being higheras a result of the later automatic transmis-sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly firmdamping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive programCis characterized by the follow-ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economicalhandling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently inforward and reverse gears, unless the accel-erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability,for example on slippery road surfaces.
140Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from theautomatic transmission shifting up sooner.The vehicle is driven in the low engine speedrange and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is available.
RESP®provides the optimum compromisebetween traction and stability. Further infor-
mation about ESP®(Ypage 66).
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties ofthe drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine management)
Rthe transmission management
RESP®
Rthe suspension
Information about configuring drive programIwith the multimedia system can be found inthe Digital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in driveprogramIusing the steering wheel paddleshifters, select theM(manual) setting forthe transmission.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steer-ing wheel paddle shifters. The transmissionmust be in position[to do this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddleshifter is pulled, the automatic transmissionimmediately shifts into the next gear down orup, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-function display will show the current gearinstead of transmission position[.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gearswill be selected automatically.
Temporary setting
XTo activate:shift the selector lever to[.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifterCorD.
The temporary setting is active for a certainamount of time. Under certain conditions, theminimum amount of time is extended, e.g. inthe case of lateral acceleration, during overrunmode or when driving on steep terrain.
XTo deactivate:pull steering wheel paddleshifterDand hold it in place.
or
XUse the lever to switch the transmissionposition.
or
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-cles):use the DYNAMIC SELECT button tochange the drive program.
XMercedes-AMG vehicles:use theDYNAMIC SELECT controller to change thedrive program.
Permanent setting
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Automatic transmission141
Driving and parking
Z

XTo cancel:pull the left-hand steering wheelpaddle shifter (Ypage 141).
or
XTo confirm:pull the right-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter (Ypage 141).TheRACE START Available DepressRACE START Available Depressgas pedal.gas pedal.message appears in the multi-function display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator pedalwithin a few seconds, RACE START is can-celed. The multifunction display shows theRACE START CanceledRACE START Canceledmessage.
XDepress the accelerator pedal completely,until the engine speed stops increasing.TheRACE START Release brake toRACE START Release brake tostartstartmessage appears in the multifunctiondisplay.
iIf you do not release the brake pedalwithin five seconds, RACE START is can-celed. TheRACE START CanceledRACE START Canceledmessageappears in the multifunction display.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep theaccelerator pedal depressed.The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-ation.
TheRACE START ActiveRACE START Activemessage appearsin the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehiclereaches a speed of approximately 30 mph(Canada: 50 km/h).
RACE START is deactivated immediately if yourelease the accelerator pedal during RACESTART or if any of the activation conditions areno longer fulfilled. TheRACE START Not Pos‐RACE START Not Pos‐sible See Operator's Manualsible See Operator's ManualorRACERACESTART CanceledSTART Canceledmessage appears in the mul-tifunction display.
iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within ashort period of time, it is only availableagain after the vehicle has been driven acertain distance.
Adaptive damping system
General notes
A suspension with the adaptive damping sys-tem provides improved driving comfort andcontinuously controls the calibration of thedampers. The damping characteristics adaptto the current operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to eachwheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface conditions
Rthe selected drive program (Ypage 132).
Selecting the Comfort or Economy
drive programs
In theComfortandEconomydrive programs,the driving characteristics of your vehicle aremore comfortable. Select one of these driveprograms if you favor a more comfortable driv-ing style. Also select these drive programswhen driving fast on straight roads, e.g. onstraight stretches of highway.
In urban traffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-gramCis recommended.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT buttonCrepeat-edly until theComfortorEconomydriveprogram is selected.
Selecting Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning intheSportdrive program ensures even bettercontact with the road. Select this drive pro-gram when employing a sporty driving style,e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress DYNAMIC SELECT buttonCas manytimes as necessary until theSportdriveprogram is selected.
Selecting Sport Plus mode
The firmer suspension settings in theSportPlusdrive program ensure even better contactwith the road. Select this mode when employ-ing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding coun-
Driving systems167
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