2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS warning

XTo open or close:turn thumbwheelCtothe right or left.
Setting the blower output of the AIR-
SCARF vents
GWARNING
When AIRSCARF is switched on, very hot air
can flow from the vents in the head
restraints. This could result in burns in the
immediate vicinity of the air vents. There is a
risk of injury.
Reduce the heater output before it becomes
too hot.
You can adjust the blower output of AIRSCARFventsCusing the AIRSCARF button(Ypage 102).
124Setting the air vents
Climate control

GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could
affect, for example, the power steering and
the brake boosting effect. You will require
considerably more effort to steer and brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake
can:
Roverheat and cause a fire
Rlose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident.
Release the parking brake fully before driv-
ing off.
!Do not warm up the engine while station-ary. Pull away immediately. Avoid highengine speeds and full throttle until theengine has reached its operating tempera-ture.
In vehicles with automatic transmission,engage positions P and R only when thevehicle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drivewheels when pulling away on slippery roads.You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles:at low engineoil temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), themaximum engine speed is restricted inorder to protect the engine. To protect theengine and maintain smooth engine opera-tion, avoid driving at full throttle when theengine is cold.
Key positions
SmartKey
ZTo remove the SmartKey
GPower supply for some consumers, suchas the windshield wipers
HIgnition (power supply for all consumers)and drive position
ITo start the engine
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignitionlock even if it is not the correct SmartKeyfor the vehicle. The ignition is not switchedon. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped witha SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO start function and a detachable Start/Stopbutton.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in theignition lock and the SmartKey must be in thevehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button intothe ignition lock, the system needs approx-imately two seconds recognition time. You canthen use the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several timesin succession corresponds to the different keypositions in the ignition lock. This is only thecase if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press theStart/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radioconnection between the vehicle and theSmartKey determines whether a valid Smart-
126Driving
Driving and parking

Key is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example,when starting the engine.
To start the vehicle without actively using theSmartKey:
Rthe Start/Stop button must be inserted inthe ignition lock.
Rthe SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
Rthe vehicle must not be locked with theSmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Ypage 74).
Do not keep the SmartKey:
Rwith electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phoneor another SmartKey.
Rwith metallic objects, e.g. coins or metalfoil.
Rinside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-LESS-GO key.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey'sremote control or with KEYLESS-GO, after ashort time:
Ryou will not be able to switch on the ignitionwith the Start/Stop button.
Ryou will not be able to start the engine withthe Start/Stop button until the vehicle isunlocked again.
The engine can be switched off while the vehi-cle is in motion by pressing and holding theStart/Stop button for three seconds. Thisfunction operates independently of the ECOstart/stop automatic engine switch-off func-tion.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO
CStart/Stop button
DIgnition lock
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all theindicator lamps in the instrument cluster lightup. Further information on situations where anindicator lamp either fails to go out after start-
ing the engine or lights up while driving(Ypage 235).
If Start/Stop buttonChas not yet beenpressed, this corresponds to the key beingremoved from the ignition.
XTo switch on the power supply:pressStart/Stop buttonConce.The power supply is switched on. You cannow activate the windshield wipers, forexample.
The power supply is switched off again if:
Rthe driver's door is opened and
Ryou press Start/Stop buttonCtwicewhen in this position
XTo switch on the ignition:press Start/Stop buttonCtwice.The ignition is switched on.
If you press Start/Stop buttonConcewhen in this position, the ignition isswitched off again.
Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button fromthe ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-mal using the SmartKey.
XRemove Start/Stop buttonCfrom ignitionlockD.
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop but-ton from the ignition lock when you leave thevehicle. You should, however, always take theSmartKey with you when leaving the vehicle.As long as the SmartKey is in the vehicle:
Rthe vehicle can be started using the Start/Stop button
Rthe electrically powered equipment can beoperated
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could:
Roperate the vehicle's equipment
Driving127
Driving and parking
Z

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake
Rshift the automatic transmission out of
park position]
Rstart the engine
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended
in the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. This
also applies for the Digital Vehicle Key if the
"Digital Vehicle Key" function is activated via
Mercedes me connect.
GDANGER
Combustion engines emit poisonous
exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide.
Inhaling these exhaust gases is hazardous to
health and can result in poisoning. There is a
risk of fatal injury. Therefore, never leave the
engine running an enclosed space without
adequate ventilation.
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system
or parts of the engine that heat up. There is
a risk of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
The catalytic converter is preheated for up to30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of theengine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission
XDepress the brake pedal and keep itdepressed.
XShift the transmission to position].Transmission position display]is shownin the multifunction display.
iYou can start the engine in transmissionposition]and\\.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
To start the engine using the SmartKey insteadof KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/Stop button outof the ignition lock.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionI(Ypage 126) in the ignition lock and releaseit as soon as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
The Start/Stop button can be used to start thevehicle manually without inserting the Smart-Key into the ignition lock. The Start/Stop but-ton must be inserted in the ignition lock andthe SmartKey must be in the vehicle. Thismode for starting the engine operates inde-pendently of the ECO start/stop automaticengine start function.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep itdepressed.
XPress the Start/Stop button once(Ypage 126).The engine starts.
Pulling away
General notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position:
orF, the vehicle could pull away sud-
denly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position:
orF, always firmly depress the brake
pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pullingaway.
The vehicle locks centrally once you havepulled away. The locking knobs in the doorsdrop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at anytime.
You can also deactivate the automatic lockingfeature (Ypage 201).
128Driving
Driving an d parking

It is only possible to shift the transmissionfrom position]to the desired position if youdepress the brake pedal. Only then is the shiftlock released.
iUpshifts take place at higher enginespeeds after a cold start. This helps the cat-alytic converter to reach its operating tem-perature more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of theelectric parking brake (Ypage 148).
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling awayforward or in reverse on an uphill gradient. Itholds the vehicle for a short time after youhave removed your foot from the brake pedal.This gives you enough time to move your footfrom the brake pedal to the accelerator pedaland to depress it before the vehicle begins toroll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
Ryou are pulling away on a level road or on adownhill gradient
Rthe transmission is in position\\
Rthe electric parking brake is applied
RESP®is malfunctioning
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches theengine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when thedriver wants to pull away again. The ECOstart/stop function thereby helps you toreduce the fuel consumption and emissions ofyour vehicle.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically
and you exit the vehicle, the engine is
restarted automatically. The vehicle may
begin moving. There is a risk of accident and
injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn
off the ignition and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
General notes
CECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activatedwhenever you switch on the engine using theSmartKey or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-cally by the ECO start/stop function, the

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)
Driving and parking

Engaging park position P
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal.
XPress buttonC.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal.
XPress buttonC.
Engaging park position P automati-
cally
Park position]is automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the Smart-Key and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the Smart-Key or using the Start/Stop button andopen the driver's door or front-passengerdoor
Ryou open the driver's door when the vehicleis stationary or when driving at a very lowspeed and the transmission is in position[or^
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-mission shifts automatically to transmissionposition]if the HOLD function or Active Dis-tance Assist DISTRONIC is activated. Observethe information on the HOLD function(Ypage 165) and on Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC (Ypage 159).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only move the automatic transmission to^when the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress the brake and keep it pressed.
XPush the selector lever forwards past thefirst point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not availablewhen reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-mation on the ECO start/stop function(Ypage 129).
Shifting to neutral N
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could:
Roperate the vehicle's equipment
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake
Rshift the automatic transmission out of
park position]
Rstart the engine
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended
in the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. This
also applies for the Digital Vehicle Key if the
"Digital Vehicle Key" function is activated via
Mercedes me connect.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal.
XPush the selector lever forwards or back tothe first point of resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-sion in position^or[, the automatic trans-mission shifts to\\automatically.
136Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

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