2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

Shift recommendation
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
The gearshift recommendations assist you inadopting an economical driving style. The rec-ommended gear is shown in the multifunctiondisplay.
XShift to recommended gearDaccording togearshift recommendationCwhen shownin the multifunction display of the instru-ment cluster.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
The gearshift recommendations assist you inadopting an economical driving style. The rec-ommended gear is shown in the multifunctiondisplay.
XShift to recommended gearDaccording togearshift recommendationCwhen shownin the multifunction display of the instru-ment cluster.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-vated, the automatic transmission does not
shift up automatically even when the enginelimiting speed for the current gear isreached. When the engine limiting speed isreached, the fuel supply is cut to preventthe engine from overrevving. Always makesure that the engine speed does not reachthe red area of the tachometer. There is oth-erwise a risk of engine damage.
CGear indicator
DUpshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-function display.
XWhen theUPUPmessage appears in the multi-function display, pull on the right-handsteering wheel paddle shifter.
Kickdown
XFor maximum acceleration, depress theaccelerator pedal beyond the pressurepoint.The automatic transmission shifts to a lowergear depending on the engine speed.
XShift back up once the desired speed isreached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears usingthe steering wheel paddle shifters.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-mission shifts up to the next gear when themaximum engine speed is reached. This pre-vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:kickdown is onlypossible in the temporary setting.
Automatic transmission143
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
The transmission hasproblems shifting gear.The transmission is losing oil.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshopimmediately.
The acceleration abilityis deteriorating.
The transmission nolonger changes gear.
The transmission is in emergency mode.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles):it is only partlypossible to engage the gears, or the transmission is in position\\.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:it is only possible to shift intosecondgear and reverse gear.
XStop the vehicle.
XShift the transmission to position].
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
XShift the transmission to position[or^.Mercedes-AMG vehicles:if[is selected, the transmissionshifts tosecondgear if^is selected, the transmission shiftsinto reverse gear.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshopimmediately.
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Risk of fire and
explosion by improper handling of fuel.
You must avoid fire, open flames, smoking
and creating sparks. Switch off the ignition
before refueling and, if present, switch off
the auxiliary heating.
GWARNING
Fuels are toxic and harmful to health. There
is a risk of injury.
You must avoid fuels coming into contact
with skin, eyes and clothes or being swal-
lowed.
Do not inhale the fuel vapors. Keep children
away from fuels.
Keep doors and windows closed during the
refueling process.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following points:
RImmediately rinse the fuel off your skin
with soap and water.
RIf you get fuel into your eyes, immediately
rinse your eyes throughly with clean
water. Seek medical attention immedi-
ately.
RSeek medical attention immediately if fuel
has been swallowed. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
GWARNING
Electrostatic charging can lead to the crea-
tion of sparks and ignite fuel vapor. There is
a risk of fire and explosion.
Touch the metallic body of the vehicle
before you open the fuel filler cap or handle
the pump nozzle. Any possible electrostatic
charge present will in this way be depleted.
144Refueling
Driving and parking

Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refueling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again.
Do not get into the vehicle again during therefueling process. Otherwise, electrostaticcharge could build up again.
!Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with agasoline engine. Do not switch on the igni-tion if you accidentally refuel with the wrongfuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuelsystem. Even small amounts of the wrongfuel could result in damage to the fuel sys-tem and the engine. Notify a qualified spe-cialist workshop and have the fuel tank andfuel lines drained completely.
!Overfilling the fuel tank could damage thefuel system.
!Take care not to spill any fuel on paintedsurfaces. You could otherwise damage thepaintwork.
!Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuelcan. The fuel lines and/or the fuel injectionsystem could otherwise be blocked by parti-cles from the fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could sprayout when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality(Ypage 322).
Refueling
General information
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked auto-matically when you unlock or lock the vehiclewith the SmartKey or using KEYLESS-GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed

Closing the fuel filler flap
XReplace the cap on the filler neck and turnclockwise until it engages audibly.
XClose the fuel filler flap.
iClose the fuel filler flap before locking thevehicle.
iIf you are driving with the fuel filler capopen, the

Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly againstrolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or itsdrivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured againstrolling away unintentionally:
Rthe electric parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in position].
Rthe SmartKey must be removed from theignition lock.
Rthe front wheels must be turned towards thecurb on steep uphill or downhill gradients.
Switching off the engine
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral positionNwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
XApply the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position](Ypage 136).
XWith the SmartKey :turn the SmartKey toposition

Applying or releasing manually
XTo apply:push handleC.When the electric parking brake is applied,the redI(USA only) or$(Canadaonly) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also beapplied when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release:pull handleC.The redI(USA only) or$(Canadaonly) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-ter goes out.
The electric parking brake can only bereleased:
Rwhen the SmartKey is in positionGin theignition lock (Ypage 126) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using theStart/Stop button
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is automaticallyapplied when the transmission is in position]and:
Rthe engine is switched off or
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and thedriver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake frombeing automatically applied, pull handleC.
The electric parking brake is also applied auto-matically if:
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC bringsthe vehicle to a standstill or
Rthe HOLD function is keeping the vehiclestationary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-tions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and thedriver's door is opened
Rthere is a system malfunction
Rthe power supply is insufficient
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The redI(USA only) or$(Canadaonly) indicator lamp in the instrument clusterlights up.
The electric parking brake is not automaticallyapplied if the engine is switched off by theECO start/stop function.
Releasing automatically
The electric parking brake is released auto-matically when all of the following conditionsare fulfilled:
Rthe engine is running
RThe seat belt tongue is engaged in the beltbuckle
Rthe transmission is in position[or^andyou depress the accelerator pedal or shiftfrom position]to[or^
Rif the transmission is in position^, thetrunk lid must be closed
If the seat belt tongue is not engaged in theseat belt buckle, the following conditions mustbe fulfilled:
Rthe driver's door is closed
Ryou move the transmission out of position]or you have previously driven at a speedabove 2 mph (3 km/h)
Rif the transmission is in position^, thetrunk lid must be closed
When the electric parking brake is released,the$indicator lamp goes out in the instru-ment cluster.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during anemergency by using the electric parking brake.
XWhile driving, push handleCof the electricparking brake.The vehicle is braked for as long as the han-dle of the electric parking brake is pressed.The longer the electric parking brake handleis depressed, the greater the braking force.
148Parking
Driving and pa rking

During braking:
Ra warning tone sounds
RtheRelease Parking BrakeRelease Parking Brakemessageappears
Rthe redI(USA only) or$(Canadaonly) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-ter flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-still, the electric parking brake is applied.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer thanfour weeks, the battery may be damaged byexhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer thansix weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as aresult of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop andseek advice.
iYou can obtain information about tricklechargers from a qualified specialist work-shop.
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
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 you operate mobile communication equip-
ment when driving, you may be distracted
from the traffic situation. You could also
lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of
an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the countryin which you are driving. Some jurisdictionsprohibit the driver from using a mobile phonewhile driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always usehands-free mode. Only operate the telephonewhen the traffic situation permits. If you areunsure, pull over to a safe location and stopbefore operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers adistance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) persecond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
RThe tires should always be inflated to therecommended tire pressure.
RRemove unnecessary loads.
RWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
RAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
RObserve the service intervals in the Mainte-nance Booklet or in the service interval dis-play. Have all the maintenance work carriedin accordance with Daimler AG regulations.
Fuel consumption also increases when drivingin cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hillyterrain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident is greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Drivingtips149
Driving an d parking
Z

Emission control
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.
Certain engine systems are designed to keepthe level of poisonous components in exhaustfumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency ifthey are serviced exactly in accordance withthe manufacturer's specifications. Always havework on the engine carried out at a qualifiedspecialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. In particular,work relevant to safety or on safety-relatedsystems must be carried out at a qualified spe-cialist workshop.
The engine settings must not be changedunder any circumstances. Furthermore, allspecific service work must be carried out atregular intervals and in accordance with theMercedes-Benz service requirements. Detailscan be found in the Maintenance Booklet.
ECO display
The ECO display shows you how economicalyour driving style is. The ECO display assistsyou in achieving the most economical drivingstyle for the selected settings and prevailingconditions. Your driving style can significantlyinfluence the vehicle's consumption.
CAcceleration
DCoasting