2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS brake light

Always secure animals properly when driv-
ing, for instance with a suitable pet carrier.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information aboutthe following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lockBrakingSystem)(Ypage 60)
RBAS (BrakeAssistSystem) (Ypage 61)
RBrake Assist with cross-traffic function(Ypage 61)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 63)
RAdaptive brake lights (Ypage 65)
RESP®(ElectronicStabilityProgram)(Ypage 65)
REBD (ElectronicBrake forceDistribution)(Ypage 69)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 70)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-tion (Ypage 70)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 72)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if youare inattentive, the driving safety systems canneither reduce the risk of an accident noroverride the laws of physics. Driving safetysystems are merely aids designed to assistdriving.
You are responsible for maintaining the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,for braking in good time, and for staying inlane. Always adapt your driving style to suitthe prevailing road and weather conditions andmaintain a safe distance from the vehicle infront. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described onlywork as effectively as possible when there isadequate contact between the tires and theroad surface. Pay particular attention to theinformation regarding tires, recommendedminimum tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheelsand tires" section (Ypage 293).
In wintry driving conditions, always use wintertires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safetysystems described in this section work aseffectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a waythat the wheels do not lock when you brake.This allows you to continue steering the vehi-cle when braking.
The%ABS warning lamp in the instrumentcluster lights up when the ignition is switchedon. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, evenwhen you only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
GWARNING
If ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels could
lock when braking. The steerability and
braking characteristics would be severely
affected. There is an increased danger of
skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,including driving safety systems, will alsobecome inoperative. Observe the informationon the ABS warning lamp (Ypage 236) anddisplay messages which may be shown in theinstrument cluster (Ypage 206).
Brakes
XIf ABS intervenes:continue to depress thebrake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application:depressthe brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel apulsing in the brake pedal.
60Driving safety systems
Safety

Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis-tance in hazardous situations at speeds above4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor technol-ogy to assess the traffic situation.
Up to a speed of approximately 155 mph(250 km/h), Adaptive Brake Assist is capableof reacting to moving objects that havealready been detected as such at least onceover the period of observation.
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph(70 km/h), Adaptive Brake Assist reacts tostationary obstacles.
If Adaptive Brake Assist demands particularlyhigh braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE®) are activa-ted simultaneously (Ypage 55).
XKeep the brake pedal depressed until theemergency braking situation is over.ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
Ryou release the brake pedal
Rthere is no longer any danger of a collision
Rno obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-cle
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
Rintervene unnecessarily
Rnot intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. Terminate
the intervention in a non-critical driving sit-
uation.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossing traffic
Rwhen cornering
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may
not intervene in all critical conditions. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
Always adapt your speed to suit the prevail-
ing road and traffic conditions.
Due to the nature of the system, particularlycomplicated but non-critical driving conditionsmay also cause Adaptive Brake Assist to inter-vene.
If Adaptive Brake Assist is not available due toa malfunction in the radar sensor system, thebrake system remains available with full brakeboosting effect and BAS.
Adaptive brake lights
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS orBrake Assist with Cross-Traffic Assist, thebrake lamps flash rapidly. In this way, traffictraveling behind you is warned in an evenmore noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warninglamps are activated automatically. If thebrakes are applied again, the brake lamps lightup continuously. The hazard warning lampsswitch off automatically if you travel fasterthan 10 km/h. You can also switch off thehazard warning lamps using the hazard warn-ing button (Ypage 111).
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-tion (Ypage 60).
ESP®monitors driving stability and traction,i.e. power transmission between the tires andthe road surface.
If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviatingfrom the direction desired by the driver, one ormore wheels are braked to stabilize the vehi-cle. The engine output is also modified to keep
Driving safety systems65
Safety
Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
The engine cannot bestarted using the Smart-Key.
The on-board voltage is too low.
XSwitch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interiorlighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
XCheck the starter battery and charge it if necessary(Ypage 284).
or
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 285).
or
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine cannot bestarted using KEYLESS-GO. The SmartKey is inthe vehicle.
The vehicle is locked.
XUnlock the vehicle and try to start the vehicle again.
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
XCheck the SmartKey battery (Ypage 77) and replace it if neces-sary (Ypage 77).
If this does not work:
XStart your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
XStart your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You have lost a Smart-Key.XHave the SmartKey deactivated at a qualified specialist work-shop.
XReport the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
XIf necessary, have the locks changed as well.
You have lost themechanical key.XReport the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
XIf necessary, have the locks changed as well.
The side windows can-not be opened or closedusing the convenienceopening/closing fea-ture.
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
XCheck the SmartKey battery (Ypage 77) and replace it if neces-sary (Ypage 77).
Doors
Important safety notes
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.
Doors79
Opening and closing
Z

The blueWindicator lamp in the instru-ment cluster lights up when the high-beamheadlamps are switched on.
XTo switch off the high-beam headlamps:move the combination switch back to itsnormal position.The blueWindicator lamp in the instru-ment cluster goes out.
Hazard warning lamps
XTo switch on the hazard warning lamps:press buttonC.All turn signals flash. If you now switch on aturn signal using the combination switch,only the turn signal lamp on the correspond-ing side of the vehicle will flash.
XTo switch off the hazard warning lamps:press buttonC.
The hazard warning lamps automaticallyswitch on if:
Ran air bag is deployed or
Rthe vehicle decelerates rapidly from a speedof above 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes to astandstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off automati-cally if the vehicle reaches a speed of above6 mph (10 km/h) again after a full brake appli-cation.
iThe hazard warning lamps still operate ifthe ignition is switched off.
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-mination of the road over a wide angle in thedirection you are turning, enabling better visi-bility in tight bends, for example. The corner-
ing light function can only be activated whenthe low-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25 mph(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal orturn the steering wheel
Rif you are driving at speeds between 25 mph(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turnthe steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a shorttime, but is automatically switched off after nomore than three minutes.
Cornering light function with traffic circlefunction:
The cornering light function is activated onboth sides before entering a traffic circlethrough an evaluation of the current GPS posi-tion of the vehicle. It remains active until afterthe vehicle has left the traffic circle. In thisway, pedestrians crossing the road, for exam-ple, are illuminated by your vehicle in goodtime.
Active light function
The active light function is a system thatmoves the headlamps according to the steer-ing movements of the front wheels. In thisway, relevant areas remain illuminated whiledriving. This allows you to recognize pedes-trians, cyclists and animals sooner.
Active:when the lights are switched on.
Vehicles with Lane Keeping Assist: the activelight function evaluates the course of the lanein which you are driving and pre-emptivelycontrols the active light function.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes
You can use this function to set the headlampsto change between low beam and high beamautomatically. The system recognizes vehicleswith their lights on, either approaching fromthe opposite direction or traveling in front ofyour vehicle, and consequently switches theheadlamps from high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-beamheadlamp range depending on the distance tothe other vehicle. Once the system no longer
Exterior lighting111
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

Rthe system detects that the windshield isnot fogged up when the air-conditioning sys-tem is switched on
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe driver's door is closed and the driver'sseat belt is fastened
All of the vehicle's systems remain activewhen the engine is stopped automatically.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-cles):automatic engine switch-off can takeplace a maximum of four times in a row (initialstop, then three subsequent stops).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:the number of con-secutive automatic engine switch-offs isunlimited.
The HOLD function can be activated if theengine has been switched off automatically. Itis then not necessary to continue applying thebrakes during the automatic stop phase. Whenyou depress the accelerator pedal, the enginestarts automatically and the braking effect ofthe HOLD function is deactivated.
Automatic engine start
The engine starts automatically if:
Ryou switch off the ECO start/stop functionby pressing the ECO button
Rin transmission position[or\\, the brakepedal is released and the HOLD function isnot active
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal
Ryou engage reverse gear^
Ryou move the transmission out of position]
Ryou switch to drive programS+
Ryou switch to drive programSorM(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Ryou unfasten your seat belt or open the driv-er's door
Rthe vehicle starts to roll
Rthe brake system requires this
Rthe temperature in the vehicle interior devi-ates from the set range
Rthe system detects moisture on the wind-shield when the air-conditioning system isswitched on
Rthe battery's condition of charge is too low
Shifting the transmission to position]doesnot start the engine.
Deactivating or activating the ECO
start/stop function
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
XTo deactivate:press ECO buttonC.Indicator lampDgoes out.
XTo activate:press ECO buttonC.Indicator lampDlights up.
If indicator lampDis off, the ECO start/stopfunction has been deactivated manually or asthe result of a malfunction. The engine willthen not be switched off automatically whenthe vehicle stops.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XTo deactivate:in drive programC, pressECO buttonC.
or
XSwitch to drive programS,S+orM(Ypage 133).Indicator lampDgoes out.
XTo activate:press ECO buttonC.Indicator lampDlights up.
130Driving
Driving an d parking

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

economical driving. A higher level indicates amore economical driving style. If the threeouter areas are completely filled at the sametime, the driver has adopted the most eco-nomical driving style for the selected settingsand prevailing conditions. The ECO displayborder lights up.
The ECO display does not indicate the actualfuel consumption. The additionally achievedrange displayed underBonus fr. startBonus fr. startdoesnot indicate a fixed consumption reduction.
In addition to driving style, the actual con-sumption is affected by other factors, such as:
Rload
Rtire pressure
Rcold start
Rchoice of route
Ractive electrical consumers
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-play.
An economical driving style specially requiresdriving at moderate engine speeds.
Achieving a higher value in the categories"Acceleration" and "Constant":
Robserve the gearshift recommendations.
Rdrive the vehicle in drive programCorE.
In urban traffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-gramCis recommended.
On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g. onthe highway, only the outer area for "constant"will change.
The ECO display summarizes the driving stylefrom the start of the journey to its completion.Therefore, there are more marked changes inthe outer areas at the start of a journey. Onlonger journeys, there are fewer changes. Formore marked changes, perform a manual rest(Ypage 194).
Further information on the ECO display(Ypage 193).
Braking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
!On long, steep gradients, you must reducethe load on the brakes. To use engine brak-ing, shift to a lower gear in good time. Thishelps you to avoid overheating the brakesand wearing them out excessively.
When making use of the engine brakingeffect, it is possible that a drive wheel maynot turn for some time, e.g. in the case ofsuddenly changing or slippery road surfaceconditions. This could cause damage to thedrive train. This type of damage is not cov-ered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Change into a lower gear in good time on longand steep downhill gradients. This is especiallyimportant if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruisecontrol or Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving, the braking system can over-
heat. This increases the stopping distance
and can even cause the braking system to
fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.
Never depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantlyresults in excessive and premature wear tothe brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavyload, do not stop the vehicle immediately, butdrive on for a short while. This allows the air-flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rainwithout braking, there may be a delayed reac-tion from the brakes when braking for the first
Driving tips151
Driving and parking
Z

time. This may also occur after the vehicle hasbeen washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedalmore firmly. Maintain a greater distance fromthe vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-cle washed, brake firmly while paying attentionto the traffic conditions. This will warm up thebrake discs, thereby drying them more quicklyand protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-due may form on the brake discs and brakepads. This can result in a significantly longerbraking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, applythe brakes occasionally while paying atten-tion to the traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and thebeginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicleahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up inthe instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engineis running
Observe additional warning messages in themultifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-ately. Consult a qualified specialist work-shop to arrange this.
!As the ESP®system operates automati-cally, the engine and the ignition must beswitched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-tion