2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS towing

With the SmartKey:if you then open the driv-er's door or the front-passenger door orremove the SmartKey from the ignition, theautomatic transmission shifts to]automati-cally.
With KEYLESS-GO:if you then open the driv-er's or front-passenger door, the automatictransmission shifts to]automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission toremain in neutral\\, e.g. when having thevehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash witha towing system:
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:remove theStart/Stop button from the ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles:switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep itdepressed.
XShift to neutral\\.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-Key in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress thebrake pedal.
XPush the selector lever back past the firstpoint of resistance.
Transmission positions
EPark position
This prevents the vehicle from roll-ing away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission intopositionE(Ypage 134) whenthe vehicle is stationary. The park-ing lock should not be used as abrake when parking. Always applythe electronic parking brake in addi-tion to the parking lock in order tosecure the vehicle.
If the SmartKey is removed from theignition lock, the transmission islocked.
The automatic transmission shiftstoEautomatically:
Rwhen the SmartKey is removedfrom the ignition lock
Rwhen the engine is switched offwith the transmission in positionFor:and one of thedoors is opened
In the event of a malfunction of thevehicle's electronics, the transmis-sion may lock in positionE.Have the vehicle electronicschecked immediately at a qualifiedspecialist workshop.
FReverse gear
Only shift the transmission intopositionFwhen the vehicle isstationary.
Automatic transmission137
Driving and parking
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As a result, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC may neither give warnings nor
intervene in such situations. There is a risk
of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Distance keeping assistant cannot always
clearly identify other road users and com-
plex traffic situations.
In such cases, distance keeping assistant
can:
Raccelerate or brake the vehicle unexpect-
edly
Rintervene unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, especially if distance keeping assis-
tant warns you.
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC brakes
your vehicle with up to 50% of the maximum
possible deceleration. If this deceleration is
not sufficient, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC alerts you with a visual and
acoustic warning. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Adjust your speed in these cases and main-
tain sufficient distance.
Apply the brakes yourself and/or take eva-
sive action.
!When Active Distance Assist DISTRONICor the HOLD function is activated, the vehi-cle brakes automatically in certain situa-tions.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC and theHOLD function in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC can neitherreduce the risk of an accident if you fail to
adapt your driving style, nor override the lawsof physics. Active Distance Assist DISTRONICcannot take into account road, weather or traf-fic conditions. Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC is only an aid. You are responsiblefor the distance to the vehicle in front, forvehicle speed, for braking in good time and forstaying in your lane.
Do not use Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC:
RIn road and traffic conditions which do notallow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-erating could cause the drive wheels to losetraction and the vehicle could then skid
RIn poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rainor snow
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may notdetect narrow vehicles driving in front, e.g.motorcycles, or vehicles driving in a staggeredformation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can beimpaired if:
RThere is dirt on the sensors or anything elsecovering the sensors
RThere is snow or heavy rain
RThere is interference by other radar sources
RThere are strong radar reflections, for exam-ple in parking garages
If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC no longerdetects a vehicle in front, Distance PilotDISTRONIC may unexpectedly accelerate tothe speed stored.
This speed may:
RBe too high if you are driving in a turninglane or an exit lane
RBe so high when driving in the right-handlane that you overtake vehicles in the left-hand lane
RBe so high in the left lane that you passvehicles driving on the right
If there is a change of drivers, advise the newdriver of the speed stored.
Driving systems157
Driving an d parking
Z

HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in thefollowing situations:
RWhen pulling away, especially on steepslopes
RWhen maneuvering on steep slopes
RWhen waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without thedriver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLDfunction deactivated when you depress theaccelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the vehicle is only braked using the HOLD
function, the vehicle may roll away in the fol-
lowing situations when you leave the vehi-
cle:
Rif there is a malfunction in the system or
in the voltage supply
Rif the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant
There is a risk of an accident.
Always deactivate the HOLD function and
secure the vehicle against rolling away
before you leave it.
!When Active Distance Assist DISTRONICor the HOLD function is activated, the vehi-cle brakes automatically in certain situa-tions.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC and theHOLD function in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (Ypage 165).
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if all of thefollowing conditions are fulfilled:
Rthe vehicle is stationary.
Rthe engine is running or if it has been auto-matically switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Rthe driver's door is closed or your seat beltis fastened.
Rthe electric parking brake is released.
Rthe transmission is in position[,^or\\.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC is deacti-vated
Activating the HOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions aremet.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XQuickly depress the brake pedal furtheruntilCappears in the multifunction dis-play.The HOLD function is activated. You canrelease the brake pedal.
iIf depressing the brake pedal the first timedoes not activate the HOLD function, waitbriefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-cally if:
Ryou depress the accelerator and the trans-mission is in position[or^.
Rthe transmission is in position].
Ryou depress the brake pedal again with acertain amount of pressure untilHOLDHOLDdisap-pears from the multifunction display.
Ryou secure the vehicle using the electricparking brake.
Ryou activate Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC.
Driving systems165
Driving and parking
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This can occur, for example, if the relevantmobile phone network is not available. Theindicator lamp in the SOS button flashes con-tinuously.
TheCall FailedCall Failedmessage appears in themultifunction display and must be confirmed.
In this case, summon assistance by othermeans.
Making an emergency call
XTo initiate an emergency call manually:press coverCbriefly to open.
XPress SOS buttonDbriefly.The indicator lamp in SOS buttonDflashesuntil the emergency call is concluded.
XWait for a voice connection to theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-ter.
XAfter the emergency call, close coverC.
iIf the mobile phone network is unavailable,Mercedes me connect is not able to makean emergency call. If you leave the vehicleimmediately after pressing the SOS button,you do not know if Mercedes me connecthas successfully made the emergency call.In this case, always summon assistance byother means.
Breakdown assistance call button
XPress Roadside Assistance buttonC.This initiates a call to the Mercedes-BenzCustomer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside AssistancebuttonCflashes while the call is active.The multifunction display shows theCon‐Con‐necting Callnecting Callmessage. The audio outputis muted.
If a connection can be made, theCall Con‐Call Con‐nectednectedmessage appears in the multifunctiondisplay.
If a mobile phone network and GPS receptionare available, the system transfers data to theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,for example:
RCurrent location of the vehicle
RVehicle identification number
iThe COMAND display indicates that a callis active. During the call, you can change tothe navigation menu by pressing the NAVIbutton on COMAND, for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centerand the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, theMercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centercan ascertain the nature of the problem(Ypage 259).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-ter either sends a qualified Mercedes-Benztechnician or makes arrangements for yourvehicle to be transported to the nearestMercedes-Benz Service Center.
You may be charged for services such asrepair work and/or towing.
Features257
Stowage and features
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Rsolvents
Rcleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces and films withhard objects, e.g. rings or ice scrapers. Oth-erwise, you may scratch or damage the sur-faces and films.
!Do not park your vehicle for a long periodof time directly after cleaning, particularlyafter cleaning the wheel rim with wheelcleaner. Wheel cleaner can lead to theincreased corrosion of the brake discs andpads. Therefore, drive for a few minutesafter cleaning. By heating up the brakes, thebrake discs and pads dry. The vehicle canthen be parked for a long period of time.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition forretaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning
the paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is
restored.
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-tion is activated, the vehicle brakes auto-matically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateDISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function inthe following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!It is preferable to use car washes withadjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning thatcorresponds to the specification for theCabriolet program. In car washes that usehigh water pressures, there is a risk that asmall amount of water may leak into thevehicle.
!Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: if aSmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is within thedetection range of the KEYLESS-GOantenna, the following situations could leadto the unintentional opening of the trunk lid:
Rusing a car wash
Rusing a power washer
Make sure that the SmartKey is at least6.5 ft (2 m) away from the vehicle.
!Never clean your vehicle in a TouchlessAutomatic Car Wash as these use specialcleaning agents. These cleaning agents candamage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If you have your vehicle cleaned in a high-pressure automatic car wash, smallamounts of water may enter the vehicle.
!Make sure that the automatic transmissionis in positionNwhen washing your vehiclein a tow-through car wash. The vehicle couldbe damaged if the transmission is in anotherposition.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the roof are com-pletely closed
Rthe climate control blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is at position0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can clean the vehicle at an automatic carwash from the very start.
Preferably clean the vehicle at automatic carwashes that use textile washing elementswithout brushes. This prevents fine scratchesfrom forming on the paintwork and film.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it beforecleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe offwax from the windshield and the wiper blades.This will prevent smears and reduce wipingnoises caused by residue on the windshield.
iVehicles with decorative film: select awash program without hot wax at the auto-matic car wash.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is onlyallowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Care271
Maintenance and care
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iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any quali-fied specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissi-
ble gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehi-
cle, its weight should not be greater than
the permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weightof your vehicle can be found on the vehicleidentification plate (Ypage 320).
!When Active Brake Assist, Active DistanceAssist DISTRONIC or the HOLD function isactivated, the vehicle brakes automaticallyin certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivatethese systems in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at thetowing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could bedamaged.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery,this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly andsmoothly. If the tractive power is too high,the vehicles could be damaged.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Thiscould damage the vehicle.
!When towing away vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the key instead of the Start/Stopbutton. The automatic transmission mayotherwise shift to position]when you
open the driver's or front-passenger door,which could damage the transmission.
!Make sure that the electric parking brakeis released. If the electric parking brake isfaulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!You may tow the vehicle for a maximumdistance of 30 miles (50 kilometers). A tow-ing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not beexceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles(50 kilometers), the entire vehicle must beraised and transported.
!When you are tow-starting or towinganother vehicle, its weight must not exceedthe maximum permissible gross weight ofyour vehicle.
It is better to have the vehicle transportedthan to have it towed away.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-tion\\when the vehicle is being towed away.
The battery must be connected and charged.Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to positionHinthe ignition lock
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission toposition\\
Deactivate the automatic locking featurebefore the vehicle is towed (Ypage 201). Youcould otherwise be locked out when pushingor towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be very hot. There
is a risk of burns when removing the rear
cover.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe. Take particu-
lar care when removing the rear cover.
288Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

The brackets for the screw-in towing eye arelocated in the bumpers. They are at the frontand at the rear, behind the covers.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle toolkit (Ypage 277).
XFront bumper:insert a finger into therecess on the bottom edge of coverC.
XPull coverCout of the bumper towards youin the direction of the arrow.
CoverCis attached to the opening with astrap.
XRear bumper:press the mark on coverCinwards in the direction of the arrow.
XRemove coverCfrom the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise as far asit will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XFront bumper:position coverCon theopening in the bumper.
XTo close, press the lower section ofcoverC.
XRear bumper:position coverCwith thetab on the opening in the bumper.
XTo close, press the lower section ofcoverCuntil it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
GWARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing
the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
The automatic transmission shifts to position]automatically when you open the driver'sor front-passenger door or when you removethe SmartKey from the ignition lock.
In order to ensure that the automatic trans-mission stays in position\\when towingaway the vehicle, you must observe the follow-ing points:
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps(Ypage 111).
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary andthat the SmartKey is in position

When towing away, use a towing rope or atowing bar with both axles on the ground. Donot use any tow bar systems.
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
!The ignition must be switched off if youare towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP®could other-wise damage the brake system.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission mustnot be towed with the rear axle raised. Thevehicle/trailer combination may otherwiseswerve or even roll over.
Transporting the vehicle
Vehicles with automatic transmission
!When the vehicle is loaded for transport,the front and rear axles must be stationaryand on the same transportation vehicle.Positioning over the connection point of thetransport vehicle is not permitted. The drivetrain may otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles
!You may only secure the vehicle by thewheels, not by parts of the vehicle such asaxle or steering components. Otherwise, thevehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicleonto a trailer or transporter for transportingpurposes.
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.
XShift the transmission to position\\.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away byapplying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position].
XTurn the SmartKey to position