2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

180° view
CSymbol for the 180° view function
DYour vehicle

The following information is displayed:
Rthe length of the journey since the lastbreak.
Rthe attention level determined by ATTEN-TION ASSIST, displayed in a bar display infive levels from high to low.
Rif ATTENTION ASSIST is unable to calculatethe attention level and cannot output awarning, theSystem suspendedSystem suspendedmessageappears. The bar display then changes thedisplay, e.g. if you are driving at a speedbelow 37 mph (60 km/h) or above 125 mph(200 km/h).
Activating ATTENTION ASSIST
XActivate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-board computer (Ypage 198).The system determines the attention level ofthe driver depending on the setting selec-ted:
Standard selected:the sensitivity with whichthe system determines the attention level isset to normal.
Sensitive selected:the sensitivity is sethigher. The attention level detected by ATTEN-TION ASSIST is adapted accordingly and thedriver is warned earlier.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the

GWARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
Rvehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
Rvehicles which approach with a large
speed differential and overtake your vehi-
cle
As a result, Active Blind Spot Assist may nei-
ther give warnings nor intervene in such sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions care-
fully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
iUSA only: This device has been approvedby the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System".The radar sensor is intended for use in anautomotive radar system only. Removal,tampering, or altering of the device will voidany warranties, and is not permitted by theFCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in anynon-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies withRSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation issubject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,and
2. This device must accept any interferencereceived, including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of thedevice will void any warranties, and is notpermitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or usein any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
Radar sensors
The radar sensors for Active Blind Spot Assistare integrated in the rear bumper and in theradiator trim. Make sure that the bumpers andradiator trim are free from dirt, ice and slush.The rear sensors must not be covered, forexample by cycle racks or overhanging cargo.Following a severe impact or in the event ofdamage to the bumpers, have the function ofthe radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Active Blind Spot Assist mayotherwise no longer work properly.
Monitoring area
GWARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not detect all
traffic situations and road users. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always make sure that there is sufficient
distance on the side for other traffic or
obstacles.
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area upto 10 ft (3.0 m) behind your vehicle anddirectly next to your vehicle, as shown in thediagram.
The detection of obstacles can be impaired inthe case of:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything elsecovering the sensors
Rpoor visibility, e.g. due to rain, snow orspray
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then notindicated.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect narrowvehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, ormay only detect them too late.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in thelane beyond the lane next to your vehicle maybe indicated, especially if the vehicles are notdriving in the middle of their lane. This may bethe case if there are vehicles driving at theinner edge of their lanes.
Driving systems185
Driving and parking
Z

Due to the nature of the system:
Rwarnings may be issued in error when driv-ing close to crash barriers or similar solidlane borders.
Rwarnings may be interrupted when drivingalongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.trucks, for a prolonged time.
Indicator and warning display
CYellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
Active Blind Spot Assist is not active at speedsbelow approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehi-cles in the monitoring range are then not indi-cated.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,indicator lampCin the exterior mirrors lightsup yellow at speeds of up to 20 mph(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph(30 km/h), the indicator lamp goes out andActive Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoringrange at speeds above approximately 20 mph(30 km/h), warning lampCon the corre-sponding side lights up red. This warningalways occurs when a vehicle enters the moni-toring range from behind or from the side.When you overtake a vehicle, the warning onlyoccurs if the difference in speed is less than7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reversegear is engaged. In this event, Active BlindSpot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning lampsis adjusted automatically according to theambient light.
Visual and acoustic collision warning
If you switch on the turn signals to changelanes and a vehicle is detected in the sidemonitoring range, you receive a visual andacoustic collision warning. You will then hear a
double warning tone and red warning lampCflashes. If the turn signal remains on, detectedvehicles are indicated by the flashing of redwarning lampC. There are no further warningtones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of alateral collision in the monitoring range, acourse-correcting brake application is carriedout. This is meant to assist you in avoiding acollision.
GWARNING
A course-correcting brake application can-
not always prevent a collision. There is a risk
of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake
application. Always maintain a safe distance
at the sides.
If a course-correcting brake applicationoccurs, red warning lampCflashes in theexterior mirror and a dual warning tonesounds. In addition, displayDunderlining thedanger of a side collision appears in the multi-function display.
In very rare cases, the system may make aninappropriate brake application. A course-cor-recting brake application may be interruptedat any time, e.g. if you steer slightly in theopposite direction or depress the acceleratorpedal more firmly.
The course-correcting brake application isavailable in the speed range between 20 mph(30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
186Driving systems
Driving an d parking

Either no braking application, or a course-cor-recting brake application adapted to the driv-ing situation occurs if:
Rthere are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crashbarriers, located on both sides of your vehi-cle.
Ra vehicle approaches you too closely at theside.
Ryou have adopted a sporty driving style withhigh cornering speeds.
Ryou clearly brake or accelerate.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP®or PRE-SAFE®Brake.
RESP®is switched off.
Ra loss of tire pressure or a defective tire isdetected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that Active Blind Spot Assist isactivated (Ypage 199).
XTurn the SmartKey to positionHin the igni-tion lock.Warning lampsCin the exterior mirrorslight up red for approximately 1.5 secondsand then turn yellow.
Active Lane Keeping Assist
General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the areain front of your vehicle by means of multifunc-tion cameraCat the top of the windshield.Various areas to the front, rear and side ofyour vehicle are also monitored with the aid ofthe radar sensor system. Active Lane KeepingAssist detects lane markings on the road andcan warn you before you leave your lane unin-tentionally. If you do not react to the warning,a lane-correcting application of the brakes canbring the vehicle back into the original lane.
This function is available in a speed rangebetween 40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and200 km/h).
For Active Lane Keeping Assist to assist youwhen driving, the radar sensor system must beoperational.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, ActiveLane Keeping Assist can neither reduce therisk of accident nor override the laws of phys-ics. Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot takeinto account road, weather or traffic condi-tions. Active Lane Keeping Assist is only anaid. You are responsible for the distance to thevehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brakingin good time and for staying in your lane.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot continu-ously keep your vehicle in its lane.
GWARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings.
Driving systems187
Driving an d parking
Z

In such cases, Active Lane Keeping Assist
can:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
make a course-correcting brake applica-
tion
Rneither give a warning nor intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and keep within the lane, espe-
cially if Active Lane Keeping Assist alerts
you. Terminate the intervention in a non-crit-
ical driving situation.
The system may be impaired or may not func-tion if:
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-cient illumination of the road, or due tosnow, rain, fog or heavy spray
Rthere is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,the sun or reflection from other vehicles(e.g. if the road surface is wet)
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up, damagedor covered, for instance by a sticker, in thevicinity of the camera
Rthere are no lane markings, or severalunclear lane markings are present, e.g.around construction sites
Rthe lane markings are worn away, dark orcovered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
Rthe distance to the vehicle in front is tooshort and thus the lane markings cannot bedetected
Rthe lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanesbranch off, cross one another or merge
Rthe road is narrow and winding
Rthere are highly variable shade conditionson the roadway
Rno vehicle is detected in the adjacent laneand there are broken lane markings
Warning vibration in the steering wheel
A warning may be given if a front wheel passesover a lane marking. You will then be warnedby means of a vibration through the steeringwheel lasting for up to 1.5 seconds.
In order that you are warned only when neces-sary and in good time if you cross the lanemarking, the system detects certain condi-tions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
Ryou approach the outer lane marking on abend
Rthe road has very wide lanes, e.g. a freeway
Rthe system detects solid lane markings
The warning vibration occurs later if:
Rthe road has narrow lanes
Ryou cut the corner on a bend
Lane-correcting brake application
GWARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back into the origi-
nal lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist
warns you or makes a lane-correcting brake
application.
GWARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist only detects traf-
fic conditions or road users to a limited
extent. In very rare cases, the system may
make an inappropriate brake application,
e.g. after intentionally driving over a solid
lane marking. There is a risk of an accident.
An inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you steer slightly
in the opposite direction. Always make sure
that there is sufficient distance on the side
for other traffic or obstacles.
In rare cases, Active Lane Keeping Assistcould detect broken line markings or specialstructures on the road surface as solid lanemarkings. An inappropriate brake applicationcan be interrupted at any time, for example ifyou steer slightly in the opposite direction.
188Driving systems
Driving and parking

If you leave your lane, under certain circum-stances the vehicle will brake briefly on oneside. This is meant to assist you in bringing thevehicle back to the original lane.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,displayCappears in the multifunction dis-play.
A lane-correcting brake application can bemade after driving over a lane marking recog-nized as being solid or broken. Before this, awarning must have been issued by means of avibration through the steering wheel. In addi-tion, a lane with lane markings on both sidesmust have been detected.
In the case of a broken lane marking beingdetected, a lane-correcting brake applicationcan only be made if a vehicle has been detec-ted in the adjacent lane. The following vehiclescan have an influence on brake application:oncoming traffic, vehicles that are overtakingand vehicles that are driving parallel to yourvehicle.
iA further lane-correcting brake applicationcan only occur after your vehicle hasreturned to the original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs if:
Ryou clearly and actively steer, brake oraccelerate
Ryou cut the corner on a sharp bend
Ryou have switched on the turn signal
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP®, PRE-SAFE®Brake or Active Blind SpotAssist
Ryou have adopted a sporty driving style withhigh cornering speeds or high rates of accel-eration
RESP®is switched off
Rthe transmission is not in position[
Ran obstacle has been detected in the lane inwhich you are driving
Rwhen a loss of tire pressure or a defectivetire has been detected and displayed
There is a possibility that the Active LaneKeeping Assist could misjudge the given trafficsituation. An inappropriate brake applicationmay be interrupted at any time if you:
Rsteer slightly in the opposite direction
Rswitch on the turn signal
Rclearly brake or accelerate
A lane-correcting brake application is interrup-ted automatically if:
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP®, PRE-SAFE®Brake or Active Blind SpotAssist
Rlane markings are no longer detected
Switching on Active Lane Keeping Assist
XSwitch on Active Lane Keeping Assist usingthe on-board computer; to do so, selectStandardStandardorAdaptiveAdaptive(Ypage 199).If you drive at speeds above 40 mph(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,the lines in the assistance graphic displayare shown in green (Ypage 198). ActiveLane Keeping Assist is ready for use.
WhenStandardStandardis selected,
No warning vibration occurs if:
Ryou switch on the turn signals. In thisevent, the warnings are suppressed for acertain period of time.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, such
as ABS, BAS or ESP®.
WhenAdaptiveAdaptiveis selected,
No warning vibration occurs if:
Ryou switch on the turn signals. In thisevent, the warnings are suppressed for acertain period of time.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP®.
Ryou accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
Ryou brake hard.
Ryou steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid anobstacle or change lanes quickly.
Ryou cut the corner on a sharp bend.
Driving systems189
Driving and parking
Z

Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the
vehicle 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 traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that
this is possible, park the vehicle paying
attention to traffic conditions and operate
the equipment when the vehicle is station-
ary.
You must observe the legal requirements forthe country in which you are currently drivingwhen operating the on-board computer.
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety.
The operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
The on-board computer only shows messagesor warnings from certain systems in the multi-function display. You should therefore makesure your vehicle is operating safely at alltimes.
If the operating safety of your vehicle isimpaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to doso. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
For an overview, see the instrument panelillustration (Ypage 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in thedisplays and the controls in the vehicle interiorcan be adjusted using the brightness controlknob.
The brightness control knob is located on thebottom left of the instrument cluster(Ypage 33).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwiseor counter-clockwise.If you turn the light switch (Ypage 109) totheX,`orXposition, the bright-ness will depend upon the brightness of theambient light.
The light sensor in the instrument clusterautomatically controls the brightness of themultifunction display. In daylight, the dis-plays in the instrument cluster are not illu-minated.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicatewhich speed range is available.
RCruise control activated (Ypage 154):
The segments light up from the storedspeed to the maximum speed.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC activated(Ypage 156):
One or two segments in the set speed rangelight up.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC detects avehicle in front moving more slowly than thestored speed:
The segments between the speed of thevehicle in front and the stored speed lightup.
Tachometer
!Do not drive in the overrevving range, asthis could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates theengine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect theengine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con-ditions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
190Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays