2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS engine overheat

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

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

Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"section (Ypage 295).
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant roadspeed for you. It brakes automatically in orderto avoid exceeding the set speed. On long andsteep downhill gradients, especially if the vehi-cle is laden, you must select a lower gear ingood time. By doing so, you will make use ofthe braking effect of the engine. This relievesthe load on the brake system and prevents thebrakes from overheating and wearing tooquickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-ditions make it appropriate to maintain asteady speed for a prolonged period. You canstore any road speed above 20 mph(30 km/h).
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruisecontrol can neither reduce the risk of an acci-dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruisecontrol cannot take into account the road,traffic and weather conditions. Cruise controlis only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,for braking in good time and for staying inlane.
Do not use cruise control:
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
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the newdriver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
CTo store the current speed or a higherspeed
DTo store the current speed or calls up thelast stored speed

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
General notes
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC regulatesthe speed and automatically helps you main-tain the distance from the vehicle detected infront. Vehicles are detected with the aid of theradar sensor system. Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC brakes automatically to avoidexceeding the set speed or to maintain thedesignated distance from the vehicle in front.
You must select a lower gear in good time onlong and steep downhill gradients, especially ifthe vehicle is laden. By doing so, you will makeuse of the braking effect of the engine. Thisrelieves the load on the brake system and pre-vents the brakes from overheating and wear-ing too quickly.
If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC detectsthat there is a risk of a collision with the vehi-cle in front, you will be warned visually andaudibly. Active Distance Assist DISTRONICcannot prevent a collision without your inter-vention. An intermittent warning tone will thensound and the distance warning lamp will lightup in the instrument cluster. Brake immedi-ately in order to increase the distance fromthe vehicle in front, or take evasive action, pro-vided it is safe to do so.
For Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC toassist you when driving, the radar sensor sys-tem must be operational.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC operates inthe speed range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and120 mph (200 km/h).
Do not use Active Distance Assist DISTRONICwhile driving on roads with steep gradients.
As Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC trans-mits radar waves, it can resemble the radardetectors of the responsible authorities. Youcan refer to the relevant chapter in the Opera-tor's Manual if questions are asked about this.
iUSA only:
This device has been approved by the FCCas a "Vehicular Radar System". The radarsensor is intended for use in an automotiveradar system only. Removing, tamperingwith, or altering the device will void any war-ranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Donot tamper with, alter, or use in any non-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.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
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
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles (vehicles without
the Driving Assistance package)
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles, if sufficient detec-
tion is not possible (vehicles with the Driv-
ing Assistance package)
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
156Driving systems
Driving and pa rking

Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-play indicates the temperature measured anddoes not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the mul-tifunction display (Ypage 192).
A change in the outside temperature is shownin the multifunction display after a delay.
Coolant temperature gage
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
!A display message is shown if the coolanttemperature is too high.
If the coolant temperature is over 248 ‡(120 †), do not continue driving. Theengine will otherwise be damaged.
The coolant temperature gage is in the instru-ment cluster on the right-hand side(Ypage 33).
TheHmarking in the coolant temperaturegauge corresponds to a coolant temperatureof approximately 248 ‡ (120 †).
Under normal operating conditions and at thecorrect coolant level, the coolant temperaturegauge may rise to theHmarking.
Operating the on-board computer
Overview
CMultifunction display
DRight control panel

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andPPSolutions
Only Select ParkOnly Select Park(P) When Vehicle(P) When Vehicleis Stationaryis Stationary
The vehicle is moving.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, payingattention to road and traffic conditions.
XShift the transmission to position].
Apply Brake toApply Brake toSelect RSelect RYou have attempted to shift from position[to position^.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XShift the transmission to position^.
Service RequiredService RequiredDo Not Shift GearsDo Not Shift GearsVisit DealerVisit Dealer
You cannot change the transmission position due to a malfunction.
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position[is selected:
XDrive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the trans-mission from position[.
If position^,\\or]is selected:
XNotify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Reversing Not Pos‐Reversing Not Pos‐sible Servicesible ServiceRequiredRequired
You can no longer shift to transmission position^due to a mal-function.
Transmission positions],\\or[continue to be available.
A warning tone also sounds.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Transmission Mal‐Transmission Mal‐function Stopfunction StopA malfunction has occurred in the mechanical transmission compo-nents.
A warning tone also sounds. The transmission shifts automaticallyto position\\.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, payingattention to road and traffic conditions.
XShift the transmission to position].
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 146).
XNotify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Stop Vehicle LeaveStop Vehicle LeaveEngine RunningEngine RunningWait TransmissionWait TransmissionCoolingCooling
The transmission has overheated. Pulling away can be temporarilyimpaired or not possible.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, payingattention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue drivingunder any circumstances.
XWait until the display message disappears before pulling away.
Auxiliary BatteryAuxiliary BatteryMalfunctionMalfunctionThe auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longerbeing charged.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
XUntil then, always shift the transmission to position]beforeyou switch off the engine.
XBefore leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake.
Displaymessages229
On-b oard computer and displays
Z

Engine compartment
Hood
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up
when the vehicle is in motion and block your
view. There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving. Before
every trip, ensure that the hood is locked.
GWARNING
When opening and closing the hood, it may
suddenly fall into the closed position. There
is a risk of injury to persons within range of
movement of the hood.
Open and close the hood only when no one
is within its range of movement.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off.
There is a risk of injury.
If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
Rswitch off the ignition
Rnever reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
Rremove jewelry and watches
Rkeep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts
To ensure the flow of fresh air through the airvents into the vehicle interior, please observethe following notes: (Ypage 122)
Opening the hood
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very
hot. Working in the engine compartment
poses a risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down
and touch only the components described in
the following.
GWARNING
When the hood is open and the windshield
wipers are set in motion, you can be injured
by the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before opening the hood.
!Make sure that the windshield wipers arenot folded away from the windshield. Youcould otherwise damage the windshield wip-ers or the hood.
XMake sure that the windshield wipers areturned off.
XPull release leverCon the hood.The hood is released.
Engine compartment265
Maintenance and care
Z

GWARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot
components in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next
to the filler neck. Let the engine cool down
and thoroughly clean the engine oil off the
components before starting the engine.
HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
!Use only engine oils and oil filters that areapproved for vehicles with a service system.A list of the engine oils and oil filters thathave been tested and approved in accord-ance with Mercedes-Benz Specifications forService Products is available at any author-ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following cause engine failure or dam-age to the exhaust system:
RUse of engine oils and oil filters that havenot been expressly approved for the ser-vice system
RReplacement of engine oil and oil filterafter the replacement interval specifiedby the service system has expired
RUse of engine oil additives
!Do not add too much oil. If the oil level isabove the "max" mark on the dipstick, toomuch oil has been added. This can lead todamage to the engine or the catalytic con-verter. Have excess oil siphoned off.
Example: engine oil cap
XTurn capCcounter-clockwise and removeit.
XAdd engine oil.If the oil level is at or below the MIN markon the oil dipstick, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter)of engine oil.
XReplace capCon the filler neck and turnclockwise.Ensure that the cap locks into placesecurely.
XCheck the oil level again with the oil dipstick(Ypage 266).
Further information on engine oil(Ypage 323).
Checking and adding other service
products
Checking coolant level
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very
hot. Working in the engine compartment
poses a risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down
and touch only the components described in
the following.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off.
There is a risk of injury.
Engine compartment267
Maintenance and care
Z