MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2016 R231 Owner's Manual

Useful information............................550
Where will I find...? ...........................550
Flat tire .............................................. 550
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 555
Jump-starting .................................... 559
Towing and tow-starting ..................561
Fuses .................................................. 564
549
Breakdown assistance

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (
Ypage 34).
Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
The vehicle tool kit consists of a towing eye
and test gauge for measuring the brake pad
thickness (
Ypage 178). The towing eye is
located in the trunk in a bracket below the
trunk lid lock. The gauge for measuring brake
pad/lining thickness is in the vehicle docu-
ment wallet. If the vehicle is equipped with a
TIREFIT kit, it is located in the stowage com-
partment under the trunk floor.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
:Towing eye
;Tire sealant filler bottle
=Fuse allocation chart
?Tire inflation compressor
XOpen the trunk lid.
XOpen the trunk partition (Ypage 103).
XLift the trunk floor upwards (Ypage 518).
XUse the TIREFIT kit (Ypage 552).
Tire-change tool kit
:Bag containing the tire-changing tools
XOpen the trunk lid.
XOpen the trunk partition (Ypage 103).
XLift the trunk floor upwards (Ypage 518).
iDepending on the equipment, tools
required for a wheel change, such as a jack or a lug wrench, are not available in all vehi-
cles. Tools approved for your vehicle are
available at a qualified specialist workshop.
Bag with tire-changing tools :contains:
RJack
RLug wrench
RAlignment bolt
RWheel chock
RGloves
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
Rtires with run-flat characteristics
(MOExtended tires) (
Ypage 551)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tires
Ra TIREFIT kit (Ypage 550)
550Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit ifyou mount tires that do not feature run-flat
properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may
be obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Information on changing/mounting a wheel
(
Ypage 588).
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(
Ypage 171).
XIf possible, bring the front wheels into the
straight-ahead position.
XSwitch off the engine.
XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(
Ypage 152).
XMake sure that the passengers are not
endangered as they do so. Make sure that
no one is near the danger area while a
wheel is being changed. Anyone who is not
directly assisting in the wheel change
should, for example, stand behind the bar-
rier.
XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traf-
fic conditions when doing so.
XClose the driver's door.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
General notes
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires. The affected
tire must not show any clearly visible damage.
You can recognize MOExtended tires by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
sidewall of the tire. You will find this marking next to the tire size designation, the load-
bearing capacity and the speed index
(
Ypage 582).
MOExtended tires may only be used in con-
junction with an active tire pressure monitor.
If a pressure loss warning message
appears in the multifunction display:
Robserve the instructions in the display mes-
sages (
Ypage 264).
Rcheck the tire for damage.
Rif driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
is approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the
vehicle is partially laden and approximately
18 miles (30 km) when the vehicle is fully
laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis-
tance possible depends upon:
Rvehicle speed
Rroad condition
Routside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving condi-
tions or maneuvers, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
is counted from the moment the tire pressure
loss warning appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Flat tire551
Breakdown assistance

iWhen replacing one or all tires, please
observe the following specifications for
your vehicle's tires:
Rsize
Rthe type and
Rthe "MOExtended" mark
If a tire has gone flat and cannot be
replaced with a MOExtended tire, a stand-
ard tire may be used as a temporary meas-
ure. Make sure that you use the proper size
and type (summer or winter tire).
iVehicles equipped with MOExtended tires
are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the
factory. It is therefore recommended that
you additionally equip your vehicle with a
TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires.
A TIREFIT kit is available, for example, from
a qualified specialist workshop.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
Ryou hear banging noises.
Rthe vehicle starts to shake.
Ryou see smoke and smell rubber.
RESP®is intervening constantly.
Rthere are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
defective tire must be replaced in every case.
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes
TIREFIT is a tire sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up to
0.16 in (4 mm), particularly those in the tire
tread. You can use TIREFIT at outside tem-
peratures down to Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †).
GWARNING
In the following situations, the tire sealant is
unable to provide sufficient breakdown assis-
tance, as it is unable to seal the tire properly:
Rthere are cuts or punctures in the tire larger
than those mentioned above.
Rthe wheel rim is damaged.
Ryou have driven at very low tire pressures or on a flat tire.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNING
The tire sealant is harmful and causes irrita-
tion. It must not come into contact with your
skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed. Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tire sealant away
from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tire sealant,
observe the following:
RRinse off the tire sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
RIf the tire sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water.
RIf tire sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tire sealant.
RIf an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
552Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

!Do not operate the tire inflation compres-
sor for longer than eight minutes at a time
without a break. It may otherwise overheat.
The tire inflation compressor can be oper-
ated again once it has cooled down.
Comply with the manufacturer’s safety
instructions on the sticker on the tire inflation
compressor.
Using the TIREFIT kit
XDo not remove any foreign objects which
have penetrated the tire, e.g. screws or
nails.
XRemove the tire sealant bottle, the accom-
panying TIREFIT sticker and the tire infla-
tion compressor from the stowage well
underneath the trunk floor (
Ypage 550).
XAffix part :of the TIREFIT sticker to the
instrument cluster within the driver's field
of vision.
XAffix part ;of the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tire.
:Tire sealant filler bottle
;Recess
=On/off switch
?Connector
AHose
BFlange
XPull plug ?with the cable and hose Aout
of the housing.
XScrew hose Aonto flange Bof tire seal-
ant bottle :.
XPlace tire sealant bottle :head down-
wards into recess ;of the tire inflation
compressor.
XRemove the cap from valve Con the faulty
tire.
XScrew filler hose Donto valve.
XInsert plug ?into the socket of the ciga-
rette lighter or into a 12 V power socket in
your vehicle.
Observe the notes on the cigarette lighter
(
Ypage 520). Observe the notes on sock-
ets (
Ypage 520).
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1in the igni-
tion lock (
Ypage 151).
XPress on and off switch =on the tire infla-
tion compressor to I.
The tire inflation compressor is switched
on. The tire is inflated.
iFirst, tire sealant is pumped into the tire.
The pressure can briefly rise to approx-
imately 500 kPa (5.0 bar/73 psi).
Do not switch off the tire inflation com-
pressor during this phase.
XAllow the tire inflation compressor to run
for five minutes. The tire should then have
Flat tire553
Breakdown assistance
Z

attained a pressure of at least 180 kPa
(1.8 bar/26 psi).
If a tire pressure of 180 kP a(1.8 bar/26 psi)
has been attained after five minutes:
(
Ypage 554).
If a tire pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi)
has not been attained after five minutes:
(
Ypage 554).
iIf tire sealant leaks out, allow it to dry. It
can then be removed like a layer of film.
If your clothes are soiled with tire sealant,
have them cleaned with perchloroethylene
at a dry cleaner as soon as possible.
Tire pressure not reached
If a pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi) has
not been attained after five minutes:
XSwitch off the tire inflation compressor.
XUnscrew the filler hose from the valve of
the faulty tire.
XVery slowly drive forwards or reverse
approximately 30 ft (10 m).
XPump up the tire again.
After a maximum of five minutes the tire
pressure must be at least 180 kPa (1.8 bar/ 26 psi).
GWARNING
If the required tire pressure is not reached
after the specified time, the tire is too badly
damaged. The tire sealant cannot repair the
tire in this instance. Damaged tires and a tire
pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tire pressure reached
GWARNING
A tire temporarily sealed with tire sealant
impairs the driving characteristics and is not
suitable for higher speeds. There is a risk of
accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
accordingly and drive carefully. Do not exceed the specified maximum speed with a tire that
has been repaired using tire sealant.
The maximum speed for a tire sealed with tire
sealant is 50 mph (80 km/h). The upper part of the TIREFIT sticker must be affixed to the
instrument cluster in the driver's field of
vision.
!Residue from the tire sealant may come
out of the filler hose after use. This could
cause stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic bag which contained the TIREFIT kit.
HEnvironmental note
Have the used tire sealant bottle disposed of
professionally, e.g. at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If a tire pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi)
has been achieved after a maximum period of ten minutes:
XSwitch off the tire inflation compressor.
XUnscrew the filler hose from the valve of
the faulty tire.
XStow the tire sealant bottle and the tire
inflation compressor.
XPull away immediately.
XStop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tire pressure with
the tire inflation compressor.
The tire pressure must now be at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi).
GWARNING
If the required tire pressure is not reached
after driving for a short period, the tire is too
badly damaged. The tire sealant cannot repair
the tire in this instance. Damaged tires and a
tire pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics. There is a risk of accident.
554Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
iIn cases such as the one mentioned
above, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. Or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Can-
ada).
XCorrect the tire pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi). See the Tire andLoading Information placard on the driver's
side B-pillar or the tire pressure table in the
fuel filler flap for values.
XTo increase the tire pressure: switch on
the tire inflation compressor.
XTo reduce the tire pressure: depress
pressure release button :next to pres-
sure gauge ;.
XWhen the tire pressure is correct, unscrew
the filler hose from the valve of the sealed
tire.
XScrew the valve cap onto the tire valve of
the sealed tire.
XPull the tire sealant bottle out of the tire
inflation compressor.
The filler hose remains attached to the tire
sealant bottle.
XDrive to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop and have the tire changed there.
XHave the tire sealant bottle replaced as
soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop.
XHave the tire sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Battery (vehicle)
Important safety notes
Special tools and expert knowledge are
required when working on the battery, e.g.
removal and installation. You should there-
fore have all work involving the battery car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can lead, for example, to a short circuit and
thus damage the vehicle electronics. This can
lead to function restrictions applying to
safety-relevant systems, e.g the lighting sys-
tem, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) or the
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program). The oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be restricted.
You could lose control of the vehicle, for
example:
Rwhen braking
Rin the event of abrupt steering maneuvers
and/or when the vehicle's speed is not
adapted to the road conditions
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or a similar inci-
dent, contact a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Do not drive any further. You
should have all work involving the battery car- ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
For further information about ABS and ESP®,
see (
Ypage 72) and (Ypage 74).
GWARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Battery (vehicle)555
Breakdown assistance
Z

Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The highly flammable gas mixture forms when
charging the battery as well as when jump-
starting.
Always make sure that neither you nor the
battery is electrostatically charged. A build-
up of electrostatic charge can be caused, for
example:
Rby wearing clothing made from synthetic
fibers
Rdue to friction between clothing and seats
Rif you push or pull the battery across the
carpet or other synthetic materials
Rif you wipe the battery with a cloth
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ-
ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
RMake sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into con- tact with vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
RIt is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
RWhen jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
RIt is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep children away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately with plenty of clean water and seek medical atten-
tion.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
!Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the Main-
tenance Booklet or contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop for more information.
!You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is
necessary for you to disconnect the battery
yourself, make sure that:
Ryou switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey. On vehicles with KEYLESS-
GO, ensure that the ignition is switched
off. Check that all the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster are off. Otherwise, electronic components, such as the
alternator, may be damaged.
Ryou first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic sys-
tem may be damaged.
Rthe transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehi-
cle is secured against rolling away. You
can then no longer move the vehicle.
556Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance

The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be installed securely
during operation.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,
especially gloves, apron and face-
guard.
Rinse any acid spills immediately
with clear water. Contact a physi-
cian if necessary.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
The vehicle battery, like other batteries, can
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery discon-
nected at a qualified specialist workshop. You
can also charge the battery with a charger
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop for further infor-
mation.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly
for short trips or if you leave it standing idle
for a lengthy period. Consult a qualified spe- cialist workshop if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
iRemove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power.
iAfter an interruption to the power supply,
e.g. due to a discharged battery, you must
reset the clock (
Ypage 308).
Charging the battery
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep children away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately with
plenty of clean water and seek medical atten-
tion.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at tempera-
tures below freezing point. When jump-start-
ing the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of
an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
!Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
!Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
Battery (vehicle)557
Breakdown assistance
Z

The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment.
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up
at low temperatures, it is very likely that the
discharged battery has frozen. In this case,
you may neither charge the battery nor jump-
start the vehicle. The service life of a thawed-
out battery may be shorter. The starting char-
acteristics can be impaired, particularly at
low temperatures. Have the thawed-out bat-
tery checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Read the battery charger's operating instruc-
tions before charging the battery.
XOpen the hood.
XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same
order as when connecting the donor bat-
tery in the jump-starting procedure
(
Ypage 559).
558Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance