MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG 2008 R230 Owner's Manual

230 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Distance warning function switchActivating
Press switch1.
The indicator lamp on the switch
comes on. A loudspeaker symbol
appears in the right multifunction
display (
page 222).
Deactivating
Press switch1 once more.
The indicator lamp on the switch goes
out. No loudspeaker symbol appears in
the right multifunction display.
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system is an active,
computer-controlled system that hydrauli-
cally adjusts the suspension at all four
wheels in response to various driving
situations. It automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

increase vehicle safety

reduce fuel consumption
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

231 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:

With increasing speed, ride height is
reduced by up to approximately
0.5 inch (12 mm).

With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the level 1 and level 2 settings only
when required by current driving condi-
tions. Otherwise:

Fuel consumption may increase.

Handling may be impaired.The ABC vehicle level control button with
the indicator lamps is located in the lower
section of the center console.
1Indicator lamp
2Indicator lamp
3ABC vehicle level control button
iThese height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
Vehicle
levelUse forIndicator
lamps
NormalFor driving on nor-
mal roads.Both
lamps off
Level 1For driving on
rough roads or with
snow chains
(
page 329).
One
lamp on
Level 2For driving on very
rough road surface
conditions.Both
lamps on
iThe selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory, even if the engine is turned off
and restarted.

232 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Start the engine (page 53).
Briefly press button3 to change from
one level setting to the next.

The normal level is selected if both
indicator lamps are off.

At level 1, indicator lamp1 is on.

At level 2, both indicator lamps are
on.
When the vehicle is at level 2, pressing
the button will return the vehicle to nor-
mal level.Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

Your driving style

Road surface conditions

The vehicle loading

Your choice of suspension style
You can set the following suspension
styles:

Regular (Comfort)

SportyThe ABC suspension tuning button with the
indicator lamp is located in the lower sec-
tion of the center console.
1ABC suspension tuning button
2Indicator lamp
Start the engine (page 53).
iPressing the button twice in quick succes-
sion will cause the vehicle to immediately raise
or lower to the new vehicle level as selected.iThe selected setting is stored, even if the en-
gine is turned off.

233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Suspension for sporty driving style
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is on.
Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.
Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
with ultrasonic sensors. It is designed to
assist the driver during parking maneu-
vers. It visually and audibly indicates the
relative distance between the vehicle and
an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, or place the
gear selector lever in position D, R, or N.
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 337).
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. Other-
wise you run the risk of causing injury.
!Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash, or the
air brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be taken
into consideration.

234 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again. The Parktronic system also deacti-
vates when you place the gear selector le-
ver in position P or depress the parking
brake pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensorsFront sensors
Rear sensorsiTo function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to scratch or
damage the sensors, see “Cleaning the
Parktronic system* sensors” (
page 337).
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special at-
tention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
truck air brakes, car wash, or jackhammers) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic system.

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal.
If the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no
longer be indicated by the system.Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle.
The warning indicator for the front area is
located above the center air vents in the
dashboard. The warning indicator for the
rear area is integrated in the rear trim.
Front area warning indicator
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicleEach warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is ready when the border around
the indicator is illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
Centerapprox. 8 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 6 in (15 cm)
Gear selector
lever positionWarning indicator
DFront area activated
R or NFront and rear area
activated
PNeither activated

236 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
eighth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second distance segment.
The signal is canceled when the gear
selector lever is placed in position P or
the parking brake is set.

Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound when the first dis-
tance segment illuminates. This signal
quickens with each additional distance
segment lit. When the eighth distance
segment illuminates, the acoustic
warning becomes a constant signal.
The signal is canceled when the gear
selector lever is placed in positionD
orP or the parking brake is set.Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the
lower part of the center console.
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp
Switching off
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.Switching on
Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
iThe Parktronic system switches on automat-
ically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 40).

237 Controls in detail
Driving systems
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 337).
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.

238 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening glove box
Press glove box lid release1.
Glove box lid 2 opens downward.
Closing glove box
Push glove box lid 2 up to close.Door storage compartments
1Release button
2Storage compartment lid
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on shelf be-
hind roll bar.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
Warning!G
Keep the door storage compartments
closed while vehicle is in motion. Failure to
do so may cause the seat belt to catch at the
rear and prevent proper positioning of the
seat belt.

239 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening
Press release button 1.
Storage compartment lid 2 lid opens
upwards.
Storage compartment/telephone*
compartment under armrest
The release buttons are located under the
cushion of the armrest.
1Opening
2Telephone* compartment release
button
3Storage compartment release buttonOpening telephone* compartment
Press release button2 and lift the
armrest in direction of arrow 1.
Opening storage compartment
Press release button3 and lift the
armrest in direction of arrow 1.Seat storage compartments
Storage compartments are located in the
seat base of each seat and are intended for
storing small, light weight items.
Driver’s seat storage compartment
1Handle
2Storage compartment lid
Pull handle 1 up.
Fold lid 2 down.
iThe mobile phone cradle (page 247), the
Roadside Assistance button• (
page 253)
and the Information button¡ (
page 254)
are located in the telephone* compartment.
iThe passenger seat storage compartment
contains the first aid kit, see “First aid kit”
(
page 400).