fuel MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2011 User Guide

RThe vehicle could be inadvertently
unlocked if the SmartKey is within 3 ft (1 m)
of the vehicle and
-an outside door handle is splashed with
water
or
-you attempt to clean an outside door
handle
RRemember that the engine can be started
by anyone with a SmartKey that is left
inside the vehicle. If you leave the
SmartKey behind when exiting and locking
the vehicle, the message Key Detected
In Vehicle appears in the multifunction
display.
Factory setting
XGlobal unlocking: Grasp an outside door
handle.
Unless you open a door or the trunk within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
RThe vehicle will be locked again.
RThe anti-theft alarm system will be
rearmed.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button \000F on an
outside door handle.
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey. Grasping the
driver’s outside door handle will then only
unlock the driver’s door, interior lockable
storage compartments, and the fuel filler flap.
XSwitching on/off: Press and hold buttons
\0006 and \0007 simultaneously for
approximately 6 seconds until the battery
check lamp (Y page 71) flashes twice.
KEYLESS-GO will then function as follows:
XUnlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap: Grasp the driver’s outside door
handle.
XGlobal unlocking: Grasp the outside door
handle on the passenger side.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button \000F on an
outside door handle.
Checking SmartKey batteries
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XPress button \0007 or \0006 on the
SmartKey.
Battery check lamp \000F comes on briefly to
indicate that the SmartKey batteries are in
order.
If the battery check lamp does not come on
briefly during check, the SmartKey batteries
are discharged.
XReplace the batteries (Y page 269).
iYou can obtain the required batteries at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing button
Locking and unlocking71Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 71Z

Automatic central locking
You can switch the automatic central locking
on or off using the control system
(Y page 126).
The doors and the trunk lock automatically
when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
The doors are designed to unlock
automatically after an accident if the force of
the impact exceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning at a vehicle speed of above 9 mph
(15 km/h). You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle is pushed or towed or is
on a test stand.
Locking and unlocking from the inside
GObserve Safety notes, see page 51.
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from the
inside using the central locking or unlocking
switch. This can be useful, for example, if you
want to lock the vehicle before starting to
drive.
The central locking or unlocking switch does
not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap or the
interior storage compartments, such as the
glove box.
XLocking: Press central locking switch \000F.
When all doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
XUnlocking: Press central unlocking
switch \000G.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the
central locking switch
Rand the SmartKey is set to factory settings,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a
door is opened from the inside
Rand the SmartKey is set to selective
settings, only the door opened from inside
is unlocked
If the vehicle has been locked centrally with
the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, it will not
unlock using the central unlocking switch.
Opening the trunk
GWarning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! When you open the trunk, the trunk lid
swings open upwards. Always make sure
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
You can open the trunk when the vehicle is
stationary and the retractable hardtop is fully
opened or closed.
A minimum height clearance of 6.2 ft (1.88 m)
is required to open the trunk lid.
iTo facilitate trunk loading and unloading
when the hardtop is retracted, you can
raise the hardtop from its storage position
in the trunk using the load assist feature
(Y page 164). You may also unhook the
luggage cover.
Locking and unlocking73Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 73Z

Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
\000`Park position with gear selector lever lock\000aReverse gear\000_Neutral position\000^Drive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 103).
XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
With SmartKey
XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 78) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
With KEYLESS-GO
GWarning!
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The SmartKey must be located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
\000FUSA only\000GCanada onlyXDepress the brake pedal during the starting
procedure.
XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
The engine starts automatically.
Starting difficulties
! Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
Carry out the following steps:
XIf you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn the SmartKey in the starter
Driving and parking99Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 99Z

quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.XDepress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.
i
Shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
XWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmission
shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows
the catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 209).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
R An ignition cable may be damaged.
R The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
R Unburned gasoline may have entered the
catalytic converter and damaged it.
XGive very little gas.XHave the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡ (120†)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.XTurn off the engine immediately.XAllow the engine and coolant to cool off.XCheck the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 184).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
XDo not start the engine under any
circumstances.XExit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.XNotify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
XStart the engine in the usual manner.
Parking
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Driving and parking101Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 101Z

the maximum engine speed for each gear
without overrevving the engine.XShift the automatic transmission from
current gear 0046 into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
XBriefly pull left gearshift control 0046
( Y page 108).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, press and
hold the gear selector lever to the left in the
D- direction or pull and hold the left
gearshift control. Depending on the engine
speed the automatic transmission selects
the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown
Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode M is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
XAll models except SL 63 AMG: Press the
program mode selector switch repeatedly
until C or S appears in the right
multifunction display.XSL 63 AMG: Turn the program mode
selector dial until C or S appears in the right
multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored.
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R .XHave the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Instrument cluster
Introduction
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
( Y page 30).
GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Instrument cluster111Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 111Z

Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Resetting trip odometer
XMake sure you are viewing the standard
display (Y page 116) in the multifunction
display.
XPress and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (Y page 111) until the
trip odometer is reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(Y page 30) denotes excessive engine speed.
! Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds,
as it may result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is
interrupted if the engine is operated within
the red marking.
Control system
Introduction
The control system is activated as soon as the
starter switch is in position 1.
The control system enables you to call up
information about your vehicle and to change
vehicle settings.
For example, you can use the control system
to find out when your vehicle is next due for
maintenance service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster display,
and much more.
GWarning!
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
The control system relays information to the
multifunction display.
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display and
the settings in the control system are
controlled by using the buttons on the
multifunction steering wheel.
\000FLeft multifunction display in the
speedometer
\000GRight multifunction display in the
tachometer
Control system113Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 113Z

XPress button \000Z or \000[ to switch the
function On or Off.
Trip computer menu
Use the Trip computer menu to call up
statistical data on your vehicle.
The following information is available:
RFuel consumption statistics since start
(Y page 128)
RFuel consumption statistics since last reset
(Y page 128)
RResetting fuel consumption statistics
(Y page 128)
RDistance to empty (Y page 129)
The last function called up will reappear the
next time you enter the trip computer menu.
Fuel consumption statistics since start
XPress button \000X or \000Y repeatedly until
the first function of the Trip computer
menu appears in the multifunction display.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message From Start appears in the
left multifunction display.
\000FDistance driven since start\000GAverage speed since start\000

Distance to emptyXPress button \000X or \000Y repeatedly until
the first function of the Trip computer
menu appears in the multifunction display.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Range: appears in the left
multifunction display.
The calculated remaining driving range
based on the current fuel tank level
appears in the right multifunction display.
If only very little fuel is left in the tank, a
vehicle at the fuel pump \000

Operator’s Manual appears in the right
multifunction display.XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed rises to approximately
4000 rpm.
The message RACE START appears in the
left multifunction display and the message
Release Brake To Start appears in the
right multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within 7 seconds, RACE START is canceled.
The message RACE START appears in the
left multifunction display and the message
Canceled appears in the right
multifunction display.
XTake your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The message RACE START appears in the
left multifunction display and the message
Active appears in the right multifunction
display.
RACE START deactivates at a vehicle speed
of approximately 50 km/h. The automatic
transmission switches to program mode S+.
The SPORT handling mode remains switched
on.
RACE START is canceled immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal while RACE
START is active or when the activation
conditions are not fulfilled anymore. The
message RACE START appears in the left
multifunction display and the message Not
Possible See Operator’s Manual
appears in the right multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a
certain distance.
Hill-start assist system (SL 63 AMG)
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in addition
to shifting the automatic transmission into
park position P.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the automatic transmission in neutral
position N
R with the parking brake engaged
R if the ESP ®
has switched off due to a
malfunction
ABC
The ABC system is an active, computer-
controlled system that adjusts the
suspension hydraulically at all four wheels in
response to various driving situations. It
selects the optimum suspension tuning and
ride height for your vehicle automatically.
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle adjusts its ride height
automatically to increase vehicle safety and
to reduce fuel consumption.
142Driving systemsControls in detail
230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 142

The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed. With
increasing speed, the ride height is reduced
by up to approximately 0.5 in (12 mm). With
decreasing speed, the ride height is again
raised to the selected vehicle level.
These height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
Setting the vehicle level
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine is running:
LevelUse forIndicator
lamps
NormalFor driving on
normal roads.
Both lamps
are off.
Level 1For driving on
rough roads or
with snow chains
(Y page 208).
One lamp
is on.
Level 2For driving on very
rough road surface
conditions.
Both lamps
are on.
Select the level 1 and level 2 settings only
when required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise the fuel consumption may
increase and/or the handling may be
impaired.
iThe selected setting remains stored in
memory, even when the engine is turned
off and restarted.
XStart the engine.XPress vehicle level control button \000