towing MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2014 R131 Owner's Manual

Manual drive program
....................169
Manual drive program (vehicles
with Sports package AMG) ............170
Overview ........................................ 163
Problem (malfunction) ...................172
Program selector button ................167
Pulling away ................................... 158
Selector lever ................................ 163
Starting the engine ........................157
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......168
Transmission position displa y........ 165
Transmission positions ..................166
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 172
Autostore ........................................... 438
AUX (audio) Notes/socket ................................ 476
Switching to ................................... 476
AUX (video)
Setting the volume and sound .......484
Showing/hiding the menu .............484
Switching to ................................... 484
AUX jacks
CD/DVD drive ............................... 488
Avoiding an area ................................ 377B
Back button ....................................... 297
Balance, adjusting .............................300
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................71
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 72
Bass, setting ...................................... 300
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 85
Important safety notes ....................85
Replacing ......................................... 85
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 564
Display message ............................ 259
Important safety notes ..................561
Jump starting ................................. 565
Overview ........................................ 561
Bird's-eye view (navigation) .............371
Blind Spot Assist see Active Blind Spot Assist Bluetooth
®
Activating/deactivating .................313
Activating audio mode ...................468
Conditions (telephone) ..................385
Connecting another mobile phone .389
Connecting audio devices ..............465
Device list ...................................... 465
Entering the passcode ...................388
External authorization ....................389
General information .......................313
Interface ........................................ 384
Introduction ................................... 384
Reconnecting an audio device .......466
Searching for a mobile phone ........387
Settings ......................................... 313
Telephone basic menu ...................391
Telephony ...................................... 385
Telephony notes ............................ 384
Bluetooth ®
audio basic display ........468
Bottle holder ...................................... 525
Brake Assist see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 250
Notes ............................................. 613
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 256
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 71
BAS .................................................. 71
BAS PLUS ........................................ 72
Brake fluid (notes) .........................613
Display message ............................ 245
Driving tips .................................... 180
High-performance brake system ....181
Important safety notes ..................180
Maintenance .................................. 181
Parking brake ................................ 176
Warning lamp ................................. 275
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness, setting (TV, video) .........478
Buttons on the COMAND controller 2976
Index

Important safety notes
..................583
Restarting ...................................... 585
Warning lamp ................................. 284
Warning message .......................... 585
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................596
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................594
Bar (definition) ............................... 594
Changing a wheel .......................... 596
Characteristics .............................. 594
Checking ........................................ 577
Definition of terms .........................594
Direction of rotatio n...................... 597
Display message ............................ 267
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................596
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .593
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............594
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 595
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 595
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................595
Important safety notes ..................576
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......595
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........595
Labeling (overview )........................ 590
Load bearing index (definition) ......596
Load index ..................................... 593
Load index (definition) ...................595
M+S tires ....................................... 578
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 595
Maximum load on a tire (definition) 595
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 595
Maximum tire loa d......................... 593
Maximum tire load (definition) .......595
MOExtended tires ..........................578
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 596
Overview ........................................ 576PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition)
..................................... 595
Replacing ....................................... 597
Service life ..................................... 578
Sidewall (definition) .......................596
Speed rating (definition) ................595
Storing ........................................... 597
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 594
Summer tires ................................. 578
Temperature .................................. 590
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 596
Tire bead (definition) ......................596
Tire pressure (definition) ................596
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 594
Tire size (data) ............................... 602
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 590
Tire tread ....................................... 577
Tire tread (definition) .....................596
Total load limit (definition) .............596
Traction ......................................... 589
Traction (definition) .......................596
Tread wea r..................................... 589
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 589
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................594
Unladen weight (definition) ............595
Wear indicator (definition) .............596
Wheel rim (definition) ....................595
see Flat tire
Tone settings
Balance and fader ..........................300
Towing
Important safety guidelines ...........567
Installing the towing eye ................568
Removing the towing eye ...............569
With the rear axle raised ................569
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......569
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............570
Important safety notes ..................567
Track
Selecting (CD, DVD, MP3) .............. 452
Selecting using the number keypad 452 Index
25

Track information
.............................. 499
Traffic jam function ........................... 354
Traffic reports Calling up a list .............................. 362
Reading out on route .....................364
Real-time traffic report ..................363
Transmission
Selector lever ................................ 163
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................570
Treble, adjusting (sound) ..................300
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .553
Trip computer (on-board computer) 229
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 229
Resetting (on-board computer) ......230
True Image™ ...................................... 303
Trunk Emergency release ..........................96
Important safety notes ....................91
Locking separately ...........................96
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 95
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 93
Opening/closing (from outside,
HANDS-FREE ACCESS) ....................94
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 92
Overview .......................................... 91
Power closing .................................. 90
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 269
Opening/closing .............................. 91
Opening dimensions ......................616
Trunk load (maximum) ......................616
Trunk partition Display message ............................ 270
General notes ................................ 103
Installing ........................................ 104
Opening/closing ............................ 104
Removing ....................................... 104
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 255
Switching on/off ........................... 129TV
Automatic picture shutoff ..............478
Picture settings .............................. 478
Sound settings (balance, bass,
treble) ............................................ 300
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Umbrella holder ................................. 521
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................90
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 89
Updating the digital map ..................380
USB see Media Interface V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........525
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 34
Data acquisition ....................... 35, 288
Display message ............................ 269
Equipment ....................................... 30
Individual settings ..........................236
Limited Warranty ............................. 34
Loading .......................................... 586
Locking (in an emergency) ...............91
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 82
Lowering ........................................ 601
Maintenance .................................... 31
Parking for a long period ................ 178
Pulling away ................................... 158
Raising ........................................... 598
Reporting problems .........................34
Securing from rolling away ............598
Towing away .................................. 567
Tow-starting ................................... 567
Transporting .................................. 570
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........90
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................82
Vehicle data ................................... 616
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 61626
Index

ESP
®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 569).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 00BBwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 warning lamp and the 00BB
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 277) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 245).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General information
If the
00E5 ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. Example:if ESP®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched off, ESP
®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Ypage 70).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. 74
Driving safety systemsSafety

AIRSCARF
Activating/deactivating G
WARNING
When AIRSCARF is switched on, very hot air
can flow from the vents in the head restraints.
This could result in burns in the immediate
vicinity of the air vents. There is a risk of injury.
Reduce the heater output before it becomes
too hot. The AIRSCARF function warms the head and
neck area of vehicle occupants with warm air.
The warm air flows out of the holes in the head
restraints.
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button0043.
Three red indicator lamps in the button light
up. The blower starts up after a preheating
phase of seven seconds.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until the
desired heating level is set.
X To switch off: press button0043repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
i The blower continues running for seven
seconds to cool down the heating
elements.
i If the battery voltage is too low, AIRSCARF
may switch off. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar. Adjusting the steering wheel
electrically
0043
To adjust the steering wheel height
0044 To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
i Further related subjects:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
(Y page 119)
R Storing settings (Y page 123)118
Steering wheelSeats
, steering wheel and mirrors

There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line. In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever Cruise control lever
0043
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0044 To set the specified minimum distance
0087 To store the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed 188
Driving systemsDriving and parking

0085
To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0083 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS; storing,
maintaining and calling up a speed Important safety notes
!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R your vehicle must not be secured by the
electric parking brake.
R ESP ®
must be activated.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Arming Cruise control lever X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever toward
you 0044, up 0043or down 0087.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0043to the
pressure point for a higher speed or down
0087 for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
or
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0043 past the pressure point for a higher
speed or down 0087for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h) , you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display. If
the vehicle in front is no longer detected and
displayed, for example because it has
changed lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated. You will hear a warning tone if
this is the case.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Inactive
DISTRONIC PLUS Inactive
message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distance to a slower-
moving vehicle in front will then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal. Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

R
the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function
(Y page 196).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until 0043HOLDHOLD appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD
HOLD disappears
from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may also be shifted into position P
automatically. 196
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Roadside Assistance button
X
Press Roadside Assistance button 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button 0043flashes while the call is active.
The multifunction display shows the
Connecting Call Connecting Call message. The audio
output is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call
Call
Connected
Connected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
i The COMAND display indicates that a call
is active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on COMAND, for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the vehicle remote malfunction
diagnosis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center can ascertain the nature of
the problem (Y page 534).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual.
i
The system has not been able to initiate
a roadside assistance call, if:
R the indicator lamp for Roadside
Assistance call button 0043is flashing
continuously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed
Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To end a call: press the0076button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
X Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on COMAND.
MB Info call button X
Press MB Info call button 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call
button 0043flashes while the connection is
being made. The multifunction display
shows the Connecting Call
Connecting Call message.
The audio system is muted. 530
FeaturesStowage and features

should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! It is preferable to use car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning that
corresponds to the specification for the
Cabriolet program. In car washes that use
high water pressures, there is a risk that a
small amount of water may leak into the
vehicle. !
Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: if a
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is within the
detection range of the KEYLESS-GO
antenna, the following situations could lead
to the unintentional opening of the trunk
lid:
R using a car wash
R using a power washer
Make sure that the SmartKey is at least
6.5 ft (2 m) away from the vehicle.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position Nwhen washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all
countries concerned.548
CareMaintenance and care