brake light MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2015 R131 User Guide

High-beam flasher
0043
High-beam headlamps
0044 Turn signal, right
0087 High-beam flasher
0085 Turn signal, left
X To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 0087. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0043.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0043. The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of above 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
above 6 mph (10 km/h) again after a full
brake application.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. The corner- ing light function can only be activated when
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
R if you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes. 126
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the windshield wipers begin to move while
you are changing the wiper blades, you could be trapped by the wiper arm. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
ignition before changing the wiper blades.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
! Never open the hood if a windshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the wind-
shield.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without a
wiper blade back onto the windshield.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm without a wiper
blade and it falls onto the windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the wiper blades changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
! Always position the windshield wiper
arms vertically before folding them away
from the windshield. By doing so, you will
avoid damage to the hood.
Changing the windshield wiper blades Moving the wiper arm to a vertical posi-
tion
On vehicles without KEYLESS-GO:
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock.
X Set the windshield wipers to position 00AA.X
When the wiper arms have reached a ver-
tical position, turn the SmartKey to position
0 and remove it from the ignition lock.
X Fold the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield until it engages.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: X Switch off the engine.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
X Set the windshield wipers to position 00AA.
X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly
until the windshield wiper starts.
X When the wiper arms have reached a ver-
tical position, press the Start/Stop button.
X Fold the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield until it engages.
Removing a wiper blade X
To bring the wiper blade into position to
be removed: hold the wiper arm firmly with
one hand. With the other hand, turn the
wiper blade in the direction of arrow 0087
beyond the point of resistance.
The wiper blade engages in the removal
position with an audible click.
X To remove a wiper blade: firmly press
release knob 0044and pull the wiper blade
upwards 0043. Windshield wipers
131Lights and windshield wipers Z

When you insert the Start/Stop button into
the ignition lock, the system needs approx-
imately two seconds recognition time. You
can then use the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignition lock. This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey determines whether a valid Smart- Key is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when starting the engine.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey:
R the Start/Stop button must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
R the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
R the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Y page 83).
Do not keep the SmartKey:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey's
remote control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a
short time:
R you will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button.
R you will not be able to start the engine with
the Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for approximately
three seconds. This function operates inde- pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine switch-off function.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO 0043
Start/Stop button
0044 Ignition lock
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. If an indicator lamp does not go out afterstarting the engine or lights up while driving,
see (Y page 271).
If Start/Stop button 0043has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey
being removed from the ignition.
X To switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button 0043once.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windshield wipers, for
example.
i The power supply is switched off again if:
R the driver's door is opened and
R you press Start/Stop button 0043twice
when in this position
X To switch on the ignition: press Start/
Stop button 0043twice.
The ignition is switched on.
i The ignition is switched off when:
R the driver's door is opened and
R you press Start/Stop button 0043once
when in this position 152
DrivingDriving and parking

i
All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine is stopped automatically.
i All vehicles (apart from AMG vehicles):
automatic engine switch-off can take place a maximum of four times consecutively (ini-
tial stop then repeated three times).
i AMG vehicles:
times which the engine
can be automatically switched off.
i The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off automati-
cally. It is then not necessary to continue
applying the brakes during the automatic
stop phase. When you depress the accel-
erator pedal, the engine starts automati-
cally and the braking effect of the HOLD
function is deactivated.
Automatic engine start The engine starts automatically if:
R you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R in transmission position Dor Nthe brake
pedal is released and the HOLD function is not active.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you move the transmission out of position
P.
R you switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(AMG vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range.
R the system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's condition of charge is too low.
i Shifting the transmission to position
P
does not start the engine. Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
X
To deactivate: press ECO button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044goes out.
X To activate: press ECO button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up.
If the indicator lamp on the ECO button is off, the ECO start/stop function has been deac-
tivated manually or as the result of a mal-
function.
AMG vehicles X
To switch off: in drive program C, press
ECO button 0043.
or X Switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(Y page 163).
Indicator lamp 0044goes out.
X To activate: press ECO button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. 156
DrivingDriving an
d parking

Using the SmartKey:
R Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
R Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R Engage park position P.
R Release the brake pedal.
R Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
R Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R Switch on the ignition.
R Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Shifting to transmission position D X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the selector lever back past the first
point of resistance.
i If the vehicle is braked to a standstill when
in transmission position D(Y page 155) and
the brake pedal continues to be depressed, the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
Display in transmission positions P, R
and N 0043
Transmission position: currently selected
transmission position will be highlighted
0044 Drive program (E/S/M)
AMG vehicles: in addition to drive pro-
gram 0044being shown in the multifunction
display, the currently selected drive program
is indicated in red on the drive program selec- tor (Y page 163).
Display when in transmission position D 0043
Transmission position
0044 Gear
0087 Drive program (E/S)
When you have selected drive program Eor S,
the transmission position is displayed in posi-
tion 0043. The selected gear is displayed in
position 0044. Automatic transmission
161Driving and parking Z

Applying/releasing manually
X
To engage: push handle 0043.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the 0049(USA only) or 0024
(Canada only) red indicator lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: switch on the ignition.
X Pull handle 0043.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R if the SmartKey is in position 1in the
ignition lock (Y page 151) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is applied auto-
matically:
R if DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R if the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled: R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the driver's seat belt is not inserted in the
belt buckle and the driver's door is open.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
Releasing automatically The electric parking brake is released auto-
matically when all of the following conditions
are fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the driver's seat belt is fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the trunk
lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of Por you have pre-
viously driven faster than 2 mph (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle will start to move.
Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
X While driving, push handle 0043of the electric
parking brake.
i The vehicle is braked for as long as the
handle of the electric parking brake is
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the braking force. Parking
173Driving and pa rking Z

of the accelerator. The vehicle can coast
without use of the brakes.
- The bar empties: frequent braking
i An economical driving style specially
requires driving at moderate engine
speeds.
To achieve a higher value in the categories
Acceleration
Acceleration andConstant Constant:
R observe the gearshift recommendations.
R drive in drive program E.
i On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g.
on the highway, only the bar for Constant
Constant
will change.
i The ECO display summarizes the driving
characteristics from the start of the journey
to its completion. For this reason, the bars
change dynamically at the beginning of the
journey. On longer journeys, there are
fewer changes. For more dynamic changes, carry out a manual reset.
For further information on the ECO display,
see (Y page 226). Brakes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
On long, steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes. To use
engine braking, shift to a lower gear in good time. This helps you to avoid overheating
the brakes and wearing them out exces-
sively. When making use of the engine braking
effect, it is possible that a drive wheel may
not turn for some time, e.g. in the case of
suddenly changing or slippery road surface conditions. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not cov- ered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is espe-
cially important if the vehicle is laden.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. 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 constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive 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 rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac- tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from
the vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm upthe brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion. 176
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be too low. Observe additional warning mes-
sages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! As the ESP ®
system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition system
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1in the ignition lock or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when:
R testing the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Have this work car-
ried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-ality of your brakes at regular intervals. To doso, depress the brake pedal firmly when driv-
ing at a high speed. This improves the grip of
the brake pads.
A description of Brake Assist (BAS):
(Y page 72)
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your vehi- cle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
High performance and ceramic brake
system for AMG vehicles The AMG brake systems are designed for
heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R ambient conditions, e.g. temperature and
humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual driv-
ing style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all circum- Driving tips
177Driving and parking Z

X
To adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0043to the
pressure point for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph incre-
ments (10 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0043past
the pressure point for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin- ished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control Cruise control lever
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards 0043.
or X Brake. Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you engage the electric parking brake
R you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
Cruise Con‐
trol Off trol Off message in the multifunction dis-
play for approximately five seconds.
i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared. DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. DIS-
TRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden, you must select a lower gear in good time. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front,
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle. It
maintains the preset distance to the vehicle in front.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot pre-
vent a collision without your intervention. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound and
the distance warning lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so. 182
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Pulling away and driving
Cruise control lever
If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.
X If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0044, or up 0043or down 0087.
or X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front has slowed down, it brakes your vehicle.
It maintains the preset distance to the vehicle
in front.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will be warned visually and acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot pre-
vent a collision without your intervention. An
intermittent warning tone will then sound and
the distance warning lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance from the vehi-
cle in front, or take evasive action, provided it
is safe to do so.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving
vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed.
However, the vehicle is only accelerated up to the speed you have stored. Changing lanes
If you wish to change to the passing lane (in
countries where traffic drives on the right, the passing lane is the left-hand lane), DIS-
TRONIC PLUS supports you if:
R you are driving faster than 40 mph
(60 km/h)
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the dis-
tance to a vehicle in front
R you have switched on the corresponding
turn signal
R DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger
of collision
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle is
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted
if changing lanes takes too long or if the dis-
tance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front becomes too small.
Stopping G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 189).
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it
is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the 186
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking