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

Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of a
positive terminal and an earth point, in the engine compartment.
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 batteries. Wash away battery acid immediately with plenty of
clean water and seek medical attention.
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 ven-
tilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces 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 contact with
vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a battery.
RIt is important that you observe the described 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 disconnecting
the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting 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.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
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 characteristics
can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures. Have the thawed-out battery checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting559
Breakdown assistance
Z

Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
RThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
RYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
RDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
ROnly jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
ROnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
RIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
RMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
Rthe jumper cables are not damaged.
RBare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jumper cables are connected to the battery.
Rthe jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is
running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
XSecure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it (Ypage 151). On vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO, make sure the ignition is switched off (
Ypage 152). All indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster must be off.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window defroster, lighting, etc.
XOpen the hood.
560Jump-starting
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Position numberBidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
XPress cover :of positive terminal ;down (in the direction of the arrow) and turn it
clockwise. Cover :is held down in the lowered position, which exposes positive termi-
nal ;.
XConnect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal =of donor battery B
using the jumper cable, always begin with positive terminal ;on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal ?of donor battery Bto ground point Aof your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point Aand negative terminal ?, then from
positive clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begin each time at the contacts on your own
vehicle first.
XAfter removing the jumper cables, press down cover :of positive terminal ;and turn it
counter-clockwise. Cover :returns to its original position. Positive terminal ;is covered
up and thus insulated again.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func-
tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
Towing and tow-starting561
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Z

!When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
may shift to position Pwhen the driver's or
front-passenger door are opened, which
could lead to damage to the transmission.
!Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
iInformation on your vehicle's gross vehi-
cle weight rating can be found on the vehi-
cle identification plate; see the printed
Operator's Manual.
iInformation on your vehicle's gross vehi-
cle weight rating can be found on the vehi-
cle identification plate (
Ypage 601).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion Nwhen the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged. Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to position N.
Before the vehicle is towed, deactivate the
automatic locking feature (
Ypage 234). You
could otherwise be locked out when pushing
or towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be very hot. There is
a risk of burns when removing the rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe. Take particular
care when removing the rear cover.
Example: towing eye mounting covers
:
Front cover
;Back cover
The mountings for the screw-in towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, behind the covers.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit (
Ypage 550).
XFront bumper: insert a finger into the
recess on the bottom edge of cover :.
XPull cover:out of the bumper towards
you in the direction of the arrow.
Cover :is attached to the opening with a
strap.
XRear bumper: press the mark on cover ;
inwards in the direction of the arrow.
XTake cover ;off the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise as far as
it will go and tighten it.
562Towing and tow-starting
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Removing the towing eye
Example: towing eye mounting covers
:
Front cover
;Back cover
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XFront bumper:position cover:on the
opening in the bumper, as shown.
XTwist cover :into the opening in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
Cover :is now attached at the top edge of
the opening.
XTo close, press the lower section of
cover :.
XRear bumper: position cover;on the
bumper and press until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit
(
Ypage 550).
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
GWARNING
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.
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
In order to ensure that the automatic trans-
mission stays in position Nwhen towing the
vehicle, you must observe the following
points:
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(
Ypage 126).
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 0in the ignition
lock.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
(
Ypage 152).
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the transmission to position N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XLeave the SmartKey in position2in the
ignition lock.
In order to signal a change of direction when
towing the vehicle with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual. In this case, only the indica-
tor lamps for the direction of travel flash.
When you res et the co
mbination switch, the
hazard warning flashers start flashing again.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(
Ypage 561).
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
!
The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP
®could other-
wise damage the brake system.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be towed with the rear axle raised.
Towing and tow-starting563
Breakdown assistance
Z

The vehicle/trailer combination may oth-
erwise swerve or even roll over.
Transporting the vehicle
!
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XShift the transmission to position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could other-
wise damage the automatic transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting" at
(
Ypage 559).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper- age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specifiednew fuses having the correct amperage.
!Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or sys-
tems could be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Before changing a fuse
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(
Ypage 171).
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it (
Ypage 151).
or
XOn vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, make sure
the ignition is switched off (
Ypage 152).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
RFuse box in the engine compartment on the right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
RDashboard fuse box
RFuse box in the rear compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewedin the direction of travel
The fuse allocation chart is located in the
vehicle tool kit in the stowage compartment
under the trunk floor (
Ypage 550).
564Fuses
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Dashboardfuse box
i
Observ eth e"Important safet ynotes" sec -
tion (
Ypage 564).
!Do no tuse apointe dobjec tsuc has a
screwdriver to ope nth ecover in th edash -
board. You could damage th edashboar dor
th ecover .
!Makesur ethat no moisture can ente rth e
fus ebox when th ecover is open.
!Whe nclosing th ecover ,mak esur ethat it
is lyin gcorrectl yon th efus ebox .Moisture
seepin gin or dir tcould otherwise impair
th eoperation of th efuses.
XOpe nth edriver's door.
XTo open: pull cover :outward sin th e
direction of th earrow and remov eit.
XTo close :clip in cover :on th efron tof th e
dashboard.
XFold cover :inward suntil it engages.
Fus ebox in th eengin ecompartment
i
Observ eth e"Important safet ynotes" sec -
tion (
Ypage 564).
GWARNING
Whe nth ehoo dis ope nand th ewindshield
wipers are set in motion ,you can be injured by
th ewipe rlinkage. There is aris kof injury.
Always switch of fth ewindshield wipers and
th eignition befor eopening th ehood.
!Mak esur ethat no moisture can ente rth e
fus ebox when th ecover is open.
!Whe nclosing th ecover ,mak esur ethat it
is lyin gcorrectl yon th efus ebox .Moisture
seepin gin or dir tcould otherwise impair
th eoperation of th efuses.
XOpe nth ehood.
XUse adry clot hto remov eany moisture
from th efus ebox .
XTo open: openclamp s;.
XFold cover :of th efus ebox up in th e
direction of th earrow and remov eit.
XTo close :chec kwhether th eseal is seated
correctl yin cover :.
XInsertbot hopening s= at th erea rof
cover :into th ebracket son th efus ebox .
The bracket son th efus ebox mus tbe com-
pletely visible in th etw oopening s= on th e
fus ebox .
XFold down cover :.
XHook clamps; into th efus ebox and
close .
Fuses565
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Z

XClose the hood.
Fuse box in the rear
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 564).
!Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover isopen.
!When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lyin g correct lyon the fuse box. Moisture
seeping inor dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses.
The fus ebox in th erear is locate don th eright-hand
side when viewed in th edirection of travel .
XTo open:open the seat belt guide on the
right-hand seat and remove the seat belt
(
Ypage 111).
XMove the right-hand front seat as far
forward as possible (
Ypage 112).
XIn sert your fingers at the bottom of front
cover :between the cover and floor cov-
ering.
XRemove front cover :towards the front by
pullin git in the direction of the arrow.
XLift off top cover ;by pullin g it in the
dire ction of the arrow.
Fuses =are accessible through the two
openings inthe top of the fuse box.
XTo close: insert the securing tags under-
neath top cover ;inthe recesses at the
top of the fuse box.
XFo ld down top cover ;until it engages
audibly.
XIn sert the securing tags underneath top
cover :inthe recesses at the front of the
fuse box.
XPush front cover :towards the rear unt il it
engages audibly.
XMove the right-hand seat backwards
(
Ypage 112).
XHook the seat beltinto the seat beltguide
on the right-hand seat (
Ypage 111).
566Fuses
Breakdown assistance

Useful information............................568
Important safety notes .....................568
Operation ........................................... 568
Winter operation ............................... 570
Tire pressure ..................................... 571
Loading the vehicle ..........................578
All about wheels and tires ...............581
Changing a wheel .............................. 588
Wheel and tire combinations ...........593
567
Wheels and tires

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).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used, the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmodel
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmanufacturer
Rmodel
GWARNING
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident.
Tires without run-flat characteristics:
Rdo not drive with a flat tire.
Rimmediately replace the flat tire with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tires with run-flat characteristics:
Rpay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tires (tires with
run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being
used correctly can impair operating safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and inquire about:
Rsuitability
Rlegal stipulations
Rfactory recommendations
Information on the sizes and types of wheels
and tires for your vehicle can be found under "Wheel/tire combinations" (
Ypage 593).
Information on tire pressure can be found:
Ron the vehicle's Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard on the B-pillar (
Ypage 578)
Ron the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap (
Ypage 169)
Rin the "Tire pressure" section
Operation
Information on driving
Check the tire pressure when the vehicle is
heavily laden and adjust prior to a trip.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tires are damaged. If you sus-
pect that a tire is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to check the wheels and tires for
damage. Hidden tire damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tires
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
568Operation
Wheels and tires