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

DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 182
HOLD function ............................... 191
Night View Assist Plus ................... 210
PARKTRONIC ................................. 199
Rear view camera .......................... 206
Driving tips
AMG ceramic brakes ..................... 178
Automatic transmission ................. 162
Brakes ........................................... 176
Break-in period .............................. 150
Checking brake lining thickness .... 178
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 190
Downhill gradient ........................... 176
Drinking and driving ....................... 174
Driving in winter ............................. 179
Driving on flooded roads ................ 179
Driving on wet roads ...................... 179
Exhaust check ............................... 175
Fuel ................................................ 174
General .......................................... 174
Hydroplaning ................................. 179
Icy road surfaces ........................... 179
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 177
Snow chains .................................. 571
Wet road surface ........................... 177
DVD
Copy protection ............................. 454
Inserting ........................................ 446
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) .................. 491
Notes on discs ............................... 454
Removing/ejecting (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) .................. 491
Sound settings (balance, bass,
treble) ............................................ 298
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 229
Rear Seat Entertainment System ... 494
E
EASY-ENTRY featureActivating/deactivating ................. 235
Function/notes ............................. 115
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 116
Function/notes ............................. 115 Switching on/off ........................... 235
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 242
Function/notes ................................ 77
ECO display
Function/notes ............................. 175
On-board computer ....................... 226
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 156
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 155
Deactivating/activating ................. 156
General information ....................... 155
Important safety notes .................. 155
Introduction ................................... 155
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 68
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 90
Trunk ............................................... 96
Vehicle ............................................. 90
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 64
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 31
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 278
Display message ............................ 255
ECO start/stop function ................ 155
Engine number ............................... 602
Irregular running ............................ 158
Jump-starting ................................. 559
Starting problems .......................... 158
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 154
Starting with KEYLESS-GO ............. 154
Switching off .................................. 172
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 564
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 600
Problem (malfunction) ................... 158
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 538
Additives ........................................ 605
Checking the oil level ..................... 537
Index11

Seat functions (COMAND) ............. 316
Seat heating problem .................... 113
Seat ventilation problem ................ 113
Selecting for adjustment
(COMAND) ..................................... 316
Sliding forward/back ..................... 112
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 119
Switching AIRSCARF on/off .......... 114
Switching seat heating on/off ....... 112
Switching seat ventilation on/off .. 113
Selecting a province ......................... 325
Selecting a state ............................... 325
Selecting stations
Radio ............................................. 438
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 547
Positions ........................................ 159
Sending DTMF tones ......................... 391
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 546
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 232
Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 606
Coolant (engine) ............................ 606
Engine oil ....................................... 605
Fuel ................................................ 603
Important safety notes .................. 603
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 608
Washer fluid ................................... 607
Setting the air distribution ............... 142
Setting the airflow ............................ 143
Setting the audio format
Rear Seat Entertainment System ... 498
Setting the language
COMAND ....................................... 310
Rear Seat Entertainment System ... 498
Setting the night design ................... 308
Setting the text reader speed .......... 310
Setting the volume
Telephone calls .............................. 298
Video AUX ..................................... 481
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 236 Menu overview .............................. 290
On-board computer ....................... 232
Picture (COMAND) ......................... 475
Sound settings ............................... 298
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 236
Side impact air bag ............................. 58
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 545
Convenience closing feature ............ 99
Imp

ortant safety information ........... 96
Opening/closing (all) ....................... 98
Opening/closing (front) ................... 97
Opening/closing (rear) .................... 98
Overview .......................................... 96
Problem (malfunction) ................... 100
Resetting ......................................... 99
Reversing feature ............................. 97
SIRIUS weather display
5-day forecast ................................ 503
Daily forecast ................................. 502
Detail information .......................... 503
Information chart ........................... 502
Selecting a location for the
weather forecast ............................ 503
Switching on/off ........................... 502
Weather map ................................. 505
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 86
Changing the programming ............. 84
Checking the battery ....................... 85
Convenience opening feature .......... 98
Display message ............................ 269
Door central locking/unlocking ....... 82
Important safety notes .................... 82
Loss ................................................. 87
Mechanical key ................................ 84
Opening/closing the roof .............. 102
Overview .......................................... 82
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 151
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 87
Starting the engine ........................ 154
Snow chains ...................................... 571
Sockets
Front-passenger footwell ............... 521
General notes ................................ 520
Trunk ............................................. 521
Under the armrest ......................... 521
22Index

Subtitles ........................................ 480
Switching to ................................... 476
VIN ...................................................... 601
Voice Control System
Settings ......................................... 310
Volume, adjusting
COMAND ....................................... 297
Navigation messages ..................... 297
W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 272
Brakes ........................................... 272
Check Engine ................................. 278
Coolant .......................................... 278
Distance warning ........................... 280
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 280
ESP
®.............................................. 274
ESP®OFF ....................................... 275
Fuel tank ........................................ 278
Overview .......................................... 42
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 51
Reserve fuel ................................... 278
Restraint system ............................ 277
Seat belt ........................................ 271
SPORT handling mode ................... 275
Tire pressure monitor .................... 281
Warranty .............................................. 31
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 268
Way points
Accepting for the route .................. 336
Creating ......................................... 333
Editing ........................................... 335
Entering ......................................... 333
Searching for a gas station when
the fuel level is low ........................ 336
Weather Band
Searching for a channel ................. 440
Switching on .................................. 440
Weather map (SIRIUS)
Activating/deactivating display
levels ............................................. 506
Calling up ....................................... 505
Legend ........................................... 510
Moving ........................................... 506
Showing/hiding the menu ............. 506 Time stamp .................................... 510
Weather memory (SIRIUS)
Selecting an area ........................... 505
Storing an area .............................. 505
Website
Adding to favorites ........................ 433
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 595
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 593
Wheel chock ...................................... 589
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 588
Checking ........................................ 569
Cleaning ......................................... 544
General notes ................................ 593
Important safety notes .................. 568
Information on driving .................... 568
Interchanging/changing ................ 588
Mounting a new wheel ................... 592
Mounting a wheel .......................... 589
Overview ........................................ 568
Removing a wheel .......................... 592
Storing ........................................... 589
Tightening torque ........................... 593
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 593
Wind screen
Electrical wind scree
n .................... 104
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 143
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 539
Notes ............................................. 607
Windshield wipers
Display message ............................ 269
Problem (malfunction) ................... 133
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 131
Switching on/off ........................... 130
Winter driving
Important safety notes .................. 570
Slippery road surfaces ................... 179
Snow chains .................................. 571
Winter operation
Overview ........................................ 570
28Index

ion length. The entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion of the front-passenger seat. The
backrest of the child restraint system must lie
as flat as possible against the backrest of the
front-passenger seat. The child restraint sys-
tem must not touch the roof or be subjected
to a load by the head restraint. Adjust the
angle of the seat backrest and the head
restraint position accordingly. Always make
sure that the shoulder belt strap is correctly
routed from the front-passenger seat belt
guide to the shoulder belt guide on the child
restraint system. The shoulder belt strap
must be routed forwards and downwards
from the front-passenger seat belt guide. If
necessary, adjust the front-passenger seat
accordingly.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (A nti-lock Braking System)
(
Ypage 72)
RBAS (B rakeAssist System) (Ypage 72)
RBAS PLUS (B rakeAssist System Plus)
(
Ypage 72)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(
Ypage 74)
REBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(
Ypage 77)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 77)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 77)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 79)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of an accident nor
override the laws of physics. Driving safety
systems are merely aids designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for maintaining
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time, and for stay-
ing in lane. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions and maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there is
adequate contact between the tires and the
road surface. Please pay special attention to
the notes on tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths, etc. (
Ypage 568).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as
effectively as possible.
Driving safety systems71
Safety
Z

If ESP®intervenes, the÷ESP®warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing 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 automati-
cally when the driver wants to pull away again.
ESP
®remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. 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
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (
Ypage 71).
You can select between the following states
of ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP®in the fol-
lowing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-
cle 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.
Deactivating/activating ESP
®
XTo deactivate: press button:.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo activate: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP
®is deactivated
If ESP
®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP
®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur-
faces.
Rtraction control is still activated.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Driving safety systems75
Safety
Z

and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing
weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 571).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 570).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (
Ypage 570).
Driving systems
Cruise Control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially 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.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take into account the road,
traffic and weather conditions. Cruise control
is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
lane. Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
Cruis econtrol leve r
:
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
;To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
=To store the current speed or a lower
speed
?To deactivate cruise control
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the status indicator of the
multifunction display:
RUSA only: e.g. CRUISE 55 Miles
RCanada only: e.g. ¯90 Km/h
180Driving systems
Driving and parking

Selecting sports tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The message SPORT
appears in the multi-
function display.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you want
more direct contact with the road when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on wind-
ing country roads.
Selecting comfort tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The message COMFORT
appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style.
Active Body Control (except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level
General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. In the SPORT
suspension setting, it is lowered by up to
0.5 in (13 mm) and in COMFORT by up to
0.2 in (5 mm). As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
Rhave selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
Rswitch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
194Driving systems
Driving and parking

!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at a
sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
Rwhere parking or stopping is prohibited
Rin front of driveways or entrances and exits
Ron unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
RParking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(
Ypage 200) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
RYou can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
RWhen transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
RNever use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
RMake sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Parking
Important safety notes
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. In some circumstances, Active Park-
ing Assist may therefore guide you into the
parking space too early.
GWARNING
If there are objects above the detection range, Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely.
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
GWARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter- vening actively in the steering. If you do not
brake there is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself when
maneuvering and parking.
Detecting parking spaces
Example: detected parking space
Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h) you will see parking symbol ;as
a status indicator in the instrument cluster.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right =or the left :also
appears.
By default, Active Parking Assist only displays
parking spaces on the front-passenger side.
Parking spaces on the driver's side are dis-
played as soon as the turn signal on the driv-
er's side is activated. If you wish to park in a
Driving systems203
Driving and parking
Z

vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP
®to function opti-
mally in winter. These tires have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on all wheels to maintain safe handling charac-
teristics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted the M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures (Ypage 575).
XRestart the tire pressure monitor
(
Ypage 577).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
Rnever install snow chains to the front
wheels
Ralways install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist work-
shop. If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible
wheel-tire combinations (
Ypage 593).
ROnly use snow chains when driving on
roads completely covered by snow.
Remove the snow chains as soon as possi-
ble when you come to a road that is not
snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of
snow chains. Observe the appropriate reg-
ulations if you wish to install snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
ROn vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC),
you must drive at a raised vehicle level if
snow chains have been installed
(
Ypage 194).
You may wish to deactivate ESP
®when pull-
ing away with snow chains installed
(
Ypage 74). You can thereby allow the wheels
to spin in a controlled manner, achieving an
increased driving force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Tire pressure571
Wheels and tires
Z

Tires
SL 400
Summer tires
R18
TiresAlloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R1895 Y2,3BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
FA: 255/40 R18 95 Y2
RA: 285/35 R18 97 Y2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
R19
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
R19/R20
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR20 (99 Y) XL
4
FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
2Also available as MOExtended tires.3Not in conjunction with Sports package (code 950).4Use of snow chains not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
Wheel and tire combinations595
Wheels and tires
Z