MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2018 Owners Manual

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If th ee ng in eiss witched off automatically and
you exit th ev ehicle, th ee ng in eisr estarte d
automatically. The vehicl em ay begi nm oving .
Ther eisar is kofa cciden ta nd injury.
If you wish to exit th ev ehicle, always tur no ff
th ei gnition and secure th ev ehicl ea gainst
rollin ga way.
General notes
C
ECO start/sto pd isplay
The ECO start/sto pf unction is activated when -
eve ry ou switch on th ee ng in eu sin gt he Smart -
Key or th eS ta rt/Sto pb utton.
If th ee ng in eh as been switched off automati-
call ybyt he ECO start/sto pf unction ,t he

Deactivating or activating th eE CO
start/stop function X
To deactivate : press EC Ob utto n C .
Indicator lamp D goe so ut .X
To activate : press EC Ob utto n C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.
If indicator lamp D is off, th eE CO start/sto p
function has bee nd eactivated manually or as
th er esult of am alfunction .T he engin ew ill then
no tbes witched of fa utomatically when th ev ehi-
cl es to ps .
Problem sw it ht he engin eProblem
Possible causes/consequences an d P Solutions
The engin ed oe sn ot
start . The HOLD function or Distanc eP ilo tD ISTR ONIC is activated.X
Deactivat et he HOLD function ( Y
page 148) or Distanc eP ilo t
DISTRONIC ( Y
page 146).X
Tr yt os ta rt th ee ng in ea gain .
The engin ed oe sn ot
start .T he starter moto r
can be heard. R
There is am alfunction in th ee ng in ee lectronics.R
There is am alfunction in th ef ue ls upply.
Before attemptin gtos ta rt th ee ng in ea gain :X
Tur nt he SmartKey bac ktop osition

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. There is am alfunction in the engine electronics or in am echanical
componen toft he engine management system.X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. X
Have the cause rectified immediately at aq ualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
gauge shows av alue
above 248 ‡( 120 †).
The coolant warning
lamp may also be on and
aw arning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down. X
Check the coolant level ( Y
page 235). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct ,t he engine radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X
At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡( 120 †), drive to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop. X
Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainou st errai na nd stop-and-go traffic.
DYNAMIC SELEC Tb uttonUse the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change the
drive program. Depending on the drive program
selected the following vehicle characteristics
wil lc hange: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspensio nort he adaptive adjustable
damping (only on vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL sports suspension) R
the sound of the exhaust system (vehicles
with sports exhaust system) R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program C is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see ( Y
pag e1 17). X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
progra miss elected.
The selected drive progra ma ppears in the
multifunction display. After as hort period of
time, the displa yg oes out and the symbol for
the selected drive progra ma ppears.
In addition, the current drive progra ms ettings
are displayed briefly in the multimedi as ystem
display.
i In af ew countries, the ECO start/stop func-
tion is deactivated at the factory due to the
available fuel grade. In this case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available in anyDYNAMI CS ELEC Tb utton 121
Driving and parking Z

drive program, regardless of the display in the
multimedia system display.
In urban traffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram C is recommended.
Available drive programs:
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
S Sport Sport yd riving characteris-
tics
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sport yd riving
characteristics
I Individual Individual settings
E Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs
( Y
page 125).
Automatic transmission
Important safet yn otes
G WARNING
If the engin es peed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or R ,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
ar isk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R ,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is ar isk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parkin gp osition P .P reven tt he parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions
! If the engin es peed is too high or the vehicle
is in motion ,don ot shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from [ to ^ ,f rom ^ to [
or directly to ] .
Do not open the driver' sd oor while the vehi-
cle is in motion .Atl ow speeds in transmission
position [ or ^ ,o therwise park position ]
is engaged automatically.
The transmission could be damaged.
]
Park position ^
Reverse gear \\
Neutral [
Drive
The selector lever always return stoi ts original
position .T he curren tt ransmission position ] ,
^ , \\ or [ is shown in the transmission posi-
tion display in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
All vehicles (except for Mercedes-AMG
SLC 43)
C
Transmission position
D
Gear

The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
C
Transmission positionD
Drive program
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
Engaging par kp osition P
X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal. X
Press button C .
Engaging par kp osition Pa utomaticallyPark position ] is automatically engaged if:R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door R
you open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary or when driving at av ery low speed
and the transmission is in position [ or ^
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position ] if the HOLD function or Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the infor-
mation on the HOLD function ( Y
page 148) and
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 144). Engaging reverse gear R
! Only move the automatic transmission to
^ when the vehicle is stationary. X
Depress the brake and keep it pressed. X
Push the selector lever forwards past the first
point of resistance.
The ECO start/sto pf unction is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/sto pf unction
( Y
page 119).
Shifting to neutral N
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake R
shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P R
start the engine
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Never leave children or animals unattended in
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, alway st ake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. This
also applies to mobile phones if the "Digital
Car Key in smartphone" function is activated
via the Mercedes me connect web app. X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal. X
Push the selector lever forwards or back to
the first point of resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position ^ or [ ,t he automatic trans-
mission shifts to \\ automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to ] automatically.
With KEYLESS-GO: if you then open the driver's
or front-passenger door, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to ] automatically.Automatic transmission 123
Driving and parking Z

If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral \\ ,e .g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a
towing system: X
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
All vehicles: switch the ignition on.X
Depress the brake peda la nd keep it
depressed. X
Engage neutral \\ .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive positio nDX
When the vehicle is stationary ,d epres st he
brake pedal. X
Push the selector lever back past the first
point of resistance. Transmission positions E Park position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
awa yw hen stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion E ( Y
page 122) when the
vehicle is stationary .T he parking lock
shoul dn ot be used as ab rake when
parking. Alway sa ppl yt he electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
If the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock, the transmission is
locked.
The automatic transmission shifts to
E automatically: R
when the SmartKey is removed
from the ignition lock R
when the engine is switched off
with the transmission in position
F or : and one of the doors
is opened
In the event of am alfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-
sion may lock in position E .H ave
the vehicle electronics checked
immediately at aq ualifie ds pecialist
workshop.
F Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion F when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.124
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to D
whil ed riving .T he automatic trans-
mission could otherwis ebed am -
aged.
No powe rist ransmitted fro mt he
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake peda lw il la llow
yo utom ov et he vehicl ef reely, e.g .t o
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position D if
the vehicl eisind an ge rofs kidding,
e.g .oni cy roads.
! Coasting in neutral \\ may
cause damage to the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
ar ea vailable.
Driving tips
Changin gg ea rThe automatic transmission shifts throug ht he
individual gear sa ut omaticall yw he nitisint rans-
mission position [ .T hi sa ut omatic gear shift-
ing behavio risd et ermine db y:R
the selecte dd rive programR
the positio noft he accelerator pedalR
the roa ds peed
Accelerator peda lp ositionYour style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear: R
little throttle :e ar ly upshiftsR
mor et hrottle :l at eu ps hifts Kickdown Use kickdow nf or maximum acceleration. X
Depres st he accelerator peda lb eyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to al ower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Eas eo ff the accelerator peda lo nce the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Drive programs
Drive program C( Co mfort)In urba nt raffi ca nd stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram C is recommended.
Driv ep rogram C is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicl ed elivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics. R
the vehicl ep ulls away mor eg en tly in forward
and revers eg ears ,u nless the accelerator
peda lisd ep resse df ully.R
the vehicl eh as improved driving stability, for
exampl eons lipper yr oa ds ur faces.R
optima lf ue lc onsumption resulting fro mt he
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicl eisd riven in the lo we ngine speed
range and the wheels ar el es sl ik el ytos pi n.R
th es us pension exhibits comfortabl ed am ping
settings (adaptive damping system onl yi n
vehicles with AMG RIDE CONTROL sports
suspension). R
the steering exhibits comfortabl es teering
characteristics.
Drive program S( Sp ort)Driv ep rogram S is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicl ee xhibits sporty driving character-
istics. R
the vehicl ep ulls away in first gear. R
the automatic transmission shifts up later.
The fuel consumption possibl yb ei ng higher
as ar esul toft he later automatic transmission
shift points.Automati ct ransmission 125
Driving an dp arking Z

R
the suspensio ne xhibits fir md am ping set-
ting s( vehicle sw it ha dapt ive damping system
or AMG sports suspension). R
the steering exhibits sporty steering charac-
teristics.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus) Drive program S+ is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicl ee xhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics. R
the vehicl ep ulls away in first gear.R
the automatic transmission shifts up later.
The fuel consumption possibl yb ei ng higher
as ar esul toft he later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspensio ne xhibits particularly firm
damping setting s( vehicle sw it ha dapt ive
damping syste morA MG sports suspension).R
the steering exhibits sporty steering charac-
teristics. R
the ECO start/sto pf un ctio ni sn ot available.
Drive program I( In dividual)In drive program I the following propertie soft he
drive progra mc an be selected:R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspensio n( vehicle sw it ha dapt ive damp-
ing syste morA MG sports suspension)R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/sto pf un ction
Informatio na bout configurin gd rive program I
with the multimedia syste mc an be found in the
Digita lO pe rator' sM an ual.
Drive program E( Econom y)Drive program E is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicl ee xhibits comfortable, economical
handling characteristics. R
the vehicl ep ulls away mor eg en tly in forward
and revers eg ears ,u nles st he accelerator
peda lisd ep resse df ully.R
the vehicl eh as improved drivin gs tability, for
exampl eons lipper yr oa ds ur faces.R
optimal fuel consumption resulting fro mt he
automatic transmission shiftin gups ooner. Th ev ehicl eisd riven in the lo we ngine speed
range and the wheels ar el es sl ik el ytos pi n.R
the suspensio ne xhibits comfortabl ed am ping
setting s( vehicle sw it ha dapt ive damping sys-
tem or AMG sports suspension). R
durin gd ec eleration, the engine is disconnec-
ted fro mt he drive train. Th ev ehicl eu se s
kinetic energy and consumes less fuel (coast-
ing mode). R
the steering exhibits comfortabl es teering
characteristics.
Manual gear shifting
General notes Yo uc an change gear yourself using the steering
whee lp addl es hifters. Th et ransmission must be
in position [ to do this.
Depending on which steering whee lp addl e
shifter is pulled ,t he automatic transmission
immediatel ys hifts into the next gear down or
up ,ifp er mitted.
To us em an ua ls hifting, yo uh av et wo options:R
temporary setting R
permanent setting
If yo ua ctivate manua lg ears hifting, the multi-
functio nd isplay will sho wt he current gear
instea doft ransmission position [ .
If manua lg ears hiftin gisd ea ctivated ,t he gears
will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting
X
To activate: shift the selector lever to [ .X
Pull steering whee lp addl es hifter C or D .
The temporary setting is active for ac ertain
amount of time. Under certai nc onditions ,t he
minimum amount of tim eise xtended, e.g .int he126
Automati ct ransmission
Driving an dp arking

case of latera la cceleration, during overrun
mod eorw he nd riving on stee pt errain.X
To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D and hol ditinp la ce.
or X
Use the lever to switch the transmission posi-
tion.
or X
Use the DYNAMI CS ELECT button to change
the drive program.
Permanen ts et tingX
To activate: shift the selector lever to [ .X
Press button C .X
To deactivate: press button C .
Shiftin gg ea rs
Al lv ehicle s( exce pt for Mercedes-AMG
SLC 43)
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. If the maximum engine speed in the currently
engaged gea risr eached and yo uc ontinu et o
accelerate ,t he automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts dow nt o
the next gear.
Automati cd ow ns hifting occurs whe nc oast-
ing.
If the engine were to excee dt he maximum
engine speed whe ns hifting down, the auto-
mati ct ransmission protects against engine
damag ebyn ot shifting down.
Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
! If manual gearshifting is permanently acti-
vated, the automatic transmission doe sn ot
shift up automaticall ye ve nw he nt he engine
limiting speed for the current gea risr eached.
Whe nt he engine limiting speed is reached,
the fue ls up pl yisc ut to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Alway sm ake sure that the
engine speed doe sn ot reach the red are ao f
the tachometer .T here is otherwise ar is ko f
engine damage.
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts dow nt o
the next gear.
Automati cd ow ns hifting occurs whe nc oast-
ing.
If the engine were to excee dt he maximum
engine speed whe ns hifting down, the auto-Automatic transmission 127
Drivin ga nd parking Z

matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation All vehicles (except for Mercedes-AMG
SLC 43)
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style .T he rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according to
gearshift recommendation C when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style .T he rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according to
gearshift recommendation C when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Kickdown X
For maximu ma cceleration, depress the
accelerator peda lb eyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to al ower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering whee lp addle shifters.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximu me ngine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.128
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking