ECU MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2018 User Guide

instructions and safet yn otes on the "Occupant
Classification System (OCS)" ( Y
page 45).
You can thus avoid the risk st hat could arise as
ar esult of: R
an incorrectly categorized perso nint he front-
passenger seat R
the unintentional deactivatio noft he front-
passenger front air bag R
the unsuitable positionin goft he child
restraint system, e.g. too clos etot he dash-
board
Rearward-facing child restraint system If it is absolutely necessary to install ar earward-
facin gc hild restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always make sure that the
front-passenge rf ront air bag is deactivated.
Only if the PASSENGER AI RB AG OFF indicator
lamp is permanently lit ( Y
page 39) is the front-
passenger front air bag deactivated.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions.
Forward-facing child restraint system If you secur eac hild in af orward-facin gc hild
restraint system on the front-passenge rs eat,
always move the front-passenge rs eat as far
back as possible .T he entire base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushio noft he front-passenge rs eat. The back-
rest of the child restraint system must lie as flat
as possible against the backrest of the front-
passenger seat. The child restraint system must
not touc ht he roof or be subjected to al oad by
the head restraint .A djust the angle of the seat
backrest and the head restraint position accord-
ingly. Always make sure that the shoulder belt
strap is correctly routed fro mt he front-
passenger seat belt guide to the shoulder belt
guide on the child restraint system. The shoul-
der belt strap must be routed forward and down
fro mt he front-passenge rs eat belt guide.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer' si nstallation and operating instruc-
tions. Pets in th ev ehicle
G WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, the yc ould press buttons or
switches, for example.
As ar esult ,t he yc ould: R
activat ev ehicle equipmen ta nd become
trapped, for example R
activat eord eactivat es ystems, thereby
endangerin go ther road users
Unsecure da nimals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the even tofana ccident or sud-
den steerin gorb raking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is ar isk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secur ea nimals properly during
the journey, e.g. use as uitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems In this section, you will fin di nformation about
the followin gd rivin gs afet ys ystems:R
AB S( A nti-lock B raking S ystem)
( Y
page 57) R
BA S( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 57)R
Activ eB rak eA ssist ( Y
page 58)R
Adaptive brak el ight s( Y
page 60)R
ESP ®
( E lectronic S tability P rogram)
( Y
page 60) R
EB D( E lectronic B ra ke force D istribution)
( Y
page 63) R
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ( Y
page 63)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your drivin gs tyle or if you are
inattentive, the drivin gs afet ys ystems can nei-
the rr educ et he risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics .D ri vin gs afet ys ystems are
merely aids designed to assist driving.56
Driving safety systems
Safety

X
To deactivate: press and hol db ut ton C for
abou tf iv es econds unti lat one sounds.X
To activate: press and hol db ut ton D for
abou tf iv es econds unti lat one sounds.
If yo up ress one of the two buttons and do not
hea rat one, the relevant setting ha sa lr eady
been selected.
The vehicl eisl oc ked automaticall yw he nt he
ignition is switched on and the wheels are turn-
ing.
Yo uc ould therefore lock yoursel fo ut if:R
the vehicl eisb ei ng pushed.R
the vehicl eisb ei ng towed.R
the vehicl eisonar olle rd yn amometer.
Yo uc an also switch the automatic locking func-
tio nona nd off using the on-board computer
( Y
page 173).
Unlocking/lockin gt he driver's door
using the mechanical key
i If yo uw an ttoc entrall yl oc kt he vehicl eu si ng
the mechanical key ,b egin by pressing the
locking button for the interio rl oc king mech-
anism whil et he driver's door is open. Then
lock the driver's door using the mechanical
key.
X
To unlock: turn the mechanical key counter-
clockwise as far as it will go to position G .X
To lock: turn the mechanical key clockwise as
far as it will go to position G .
If yo uu se the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-thef ta la rm sys-
tem will be triggered .S witch off the alarm
( Y
page 64). Trunk
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If objects, luggage or load sa re not secured or
not secured sufficiently ,t hey could slip ,t ip
ove rorbef lung around and thereb yh it vehicle
occupants. There is ar is kofi njury ,p ar ticu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or as ud -
de nc hange in direction.
Alway ss tor eo bj ects so tha tt hey canno tb e
flung around .S ecure objects, luggage or
load sa gain st slipping or tipping before the
journey.
! The trunk li ds wi ng su pwar ds when opened.
Therefore, make sure tha tt her eiss uf ficient
clearance above the trunk lid.
! Onl yc lose the trunk once the roo fisl owere d
completely. Otherwise, yo uc ould damag et he
roof.
If yo uc lose the trunk li db ef ore the roo fi s
lowered completely, the loading ai ds wi tch
lights up and aw ar ning tone sounds.
The opening dimensions of the trunk li dc an be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
( Y
page 295).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the trunk. You
could otherwise lock yoursel fo ut .
The trunk li dc an be: R
opened/close df rom outside R
opene da ut omaticall yf rom outsideR
locked separately R
opene dw it ht he emergency release button R
unlocke dw it ht he mechanical key
Yo us houl dp referabl yp la ce luggage or load si n
the trunk.72
Trunk
Opening and closing

The seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
G WARNING
When you adjust as eat, you or other vehicle
occupant sc ould become trapped, e.g. on the
seat guide rail. There is ar isk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting as eat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
G WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move forwards as far as the next catc hd uring
movemen ts uch as braking or abrupt changes
of direction .Asar esult, you would be pushed
against your seat belt by the unsecured driv-
er's seat.
This could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle. The seat belt cannot protec tasi nten-
ded and could result in additional injury.
There is ar isk of an accident and injury.
Before every journey, make sure that the driv-
er's seat is fully engaged.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
( Y
page 43) and "Children in the vehicle"
( Y
page 53).
G WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
motion .T his could cause you to lose control of
the vehicle. There is ar isk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the vehicle.
G WARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupant sc ould be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment button sa nd become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustmen ts ys-
tem. G WARNING
If the head restraints are not installed or not
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide pro-
tection as intended. There is an increased risk
of injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the
event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
G WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do
the following while driving: R
adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steerin gw heel or mirrors R
fasten the seat belt
There is ar isk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt
before starting the engine.
! To prevent damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following notes: R
Do not spill liquids ont ot he seats. Dry the
seats as soon as possible if liquid does get
spilled on the seats. R
If the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. Also, do not use
the seat heating to dry the seats. R
Clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section. R
Do not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place pointed object sont he seat
cushions such as knives, nails or tools.
Where possible, use the seats only for car-
rying passengers. R
When operating the seat heating, do not
cover the seats with insulating materials,
e.g. blankets ,c oats, bags, protective cov-
ers, child seats or booster seats. R
When the seat heating is switched on, the
seat surface can be damaged as ar esult of
object sb eing placed on the seats; for
example, seat cushions, child seats and
protective covers not approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Seats 85
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

If somebod yb ecomes trapped:R
press one of the memory function position
buttons, or R
press one of the memory function memory
buttons, or R
move the switch for steering wheel adjust-
ment in the opposite direction to that in
which the steering wheel is moving
The adjustment process is stopped.
G WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could: R
slip and/or fall R
damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is ar isk of injury.
Alway su se secure climbing aids, e.g. as uita-
ble ladder.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting in
and out of you rv ehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board computer
( Y
page 174).
Position of the steering whee lw hen the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active The steering wheel swings up when you: R
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock R
open the driver's door with KEYLESS-GO in
position 1R
open the driver's door and the SmartKey is in
position

X
Turn housing cover C counter-clockwise and
pull it out. X
At the bulb holder, push the bulb upwards,
disconnect it and pull it out of bulb holder D .X
Insert the new bulb into bulb holder D at the
top, push it down and secure it in place. X
Attach housing cover C and turn it clockwise
until it engages.
Side marker lamp s( halogen head-
lamps) Due to their location, have the bulbs in the side
marker lamp changed at aq ualified specialist
workshop.
Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers
on/off
! Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry, as this could damage
the wiper blades. Moreover, dust that has col-
lected on the windshield can scratc ht he glass
if wiping takes place when the windshield is
dry.
If it is necessary to switch on the windshield
wipers in dry weather conditions, alway su se
washer fluid when operating the windshield
wipers.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on the
windshield after the vehicle has been washed
in an automatic car wash, wax or other resi-
dues may be the reason for this. Clean the
windshield using washer fluid after washing
the vehicle in an automatic car wash.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due to
optical influences and the windshield becom-
ing dirty in dry weather conditions, the wind-
shield wipers may be activated inadvertently.
This could then damage the windshield wiper
blades or scratc ht he windshield.
For this reason, you should alway ss witch off
the windshield wipers in dry weather. Combination switch
G
? Windshield wiper offH
b Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor set
to low sensitivity) I
c Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity) J

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

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

Changing lanes If when driving on multilane roads you wish to
change to th eo vertakin gl ane ,D istance Pilot
DISTRONIC support sy ou if:R
you are driving faster than 45 mph (70 km/ h)R
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Ci sm ai ntaining the
distance to av ehicl einf rontR
yo us wi tch on the appropriate tur ns ig nalR
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Cd oe sn ot currently
detect ad an ge rofc ollision
If these conditions ar ef ul filled ,y ou rv ehicl ei s
accelerated .A cceleratio nw il lbei nterrupte di f
changing lanes take st oo long or if the distance
between your vehicl ea nd the vehicl einf ront
become st oo small.
i When yo uc hange lanes ,D istance Pilot
DISTRONI Cm onitors the left lane (o nl ef t-
hand-driv ev ehicles) or the right lane (o nr ight-
hand-driv ev ehicles).
Stopping
G WARNING
If yo ul eave the vehicl ew he nitiso nl yb ei ng
braked by Distance Pilo tD ISTRONIC, it could
rol la wa yi f:R
there is am al functio nint he system or in
the voltag es upply.R
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Ci ss wi tched off
using the cruis ec ontro ll ev er ,e .g .b yav ehi-
cle occupant or fro mo ut side the vehicleR
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses ar et am-
pered with. R
the battery is disconnected R
the vehicl eisa ccelerated ,e .g .b yav ehicle
occupant.
There is ar is kofana ccident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Ca nd secur et he
vehicl ea gain st rolling away.
Furthe ri nformatio nond ea ctivating Distance
Pilo tD ISTRONI C( Y
page 146).
If Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Cd et ects tha tt he
vehicl einf ront is stopping, it brakes your vehicle
unti litiss tationary. Once your vehicl eiss tationary, it remains sta-
tionar ya nd yo udon ot nee dtod ep ress the
brake.
i After at ime ,t he electri cp ar kin gb rake
secures the vehicl ea nd relieves the service
brake.
i Depending on the specifie dm inimu md is -
tance ,y ou rv ehicl ew il lc ome to as tandstil la t
as uf ficient distance behind the vehicl ei n
front. The specifie dm i nimu md is tance is set
using the contro lont he cruis ec ontro ll ev er.
When Distance Pilo tD ISTRONI Cisa ctivated,
the transmission is shifted automaticall yt o
position ] if: R
the driver's sea tb el tisn ot fastened and the
driver's door is open. R
the engine is switched off ,u nless it is auto-
maticall ys wi tched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electri cp ar kin gb rake secures the vehicle
automaticall yifD istance Pilo tD ISTRONI Ci s
activated when the vehicl eiss tationar ya nd:R
as ys tem malfunctio no ccurs.R
the powe rs uppl yisn ot sufficient.
If am al functio no ccurs, the transmission may
also shift to position ] automatically.
Settin gas peedKee pinm in dt ha titm ay take ab rief moment
unti lt he vehicl eh as accelerated or braked to
the spee ds et. X
To adjus tt he se ts peed in 1m ph incre-
ments (1 km/ hi ncrements): briefly press
the cruise control lever up C to the pressure
point for ah igher speed, or down D for 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 th es et speed in 5m ph incre-
ment s( 10 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up C past the
pressur ep oint for ah igher speed, or down D
for al ower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up or down, the last speed stored is increased
or reduced.144
Driving systems
Driving and parking

HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the drive rint he
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicl eisk ept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancele da nd the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator peda ltop ul la way.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is am alfunction in the system or in
the voltag es upply.R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator peda lort he brake
pedal, e.g. by av ehicl eo ccupant.R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuse sh ave
been tampere dw ith.R
the battery is disconnected
There is ar isk of an accident.
If you wis htoe xit the vehicle, alway st urn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function is activated, the vehicle
brakes automatically in certain situations.
To avoi dd amage to the vehicle, deactivate
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and the HOLD
function in the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function ( Y
pag e1 48). Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all of the
following conditions are fulfilled: R
the vehicl eiss tationary. R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function. R
the driver's door is closed or you rs eat bel ti s
fastened. R
the electric parking brake is released. R
the transmission is in position [ , ^ or \\ .R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions are
met. X
Depress the brake pedal. X
Quickly depress the brake peda lf urther
until C appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake peda lt he first time
does not activate the HOLD function, wait
briefly and then try again.
Deactivatin gt he HOLD functionThe HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you depress the accelerator and the trans-
mission is in position [ or ^ .R
you shift the transmission to position ] .R
you apply the brakes again with ac ertain
amount of pressure until HOLD disappears
from the multifunction display. R
you secure the vehicl eu sing the electric park-
ing brake. R
you activate Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
i After at ime, the electric parking brake
secure st he vehicl ea nd relieves the service
brake.148
Driving systems
Driving and parking

When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is automatically shifted to position ]
if: R
the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
as ystem malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
If am alfunction in the electric parking brake
occurs ,t he transmission may also be shifted
into position ] automatically.
Adaptive damping system
General notes
i Mercedes-AMG SLC 43: the adaptive
damping system is called AMG RIDE CON-
TROL sports suspension.
As uspension with the adaptive damping system
provides improved driving comfort and contin-
uously controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping characteristic sa dapt to the cur-
rent operating and driving situation.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface conditions R
the selected drive program ( Y
page 121).
Selecting the Comfort or Economy drive
programs In the Comfort and Economy drive programs,
the driving characteristic sofy our vehicle are
more comfortable. Select one of these drive
programs if you favor am ore comfortable driv-
ing style. Also select these drive programs when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway.
In urban traffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram C is recommended. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C repeat-
edly until the Comfort or Economy drive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport mode The firmer setting of the suspension tunin gi n
the Sport drive program ensures even better
contact with the road. Select this drive program
when employing as porty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C as many
times as necessary until the Sport drive pro-
gram is selected.
Selecting Sport Plus mode The firmer suspension settings in the Sport
Plus drive program ensure even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
as porty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads or, ideally ,w hen driving on closed race
circuits. X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C repeat-
edly until the Sport Plus drive program is
selected.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasound. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensor sint he
fron tb umper and four sensor sint he rear
bumper. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC visually
and audibly indicates the distanc eb etween your
vehicle and an object.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is
not ar eplacemen tf or your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking and
exitin gap arking space. Make sure that thereDriving systems 149
Driving and parking Z