ESP MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER 2012 Owner's Manual

as specified in the “Technical data” section
of this Operator’s Manual.
iThe Distronic system and cruise control
switch off automatically when the ESP®
engages.
Electronic Traction System (ETS)
GObserve Safety notes, see page 55.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) is a
component of the ESP®. The ETS improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available
traction, especially under slippery road
conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel.
When you switch off the ESP®, the ETS is still
enabled.
Switching the ESP® off or on (except
SL 63 AMG)
GWarning!
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP®. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP® will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid
or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESP®,
Rthe ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle
Rthe engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/
ESP® warning lamp ÷ or d8 in the
instrument cluster flashes. However, the
ESP® will then not stabilize the vehicle.
Depending on vehicle production date, the
symbol on the ESP® switch may differ.
Version 1
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ESP® OFF8Depending on vehicle production date.Driving safety systems57Safety and security230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 57Z

warning lamp å in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The ESP® is switched off.
XSwitching on: Press ESP® switch : until
the ESP® OFF warning lamp å in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP® switched on.
GWarning!
When the ESP® OFF warning lamp å is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off.
When the ABS/ESP® warning lamp ÷ and
the ESP® OFF warning lamp å are
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is not
operational due to a malfunction.
When the ESP® is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
Version 2
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ABS/ESP®warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The ESP® is switched off.
XSwitching on: Press ESP® switch : until
the ABS/ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP® switched on.
GWarning!
When the ABS/ESP® warning lamp d is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
SL 63 AMG
Switching the SPORT handling mode on
or off
GWarning!
The SPORT handling mode should not be
switched on during normal driving.
Switching the SPORT handling mode on will
result in the following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rsystem-supported traction control is
limited
The SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on closed tracks when the vehicle’s
natural oversteer and understeer
characteristics are desired and requires a
highly skilled and experienced driver able to
handle these critical driving situations.
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You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on the SPORT handling mode.
Do not switch on the SPORT handling mode
when a spare wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch on
the SPORT handling mode. This allows the
drive wheels to spin and thus cut into
surfaces for better grip, for example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch off the SPORT handling mode and
switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the SPORT handling
mode will only stabilize the vehicle to a limited
extent when it is starting to skid or a wheel is
spinning.
When you switch on the SPORT handling
mode
Rthe ESP® stabilizes the vehicle only to a
limited extent
Rthe engine output is limited, but only to the
extent that allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
iWhen the SPORT handling mode is
switched on and one or more drive wheels
are spinning, the ABS/ESP® warning lamp
÷ or d8 in the instrument cluster
flashes. However, the ESP® will then
stabilize the vehicle only to a limited extent.
Depending on vehicle production date, the
symbol on the ESP® switch may differ.
Version 1
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : briefly.
The SPORT handling mode warning lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on.
The message SPORT handling mode
appears in the multifunction display.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : briefly.
The SPORT handling mode warning lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
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Version 2
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : briefly.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on. The message
ESP-SPORT appears in the multifunction
display.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch : briefly.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESP-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
The SPORT handling mode switches off
automatically when you turn off the engine.
When starting the engine, the ESP® is
activated automatically.
Switching the ESP® off or on
GWarning!
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rloss of system-supported traction control
“ESP® OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP®.
Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP®. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP® will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid
or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESP®,
Rthe ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle
Rthe engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/
ESP® warning lamp ÷ or d8 in the
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instrument cluster does not flash. The
ESP® will then not stabilize the vehicle.
Depending on vehicle production date, the
symbol on the ESP® switch may differ.
Version 1
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ESP® OFF
warning lamp å in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The message ESP-OFF appears in the
multifunction display.
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ESP® OFF
warning lamp å in the instrument
cluster goes out.
The message ESP-ON appears in the
multifunction display.
GWarning!
When the ESP® OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESP® is switched off.
When the ABS/ESP® warning lamp ÷ and
the ESP® OFF warning lamp å are
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is not
operational due to a malfunction
When the ESP® is switched off or not
operational due to a malfunction, vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers is
reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
Version 2
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ABS/ESP®
warning lamp d and the ESP® OFF
warning lamp % in the instrument
cluster come on.
The message ESP-OFF appears in the
multifunction display.
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : briefly.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp d and the
ESP® OFF warning lamp % in the
instrument cluster go out. The message
ESP-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
GWarning!
When the ABS/ESP® warning lamp d and
the ESP® OFF warning lamp % are
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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Ra door is opened from the inside
Rthe trunk is opened with the emergency
release button
To cancel the alarm after it has been
triggered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(Y page 65).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the Tele Aid system initiates a
call to the Customer Assistance Center
automatically. The Tele Aid system will
initiate the call provided that
Ryou have subscribed to the Tele Aid
service
Rthe Tele Aid service has been activated
properly
Rthe necessary mobile phone, power
supply and GPS coverage are available
XArming: Lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO.
The turn signal lamps flash three times and
an acoustic warning sounds three times to
indicate that the vehicle is locked. Indicator
lamp : flashes to indicate that the alarm
system is armed.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times and the acoustic warning does not
sound three times, a door or the trunk may
not be properly closed.
Close the respective element.XDisarming: Unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO.
The turn signal lamps flash once and an
acoustic warning sounds once to indicate
that the alarm system is disarmed.
iUnless you open a door or the trunk within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
RThe vehicle will be locked again.
RThe anti-theft alarm system will be
rearmed.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
To cancel the alarm after it has been
triggered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(Y page 65).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Customer
Assistance Center is initiated automatically
by the Tele Aid system provided that you
have subscribed to the Tele Aid service and
that it has been activated properly, and that
the necessary mobile phone, power supply
and GPS coverage are available.
XArming: Lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO.
The tow-away alarm is armed after about
30 seconds automatically.
XDisarming: Unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed until
you lock the vehicle again.
Disabling tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
disable the tow-away alarm feature before
towing the vehicle, or when parking on a
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& or % will lock or unlock the vehicle
accordingly.
Loss of the SmartKey
If you lose your SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
XHave the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XReport the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key to your car insurance
company immediately.
XHave the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to supply you with a replacement. For
information on replacing the SmartKey, see
“Replacing the SmartKey” (Y page 72).
Replacing the SmartKey
Only you, or someone authorized by you can
order a replacement key from any Mercedes-
Benz Center. In order to do so, the Mercedes-
Benz Center will require proof of identity and
vehicle ownership with original documents,
including the following:
If you are the current owner of the vehicle:
Rthe vehicle’s current state registration
Ra current identity card, passport, or drivers
license
If you are an authorized person:
Rthe vehicle’s current state registration
Ra current identity card, passport, or drivers
license for the authorized individual
Rsigned and dated authorization from the
owner of the vehicle for which the key is
being requested
iDuplicated or photocopied
documentation will not be accepted.
Activating the key
Once you, or an authorized person, has
provided the appropriate documents, the
Mercedes-Benz Center will need to
synchronize the key to your vehicle before it
can be used. In order to do so, the Mercedes-
Benz Center need access to your vehicle.
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
Example illustration driver’s door
If the vehicle has previously been locked with
the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, opening
a door from the inside will trigger the anti-
theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, see (Y page 65).
XPull on inside door handle ; on the
respective door.
If the door was locked, locking knob : will
move up.
When you open a door, the windows on that
side lowers slightly. Once you close the
door, the windows move up again.
! A window will not work if it is blocked with
ice or if the vehicle battery is discharged. If
you cannot shut a door, do not force it or
you could damage the door or the window.
Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door.
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Closing the trunkGWarning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
GWarning!
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are
around.
GObserve Safety notes, see page 51.
Do not leave the SmartKey in the open trunk.
You may lock yourself out.
If the vehicle was previously locked centrally
with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO, the trunk
lid will lock automatically when closed. All
turn signal lamps flash three times and an
acoustic signal sounds three times to confirm
locking.
iWhen the hardtop is retracted, it must be
completely lowered in the trunk before the
trunk can be closed (Y page 155).
Closing the trunk from the outside
manually
XLower trunk lid by pulling on handle :
firmly.
XClose trunk with hands placed flat on trunk
lid.
The power closing assist automatically
ensures that the trunk lid is pulled completely
close (Y page 78).
Closing the trunk from the inside
automatically
GWarning!
Maintain sight of the area around the rear of
the vehicle while operating the trunk lid with
the door mounted switch. Monitor the closing
procedure carefully to make sure no one is in
danger of being injured.
To interrupt the closing procedure, release
the door mounted remote trunk opening/
closing switch again.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-
GO removed from the vehicle, the remote
trunk opening/closing switch can be
operated. Therefore, do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
In vehicles with trunk opening/closing
system you can close the trunk from the
inside using the remote trunk opening/
closing switch.
If the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing, the closing procedure is
stopped and the trunk lid reopens slightly.
This will happen only while the trunk is in its
upper motion sequence. Check if luggage has
been piled too high, for example.
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XPress and hold remote trunk opening/
closing switch : until the trunk is closed.
Indicator lamp ; in the switch goes out
when the trunk is closed.
XInterrupting the closing procedure:
Release remote trunk opening/closing
switch :.
Closing the trunk from the outside
automatically
GWarning!
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being
injured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from the
trunk opening when closing the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are
around. To stop the closing procedure, do one
of the following:
RPress button F on the SmartKey.
RPress the remote trunk opening/closing
switch (on the driver’s door).
RPress the trunk closing switch.
RPress the KEYLESS-GO locking/closing
switch.
RPull the trunk lid handle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-
GO removed from the vehicle, the remote
trunk opening/closing switch can be
operated. Therefore, do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
In vehicles with trunk opening/closing
system you can close the trunk from the
outside using the trunk closing switch.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
XPress trunk closing switch : briefly.
Closing the trunk and locking vehicle
from outside
This section applies to vehicles with trunk
opening/closing system and KEYLESS-GO
only. You can close the trunk and lock the
vehicle simultaneously from the outside using
the KEYLESS-GO locking/closing switch.
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Power closing assist for trunk lid
It is not necessary to slam the trunk lid
closed. An electrical power-assisted
mechanism draws the trunk lid closed quietly
and automatically once the trunk lid has been
latched. When the electrical power-assisted
mechanism has stopped, the trunk can be
reopened.
GWarning!
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are
around.
In case of danger, pull the inside or outside
door handle, or press the trunk lid lock.
To prevent personal injury, never actuate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with
the door or trunk lid latch.
GWarning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
XPress the trunk lid gently into its lock.Starter switch positions
SmartKey
GObserve Safety notes, see page 51.
Starter switch
gFor removing SmartKey (gear selector
lever must be in park position P)
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The high-
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn
signal indicator lamps will only come on if
activated. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster remains on
after starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument cluster”
(Y page 254).
XAlways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
XCheck the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary (Y page 285).
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