MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER 2013 Owners Manual

up
: past the pressure point for a higher
speed, or down = for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
If the vehicle in front of you is stationary, you
can only
activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
i DISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at
under 20 mph (30km/h) if a vehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the
instrument cluster should be activated
(Y page 214).
i You can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance (Y page 172).
Pulling away and driving G
WARNING
When you step on the brake pedal, you switch
off the DISTRONIC PLUS except when the
vehicle is

at a standstill. The DISTRONIC PLUS
will no longer brake your vehicle. You are
always responsible for maintaining a distance
from other vehicles, observing road speeds
and braking well in advance. Cruise control lever X
If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
X Briefly

pull the cruise control lever towards
you ;, or press it up : or down =.
or
X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front has slowed down, it brakes your
vehicle. It maintains the preset distance to
the vehicle in front.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving
vehicle in

front, it increases the driving speed.
However, the vehicle is only accelerated up
to the speed you have stored.
Changing lanes G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only aids designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention. The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in

good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
If you wish to change to the passing lane (in
countries where traffic drives on the right, the
passing lane is the left-hand lane),
DISTRONIC PLUS supports you if:
R you are driving faster than 40mph
(60 km/h).
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the
distance to a vehicle in front. Driving systems
169
Driving and parking Z

R
you have switched on the corresponding
turn signal.
R DISTRONIC PLUS
does not detect a danger
of collision.
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
Vehicles with COMAND
i The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS uses additional information
from your navigation system so that it can
react appropriately to certain traffic
situations. This is the case if, while following
a vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you:
R approach or drive through a traffic circle
R approach a T intersection
R turn off at a freeway exit
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the
detection range, DISTRONIC PLUS
temporarily maintains the current driving
speed and does not accelerate. This is based
on the current map data in the navigation
system. Example: traffic circle
The current speed is maintained:
R
approximately ten seconds before the
traffic circle/T intersection and for approximately 1.5seconds
when driving on
the traffic circle
R approximately twelve seconds before
reaching a freeway exit and approximately
four seconds after the freeway exit
Afterwards, the vehicle accelerates back to
the set speed you specified.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must also never be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehicle can start moving if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
R you accelerate.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicle against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front

is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until
it is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake. After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a standstill
at a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in 170
Driving systems
Driving and parking

front. The specified minimum distance is set
using the control on the cruise control lever.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated and:
R
the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a
malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may also be shifted into position P
automatically.
Storing the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed G
WARNING
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Possible
acceleration or deceleration differences
arising from returning to the preset speed
could cause

an accident and/or serious injury
to you and others. Cruise control lever
X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you :.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Setting a speed G
WARNING
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or

decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others. Cruise control lever
X
To adjust the speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments):
briefly press

the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up : for a higher speed or
down ; 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 the speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up : for a
higher speed

or down ; for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced. Driving systems
171
Driving and parking Z

Setting the specified minimum distance
G
WARNING
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving
recommendations for
safe following distance.Cruise control lever
X
To increase: turn control = in
direction ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS

then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control = in
direction :.
DISTRONIC PLUS

then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC

PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this
function, you can set the minimum distance
that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 172).
Make sure that you maintain a sufficiently
safe distance from the vehicle in front. Adjust
the distance to the vehicle in front if
necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
instrument cluster Displays in the speedometer
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or
two
segments ;

in the set speed range light
up.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front,
segments ; between speed of the vehicle in
front = and stored speed : light up.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated :
Vehicle in front, if detected
; Distance indicator, current distance to
the vehicle in front
= Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
? Own vehicle
A Symbol for activated PRE-SAFE ®
Brake 172
Driving systems
Driving and parking

X
Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 214).
In the Assistance menu of the on-board
computer, you
can also activate or deactivate
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 214).
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated :
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
; Own vehicle
= Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
? Vehicle in front, if detected
X Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 214).
You will initially see the stored speed for
about five seconds when you activate
DISTRONIC PLUS.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated and releases
the brakes if the vehicle is slowed down to a
speed below

20 mph (30km/h) by the system,
provided that DISTRONIC PLUS does not
detect a vehicle directly in front. At this point,
the driver must apply the brakes in order to
slow down further and bring the vehicle to a
standstill. Cruise control lever
There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards :.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message
in the

multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you
accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished
overtaking.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
R you engage the electric parking brake or if
the vehicle is automatically secured with
the electric parking brake.
R you are driving slower than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in front is no longer
detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R the transmission is in the P, R or N position.
R you switch off the radar sensor system
(Y page 218). Driving systems
173
Driving and parking Z

R
you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door is open.
R the vehicle has skidded.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The DISTRONIC PLUS works to maintain the
speed selected
by the driver unless a moving
obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g.
following another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance).
This means that:
R Your vehicle can pass another vehicle after
you have changed lanes.
R While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, the DISTRONIC
PLUS could lose sight of the preceding
vehicle. Your vehicle could then accelerate
to the previously selected speed.
The DISTRONIC PLUS regulates only the
distance between your vehicle and those
directly ahead of it. It may not register
stationary objects in the road, e.g.:
R a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam
R a disabled vehicle
R an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means of
steering or braking the vehicle. G
WARNING
The DISTRONIC PLUS should not be used in
snowy or icy road conditions.
The following

contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated.
Cornering,
going

into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.174
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Other vehicles changing lanes
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the
vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this
vehicle will be too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and
reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with
crossing

traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally. HOLD function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the

HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing). G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated

by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking. Driving systems
175
Driving and parking
Z

The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R
the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking

effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R the driver's

door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the transmission is in position D, R or N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS 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 pedal further
until
HOLD display
: appears in the
multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position D or R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD disappears
from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the

vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.176
Driving systems
Driving and parking

R
a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a
malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may also be shifted into position P
automatically. RACE START
Important safety notes G
WARNING
RACE START is only available when SPORT
handling mode is activated. SPORT handling
mode only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited
extent in the event of swerving or wheelspin.
RACE START

should only be used on specially
designated roads. Always adapt your speed
and driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
i RACE START is only available for the
SL 63 AMG model.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed.
R the engine

is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †. This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated
(Y page 61).
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D. Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 147) until the RS lamp lights up.
The multifunction

display shows the RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN message.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE
START Canceled message.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter (
Y

page 148).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter ( Y

page 148).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The multifunction
display shows the RACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases to at least
3500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to
start. message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The RACE START

Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph Driving systems
177
Driving and parking Z

(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+ is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The
multifunction
display
shows the RACE START
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. Adaptive Damping System
General notes The adjustable damping system adapts to the
current driving conditions. The adjustment
depends
on

whether you have selected sport
or comfort mode. Your selection remains
stored even if you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
Selecting sports tuning X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have
selected the

suspension for a sporty driving
style. The message
SPORT appears in the
multifunction 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
winding country roads.
Selecting comfort tuning X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The message COMFORT appears in the
multifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style. 178
Driving systems
Driving and parking