manual transmission MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER 2013 User Guide

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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe red
F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are making an emergency stop using the electric parking
brake ( Y page 155). F(USA
only)!(Canada
only)
Parking Brake See
Operator's Manual The yellow
! warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To apply:
X Switch the ignition off.
X Press the electric parking brake handle for at least ten seconds.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
! warning lamp and the red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp light up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
or
X Release the electric parking brake automatically ( Y page 155).
If the yellow !
warning lamp remains lit or continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
227
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe red
F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and the yellow ! warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
To apply:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
If the red F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 549).
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Turn the front wheels towards the curb.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
! warning lamp lights up. The red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about ten
seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or
released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
If it is not possible to engage the electric parking brake:
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If it is not possible to release the electric parking brake:
X Release the electric parking brake automatically ( Y page 155).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.228
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe yellow
! warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release the electric parking brake, the red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning. It is not possible to
apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
i If you do not wish the electric parking brake to be applied,
leave the
ignition switched on, e.g. when washing the vehicle in
an automatic car wash or when having the vehicle towed.
Exception: when having the vehicle towed with the rear axle
raised ( Y page 518). F(USA
only)!(Canada
only)
Parking Brake
Inoperative The yellow
! warning lamp lights up. The red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about ten
seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or
released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of
overvoltage or undervoltage.
X Remove the cause for the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging the battery or restarting the engine.
X Engage or release the electric parking brake.
If it remains impossible to apply or release the electric parking
brake:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Engage or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The display message is only shown while the vehicle is in motion.
The yellow
! warning lamp lights up and the red F (USA
only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes.
It is not possible to apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
229
On-board computer and displays Z

Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles

equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes when changing a wheel
(Y page 548).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3000 to 6000 miles (5000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear requires
this. Do not change the direction of wheel
rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tire pressure loss
warning system or the tire pressure monitor. Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional

benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation. Storing wheels
Store wheels

that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt

grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident. Mounting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground.
X Unload the vehicle. The jack can only be
used when the vehicle is unladen.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Shift the transmission to position P
.
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 135).
X If included in the vehicle equipment,
remove the tire-change tool kit from the
vehicle.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.548
Changing a wheel
Wheels and tires