engine MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER 2014 Repair Manual

Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual. Active Body Control (AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. With the
SPORT suspension tuning, it is lowered by up
to 0.5 in (13 mm), with COMFORT by up to
0.2 in (5 mm). As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the
engine is switched off. G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. Setting raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X Make sure that a speed of 75 mph
(120 km/h) is not exceeded.
X If icon ; ;is not shown: press=
or ; on the steering wheel to select the
DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle Level
Vehicle Level .
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Vehicle
Level Press 'OK' to Raise
Level Press 'OK' to Raise .
X Press the abutton.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now
restarted.
Icon ;appears. The vehicle height is
adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level Driving syste
ms
143Driving an d parking Z

X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If icon ;
;is shown: press=or;
on the steering wheel to select the
DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle Level Vehicle Level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Vehicle
Level Press 'OK' to Lower
Level Press 'OK' to Lower.
X Press the abutton.
Icon ;is faded out. The vehicle is adjusted
to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R are driving faster than approximately
75 mph (120 km/h).
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h).
Suspension tuning You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition.
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror
N.
R release the electric parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into
consideration that are:
R
below the detection range, e.g. people,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps. 144
Driving systemsDriving and parking

message appears in the multifunction
display.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the aor% button to confirm
the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good
time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST
still detects increasing lapses in
concentration, you will be warned again after
15 minutes at the earliest.
ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you
continue your journey and starts assessing
your tiredness again if:
R you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the
é symbol appears in the multifunction
display in the assistance graphics display. Night View Assist Plus
General notes In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road.
Camera
;of Night View Assist Plus picks up
the infrared light and displays a black and
white image in COMAND. The image shown
in COMAND corresponds to a road lit up by
high-beam headlamps. This enables you to
see the road's course and any obstacles in good time. When pedestrian recognition is
active, pedestrians recognized by the system
are visually highlighted in color in the Night
View Assist Plus display with small frame
corners.
i
Infrared light is not visible to the human
eye and therefore does not glare. Night
View Assist Plus can therefore remain
switched on even if there is oncoming
traffic.
In addition, thermal imaging camera :is
integrated in the radiator grill. The camera
helps detect pedestrians and animals.
Observe the notes on cleaning the thermal
imaging camera and cleaning the windshield
(Y page 223).
Important safety notes Night View Assist Plus is only an aid and is not
a substitute for attentive driving. Do not rely
on the Night View Assist Plus display. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Drive carefully and always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R
if there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R if the windshield is dirty, fogged up or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R if the thermal imaging camera in the
radiator grill is dirty, fogged up or covered
R on bends, hilltops or downhill gradients
R at high outside temperatures
Night View Assist Plus cannot display objects
directly in front of or beside the vehicle. The
actual distance to objects and pedestrians
cannot be gaged accurately by looking at a
screen. Driving systems
149Driving and parking Z

Activating/deactivating Night View
Assist Plus Activation conditions
You can only activate Night View Assist Plus
if all of the following conditions are met:
R the ignition is switched on (Y page 121) or
the engine has been started.
R the light switch is in the ÃorL
position.
R reverse gear has not been engaged.
Activating Night View Assist Plus X
Press button :.
The Night View Assist Plus display appears
in the COMAND display.
i The infrared headlamps only switch on in
the dark from speeds of approximately
6 mph (10 km/h). This means that you do
not have the full visual range while the
vehicle is stationary and cannot check
whether Night View Assist Plus is working.
The infrared headlamps are deactivated at
speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h). The Night
View image continues to be displayed.
Automatic activation
You can use COMAND to select the Night
Night
View Assist Automatic Activation View Assist Automatic Activation
option. The pedestrian and animal search
function remains active even when the Night
View image is not displayed. In the dark, in
unlit surroundings and at speeds of more than
60 km/h, the Night View image is
automatically displayed in the COMAND display as soon as pedestrians or animals are
detected.
X
In COMAND, select automatic activation of
Night View Assist Plus, see the Digital
Operator's Manual.
Deactivating Night View Assist Plus
X Press button :.
The Night View Assist Plus display goes off
in the COMAND display. Night View Assist
Plus is deactivated.
Spotlight function General notes
i
The function described below is not
available in all countries.
Under certain conditions, the spotlight
function uses the headlamps to flash at
detected pedestrians.
The spotlight function is only active if:
R pedestrian recognition is active
R the road surface is not lit
R the driving speed is at least 60 km/h
R the "Adaptive Highbeam Assist"
(Y page 110) or "Adaptive Highbeam Assist
PLUS" function is activated
R reverse gear has not been engaged.
The spotlight function is not active or is active
only to a limited extent if:
R you are driving in city traffic
R there are pedestrians located in the area of
an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle in front
Activating the spotlight function
The pedestrian detection with spotlight
function is running in the background. If the
prerequisites are met, the spotlight function
uses the headlamps to flash four short pulses
at a pedestrian detected on or near to the
road surface.
X In the light menu, select the spotlight
function of Night View Assist Plus
(Y page 161). Driving systems
151Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions $(USA
only)
J(Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid Check Brake Fluid
Level Level There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In addition, the
$(USA only)/ J(Canada only) warning
lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and a warning tone
sounds.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 130).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct the malfunction. PRE-SAFE PRE-SAFE
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual
Important functions of PRE-SAFE
®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. air bags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. PRE-SAFE PRE-SAFE
Functions Functions
Currently Limited Currently Limited
See Operator's See Operator's
Manual Manual
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is deactivated or temporarily inoperative.
Possible causes are:
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the radiator grill and the bumper are dirty.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R AMG vehicles: ESP ®
is deactivated.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display
message disappears.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 130).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator grill and the bumper
(Y page 222).
X Restart the engine.
X AMG vehicles: reactivate ESP ®
(Y page 71). Display
messages
167On-board computer and displays Z

Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
Coolant Too Hot Coolant Too Hot
Stop Vehicle Turn Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine Off Engine Off The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 130).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 248 ‡ (120 †).
Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †). 172
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety
Seat belts Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to six seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 60).
The warning tone ceases. ü
The red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts,
as soon as the driver's
or the front-passenger
door is closed.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 60).
The warning lamp goes out. There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. ü
The red seat belt
warning lamp flashes
and an intermittent
audible warning
sounds.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The
car is being driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly
been driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 60).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The car is being
driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. 176
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds. There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 130).
X Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the
malfunction.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a
malfunction. BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP
®
(Electronic
Stability Program), PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for
example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic
transmission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps
177On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP
®
, EBD
(electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist are therefore
also deactivated, for example.
Possible causes are:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 178
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.
EBD is not available due to a malfunction. Therefore, ABS, BAS,
BAS PLUS, ESP
®
, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist are also unavailable, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. ABS and ESP
®
are not available due to a malfunction. Therefore,
BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist, for example, are not available either.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps
179On-board computer and displays Z