towing MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER 2014 Owners Manual

Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Buttons on the COMAND controller 197C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................28
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 223
Car wash ........................................ 222
Display ........................................... 223
Exterior lights ................................ 222
Gear or selector lever ....................223
Interior ........................................... 223
Matte finish ................................... 222
Night View Assist Plus ...................223
Notes ............................................. 221
Paint .............................................. 222
Plastic trim .................................... 223
Power washer ................................ 222
Rear view camera .......................... 222
Roof lining ...................................... 223
Seat belt ........................................ 223
Seat cover ..................................... 223
Sensors ......................................... 222
Tail pipes ....................................... 222
Trim pieces .................................... 223
Washing by hand ........................... 222
Wheels ........................................... 222
Windows ........................................ 222
Wiper blades .................................. 222
Wooden trim .................................. 223
Car keys
see SmartKey
Car wash (care) ................................. 222
CD see also Digital Operator's Manual 188
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 161Center console
Lower section .................................. 39
Lower section (AMG vehicles) ..........40
Upper section .................................. 38
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 161
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........78
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 62
Restraint systems ............................ 62
Special seat belt retractor ...............66
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 65
Cigarette lighter ................................ 206
Cleaning Mirror turn signal ........................... 222
Clear button ....................................... 197
Climate control Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 115
Controlling automatically ...............116
Cooling with air dehumidification ..116
Defrosting the windows .................116
Defrosting the windshield ..............116
Important safety notes ..................114
Indicator lamp ................................ 116
Maximum cooling .......................... 116
Overview of systems ......................114
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 116
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 116
Refrigerant ..................................... 278
Refrigerant filling capacity .............279
Setting the air distribution .............116
Setting the airflow .........................116
Setting the air vents ......................116
Setting the climate mode (AIR
FLOW) ............................................ 116
Setting the temperature ................116
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 116
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Switching residual heat on/off ......116 6
Index

Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....250
Checking manually ........................249
Display message ............................ 174
Important safety notes ..................250
Maximum ....................................... 249
Notes ............................................. 248
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................230
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................230
Recommended ............................... 246
Tire pressure monitoring system
Checking the tire pressure
electronically ................................. 251
Function/notes ............................. 250
General notes ................................ 250
Important safety notes ..................250
Restarting ...................................... 252
Warning lamp ................................. 185
Warning message .......................... 252
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................262
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................261
Bar (definition) ............................... 261
Changing a wheel .......................... 263
Characteristics .............................. 260
Checking ........................................ 245
Definition of terms .........................261
Direction of rotatio n...................... 263
Display message ............................ 174
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................263
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .260
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............261
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 261
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 261
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................261
Important safety notes ..................244
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......261
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........262
Labeling (overview )........................ 257
Load bearing index (definition) ......263 Load index
..................................... 259
Load index (definition) ...................262
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 262
Maximum load on a tire (definition) 262
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 262
Maximum tire loa d......................... 260
Maximum tire load (definition) .......262
MOExtended tires ..........................246
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 262
Overview ........................................ 244
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 262
Replacing ....................................... 263
Service life ..................................... 246
Sidewall (definition) .......................262
Speed rating (definition) ................261
Storing ........................................... 264
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 261
Temperature .................................. 256
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 262
Tire bead (definition) ......................262
Tire pressure (definition) ................262
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 261
Tire size (data) ............................... 268
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 257
Tire tread ....................................... 245
Tire tread (definition) .....................262
Total load limit (definition) .............263
Traction ......................................... 256
Traction (definition) .......................263
Tread wea r..................................... 256
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 255
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................261
Unladen weight (definition) ............262
Wear indicator (definition) .............263
Wheel rim (definition) ....................261
see Flat tire
Towing
Important safety guidelines ...........237
Installing the towing eye ................23818
Index

Removing the towing eye
...............239
With the rear axle raised ................239
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......239
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............240
Important safety notes ..................237
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Manual 188
Transmission
Selector lever ................................ 126
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................240
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .223
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 161
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 161
Resetting (on-board computer) ......161
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................89
Important safety notes ....................84
Locking separately ...........................88
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 88
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 86
Opening/closing (from outside,
HANDS-FREE ACCESS) ....................86
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 85
Overview .......................................... 84
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 163
Opening/closing .............................. 84
Opening dimensions ......................279
Power closing feature ......................84
Trunk load (maximum) ......................279
Trunk partition Display message ............................ 163
General notes .................................. 93
Installing .......................................... 94
Opening/closing .............................. 94
Removing ......................................... 94
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 163
Switching on/off ........................... 108Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Umbrella holder ................................. 204
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................84
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 84 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........206
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 175
Equipment ....................................... 27
Individual settings ..........................161
Limited Warranty ............................. 31
Loading .......................................... 253
Locking (in an emergency) ...............84
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 78
Lowering ........................................ 267
Maintenance .................................... 28
Parking for a long period ................ 131
Pulling away ................................... 124
Raising ........................................... 265
Reporting problems .........................31
Securing from rolling away ............264
Towing away .................................. 237
Tow-starting ................................... 237
Transporting .................................. 240
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........84
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................78
Vehicle data ................................... 279
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 279
Vehicle dimensions ...........................279
Vehicle emergency locking ................84
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............274 Index
19

When driving at a speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h): if you depress the brake pedal
sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises the
brake pressure to a value adapted to the
traffic situation.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in
hazardous situations with vehicles in front
within a speed range between 4 mph
(7 km/h) and 155 mph (250 km/h).
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h), BAS PLUS can also react to
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objects are stopped or parked vehicles.
i If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
activated simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual again, if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer a risk of collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you activate kickdown. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP
®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
ETS brakes the drive wheels individually if
they spin. This enables you to pull away and
accelerate on slippery surfaces, for example
if the road surface is slippery on one side. In
addition, more drive torque is transferred to
the wheel or wheels with traction.
ETS remains active when you deactivate
ESP ®
.
i AMG vehicles: your vehicle may be
equipped with 20-inch tires on the rear
axle. If replaced with a 19-inch tire, ETS
may intervene noticeably sooner for the
first few kilometers. After approximately
10 km ETS will function as usual again.
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be
found in the "Wheel/tire combinations"
section (Y page 268).
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 239). Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

Therefore, do not switch the seat heating on
repeatedly. Driver's and front-passenger seat
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected.
The system automatically switches down
from level 3to level 2after approximately
eight minutes.
The system automatically switches down
from level 2to level 1after approximately ten
minutes.
The system automatically switches off
approximately 20 minutes after it is set to
level 1.
You can set the distribution of the heated
sections of the seat cushion and backrest
using COMAND. See Digital Operator's
Manual; keyword "Seat balance (seat
heating)".
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
1or 2in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button:repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.
X To switch off: press button:repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off.
Problems with the seat heating You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar. Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics:
R Adjusting the steering wheel
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT system Mirrors
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics:
R Exterior mirrors
R Automatic anti-glare mirrors
R Parking position for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side 102
MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed. This speed may:
R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever Cruise control lever
:
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; To set the specified minimum distance
= To store the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower
speed
A To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS Driving systems
135Driving and parking Z

Activating DISTRONIC PLUS; storing,
maintaining and calling up a speed Important safety notes
!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R your vehicle must not be secured by the
electric parking brake.
R ESP ®
must be activated.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Arming
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever toward
you =, up :or down ?.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up :to 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.
or
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever 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.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h), you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display. If
the vehicle in front is no longer detected and
displayed, for example because it has
changed lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated. You will hear a warning tone if
this is the case.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Inactive
DISTRONIC PLUS Inactive
message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distance to a slower-
moving vehicle in front will then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
Pulling away and driving
If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.
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 136
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

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
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.
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 a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function
(Y page 141).
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 140
Driving systemsDriving and parking

From the vehicle remote malfunction
diagnosis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center can ascertain the nature of
the problem. Information on the vehicle
remote malfunction diagnosis can be found in
the Digital Operator's Manual.
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual.
i The system has not been able to initiate
a roadside assistance call, if:
R the indicator lamp for Roadside
Assistance call button :is flashing
continuously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed
Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To end a call: press the~button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
X Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on COMAND. MB Info call button X
Press MB Info call button :.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call
button :flashes while the connection is
being made. The multifunction display
shows the Connecting Call Connecting Call message.
The audio system is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call
Call
Connected
Connected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
i The COMAND display indicates that a call
is active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on COMAND, for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
You receive information about operating your
vehicle, about the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center and about other
products and services from Mercedes-Benz.
USA only: you can find further information on
the mbrace system under "Owners Online" at
http://www.mbusa.com. 210
FeaturesStowage and features

should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! It is preferable to use car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning that
corresponds to the specification for the
Cabriolet program. In car washes that use
high water pressures, there is a risk that a
small amount of water may leak into the
vehicle.
! Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: if a
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is within the
detection range of the KEYLESS-GO
antenna, the following situations could lead
to the unintentional opening of the trunk
lid:
R using a car wash
R using a power washer Make sure that the SmartKey is at least
6.5 ft (2 m) away from the vehicle.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position Nwhen washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics:
R
Washing by hand
R Power washers
R Cleaning the wheels
R Cleaning the paintwork
R Matte finish care
R Cleaning the windows
R Cleaning wiper blades
R Cleaning the exterior lighting
R Cleaning the mirror turn signals
R Cleaning the sensors 222
CareMaintenance and care