maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2012 Owners Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 31 At a glance
........................................... 37 Safety
................................................... 49 Opening and closing
...........................83 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
..111 Lights and windscreen wipers
.........125 Climate control
................................. 139 Driving and parking
..........................153 On-board computer and displays
....227 COMAND Online
................................ 285 Stowing and features
.......................543 Maintenance and care
......................561 Breakdown assistance
.....................575 Wheels and tyres
.............................. 595 Technical data
................................... 619 Contents
3

Seat cove
r..................................... 573
Sensors ......................................... 571
Steering wheel ............................... 573
Trim pieces .................................... 573
Washing by hand ........................... 569
Wheels ........................................... 570
Windows ........................................ 570
Wiper blades .................................. 571
Wooden trim .................................. 573
Category list (music search) ............ 481
CD
Copy protection ............................. 480
Fast forward/fast rewind ............... 476
General information ....................... 480
Inserting ........................................ 469
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) .................. 528
Multisession .................................. 479
Notes on compact discs ................ 480
Pause function ............................... 474
Player/changer operation
(COMAND) ..................................... 469
Removing/ejecting (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) .................. 528
Safety notes .................................. 468
Selecting a media type .................. 474
Selecting a track ............................ 475
Sound settings (balance, bass,
treble) ............................................ 299
Switching to ................................... 472
CD mode
Playback options ........................... 478
CD player/CD changer(on-board
computer) .......................................... 234
CD/DVD ..................................... 469, 470
Ejecting (DVD drive) ....................... 470
Ejecting (DVD single drive) ............ 469
Inserting (DVD changer )................ 469
Inserting (DVD single drive) ........... 469
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 242
Locking/unlocking (key) .................. 85
Centre console
Lower section .................................. 45
Lower section (AMG vehicles) .......... 46
Upper section .................................. 44 Changing direction
............................ 352
Announcement phase .................... 352
Change of direction phase ............. 352
Preparation phase ......................... 352
Changing the character set .............. 307
Changing the picture format (TV,
video) .................................................. 502
Character ........................................... 305
Changing the character set ............ 305
Changing the languag e.................. 304
Deleting ......................................... 305
Moving the cursor .......................... 305
Switching to letters ........................ 304
Characters ......................................... 305
Entering ......................................... 305
Entering (address book, phone
book) ............................................. 303
Entering (navigation) ...................... 305
Charge maintenance socket ............ 552
Child seat
Automatic recognition ..................... 63
ISOFIX .............................................. 64
On the front-passenger sea t............ 62
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 70
Recommendations ........................... 67
Suitable positions ............................ 65
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 61
Restraint systems ............................ 61
Cigarette lighter ................................ 550
Cleaning
Mirror turn signal ........................... 571
Climate control
Adjusting airflow (AIR FLOW) ......... 144
Controlling automaticall y............... 144
Convenience opening/closing
(air-recirculation mode) ................. 148
Cooling with air dehumidification .. 142
Demisting the windows .................. 147
Demisting the windscreen ............. 146
Important safety notes .................. 140
Indicator lamp ................................ 144
Information on using
THERMOTRONIC automatic cli-
mate control .................................. 141
Overview of systems ...................... 140 8
Index

Rear Seat Entertainment Syste
m... 539
Setting the night design ................... 310
Setting the read-aloud speed ........... 312
Setting the reception region (TV)
Rear Seat Entertainment System ... 534
Setting the volume
Telephone calls .............................. 299
Video-AUX ..................................... 517
Settings
Basic TV settings ........................... 507
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 244
Menu overview .............................. 291
On-board computer ....................... 239
Picture (COMAND) ......................... 502
Ringtone telephone module with
Bluetooth® (SAP profile) ............... 423
Sound settings ............................... 299
Telephone module with Blue-
tooth® (SAP profile) ...................... 423
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 244
Side lamps
Switching on/of f........................... 128
Side windows
Convenience closing ...................... 101
Important safety notes .................... 99
Opening/closing (front) ................. 100
Opening/closing (rear) .................. 100
Opening/closing all ....................... 100
Overview .......................................... 99
Problem (malfunction) ................... 103
Resetting ....................................... 102
Sidebag ................................................ 54
SIM card
Inserting ........................................ 421
Removing ....................................... 421
SIM card mode
Telephone module with Blue-
tooth® (SAP profile) ...................... 421
Snow chains ...................................... 599
Socket
Charge maintenance socket .......... 552
Front-passenger footwell ............... 550
Under the armrest ......................... 551
Sockets
General notes ................................ 550
Sound
Switching on/of f........................... 298 Sound menu
....................................... 299
Sound Modus ..................................... 302
Sound settings
Calling up the sound menu ............ 299
Surround sound ............................. 300
Special destination list ..................... 342
With character bar ......................... 342
Specialist workshop ............................ 34
Spectacles compartment ................. 545
Speed dial list .................................... 407
Storing a phone book entry in the
speed dial list ................................ 407
Speed Limit Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-ing function .................................... 237
Display message ............................ 262
Display message in the multifunc-
tion display .................................... 216
Function/note s............................. 215
Important safety notes .................. 215
Notes (navigation) ......................... 378
Speed limit assistant ........................ 378
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 232
In the Instrument cluster ................. 40
Segments ...................................... 229
Selecting the unit of measure-
ment .............................................. 239
SPEEDTRONIC
Deactivating variable ..................... 196
Display message ............................ 265
Function/note s............................. 193
Important safety notes .................. 194
LIM indicator lamp ......................... 194
Permanent ..................................... 196
Selecting ........................................ 195
Storing the current speed .............. 195
Variable ......................................... 194
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 308
SPORT handling mode
Activating/deactivating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 75
Warning lamp ................................. 278 24
Index

Protection of the environment
General notes
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
Our objectives are to use the natural resour-
ces which form the basis of our existence on
this planet sparingly and in a manner which
takes the requirements of both nature and
humanity into consideration.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tyre wear depend on
the following factors:
R operating conditions of your vehicle
R your personal driving style
You can influence both factors. Therefore,
please bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
R avoid short trips, as these increase fuel
consumption.
R observe the correct tyre pressure.
R do not carry any unnecessary weight in the
vehicle.
R remove the roof rack once you no longer
need it.
R a regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
R all maintenance work should be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
R do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
R do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary.
R drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front.
R avoid frequent, sudden acceleration and
braking. R
change gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ôof its maximum engine speed.
R switch off the engine in stationary traffic.
R monitor the vehicle's fuel consumption. Returning an end-of-life vehicle
EU countries only:
Mercedes-Benz will take back your old vehicle to dispose of it in an environmentally-respon-sible manner in accordance with the Euro-
pean Union (EU) End of Life Vehicles Direc-
tive.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants available. You can return
your vehicle to these plants free of charge.
This makes a valuable contribution to the
recycling process and the conservation of
resources.
For further information on recycling old vehi- cles, recovery and the terms of the policy,
visit the Mercedes-Benz homepage. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
H
Environmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. For these, the same war-
ranty applies as for new parts.
! Airbags and seat belt tensioners, as well
as control units and sensors for these
restraint systems, may be installed in the
following areas of your vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R dashboard
R instrument cluster
R centre console Introduction
31 Z

Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have accessories retrofitted at a qualified
specialist workshop.
You could jeopardise the operating safety of
your vehicle if you use parts, tyres and wheels
as well as accessories relevant to safety
which have not been approved by Mercedes. This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rel-
evant systems, e.g. the brake system. Use
only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of
equal quality. Only use tyres, wheels and
accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts and con-
version parts and accessories that have been specifically approved for your vehicle for their
reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Mercedes-Benz therefore accepts no responsibility for the
use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, even if they have been officially approved or
independently approved by a testing centre.
In Germany, certain parts are only officially
approved for installation or modification if
they comply with legal requirements. This
also applies to some other countries. All gen-
uine Mercedes-Benz parts meet the approval
requirements. The use of non-approved parts may invalidate the vehicle's general operating
permit.
This is the case:
R if they cause a change of the vehicle type
from that for which the vehicle's general
operating permit was granted
R if other road users could be endangered
R if the emission or noise levels are adversely
affected
Always specify the vehicle identification num- ber (VIN) when ordering genuine Mercedes-
Benz parts (Y page 622). Owner's Manual
Vehicle equipment
This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available for your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-spe- cific differences are possible. Note that your
vehicle may not be fitted with all features
described. This is also the case for systems
and functions relevant to safety. Therefore,
the equipment on your vehicle may differ from
that in the descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase contract documenta-
tion for your vehicle contains a list of all of the
systems in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
The Owner's Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should kept in the
vehicle. Operating safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or necessary repairs car-
ried out, this could result in malfunctions or
system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as necessary repairs car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. 32
Introduction

G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This may
affect the operating safety of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to a diagnos-
tics connection in the vehicle. G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardises the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so that
they do not get into the driver's footwell.
Always fit the floormats securely and as pre-
scribed in order to ensure that there is always sufficient room for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place several floor- mats on top of one another.
! If the engine is switched off and equip-
ment on the diagnostics connection is
used, the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can lead to emissions monitoring information being reset, for example. This
may lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements of the next emissions test dur-
ing the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
A qualified specialist workshop has the nec-
essary special skills, tools and qualifications
to correctly carry out any necessary work on
your vehicle. This particularly applies to work
relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Service Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work R
repair work
R modifications, installations and conver-
sions
R work on electronic components
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles. The quality or safety of the vehicle is
improved as a result of the inspection.
Mercedes-Benz can only inform you about
vehicle checks if it has your registration data.
It is possible that your vehicle has not yet
been registered in your name in the following
cases:
R if your vehicle was not purchased at an
authorised specialist dealer.
R if your vehicle has not yet been examined at
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Inform Mercedes-Benz as soon as possible
about any change in address or vehicle own-
ership. You can do this at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, for example. Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognise certain dangers.
Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv- ing your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the technical data in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles 34
Introduction

During braking:
R a warning tone sounds
R the Release parking brake
Release parking brake message
appears
R the red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand- still, the electric parking brake is engaged. Parking up the vehicle
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than four weeks, the battery may be damaged
by exhaustive discharging.
X Disconnect the battery or connect it to a
trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer dam-
age as a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
R The tyres should always be inflated to the
recommended tyre pressure.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
R Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
R Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or in the service interval display.
Have all the maintenance work carried out
in accordance with Daimler AG regulations.
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic, on
short journeys and in hilly terrain. ECO display
Example: ECO display
The ECO display provides feedback on how
economical your driving characteristics are.
The ECO display assists you in achieving the
most economical driving style for the selec-
ted settings and prevailing conditions. Con-
sumption can be significantly influenced by
your driving style.
The ECO display consists of three bars:
R Acceleration
Acceleration
R Constant Constant
R Coasting
Coasting
The percentage count is the mean value of the three bar values. The three bars and the mean
value begin at the value of 50%. A higher per- centage count indicates a more economical
driving style.
The ECO display does not indicate the actual
fuel consumption. A fixed percentage count 178
Driving
tipsDriving an d parking

Deactivating the module
Deactivation makes sense if you do not intend
to use the telephone module with Bluetooth ®
(SAP profile) again with COMAND Online.
X COMAND Online: press the%repeat-
edly until the telephone basic menu
appears (Y page 394).
X To switch to the menu bar: slide V¬the
controller.
X To select Connect device
Connect device : turn the con-
troller and press to confirm.
The device list appears.
X Select Disconnect MB SAP module Disconnect MB SAP module .
Removing the module X
Push release button :in the direction of
the arrow.
X Slide module ;in the direction of the
arrow and remove it. Mercedes-Benz Contact
Introduction Mercedes-Benz Contact offers fast assis-
tance at the touch of a button – around the
clock. For any queries about the vehicle,
Mercedes-Benz Contact offers a fast and easy
connecting call to the Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Centre. You can request an appoint-
ment, or call for help in the event of a break-
down. All important vehicle data is sent via mobile
phone to ensure that you receive optimum
support. The mobile phone must be connec-
ted to COMAND Online via the Bluetooth
®
interface.
The following data is transmitted:
R the vehicle identification number
R the total distance recorder reading
R the vehicle position
R the telephone number
R the service code (only when required for
maintenance)
i Please note that Mercedes-Benz Contact
is a Mercedes-Benz customer service. In
emergencies, always call the national
emergency services first, using the stand-
ard national emergency service telephone
numbers.
i Currently, this service is available for vehi-
cles from the following European countries:
R Belgium
R Germany
R France
R United Kingdom
R Ireland
R Italy
R Luxembourg
R Netherlands
R Austria
R Poland
R Switzerland
R Slovakia
R Spain
R Czech Republic
R Hungary
Calling the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Centre If you operate communication equipment
integrated in the vehicle when driving, you will
be distracted from the traffic situation. This
could also cause you to lose control of the Telephone
427COMAND Online Z

vehicle. There is a risk of an accident. Only
operate this equipment when the traffic sit-
uation permits. If you cannot be sure of this,
stop the vehicle paying attention to road and traffic conditions and operate the equipment
with the vehicle stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving when operating COMAND Online.
X Call up the COMAND phone book
(Y page 401).
X Select MB Contact
MB Contact by turningcVdthe
COMAND controller.
There are two ways to contact the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Centre:
X Press Wthe COMAND controller to con-
firm.
or X Press the 6button on COMAND Online.
This initiates a call. When the call is con-
nected, a voice message prompts you to
confirm the data transmission by pressing
the stated number on the COMAND Online keypad. After confirmation, COMAND
Online sends the required vehicle data.
i Alternatively, you can initiate a call using
the multifunction steering wheel (see the
vehicle Owner's Manual).
During data transmission, you will see a cor-
responding symbol in the display. This may
take a moment. Then, you can select the
desired service and be connected to a spe-
cialist from the Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
i Contact your Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for further information on
Mercedes-Benz Contact, the range of serv- ices offered and on using the function.
Demand-actuated service message To attain the optimal level of support in main-
taining your vehicle, you can arrange a service
appointment directly with the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Centre. As well as a warning in the instrument cluster, a window appears in the COMAND display. Here, a message actively
indicates that a service is required and this
message enables you to contact the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Centre directly.
You will see the message:


is is due
due soon.
soon. Would
Wouldyou
youlike
like to
tomake
make
a workshop appointment?
a workshop appointment?
X To arrange a service appointment:
select Call Now Call Now by turning cVdthe
COMAND controller and press Wto con-
firm.
After your confirmation, the vehicle data is sent via Mercedes-Benz Contact, and a
Customer Centre employee personally
deals with your appointment. The informa-
tion is then sent to your desired service
outlet.
They will then contact with you within 24
hours to confirm the following details:
R scope of service
R length of stay
R price
X To arrange a service appointment later:
select Call Later
Call Later and confirm with W.
The window is hidden, then reappears after a certain amount of time.
X To not arrange a service appointment:
select No Noand confirm with W.
The window is hidden and does not show
this maintenance requirement again.
Mercedes-Benz Contact Accident Assis- tance Mercedes-Benz emergency call system
active
Mercedes-Benz Contact Accident Assistance
is a supplement to the Mercedes-Benz emer-
gency call system (Y page 429). If an emer-
gency call to the Mercedes-Benz emergency
call centre has been triggered following an
accident, a voice connection with an operator
is established. Depending on the accident sit-
uation, the operator may then suggest that
you forward the call to Mercedes-Benz Con-
tact Accident Assistance. This will enable you 428
TelephoneCOMAND Online

audio signal from the currently activated
audio or video source.
i Telephone conversations and navigation
announcements are not interrupted.
A display message appears in the display in all
audio operating modes.
Interrupting a traffic announcement
During a traffic announcement:
X On COMAND Onlin eor on the multifunction
steering wheel, briefly press the 8but-
ton.
or
X Press the 9,:or9 button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
COMAND Online switches back to the
audio source that was selected before the
announcement. Any subsequent new
announcements will continue to interrupt
the audio source.
Radio text/radio text plus Messages in the display
The function is available in FM mode and in
DAB radio mode.
Radio text/radio text plus consists of addi-
tionally transmitted data, e.g. information on
the current programme, which is displayed in the COMAND display.
If the station supports radio text plus, the
artist and track are displayed. Radio text plus (display: artist and track) X
To show/hide the artist and track:
select Radio Radio in the radio display by sliding
VÆ and turning cVdthe COMAND con-
troller and press Wto confirm.
X Select Display artist and track
Display artist and track and
press Wto confirm.
Switch the display on Oor off ª.
X To display radio text: selectInfo
Info in the
corresponding radio display by sliding VÆ
and turning cVdthe COMAND controller
and press Wto confirm.
If the station supports radio text and infor- mation is available, the system displays it. Radio text (display for additional information on
programme)
X To return to the radio display: confirm
Info
Info by pressing W.
X Slide ZVthe COMAND controller up. Audio CD/DVD and MP3 mode
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The CD/DVD drive is a class 1 laser product. If you open the housing of the CD/DVD drive,
invisible laser beams may be released. These laser beams may damage your retina. There is
a risk of injury.
You must not open the casing. Always have
maintenance work and repairs carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. 468
AudioCOMAND Online