MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2016 Owners Manual

X
Connect negative terminal ?of donor battery Bto earth point Aof your vehicle using the jump
lead, connecting the jump lead to donor battery Bfirst.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jump leads, let the engines run for several minutes.
X First, remove the jump leads from earth point Aand negative terminal ?, then from positive
clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begin each time at the contacts on your own vehicle first.
X After the jump lead is removed, return cover :of positive terminal ;to the original position.
Positive terminal ;is covered up and thus insulated again.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jump-starting cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing away and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
R towing eye may be torn off
R car/trailer combination may swerve or
even overturn
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (Y page 321).
! When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function are activa-
ted, the vehicle brakes automatically in cer-
tain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
! Only secure the tow rope or towing bar to
the towing eyes. The vehicle may otherwise
be damaged. !
Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R make sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope in
the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This makes other road users
aware that a vehicle is being towed.
R only secure the tow rope to the towing eye.
R observe the brake lamps of the towing vehi-
cle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance so that the tow rope does not sag.
R do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery, this
could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
! To tow vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
key instead of the Start/Stop button. The
automatic transmission may otherwise
switch to position Pwhen you open the driv-
er's or front-passenger door which could
damage the transmission.
! Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty,
visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum of
50km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must not
be exceeded. 298
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle must be lifted up and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle.
Observe the legal requirements for the relevant countries when towing.
It is better to have the vehicle transported than
to have it towed.
The automatic transmission must be in position
N when the vehicle is being towed away.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
Deactivate the automatic locking feature before towing the vehicle (Y page 211). You could oth-
erwise be locked out when pushing or towing
the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection before the vehi-
cle is towed away (Y page 75). Fitting/removing the towing eye
Fitting the towing eye G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be extremely hot.
There is a risk of burning when removing the
rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust tail pipe. Use
extreme caution when removing the rear
cover. The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the front and at the rear under the covers.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool
kit (Y page 288).
X Front bumper: insert a finger into the recess
on the bottom edge of cover :.
X Pull cover :out of the bumper towards you
in the direction of the arrow.
Cover :is attached by a strap in the aper-
ture.
X Rear bumper: press the mark on cover :
inwards in the direction of the arrow.
X Remove cover :from the opening.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise as far as it
will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Front bumper: position cover:on the
opening in the bumper.
X To close, press the lower section of cover :.
X Rear bumper: position cover:with the tab
on the opening in the bumper.
X To close, press the lower section of cover :
until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. Towing away and tow-starting
299Breakdown assistance Z

Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground G
WARNING
If the steering wheel lock is engaged, the vehi- cle can no longer be steered. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always switch on the ignition when towing
with a tow rope or a towing bar.
The automatic transmission automatically shifts
to position Pwhen you open the driver's or front-
passenger door or when you remove the key
from the ignition lock.
In order to ensure that the automatic transmis-
sion stays in position Nwhen towing away the
vehicle, you must observe the following points:
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 115).
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 0in the ignition lock.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the key
instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 132).
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Leave the key in position 2in the ignition lock.
In order to signal a change of direction when
towing the vehicle with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination switch
as usual. In this case, only the turn signals for
the desired direction flash. When the combina-
tion switch is reset, the hazard warning lamps
start flashing again.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 298). Towing the vehicle away with the rear
axle raised
! The ignition must be switched off if you are
towing the vehicle with the rear axle raised.
Intervention by ESP ®
could otherwise dam-
age the brake system. !
Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be towed with the rear axle raised. The
car/trailer combination may otherwise
swerve or even overturn. Transporting the vehicle
Vehicles with automatic transmission !
When the vehicle is loaded for transport, the
front and rear axles must be stationary and on the same transportation vehicle. Positioning
over the connection point of the transport
vehicle is not permitted. The drive train may
otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles !
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transportation.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
X Shift the transmission to position N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. 300
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Do not tow-start vehicles with automatic
transmission. You could otherwise damage
the automatic transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
under (Y page 296). Electrical fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you manipulate, bridge or replace a faulty
fuse with a fuse of a higher amperage, the
electric cables could be overloaded. This may result in a fire. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with specified new fuses of the correct amperage.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of the same rating, which you can recognise by the
colour and fuse rating. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is located in the vehicle tool kit in the stowage compartment under the
boot floor (Y page 288).
If the newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special- ist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
! Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which have the
correct fuse rating for the system concerned.
Otherwise, components or systems could be
damaged.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper- ation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle disconnect faulty cir-
cuits. If a fuse blows, all the components on the
circuit and their functions will fail. Before replacing a fuse
X Switch off the engine.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Make sure that the ignition is switched off
(Y page 132).
or X When using the key, turn the key to position 0
in the ignition lock and remove it
(Y page 132).
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 153).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes: R Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed in the direction of travel
R Dashboard fuse box
R Fuse box in the rear compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed in
the direction of travel Dashboard fuse box
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 301).
! Do not use a pointed object such as a screw-
driver to open the cover in the dashboard. You could damage the dashboard or the cover. X
Open the driver's door.
X To open: pull cover :outwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it.
X To close: clip in cover :on the front of the
dashboard.
X Fold cover :inwards until it engages. Electrical fuses
301Breakdown assistance Z

Fuse box in the engine compartment
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 301). G
WARNING
When the bonnet is open, and the windscreen wipers are set in motion, you can be injured by
the wiper linkage. There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before opening the bonnet. X
Open the bonnet.
X Remove any existing moisture from the fuse
box using a dry cloth.
X To open: open clamps ;.
X Fold cover :of the fuse box up in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it. X
To close: check whether the seal is lying cor-
rectly in cover :.
X Insert both openings =at the rear of
cover :into the brackets on the fuse box.
The brackets on the fuse box must be com-
pletely visible in both openings =on the fuse
box.
X Fold down cover :.
X Hook clamps ;into the fuse box and close. X
Close the bonnet. Fuse box in the rear
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 301). The fuse box in the rear is located on the right-hand
side when viewed in the direction of travel.
X To open: open the seat belt guide on the
right-hand seat and remove the seat belt
(Y page 103).
X Move the right-hand seat as far forward as
possible (Y page 104).
X Insert your fingers at the bottom of front
cover ;between the cover and floor cover-
ing.
X Remove front cover ;by pulling it forward in
the direction of the arrow.
X Lift off top cover :by pulling it in the direc-
tion of the arrow. Fuses
=are accessible through the two open-
ings in the top of the fuse box. 302
Electrical fusesBreakdown assistance

X
To close: insert the securing tags underneath
top cover :in the recesses at the top of the
fuse box.
X Fold down top cover :until it engages audi-
bly.
X Insert the securing tags underneath top
cover ;in the recesses at the front of the
fuse box.
X Push front cover ;towards the rear until it
engages audibly.
X Move the right-hand seat backwards
(Y page 104).
X Hook the seat belt into the seat belt guide on
the right-hand seat (Y page 103). Electrical fuses
303Breakdown assis tance Z

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are used, the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tyres with those
that fulfil the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to fit the
correct:
R designation
R type
When replacing tyres, make sure to fit the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R type G
WARNING
A flat tyre severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident.
Tyres without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with a flat tyre.
R immediately replace the flat tyre with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tyres with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tyres (tyres
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being used cor- rectly can impair the operating safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and enquire about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations Further information regarding wheels and tyres
can be found under "Wheel/tyre combinations"
(Y page 317).
You can ask for information regarding permitted
wheel-tyre combinations at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Information on tyre pressures can be found:
R in the tyre pressure table in the fuel filler flap
(Y page 152)
R in the "Tyre pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted. The use of spacers or
brake dust shields is not permitted. This inva-
lidates the general operating permit for the vehi-
cle.
i Further information on wheels and tyres can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop. Operation
Information on driving
Check the tyre pressures when the vehicle is
heavily laden and adjust prior to a trip.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations, noises
and unusual handling characteristics, e.g. pull-
ing to one side. This may indicate that the
wheels or tyres are damaged. If you suspect that
a tyre is defective, reduce your speed immedi-
ately. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible to
check the wheels and tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage could also be causing the unusual
handling characteristics. If you find no signs of
damage, have the tyres and wheels checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure not to
squash the tyre sidewalls. If you cannot avoid
driving over obstacles, e.g. kerbs, do so slowly
and at an obtuse angle only. You could other-
wise damage the wheel rims and tyres. Regular checking of wheels and tyres
G
WARNING
Damaged tyres can cause tyre inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle. There is a risk of accident. 304
OperationWheels and ty
res

Check the tyres regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tyres immediately.
Check wheels and tyres for damage at least
once a month. Check wheels and tyres after
driving off-road or on rough roads. Damaged
wheels can cause a loss of tyre pressure. Pay
particular attention to damage such as:
R cuts in the tyres
R punctures
R tears in the tyres
R bulges on the tyres
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tyre tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width of
the tyre (Y page 305). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tyre surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not fit any-
thing onto the valve other than the standard
valve cap or other valve caps approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. Do not fit any other
valve caps or systems, e.g. tyre pressure moni-
toring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tyres,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tyre
pressure as necessary (Y page 307).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 318).
The service life of tyres depends on various fac- tors, including the following:
R driving style
R tyre pressure
R mileage Notes on the tyre tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tyre tread will reduce tyre trac-
tion. The tyre is no longer able to dissipate
water. This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk of aquaplaning increases, in particularwhere speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tyre pressure is too high or too low, tyres may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tyre tread. Thus, you should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tyres.
Minimum tyre tread depth for:
R summer tyres: 3 mm
R M+S tyres: 4 mm
For safety reasons, replace the tyres before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tyre tread depth is reached. Selecting, fitting and replacing tyres
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tyre load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tyre damage or the tyre bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tyre types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tyre load rating and speed rating required for your vehicle.
Pay special attention to country-specific
requirements for tyre approval. These require-
ments can stipulate a specific tyre type for your
vehicle. Furthermore, the use of certain tyre
types in certain regions and areas of operation
can be highly beneficial. You can find further
information regarding tyres at specialist tyre
retailers, at qualified specialist workshops or at
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
R Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type and
make.
Exception: it is permissible to fit a different
type or make in the event of a flat tyre.
Observe the "MOExtended tyres (tyres with
run-flat characteristics)" section
(Y page 289).
R Only fit tyres of the correct size onto the
wheels.
R Run in new tyres at moderate speeds for the
first 100 km. They only reach their full per-
formance after this distance.
R Do not drive with tyres which have too little
tread depth. This otherwise significantly Operation
305Wheels and tyres Z

reduces the traction on wet roads (aquaplan-
ing).
R Replace the tyres after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear.
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 318). MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
With MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat char-
acteristics), you can continue to drive your vehi- cle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one
or more tyres.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in conjunc- tion with an activated tyre pressure loss warning system or with an activated tyre pressure mon-
itor and on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tyres with a
flat tyre (Y page 289).
Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not equip-
ped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It is there-
fore recommended that you additionally equip
your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you fit tyres that do not feature run-flat characteristics, e.g. win-
ter tyres. A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a
qualified specialist workshop. Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 312). Driving with summer tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, summer tyres lose
elasticity and therefore traction and braking
power. Change the tyres on your vehicle to
M+S tyres. Using summer tyres at very cold
temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tyres permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility for
this type of damage. G
WARNING
Damaged tyres can cause tyre inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tyres regularly for signs of damageand replace any damaged tyres immediately. M+S tyres
G
WARNING
M+S tyres with a tyre tread depth of less than 4 mm are not suitable for use in winter as they
do not provide sufficient traction. There is a
risk of accident.
M+S tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced.
At temperatures below +7 †, use winter tyres or all-season tyres. Both are marked with M+S.
Only winter tyres bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking provide
the best possible grip in wintry road conditions.
Only these tyres will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function opti-
mally in winter. These tyres have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tyres of the same make and tread on all wheels to maintain safe handling characteris-
tics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tyres you have fit-
ted.
If you fit M+S tyres that have a lower maximum
permissible speed than that of the maximum
design speed of the vehicle, affix a correspond-
ing warning label in the driver's field of vision.
This can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum design speed of the vehi- cle using permanent SPEEDTRONIC so that it
does not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for the M+S tyres (Y page 172).306
Winter operationWheels and tyres

When you have fitted the M+S tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 307).
X Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
(Y page 309).
X Restart the tyre pressure monitor
(Y page 311).
Information about driving with an emergency
spare wheel (Y page 318). Snow chains
G
WARNING
If you have fitted snow chains to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tyres.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R never fit snow chains on the front wheels
R fit snow chains to the rear wheels in pairs.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have been specifically approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or that are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
R snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel-tyre
combinations. Permissible wheel-tyre combi-
nations (Y page 317).
R only use snow chains if the road surface is
completely snow-covered. Remove the snow
chains as soon as possible when you come to
a road that is not snow-covered.
R local regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if you wish to fit snow chains.
R do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h.
R on vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC),
you must drive at a raised vehicle level if snow
chains have been fitted (Y page 175).
When pulling away with snow chains fitted, you
can deactivate ESP ®
(Y page 67). This way you
can allow the wheels to spin in a controlled
manner, achieving increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Information about driving with an emergency
spare wheel (Y
page 318). Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure specifications
G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tyres pose the
following risks:
R the tyres may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tyres may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tyre
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Observe the recommended tyre pressure and check the tyre pressure of all the tyres includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R at least every two weeks
R when the load changes
R before embarking on a longer journey
R for changed operating conditions, e.g. off-
road driving
If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. G
WARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tyre
valves, the tyre valves may be overloaded and malfunction, which can cause tyre pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tyre pres-
sure monitors keep the tyre valve open. This
can also result in tyre pressure loss. There is a risk of accident.
Only screw standard valve caps or valve caps
specifically provided by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tyre valve. G
WARNING
If the tyre pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tyre may be damaged. Tyre
pressure that is too low may result in a tyre
blow-out. There is a risk of accident. Tyre pressure
307Wheels and tyres
Z