traction control MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 2008 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Power windows .................................. 201
Opening and closing the
windows ....................................... 201
Synchronizing power windows ..... 203
Retractable hardtop ........................... 204
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ...................... 204
Driving systems ................................. 214
Cruise control............................... 214
Distronic*..................................... 218
Distance warning function*.......... 229
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 230
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist)............................. 233
Useful features .................................. 238
Storage compartments................. 238
Cup holders .................................. 243
Ashtray ......................................... 244
Cigarette lighter ........................... 244
Load assist in the trunk ................ 245
Power outlet ................................. 246
Floormat* ..................................... 247
Telephone*................................... 247
Tele Aid ........................................ 250
Garage door opener ..................... 257
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 268
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 270
Parking ......................................... 271
Tires ............................................. 271
Hydroplaning ................................ 272
Tire traction.................................. 273
Tire speed rating .......................... 273
Winter driving instructions ........... 274
Standing water ............................. 275
Passenger compartment .............. 276
Driving abroad.............................. 276
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 276
Catalytic converter ....................... 277
Emission control .......................... 277
Coolant temperature .................... 278At the gas station .............................. 279
Refueling ...................................... 279
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 282
Hood ............................................ 282
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level................ 287
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 287
Coolant ........................................ 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 289
Battery ......................................... 290
Tires and wheels................................ 291
Important guidelines .................... 291
Tire care and maintenance........... 292
Direction of rotation..................... 294
Loading the vehicle ...................... 294
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 300
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 302
MOExtended system* .................. 312
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 317

92 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 342) and
(
page 367).
Warning!G
Never switch off the ESP® when you see the
ABS/ESP® warning lamp v flashing in
the instrument cluster. In this case proceed
as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!G
The ESP® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position 0 or 1or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
The ESP
® will only function properly if you use
wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 449).
iThe cruise control and the Distronic*
system deactivate automatically when the ESP®
is in operation (
page 225).

93 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic* system

the cruise control or the Distronic*
system switch off if currently activated
Warning!G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!G
ESP® should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.

178 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Program mode selector switch
(SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG only)
MANUAL For manual gear shifting
(
page 182)
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
right multifunction display.
1Current program mode
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
right multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectSfor standard driving:

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.
!Never change the program mode when the
gear selector lever is out of park positionP. This
could result in a change of driving characteristics
for which you may not be prepared.
iThe last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

214 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed

Distance warning function* (only avail-
able with Distronic*), which warns of
stationary objects or slower moving ve-
hicles that you are closing in on too
quickly

ABC with vehicle level control systems,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics

Parktronic*, which assists the driver
during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP
®,
and the electro-hydraulic brake system,
see “Driving safety systems” (
page 89).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

219 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
distance conditions. Do not use Distronic
during conditions of fog, heavy rain, snow or
sleet.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
switch it on if:

roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice
The wheels could lose traction while
braking or accelerating and the vehicle
could skid.

the sensor is dirty or visibility is dimin-
ished due to snow, rain or fog for exam-
ple
The distance control system functional-
ity could be impaired.
Always pay attention to surrounding traffic
conditions even while Distronic is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recog-
nize dangerous situations until it is too late.
This could cause an accident in which you
and/or others could be injured.
Warning!G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on wind-
ing roads or in heavy traffic because condi-
tions do not allow safe driving at a constant
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
on the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.


272 Operation
Driving instructions
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to extreme operating
conditions (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads,
high ambient temperatures).
For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 291).
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Warning!G
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we recommend that you
do not allow your tires to wear down to
that level. As tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the adhesion properties on a
wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

273 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 327) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared with sum-
mer tires. Stopping distance, however, is
still considerably greater than when the
road is not covered with snow or ice. Exer-
cise appropriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Warning!G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.

321 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

329 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow. Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 449).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 453).

Do not use snow chains on wheels with
MOExtended tires* (
page 449).
!When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect setting 1 of the vehicle level control system
(
page 230). Other settings may result in
damage to your vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 449).
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 93) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.