sensor MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG 2008 R230 User Guide

227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving with Distronic
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is
required on the part of the driver.
Be prepared to brake in such situations.
This will deactivate the Distronic system.The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message
DISTRONIC Currently Unavailable See
Oper. Manual
appears in the multifunction
display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 336).
Warning!G
Distronic works to maintain the speed se-
lected by the driver unless a moving obsta-
cle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g. fol-
lowing another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance. This means that:

Your vehicle can pass another vehicle
after you have changed lanes.

While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could
lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your
vehicle could then accelerate to the pre-
viously set speed.
Distronic regulates only the distance be-
tween your vehicle and those directly ahead
of it, but does not register stationary objects
in the road, e.g.:

a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam

a disabled vehicle

an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means
of steering or braking the vehicle.
Warning!G
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy
road conditions.
iIf the message DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable See Oper. Manual
disappears
from the multifunction display during driving, the
dirt (e.g. slush) has dissolved. Distronic is avail-
able again if you reactivate it (
page 223).

233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Suspension for sporty driving style
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is on.
Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is off.
Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
with ultrasonic sensors. It is designed to
assist the driver during parking maneu-
vers. It visually and audibly indicates the
relative distance between the vehicle and
an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, or place the
gear selector lever in position D, R, or N.
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 337).
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. Other-
wise you run the risk of causing injury.
!Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash, or the
air brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be taken
into consideration.

234 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again. The Parktronic system also deacti-
vates when you place the gear selector le-
ver in position P or depress the parking
brake pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensorsFront sensors
Rear sensorsiTo function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to scratch or
damage the sensors, see “Cleaning the
Parktronic system* sensors” (
page 337).
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special at-
tention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
truck air brakes, car wash, or jackhammers) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic system.

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal.
If the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no
longer be indicated by the system.Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle.
The warning indicator for the front area is
located above the center air vents in the
dashboard. The warning indicator for the
rear area is integrated in the rear trim.
Front area warning indicator
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicleEach warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is ready when the border around
the indicator is illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
Centerapprox. 8 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 6 in (15 cm)
Gear selector
lever positionWarning indicator
DFront area activated
R or NFront and rear area
activated
PNeither activated

237 Controls in detail
Driving systems
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 337).
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.

277 Operation
Driving instructions
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with
the oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments on the engine should there-
fore be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing
requirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic convert-
ers, only use premium unleaded gasoline in this
vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation
should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, exces-
sive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic con-
verter causing it to overheat and potentially start
a fire.
Warning!G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

306 Operation
Tires and wheels
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
Warning!G
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust tire inflation pressure according to
the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the
supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care-
fully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers.
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-Pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the fuel filler flap.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information placard or, if available,
the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly underinflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.

308 Operation
Tires and wheels
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 149).
Press buttonj or k repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Tire Pressure Monitor
Active
Menu: R-button
Press the reset button (page 27).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart tire
pressure monitor?
Press button æ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Tire Pressure Monitor
Restarted
After driving a few minutes the system
verifies that the current tire inflation
pressures are within the system’s
specified range. Afterwards the current
tire inflation pressures are accepted as
reference pressures and then moni-
tored.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press button ç.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure Moni-
toring System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only)
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display. The present inflation
pressures are displayed only after a few
minutes’ travel time.
iReactivate the TPMS after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended for the vehicle operating condition.
Tire pressure should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Observe the recommended tire inflation
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 294). Some vehicles may have supple-
mental tire inflation pressure information for
driving at high speeds (
page 301) or for vehi-
cle loads less than the maximum loaded vehicle
condition (
page 301). If such information is
provided, it can be found on the inside of the fuel
filler flap.
iThis device complies with RSS-210 of In-
dustry Canada. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.


336 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of ornamen-
tal moldings, use a use damp cloth.Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved
Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic* system sensor cover
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.
iAfter running the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe any wax off of the wind-
shield (
page 337). This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by
residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may
vibrate.
!Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings may
have chrome appearance, they could be made of
anodized aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use damp
cloth to clean those ornamental moldings.
Very dirty ornamental moldings of which you are
sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome cleaner. If
in doubt whether an ornamental molding is
chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.

337 Operation
Vehicle care
Restart the engine after cleaning
sensor cover1.
Cleaning the Parktronic system*
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors in front
bumper
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
soft, non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors1 in the bumpers.Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Make sure the hood is fully closed.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 58).
With wiper arms in vertical position,
switch off the ignition (
page 40).
!To prevent scratches or damage, never
apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning Distronic
system sensor cover1. Do not attempt to wipe
dirty sensor with a dry cloth or sponge.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
!To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
!The windshield wipers must be in a vertical
position before folding them away from the wind-
shield. They could otherwise damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms are
folded forward.