lights MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG 2013 Owner's Guide

Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the cooling with air
dehumidification function.
X Activate automatic mode.
X If the windows continue to fog up, activate
the defrosting function.
Windows fogged up on the outside X
Activate the windshield wipers.
X Press the 008Fbutton repeatedly until the
009B or009C symbol appears in the
display.
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again. Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivating G
WARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the rear window is clear. Otherwise,
the rear window defroster switches off
automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
X Select SmartKey position 2with the Start/
Stop button.
X Press the 006Cbutton.
The indicator lamp in the 006Cbutton lights
up or goes out. Problems with the rear window
defroster The rear window defroster has deactivated
prematurely or cannot be activated. The on-
board voltage is too low because too many
electrical consumers are switched on.
X
Switch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically. Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated. G
WARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press the 0064
button.
X Select key position 2with the Start/Stop
button.
X To activate: press the0072button.
The indicator lamp in the 0072button lights
up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. When air-recirculation mode
is activated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the 0072button is not lit.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes. Operating the climate cont
rol systems
107Climate control Z

Drive
program Characteristic
Driving mode
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
X
Turn drive program selector switch 0043until
the desired drive program is shown in the
multifunction display.
i RScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 121). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In transmission position D, you can use the
steering wheel paddle shifters to restrict or
derestrict the transmission shift range. One
of the automatic drive programs, C,Sor S+,
must be selected in order to do so.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. At low engine speeds, the
transmission shifts down automatically.
i GT model: in manual drive program M,
the transmission shift and response times
are significantly shorter with sportier and
more aggressive gear changes. 0043
Left steering wheel paddle shifter
(DOWN): shift down/restrict shift range
0044 Right steering wheel paddle shifter (UP):
shift up/derestrict shift range RACE START
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start under suitable high-grip
road surface conditions.
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed
R the engine is running and the engine and
transmission are at operating temperature
(Y page 157)
R SPORT handling mode is switched on
(Y page 56)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot)
R the transmission is set to D
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector switch
clockwise (Y page 120) until the RS
indicator on the switch lights up in red.
The multifunction display shows the
message RACE STARTConfirm: Paddle RACE STARTConfirm: Paddle
UPCancel: Paddle DOWN
UPCancel: Paddle DOWN.
i If the conditions for activation are not
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible RACE START Not Possible message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (DOWN) (Y page 121).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE
START Canceled
START Canceled message.
X To confirm: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (UP) ( Ypage 121).
The RACE START Available Depress
RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display. AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission
121Driving and parking Z

Driving situation
0040
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized in this position
0038
You can use the braking effect of
the engine on downhill gradients
and for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 0037
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Derestricting the shift range/shifting
up
X
Pull the right steering wheel paddle (UP).
The shift range is derestricted. If you are
driving in manual drive program M, the
transmission shifts up to the next gear.
Restricting the shift range/shifting
down X
Pull the left steering wheel paddle (DOWN).
The transmission shifts down one gear and
restricts the shift range to this gear.
If the engine speed in manual drive
program Mis too high, it is not possible to
shift down. If you pull the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (DOWN)
(Y page 124), the two red segments in the
instrument cluster flash.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (UP) until the number for the gear
disappears from the multifunction display.
or
X Use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to position D.
The transmission shifts from the current
shift range directly to D. Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter repeatedly until the function is
activated.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to a gear which
allows ideal acceleration and deceleration.
To do this, the transmission shifts down
one or more gears. Manual drive program
i GT model: in manual drive program M,
the transmission shift and response times
are significantly shorter with sportier and
more aggressive gear changes.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters (Y page 121). The
transmission only shifts down automatically
at low engine speeds depending on the
respective gear.
! In manual drive program M, the
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer and observe
the upshift indicator. There is otherwise a
risk of engine damage.
X To activate the manual drive program:
turn the drive program selector switch until
M appears in the instrument cluster's
multifunction display.
M lights up in red on the drive program
selector switch.
X To deactivate the manual drive
program: turn the drive program selector
switch and select another drive program. AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission
123Driving and parking Z

The transmission remains in
Nif:
R the SmartKey is in the ignition lock and
R you use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to Nbefore switching the
engine off
This still applies if you open the driver's or
front-passenger door.
Further information on transmission
position Nwhen operating with a SmartKey
is available in the "Car wash" section
(Y page 219). Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. Applying/releasing manually
X
To engage: push handle 0043.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the red 0049(USA only)
or 0024 (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is in position
0.
X Pull handle 0043.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only then
be released when the ignition is switched
on using the Start/Stop button.
Releasing the electric parking brake
automatically The electric parking brake is released
automatically when the following conditions
are simultaneously fulfilled:
R
the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the hood is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you accelerate.
If the transmission is in position R, the trunk
lid must be closed.
For the parking brake to be released
automatically if your seat belt is not fastened,
the following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of Por you have
previously driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h).
Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake. Parking
129Driving and parking Z

Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the
vehicle has been washed or driven through
deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. !
As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (the SmartKey must
be in position 0or 1in the ignition lock or
the Start/Stop button must be in position
0 or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is tested using
a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is towed with one axle raised.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Have this work
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake
pedal when driving at a high speed. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Ypage 55).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your
vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality
standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety. 132
Driving tipsDriving and parking

vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Making adjustments in 1 mph
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up 0043for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 mph
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up 0043for a
higher speed or down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0087.
or
X Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you press the electric parking brake
handle.
R you are driving below 20 mph (30 km/h).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to Nwhile the
vehicle is in motion.
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. The "Cruise control off Cruise control off"
message is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Comfort or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the mode reverts to Sport.
i GT model: you can only choose between
Sport and Sport + modes. If you select
Sport + mode and restart the engine, the
mode reverts to Sport. Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X
Press button 0043once.
Indicator lamp 0085lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
i GT model: Sport mode is the standard
setting. Indicator lamp 0085cannot be
switched off. 136
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps 0087and 0085are off:
X Press button 0043twice.
Indicator lamps 0087and 0085light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp 0085lights up:
X Press button 0043once.
Second indicator lamp 0087lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode i
GT model: Comfort mode is unavailable.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. freeways.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamps 0087and 0085go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT AMG Ride Control COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button 0044.
X To store: press AMG button 0044until you
hear a tone. X
To call up: press AMG button 0044.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button 0044.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R release the electric parking brake Driving systems
137Driving and parking Z

Warning display for the front area
0043
Left-hand side of the vehicle
0044 Right-hand side of the vehicle
0087 Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness 0087light up.
The selector lever position determines which
warning display is active while the engine is
running: Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R
or N Rear and front areas
activated
P
No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance. Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
0043
Indicator lamp
0044 To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp 0043lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you switch on the ignition and release
the parking brake. Driving systems
139Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately 20
seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 224).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Rear view camera
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking. When maneuvering or parking, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
in a limited manner:
R if the trunk lid is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light R
if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In
this event, have the camera position and
setting checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
General notes Rear view camera
0043is an optical parking aid.
It shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND display. 140
Driving systemsDriving and parking

warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Monitoring range of the sensors In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors.
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy
rain or snow.
R a narrow vehicle, e.g. a motorbike or
bicycle, is traveling in front.
R the road has very wide lanes.
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane.
R there are barriers or similar lane borders.
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated. Example (Roadster)
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to
10 ft (3m) behind your vehicle and directly
next to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if the vehicles are driving on the
inner side of their lane.
Due to the nature of the system:
R
warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.
trucks, for a prolonged time.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free of dirt, ice
or slush in the vicinity of the sensors. The
radar sensors must not be covered, e.g. by
overhanging loads. Following a severe impact
or in the event of damage to the bumpers,
have the function of the radar sensors
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Blind Spot Assist may otherwise not work
properly.
Indicator and warning display 0043
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp 0043in the exterior mirrors lights up
yellow up to a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h). At
speeds above 20 mph(30 km/h) the indicator
lamp goes out and Blind Spot Assist is
operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
approximately 20 mph(30 km/h), warning
lamp 0043on the corresponding side lights up
red. This warning is always given when a 142
Driving systemsDriving and parking