MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE 2013 C197 Owner's Manual

Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
! Only use battery chargers with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
! Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (Y page 240).
Never charge the battery if it is still installed
in the vehicle, unless you use a battery
charger which has been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. A battery charger unit
specially adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles
and tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz
is available as an accessory. It permits the
charging of the battery in its installed
position. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for further information and
availability. Charge the battery in accordance
with the separate instructions for the
accessory battery charger.
Read the battery charger's operating
instructions before charging the battery.
X Open the hood (Y page 214).
X Connect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same
order as when connecting the donor
battery in the jump-starting procedure
(Y page 240). Battery
239Breakdown assis tance Z

Jump-starting
G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with water and
seek medical attention. G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk
of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
R It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting. G
WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire. Avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R You may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold. 240
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

R
Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Only jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
R Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper cables are not damaged.
R when the jumper cables are connected to the battery, uninsulated sections of the terminal
clamp do not come into contact with other metal sections.
R the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
X Press the electric parking brake handle.
X Shift the transmission to Pwith the button in the center console.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the hood (Y page 214). Position number
0084identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
X Slide cover 0083of positive terminal 0043in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal 0043on your vehicle to positive terminal 0044of donor battery 0084
using the jumper cable, beginning with your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed. Jump-starting
241Breakdown assistance Z

X
Connect negative terminal 0087of donor battery 0084to earth point 0085of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery 0084first.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
X First, remove the jumper cables from earth point 0085and negative terminal 0087, then from
positive clamp 0043and positive terminal 0044. Each time beginning with your vehicle's battery.
X Slide cover 0083of the positive terminal in the opposite direction to the arrow.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
If the vehicle can no longer be driven because
of an accident or breakdown, you have the
following options:
R transporting the vehicle
As a rule, you should have the vehicle
transported.
R towing the vehicle with the rear axle raised
Only tow the vehicle with the rear axle
raised in exceptional cases.
R towing the vehicle with a tow rope or tow
bar
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases.
The engine must be running if you tow the
vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar. Observe
the following notes. G
WARNING
The rear axle locks when:
R the engine is not running
R the engine stalls while the vehicle is being
towed
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a breakdown, you should
always have the vehicle transported. G
WARNING
If the brake system or power steering is
malfunctioning and your vehicle is then towed
away, significantly more effort may be
required to steer and brake than is normally
required. There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
! Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button when towing the vehicle.
Start the engine and keep it running. Turn
the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition.
Set the transmission to Nusing the E-
SELECT lever. Make sure that you then
leave the SmartKey in position 2.
Check the transmission position in the
instrument cluster.
! Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
this purpose.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged. 242
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

!
Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Tow-starting the vehicle is not permitted.
The transmission may otherwise be
damaged.
Also observe the following notes:
R If the engine does not start, try jump-
starting it (Y page 240). Tow-starting the
vehicle is not permitted.
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
have it transported to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R If the vehicle has transmission damage,
have it transported to a qualified specialist
workshop. Observe the display messages
in the instrument cluster. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye X
Take the towing eye and the wheel
wrench 12
out of the wheel-change tool kit
(Y page 228).
The bracket for the removable towing eye is
in the bumper at the front. It is located under
the cover. X
Pull out cover 0043forwards.
X Take cover 0043off the opening.
Removing the towing eye X
Take the lug wrench 12
from the wheel-
change tool kit (Y page 228).
X Insert the lug wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn it counter-clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Attach cover 0043to the bumper and press
until it engages.
X Return the towing eye and the lug wrench
to the wheel-change tool kit. Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 242).
Only tow the vehicle with the rear axle raised
in exceptional cases.
! The engine must be switched off
(SmartKey in ignition lock in position 0or
position 1) if the vehicle is being towed with
the rear axle raised or if the parking brake
is being tested on a dynamometer.
Intervention by ESP ®
could otherwise
damage the brake system.
12 Not included in the scope of delivery. Towing and tow-starting
243Breakdown assistance Z

X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 94).
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition and that the engine is
running throughout the towing procedure.
X Move the transmission to Nwith the E-
SELECT lever. Check the transmission
position in the instrument cluster. Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
When having your vehicle towed, observe the
important safety notes ( Ypage 242).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 94).
i When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction. In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again.
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock
(Y page 113).
X Start the engine and leave the SmartKey in
the ignition.
X Move the transmission to Nwith the E-
SELECT lever.
X Check the transmission position in the
instrument cluster display (Y page 119).
X Leave the engine running during the entire
towing procedure. Transporting the vehicle
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged. X
Start the engine.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition and that the engine is
running during the entire loading operation.
X Move the transmission to Nwith the E-
SELECT lever. Check the transmission
position in the instrument cluster.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to Pwith the button
in the center console.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X Secure the vehicle. Fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! 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.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed 244
FusesBreakdown assistance

in the fuse allocation chart. An authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center will be happy to
advise you.
i If a fuse has blown, contact a breakdown
service or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Before changing a fuse
X Park the vehicle and apply the electric
parking brake.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R fuse box in the footwell on the front-
passenger side
R fuse box in the rear
The "Relay and fuse information sheet" is
located with the wheel-change toolkit in the
trunk. Fuse box in the footwell
X
To open: remove the carpet over the
footrest.
X Loosen screws 0043on the floor panel using
a suitable tool.
X Remove the floor panel. X
To close: install the floor panel again.
X Screw in and tighten screws 0043.
X Put in the carpet and press to secure.
! The floor panel must be installed properly,
otherwise moisture or dirt could impair the
function of the fuses. Fuse box in the rear
Coupe X
To open: open the trunk.
X Fold cover 0043in the center of the rear wall
down in the direction of the arrow.
X To close: fold cover 0043up in the opposite
direction to the arrow and press to secure.
! The cover must be installed properly,
otherwise moisture or dirt could impair the
function of the fuses.
Roadster Fuses
245Breakdown assistance Z

X
To open: from the vehicle interior, lift up
cover 0043between the roll bars in the
direction of the arrow.
X To close: shut cover 0043in the opposite
direction to the arrow and press to secure.
! The cover must be installed properly,
otherwise moisture or dirt could impair the
function of the fuses. 246
FusesBreakdo
wn assis tance

Useful information
............................248
Important safety notes ....................248
Operation ........................................... 248
Winter operation ............................... 250
Tire pressure ..................................... 251
Loading the vehicle ..........................258
Maximum load rating .......................261
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards .......................................... 261
Tire labeling ....................................... 263
Definition of terms for tires and
loading ............................................... 266
Changing a wheel ............................. 269
Wheel and tire combinations ...........270 247Wheels and tires

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 22).Important safety notes
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you require information on approved and
recommended tires and wheels for summer
and winter operation. Advice on purchasing
and caring for tires is also available there. G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct. G
WARNING
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used. G
WARNING
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs. G
WARNING
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might 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.
i Further information about tires and
wheels can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Operation
Notes on driving
R If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the
tire pressures and correct them if
necessary.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar
elevations, try to do so slowly and at an
obtuse angle. Otherwise, the tires,
particularly the sidewalls, may be
damaged. 248
OperationWheels and tires