maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER 2012 Owners Manual

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
Therefore, you cannot base any claims on the
illustrations or text content in this Operator's
Manual.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. When you sell the vehicle, always pass
the documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company1975841081 É1975841081`ËÍ

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 18At a glance ........................................... 25Safety ................................................... 35Opening/closing ................................. 63Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....83Lights and windshield wipers ............93Climate control ................................. 103Driving and parking ..........................113On-board computer and displays ....147Stowage and features ......................199Maintenance and care ......................217Breakdown assistance .....................231Tires and wheels ............................... 249Technical data ................................... 275
Contents3

Jump starting ................................. 243
Location ......................................... 242
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................156
Display message ............................ 181
Notes/function .............................. 143
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 169
Notes ............................................. 282
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 174
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 55
BAS .................................................. 55
Brake fluid (notes) .........................282
Display message ............................ 165
Driving tips .................................... 133
High-performance brake system ....134
Important safety notes ..................133
Maintenance .................................. 134
Warning lamp ........................ 190, 192
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................19
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 223
Display ........................................... 228
Exterior lights ................................ 227
Matte finish ................................... 225
Notes ............................................. 223
Paint .............................................. 225
Plastic trim .................................... 228
Power washer ................................ 224
Rear view camera .......................... 228
Seat belt ........................................ 229
Seat cover ..................................... 229
Sensors ......................................... 228
Soft top .......................................... 226
Tail pipes ....................................... 228
Trim pieces .................................... 229
Wheels ........................................... 225
Windows ........................................ 226
Wiper blades .................................. 227
Wooden trim .................................. 229
Car wash (care) ................................. 223
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 154
Center console Lower section .................................. 31
Upper section .................................. 30
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 159
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........64
Changing bulbs
Important safety notes ....................98
License plate lighting .......................99
Charge maintenance socket ............ 215
Children In the vehicle ................................... 51
Restraint systems ............................ 51
Child seat
Special seat belt retractor ...............53
Top Tether ....................................... 53
Cigarette lighter ................................ 203
Climate control Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 105
Controlling automatically ...............107
Cooling with air dehumidification ..106
Defrosting the windows .................109
Defrosting the windshield ..............108
Important safety notes ..................104
Indicator lamp ................................ 107
Maximum cooling .......................... 108
Notes on using automatic climate
control ........................................... 106
Overview of systems ......................104Index5

Trunk lidDisplay message ............................ 183
Opening/closing ........................73, 74
Trunk load (maximum)
see Technical data
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 174
Switching on/off .............................. 96
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................71
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 70
Upshift indicator ............................... 126
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 203
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 22
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Display message ............................ 183
Equipment ....................................... 18
Individual settings ..........................157
Limited Warranty ............................. 22
Loading .......................................... 259
Locking (in an emergency) ...............72
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 64
Lowering ........................................ 240
Maintenance .................................... 19
Parking for a long period ................ 131
Raising ........................................... 237
Reporting problems .........................22
Towing away .................................. 244
Transporting .................................. 246
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........71
Unlocking (SmartKey) ................64, 69
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions
see Technical data
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 72
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 277
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 232
Vehicle weights see Technical data
Video (DVD) ........................................ 155
VIN ...................................................... 277
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 192
Brakes ................................... 190, 192
Cruise control ................................ 137
Engine diagnostics .........................194
ESP ®
.............................................. 192
Fuel tank ........................................ 195
Overview .......................................... 28
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 42
Reserve fuel ................................... 195
Seat belt ........................................ 191
SPORT handling mode ...................193
SRS ................................................ 193
Tire pressure monitor ....................196
Warranty ............................................ 277
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 184
see Windshield washer system
Weight
see Technical data
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 240
Wheel chock ...................................... 236
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 236
Checking ........................................ 251
Cleaning ......................................... 225
Important safety notes ..................250
Interchanging/changing ................271
Mounting a wheel .......................... 239
Removing a wheel ..........................239
Storing ........................................... 272
Tightening torque ........................... 240
Wheel size/tire size .......................272
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 226
see Side windows
16Index

Product information
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion
parts and accessories that have been
approved for the type of vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories which have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, even if they have been
independently or officially approved. The use
of non-approved parts could affect your
vehicle's operating safety. Mercedes-Benz
therefore recommends that you use genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion parts and
accessories that have been approved for the
type of vehicle. Genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts, approved conversion parts and
accessories are available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Here, you will receive
advice about permissible technical
modifications, and the parts will be
professionally installed.
Operator's Manual
Notes on the Operator's Manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal
of helpful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator's Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. 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. The equipment in your vehicle
may therefore differ from some of the
descriptions or illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all
systems installed in your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you have any questions about equipment or
operation.
The Operator's Manual and the Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle.
Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws)
18Introduction

Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period of
18 months from original delivery of the
vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles
(approximately 29 000 km) on the odometer
of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a
reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or
more of the following occurs:(1)the same substantial defect or
malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
or malfunction has been subject to repair
two or more times, and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in
writing of the need for its repair.(2)the same substantial defect or
malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz in writing of the
need for its repair.(3)the vehicle is out of service by reason of
repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet.
Breakdown assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada). You will find both
in your vehicle literature portfolio.
Change of address or change of
ownership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Change of Address Notice"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(in the USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service Center (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner.
Introduction19

If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safety
Safety notes
GWARNING
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle's electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function when the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWARNING
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that damage
to your vehicle has occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers.
R slow down carefully.
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
20Introduction

General notes
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following 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.
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
Diagnostics connection
GWARNING
If you connect equipment to the diagnostics
connection, it can affect the operation of the
vehicle systems. This can impair the operating
safety of your vehicle while driving. There is a
risk of accident.
Do not connect any equipment to the
diagnostics connection.
GWARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables that
are connected to the diagnostics connection
can obstruct the area around the pedals. The
equipment or the cables could get between
the pedals in the event of sudden braking or
acceleration. As a result, the movement of the
pedals may be impaired. There is a risk of
accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver footwell.
! If the engine is switched off and
equipment on the diagnostics connection
is used, the starter battery may discharge.
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can, for example, lead to
emissions monitoring information being
reset. This may lead to the vehicle failing to
meet the requirements of the next emissions
test during the main inspection.
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components
Introduction21Z

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 21).
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWARNING
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
The automatic climate control regulates the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
out of the air.
Coupe: the automatic climate control is only
operational if the engine is running. Optimum
operation is achieved only when you drive
with the side windows closed.
Roadster: the automatic climate control is
only operational if the engine is running. The
system only works optimally when the side
windows and the roof are closed.
i Coupe: ventilate the vehicle for a brief
period during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 77).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
Roadster: ventilate the vehicle for a brief
period during warm weather. This will
speed up the cooling process and the
desired vehicle interior temperature will be
reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust, and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance
Booklet.104Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

Applying/releasing manually
XTo apply: press handle :.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is in position
0 .
XPull handle :.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only 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 D or R.
R the hood is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
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 P or 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.
XWhile driving, push handle : of the electric
parking brake ( Y page 130).
i
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Release parking brake message
appears.
R the red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
XConnect the battery to the charge
maintenance socket of a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.
Parking131Driving and parkingZ