tow MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER 2013 C197 Owner's Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 18 At a glance
........................................... 25 Safety
................................................... 35 Opening and closing
...........................61 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....81 Lights and windshield wipers
............91 Climate control
................................. 101 Driving and parking
..........................111 On-board computer and displays
....145 Stowage and features
......................195 Maintenance and care
......................213 Breakdown assistance
.....................227 Wheels and tires
............................... 247 Technical data
................................... 273 Contents
3

Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................153
Display message ............................ 177
Notes/function .............................. 141
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 165
Notes ............................................. 280
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 170
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 55
BAS .................................................. 55
Brake fluid (notes) .........................280
Display message ............................ 161
Driving tips .................................... 131
High-performance brake system ....133
Important safety notes ..................131
Maintenance .................................. 132
Warning lamp ........................ 186, 189
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 ........................................ 219
Display ........................................... 225
Exhaust pipe .................................. 224
Exterior lights ................................ 224
Gear or selector lever ....................225
Matte finish ................................... 222
Notes ............................................. 219
Paint .............................................. 221
Plastic trim .................................... 225Power washer
................................ 221
Rear view camera .......................... 224
Seat belt ........................................ 226
Seat cover ..................................... 226
Sensors ......................................... 224
Soft top .......................................... 222
Steering wheel ............................... 225
Trim pieces .................................... 225
Washing by hand ........................... 220
Wheels ........................................... 221
Windows ........................................ 223
Wiper blades .................................. 223
Wooden trim .................................. 225
Car wash (care) ................................. 219
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 151
Center console Lower section .................................. 31
Upper section .................................. 30
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 155
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........62
Changing bulbs
Important safety notes ....................96
License plate lighting .......................97
Charge maintenance socket ............211
Children In the vehicle ................................... 51
Restraint systems ............................ 51
Child seat
Special seat belt retractor ...............53
Top Tether ....................................... 53
Cigarette lighter ................................ 199
Climate control Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 103
Controlling automatically ...............105
Cooling with air dehumidification ..104
Defrosting the windows .................107
Defrosting the windshield ..............106
Important safety notes ..................102
Indicator lamp ................................ 105
Maximum cooling .......................... 106
Notes on using automatic climate
control ........................................... 104
Overview of systems ......................102 Index
5

Warning lamp ................................. 190
Warning lamp (function) ...................36
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 172
Switching on/off .............................. 94
Starting (engine) ................................ 114
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) .....................86
Button overview ............................... 29
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 147
Cleaning ......................................... 225
Important safety notes ....................86
Paddle shifters ............................... 121
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 89
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 157
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 197
Center console .............................. 197
Cup holders ................................... 198
Glove box ...................................... .196
Important safety information .........196
Parcel net ...................................... 197
Rear wall ........................................ 197
Stowage space
Center console (rear) .....................197
Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 250
Sun visor ............................................ 198
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 155
Suspension tuning AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 136
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 107
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............58 T
Tachometer ........................................ 146
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 171
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27Technical data
................................... 282
Notes ............................................. 274
Tires/wheels ................................. 270
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 205
Display message ............................ 169
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 205
Emergency call .............................. 202
Important safety notes ..................201
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............206
MB info call button ........................204
Remote vehicle locking ..................205
Roadside Assistance button ..........203
Search & Send ............................... 205
Self-test ......................................... 201
System .......................................... 201
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 152
Menu (on-board computer) ............152
Number from the phone book ....... .152
Redialing ........................................ 153
Rejecting/ending a call .................152
Temperature
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 157
Engine oil ....................................... 146
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 157
Outside temperature ..................... .147
Theft deterrent systems
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........58
Immobilizer ...................................... 58
Theft-deterrent systems
Tow-away alarm ............................... 59
Timing (RACETIMER) .........................157
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 229
Tire pressure Calling up (on-board computer) .....255
Checking manually ........................255
Display message .................... 177, 179
Maximum ....................................... 254
Notes ............................................. 252
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................231
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................231
Recommended ............................... 251
see Tire pressure 14
Index

Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/note s............................. 255
Restarting ...................................... 257
Warning lamp ................................. 193
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................268
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................267
Bar (definition) ............................... 266
Characteristics .............................. 266
Checking ........................................ 249
Definition of terms .........................266
Direction of rotatio n...................... 270
Display message ............................ 177
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................269
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .266
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............266
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 267
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 267
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................267
Important safety notes ..................248
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......267
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........268
Labeling (overview )........................ 263
Load bearing index (definition) ......269
Load index ..................................... 265
Load index (definition) ...................268
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 267
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 268
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 268
Maximum tire loa d......................... 261
Maximum tire load (definition) .......268
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 269
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 268
Replacing ....................................... 269
Service life ..................................... 250Sidewall (definition)
.......................268
Speed rating (definition) ................267
Storing ........................................... 270
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 266
Technical data ............................... 272
Temperature .................................. 262
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 269
Tire bead (definition) ......................268
Tire pressure (definition) ................268
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 267
Tire size (data) ............................... 270
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 263
Tire tread ....................................... 249
Tire tread (definition) .....................268
Total load limit (definition) .............269
Traction ......................................... 262
Traction (definition) .......................269
Tread wea r..................................... 262
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 261
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................267
Unladen weight (definition) ............268
Wear indicator (definition) .............269
Wheel rim (definition) ....................267
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 53
Tow-away alarm .................................. 59
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........242
Installing the towing eye ................243
Removing the towing eye ...............243
With the rear axle raised ................243
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......244
Transmission
Driving tips .................................... 120
Selector lever ................................ 117
Shift range ..................................... 122
Transmission position display .........119
Transmission positions ....................119
Transporting the vehicle ..................244
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .225
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 148 Index
15

Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 148
Resetting (on-board computer) ......149
see Trip odometer
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................73
Important safety guidelines .............71
Locking separately ...........................72
Opening (automatically from
inside) .............................................. 72
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 180
Opening/closing ........................71, 72
Trunk load (maximum)
see Technical data
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 170
Switching on/off .............................. 94
see Turn signals
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................69
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 68
Upshift indicator ............................... 124V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........198
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 22
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Display message ............................ 180
Equipment ....................................... 19
Individual settings ..........................153
Limited Warranty ............................. 23
Loading .......................................... 258
Locking (in an emergency) ...............70
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 62
Lowering ........................................ 236
Maintenance .................................... 20
Parking for a long period ................ 130
Raising ........................................... 233
Reporting problems .........................22Towing away
.................................. 242
Transporting .................................. 244
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........69
Unlocking (SmartKey) ................62, 67
Vehicle data
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ...........................283
see Technical data
Vehicle emergency locking ................70
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............275
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 228
Vehicle weights see Technical data
Video (DVD) ........................................ 151
VIN ...................................................... 275 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 189
Brakes ................................... 186, 189
Cruise control ................................ 135
Engine diagnostics .........................191
ESP ®
.............................................. 190
Fuel tank ........................................ 192
Overview .......................................... 28
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 42
Reserve fuel ................................... 192
Seat belt ........................................ 187
SPORT handling mode ...................190
SRS ................................................ 190
Tire pressure monitor ....................193
Warranty ............................................ 275
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 181
see Windshield washer system
Weight
see Technical data
Wheel bolt tightening torque ...........236
Wheel chock ...................................... 232
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 232
Checking ........................................ 249
Cleaning ......................................... 221
Important safety notes ..................24816
Index

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
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
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. Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves USA:
"The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the two following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
harmful interference, and 2) These devices
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment."
Canada: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) These devices
may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device." Diagnostics connection
G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the on-board
diagnostics connection, it can affect the Introduction
21 Z

Lower section
Function Page
0043
AMG E-SELECT selector
lever
117
0044
COMAND controller
0087
Stowage compartment 197
12 V socket 200
Ashtray 199
Cigarette lighter 199
0085
Stowage compartment with
cup holder 197
0083
Soft top switch (Roadster
only)
77
0084
Ignition lock (behind
stowage space) 113
006B
Calls up/stores AMG menu
(SETUP)
124 Function Page
006C
Adjusts AMG adaptive
sport suspension system
136
Retracts/extends rear
spoiler (vehicles without
AMG adaptive sport
suspension system)
206
006D
Activates/deactivates
ESP
® 56
Activates/deactivates
SPORT handling mode
56
006E
Start/Stop button 113
006F
Selecting the drive program 120
0070
Parking lock button
P 117Center console
31At a glance

Fastening seat belts
G
WARNING
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, child
restraint system, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. Example: Coupe
X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position(Y page 83).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from belt sash
guide 0043.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your hips. X
Engage belt tongue 0044in buckle 0087.
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
The seat belt on the front-passenger side is
equipped with a special seat belt retractor to
secure child restraint systems properly on the
front-passenger seat. For further information
on special seat belt retractors, see
(Y page 53).
For more information about releasing the seat
belt with release button 0085, see "Releasing
seat belts" ( Ypage 49).
Releasing seat belts X
Press release button 0085(Ypage 49) and
guide belt tongue 0044(Ypage 49) back
towards belt sash guide 0043(Ypage 49).
! Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Consult an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger Regardless of whether the driver's and front-
passenger seat belts have already been
fastened, the
0076seat belt warning lamp
lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out once the driver and
the front passenger have fastened their seat
belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. The warning tone switches
off after approximately six seconds or once
the driver's seat belt is fastened. Occupant safety
49Safety Z

If after six seconds the driver or front
passenger have not fastened their seat belts
and the doors are closed:
R the 0076 seat belt warning lamp remains lit
as long as either the driver's or front-
passenger's seat belt is not fastened
R and if a vehicle speed of 15 mph
(25 km/h) is exceeded, the 0076seat belt
warning lamp lights up and a warning tone
also sounds with increasing intensity for a
maximum of 60 seconds or until the driver
or front-passenger seat belt has been
fastened
If the driver or front-passenger seat belt is
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion, the
0076 seat belt warning lamp lights up and a
warning tone sounds again.
The warning tone ceases even if the driver or
front-passenger seat belt has still not been
fastened after 60 seconds. The 0076seat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but remains lit.
After the vehicle comes to a standstill, the
warning tone is reactivated and the 0076seat
belt warning lamp flashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The 0076 seat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
R both the driver and the front passenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
R the vehicle is stationary and a door is open.
i For more information on the 0076seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" (Y page 187).
Emergency Tensioning Devices and belt
force limiters The seat belts are equipped with Emergency
Tensioning Devices and seat belt force
limiter.
!
If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front- passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
The ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the body.
The ETDs do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
When triggered, the seat belt force limiters
help to reduce the peak force exerted by the
seat belt on the vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiter are synchronized
with the front air bags, which take on a part
of the deceleration force. Thus, the force
exerted on the occupant is distributed over a
greater area.
When the ignition is switched on, the ETDs
cannot be triggered unless:
R the restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp". (Y page 36)
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the three-point seat belts.
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side.
The ETDs are triggered depending on the type
and severity of an accident:
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision, if the vehicle decelerates or
accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal
direction during the initial stages of the
impact
R in the event of a side impact, if the vehicle
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
R Coupe: in certain situations if the vehicle
rolls over, and the system determines that
it can provide additional protection
R Roadster: if the vehicle rolls over
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
are triggered, you will hear a bang, and a small
amount of smoke may also be released. Only
in rare cases will the bang affect your hearing. 50
Occupant safetySafety

G
WARNING
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking distance may increase. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 56).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 56).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident. Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Switch the ignition off when:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
using a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with the rear
axle raised.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
When SPORT handling mode is activated, the
0074 warning lamp lights up in the instrument
panel.
When ESP ®
is deactivated, the 00BBand
0089 warning lamps light up in the instrument
panel.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 190) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 166).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0089ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 54). 56
Driving safety systemsSafety