brakes MERCEDES-BENZ SLS COUPE 2010 Owners Manual

Indicator and warning lamps
Function Page
0001
ESP
® 309
0002
Seat belt 311
0015
Brakes (red) 310
0014
Main-beam headlamps 216
0012
Dipped-beam headlamps 215
0013
Turn signal 216
000A
SRS 309
000B
Engine diagnostics 310
000C
ABS
308 Function Page
000D
Engine oil temperature 310
000E
Tyre pressure 311
000F
Electric parking brake (yel-
low)
309
0010
Electric parking brak
e(red) 309
0011
Reserve fuel 312
0016
ESP
®
Sport 309
0017
ESP
®
OFF 309
0018
Rearf
oglamp 216Instrument cluster
27At a glance
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 27

i
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt yourd riving
style to the prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping) .Depress the
brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake
pedal reduces the braking effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking .This limits the steerability of the vehi-
cle when braking and the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and the stopping distance may
increase. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly.Int his way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically .Ifthe 46
Driving safety systemsSafety
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu
Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 46

brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/ h.You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 216).ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
You can selec tbetween the three following
states of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
Sport is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated.
ESP ®
is activated as soon as you start the
engine. When ESP ®
Sport is activated, the
0005 warning lamp lights up in the instrument
panel. When ESP ®
is deactivated, the 0001
and 0002 warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment panel.
Characteristics of ESP ®ESP
®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tyres
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 stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, 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 slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the 0002warning
lamp flashes in the instrument panel. G
Risk of accident
If the 0002 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows: R
do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions
Otherwise, the vehicle could go into a skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an acciden tif
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running .Inthe following situations,
it may be better to activate ESP ®
Sport or
deactivate ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply.O therwise,
ESP ®
will only be able to stabilise the vehicle
to a limited degree if the vehicle starts to skid
or if a wheel starts to spin.
Characteristics of ESP ®
Sport ESP
®
Sport raises the interventio nthreshold
for stabilising the vehicle. This allows for a
sportier driving style on designated race cir-
cuits and may in certain situations improve
the traction in comparison with ESP ®
.
If you activate ESP ®
Sport:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cut-
ting effect for better traction. Driving safety systems
47Safety
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 47 Z

R
traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If ESP ®
Sport is activated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the 0002warning lamp
in the instrument cluste rflashes. ESP ®
only
stabilises the vehicle to a limited degree.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactiva-
ted When you deactivate ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the 0002warning lamp
in the instrumentc luster does not flash. In
such situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the
vehicle.
Selecting the ESP ®
state ESP
®
is activated as soon as you start the
engine. X
To activate ESP ®
Sport: briefly press but-
ton 0001.
The 0005 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The message ESP-SPORT
appears in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press and hold down
button 0001until the 0002and0001 warning
lamps in the instrumen tpanel light up.
The message ESP-OFFappears in the mul-
tifunctio ndisplay. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0002and0001
warning lamps in the instrument cluster are
lit continuously when the engine is running.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle skid-
ding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weathe rcondi-
tions.
X To activate ESP ®
:when ESP ®
Sport is acti-
vated or ESP ®
is deactivated, press but-
ton 0001briefly.
The 0002 and0001 warning lamps in the
instrument cluster go out. The message
ESP-ON appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
. G
Risk of accident
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics. 48
Driving safety systemsSafety
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu
Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 48

Applying the electric parking brake
X Push handle 0001.
The red 0009indicator lamp in the instru-
men tcluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the key is in position 0.
Releasing the electric parking brake man-
ually
X Pull handle 0001.
The red 0009indicator lamp in the instru-
men tcluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be
released when the ignition is switched on
using the Start/Stop button (Y page 202).
Releasing the electric parking brake auto-
matically
The electric parking brake is released auto-
matically when the following conditions are
simultaneously fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the bonnet is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the boot
lid must be closed.
For the parking brake to be released auto-
matically if your seat belt is not fastened, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you shift out of Por you have previously
driven faster than 3 km/h.
Emergency braking with the electric park-
ing brake
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency using the electric parking brake.
X While driving, push the handle of the elec-
tric parking brake (Y page 221).
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.
The red 0009indicator lamp flashes in the
instrument cluster during braking. The
Release parking brake message appears
in the multifunction display and a warning
tone sounds.
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged. Switching off the engine
G
Risk of accident
If the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steerin gand brakes. Steer-
ing and braking then requires significantly
greater effort.
As a result, you might lose control of the vehi-
cle, cause an accident and injure yoursel fand
others.
Therefore, do not switch off the engine while
you are driving.
! Do not open the doors until the vehicle
has come to a standstill .Atlow speeds,
park position Pwill otherwise be engaged
automatically. This can damage the trans-
mission.
i Observe the display messages in the
instrument cluster.
Using KEYLESS-GO X
Use the button on the centre console to
shift the transmission to P.
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 202).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out
(Y page 229).
i If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the transmission
automatically shifts to N.
If you set the selector lever to Nbefore
switching off the engine, the transmission
remains in Nfor approximately 30 minutes. 222
Driving and parkingControls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu
Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 222

If you open the driver's or front-passenger
door during this period, the transmission
automatically shifts to
P.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for three seconds.
Using the key !
Do not remove the key while the vehicle
is in motion. At low speeds, park position
P will otherwise be engaged automatically.
This can damage the transmission.
X Use the button on the centre console to
shift the transmission to P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock (Y page 203) and remove it.
The immobiliser/parking lock is activated.
i If you set the selector lever to Nbefore
switching off the engine, the transmission
remains in Nfor approximately 30 minutes.
While the key is in the ignition lock, the
transmission remains in Neven if you open
the driver's or front-passenger door. AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT7
-speedsports
transmission Notes on the transmission
G
Ris
kofa ccident
Do no tchange down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. Selector lever
Selecting atransmission position 0002
Park position
Prevents the vehicle fro
mrolling
away when stopped. 0003
Reverse
0001
Neutral
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it.
If ESP
®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position
N if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads. 0008
Drive
!
If the engine speed is too high or if the
vehicle is rolling, do not shift the transmis-
sion directly from Dto R, from Rto Dor
directly to P.This can damage the trans-
mission.
i If you wish to select a transmission posi-
tion or wish to disengage park position P,
the engine must be running.
Engaging parkp osition P
X Press the Pbutton in the centre console.
i If you depress the brake pedal and push
the selector lever forwards or back to the
first poin tofresistance, park position Pis AMG SPEEDSHIF
TDCT 7-speed sports transmission
223Controls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeuV ersion: 3.0.3.6
2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 223 Z

Lap evaluation
This function is only available if you have
stored at least two laps and have stopped the
RACETIMER.
X Press 0008or000E on the steering wheel
to selec tthe AMG menu.
X Press the 000Fbutton repeatedly until the
lap evaluation is shown.
Each lap is shown in a separate submenu.
The fastest lap is indicated by flashing sym-
bol 0001. 0001
Lap
0002 Lap time
0015 Average lap speed
0014 Lap length
0012 Top speed during lap
X Press 000For000C to select a different lap
evaluation. Driving systems
Overview of driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:
R cruise control and SPEEDTRONIC, which
you can use to control the speed of the
vehicle
R PARKTRONIC, which assists you in parking
and manoeuvring
R reversing camera, which assists you when
parking
Driving safety systems such as ABS, BAS and
ESP ®
are described in the "Driving safety sys-
tems” section (Y page 45). Cruise control
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
Risk of accident
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time. G
Risk of accident
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed (e.g.
heavy traffic or winding roads). You could
otherwise cause an accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
could cause the drive wheels to lose trac-
tion and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow Driving systems
243Controls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 243 Z

Cruise control lever
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
leve rindicates which system you can select:
R LIM indicator lamp off:
cruise control
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
variable SPEEDTRONIC 0001
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0002 LIM indicator lamp
0015 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
0014 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0012 To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
0013 To deactivate cruise control
Whe nyou activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the lower section of the
multifunction display.
Selecting cruise control X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp 0002is off.
If it is, you can activate cruise control.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow 0012.
LIM indicator lamp 0002in the cruise control
lever goes out. You can activate cruise con-
trol. Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 30 km/ha
nd ESP®
is acti-
vated (Y page 47).
X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point up 0001or down 0014.
X Remove your foo tfrom the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The
stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise control maintains the
stored speed on downhill gradients by
automatically applying the brakes.
Storing the current spee dorcalling up
the last stored speed G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current situation. Otherwise, sudden acceler-
atio norb raking could endange ryou or others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0015.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed. 244
Driving systemsControls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 244

Setting
aspeed X
Press the cruise control lever to the pres-
sure point up 0001for a highe rspeed or
down 0014for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
Making adjustments in 1 km/h incre-
ments X
Press the cruise control lever to the pres-
sure point, up 0001for a higher speed or
down 0014for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up 0001for a
higher speed or down 0014for 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 for-
wards 0013.
or
X Brake or
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow 0012.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp 0002in the cruise contro llever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you press the electric parking brake han-
dle.
R you are driving at less than 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” message is displayed in the multifunc-
tion display for approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. SPEEDTRONIC
SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that
you do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the brakin geffect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need addi-
tional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake peda lcontinuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brakes to rub by applying constant slight
pedal pressure. This causes the brake system
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could Driving systems
245Controls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 245 Z

Top view
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them.
Front sensors Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 120 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
Minimum distance Centre Approximately 30 cm
Corners Approximately 30 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays light up and a warning tone sounds. If the distance falls below the mini-
mum, the distance may no longer be shown.
Warning displays The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
rear compartment on the parcel shelf.
Warning display for front area
0001
Left-hand side of the vehicle
0002 Right-hand side of the vehicle
0015 Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments for the distance display .Inaddition,
there is one yellow segment 0015for each side
of the vehicle to show that the system is
operational. If yellow segment 0015for the
operational readiness symbol lights up,
PARKTRONIC is operational.
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 activatedDriving systems
249Controls
BA 197 ECE RE 2010/6a; 1; 2, en-GB
sabbaeu Version: 3.0.3.6 2010-05-07T14:19:43+02:00 - Seite 249 Z