2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC ROADSTER Owner’s Manual

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is a stylish two-seater roadster that is both interesting and comfortable to drive. With its movable hardtop, the SLC gives you the fun of driving with the top down and the practicality of a coupe when you need it. The sporty, aerodynamic design is paired with powerful engine choices, including a top-of-the-line AMG model, which make the car fun to drive both on winding roads and in the city. Inside, the cabin is luxurious and made with the driver in mind. It has high-quality materials, modern infotainment, and comfortable seats. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster is a great choice for drivers who want a car that is both sporty and elegant. It has a classic look, great speed, and a top-down driving experience.

Driving systems

Drivingonwet roads

Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of hydroplaning occurring, even if:

• you drive at low speeds
• the tires have adequate tread depth
  For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
  conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
  you must drive in the following manner:
• lower your speed
• avoid ruts
• avoid sudden steering movements
• brake carefully

Driving on flooded roads
Do not drive through flooded areas. Check the depth of any water before driving through it. Drive slowly through standing water. Otherwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage the electronic components in the engine or the automatic transmission. Water can also be drawn in by the engine’s air suction nozzles and this can cause engine damage.

Winter driving
WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine’s braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface.
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of fatal injury. If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area around the vehicle are clear of snow. To ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not facing into the wind.

Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road surfaces.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed:
Shift the transmission to position N.

The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are displayed after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always adapt your driving style and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road conditions when temperatures are around freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow chains, see (page 257).
For more information on driving with summer tires, see (page 257).
Observe the notes in the “Winter operation” section (page 257)

Cruise control

General notes
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 a lower gear in good time.
By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic conditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).

Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control cannot take into account the road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise control is only an aid. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in lane.
Do not use cruise control:

• in road and traffic conditions which do not allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g. in heavy traffic or on winding roads
• on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accelerating could cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle could then skid
• when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or snow
  If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the speed stored.

Cruise control lever

1. Stores the current speed or a higher speed
2. Storing the current speed or calling up the last stored speed
3. Stores the current speed or a lower speed
4. Deactivating cruise control
   When you activate cruise control, the stored speed is shown in the multifunction display for five seconds.

Storing, maintaining and calling up a speed
Storing and maintaining a speed

• Accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed.
• Briefly press the cruise control lever up : or down.
• Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
  Cruise control is activated. The vehicle automatically maintains the stored speed.
  You can store the current speed if you are driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
  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 or calling up a speed
WARNING If you call up the stored speed and it differs from the current speed, the vehicle accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident. Pay attention to the road and traffic conditions before calling up the stored speed. If you do not know the stored speed, store the desired speed again.

• Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you.
• 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.

Setting a speed
WARNING Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment until the vehicle has made the necessary adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to a value that the prevailing road conditions and legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and unexpected acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle could cause an accident and/or serious injury to you and others.

• To adjust the set speed in 1 mph increments (1 km/h increments): briefly press the cruise control lever up: to the pressure point for a higher speed, or down for a lower speed.
  Every time the cruise control lever is pressed up or down, the last speed stored is increased or reduced.
• To adjust the set speed in 5 mph increments (10 km/h increments): briefly press the cruise control lever up : past the pressure point for a higher speed, or down for a lower speed.
  Every time the cruise control lever is pressed up or down, the last speed stored is increased or reduced.

Deactivating cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise control:

• X Briefly press the cruise control lever forwards 1.
• or Brake.
  Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
• you engage the electric parking brake
• you are driving at less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
• ESP® intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
• on vehicles with manual transmission, you shift to a gear that is too high, and as a result the engine speed is too low
• Brake Assist intervenes
• you shift from transmission position D
  If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the trol off message in the multCifruunicstieoncdoinsp‐lay for approximately five seconds.

Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
General notes
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC regulates the speed and automatically helps you maintain the distance to the vehicle detected in front. The system detects vehicles using the radar sensor system.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brakes automatically to avoid exceeding the set speed or to maintain the designated distance from the vehicle in front. Change into a lower gear in good time on long and steep downhill gradients. This is especially important if the vehicle is laden. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will be warned visually and acoustically. Without your intervention, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC cannot prevent a collision.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound and the distance warning lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in order to increase the distance from the vehicle in front, or take evasive action, provided it is safe to do so.
For Distance Pilot DISTRONIC to assist you when driving, the radar sensor system must be operational. Distance Pilot DISTRONIC operates in the range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h). Do not use Distance Pilot DISTRONIC on roads with steep gradients.
As Distance Pilot DISTRONIC transmits radar waves, it can resemble the radar detectors of the responsible authorities. You can refer to the relevant chapter in the Operator’s Manual if questions are asked about this.

FAQ