Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster 2012 Owner's Manual page 185

Driving systems
182
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( page 599).
Y
For more information on driving with summer
tyres, see ( page 598).
Y
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( page 598).
Y
Driving systems
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 con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take road, weather and traffic
conditions into account. 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 maintaining lane.
Do not use cruise control:
in road and traffic conditions which do not
R
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.
heavy traffic or winding roads.
on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
R
may cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle could then skid.
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
R
heavy rain or snow.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the stored speed.
Cruise control lever
Cruise control lever
To store the current speed or a higher
:
speed
LIM indicator lamp
;
To store the current speed and to call up
=
the last stored speed
To store the current speed or a lower
?
speed
To switch between cruise control and var-
A
iable SPEEDTRONIC
To deactivate cruise control
B
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
LIM indicator lamp ; on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
LIM indicator lamp ;
R
is selected.
LIM indicator lamp ;
R
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
; off: cruise control
; on: variable