2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 traction control

191 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ABS control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the
instrument cluster comes on with the key in steering
lock position 2 and should go out with the engine
running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp symbol and
warning in the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running, it indicates that the ABS has detected
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on
with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
sw itched of f. W he n t he voltage is a bove this val ue again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
If the ABS malfunction indicator light stays illuminated,
have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. Note:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions
you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.
Wa r n i n g !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction made available by the road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or aquaplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

192 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
• During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
• While driving ease up on the accelerator.
• Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
• Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised
(see page 240), the engine must be shut off (key in
steering lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
at tentive, and ski llful driver can prevent ac cidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

194 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located in center console.
To improve the vehicle‘s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approxim ately 24 mph (40 km /h ), a nd sw itches of f
at 50 mph (80 km/h).
Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt you r speed and dri ving to th e prevailing road
conditions.

195 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to f lash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
• during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
• while driving, ease up on the accelerator.

282 Consumer information
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

291
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Raising ........................................................................ 145
Spare parts service ........................................................269
Spare wheel ....................................................................228
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp ...........................................................206
Start lock-out .................................................................... 34
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 167
Steering column
Adjusting ...................................................................... 70
Steering lock ................................................................... 165
Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ....................................................... 124
Stowing things in the vehicle ...................................... 215
Sun visors ....................................................................... 123
Sunshade, electrical ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 59
Synchronizing power windows .....................................117
TTachometer ....................................................................... 79
Taillamp assemblies ......................................................249
Technical .........................................................................272Technical data ................................................................ 272
Electrical system ...................................................... 275
Main dimensions ..................................................... 275
Rims – Tires .............................................................. 273
Weights ...................................................................... 275
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 155
Information ................................................................ 159
Initiating an emergency call ................................... 157
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 158
Telephone, general ......................................................... 132
Telephones and two-way radio ..................................... 153
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................ 154
Tires
Driving instructions .................................................179
Inflation pressure .................................................... 234
Replacement ............................................................. 226
Speed rating ............................................................... 181
Traction ....................................................................... 180
Tow-away alarm ................................................................43
Tow-away protection ........................................................ 43
Towing the vehicle ........................................................ 240
Trip odometer ...................................................................79
Trunk .................................................................................39
Trunk lamp .................................................................... 259
Trunk lid release switch ................................................. 40