2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Bra Js

261 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP is deactivated because of
a malfunction or an interrupted
power supply. The SBC brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally.
The ABS may still be operational.

With the vehicle stationary, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and then to the
right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.

263 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
G
Display defective
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
L
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the
Tele Aid system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires elec-
trical energy and therefore has only
limited operation. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is in-
creased.

S t o p t h e v e h i c l e a s s o o n a s i t i s s a f e t o d o s o .
Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

264 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Electric consumers
offline!
The consumer battery has insuffi-
cient voltage and can no longer sup-
ply the convenience functions such
as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back online
as soon as on-board voltage is sufficient.
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery was charged with a bat-
tery charger or jump started.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capabil-
ity. Considerably greater brake ped-
al force is required and the stopping
distance is increased.

Have the battery checked at a service sta-
tion.

Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken
Do not continue to drive. Notify an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.

265 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake lining wear!
Visit workshop!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
T
Brake defective!
Stop vehicle!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance
is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Stop the vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Significantly greater force must be applied
to the brake pedal.

Call for roadside assistance.
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.

Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the mes-
sage disappears.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

266 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Visit workshop!
Incr.
braking dist.
Visit workshop!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
able brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is in-
creased.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.
Brake fluid
below min. level!
Visit workshop!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

267 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For
more information, refer to "Towing the
vehicle"(
page 325).
If the SBC brake system enters its emergen-
cy operation mode, the driver must apply
significantly greater brake pedal pressure
and depress the pedal much further than
normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.

268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Service brake
Visit workshop!
There are malfunctions, but the SBC
brake system is operating normally.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Incr.
braking distance
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.

Start the engine.
The message disappears when sufficient
voltage is available.
Brakes overheated!
Drive carefully!
The brake system is overheated due
to an excessive load on the brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake system.

Drive more smoothly and think ahead to
avoid unnecessary braking.

When driving down steep grades, shift into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power
(page 139).

Cautiously continue driving so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes.

271 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
KEYLESS GO
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is mal-
functioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Key
Do not forget
This display appears (for a maximum
of 60 seconds) if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and
no key in the starter switch.
Message is only a reminder.

Insert key in the starter switch.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with
you when leaving the vehicle.
_
Entry position
Do not drive!
Seat, mirrors and steering wheel
have not yet moved into their preset
driving positions.

Wait until the seat, mirrors and steering
wheel have moved to their driving positions.
The message disappears.
Except Canada:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake!
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 41).