2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG Owner's Manual

257 Practical hints
What to do if …
Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
High priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset knob (
page 21) or a
steering wheel button.
Other high priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset knob
or one of the steering wheel buttons.
These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 118).Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 118) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of all the messages that may
appear in the display. High priority mes-
sages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All messages contain important information
which should be taken note of and, where a
malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon
as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the key in starter switch to
position2, or pressing the KEY-
LESS-GO* start/stop button (if so
equipped) twice to position2 causes
all lamps as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Ensure that they
are all in working order before starting
your journey.

258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Drive carefully!
The capability of the ABC system is re-
stricted. This can impair handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Stop, car too low
The car is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 184).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 183).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

259 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Visit workshop!
The capability of the ABC system is re-
stricted.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ABC display or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
ABS
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
BAS are also deactivated. The SBC
brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ABS available.

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!
ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.

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.

260 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
BAS
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The BAS has detected a malfunc-
tion and switched off. The ESP
and ABS are also deactivated.
The SBC brake system is still
functioning normally but without
ABS available.

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!
BAS or the BAS display is mal-
functioning.

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.

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.

262 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
External fault
Reactivate!
Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.

Try activating Distronic* again later.
Clear sensor!
See Owner’s Man.
Distronic* is switched off be-
cause the Distronic* cover in the
radiator grille is dirty.

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator grille
(page 246).

Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
P
Selector lever
to P!
You have turned off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button* and opened
the driver’s door.

Place the selector lever in position P.
Cruise
Control
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is
malfunctioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic* checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

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.