2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG Owner's Manual

335 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the multi-function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the in the multifunction display lo-
cated in the instrument cluster.
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.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 143) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
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 button (
page 24) or but-
ton j, k, ÿ, or è on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button or button j, k,
ÿ, or è on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel. They are then stored in the vehi-
cle status message memory (
page 143).
Remember that clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the mes-
sage to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized 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 au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 337)


Symbol messages (
page 345)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all in-
strument cluster lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps
and the multifunction display are in
working order before starting your jour-
ney.

337 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesLeft 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
select level 2 (
page 222).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 222).

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.

338 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop
The ABC display or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
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.
ABS
Malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off.
The ESP and the BAS are also deacti-
vated.
The SBC brake system is still function-
ing normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

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

339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Cruise control
Visit
workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

340 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently
unavailable.
See Oper. Manual
Distronic* is switched off because

the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille is dirty


functionality is impaired by heavy
rain or thick fog

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 318).

Restart the vehicle.
or
Distronic* becomes operational again with-
out the engine being started again when the
conditions that had impaired the functionality
no longer prevail, e.g. lessening rain or slush
or snow has fallen off the Distronic* cover
while driving. You can then operate Distronic*
as usual again.
Drive to
workshop
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
ESP
Malfunction
Visit
workshop
The ESP has detected a malfunction
and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The SBC brake system is still function-
ing normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

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

341 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
The ESP is deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The SBC brake system is still function-
ing normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle
stationary, turn the steering wheel com-
pletely to the left and then to the right.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
!When sychronizing the ESP, make sure
you can turn the steering wheel in both
d i r e c t i o n s a s f a r a s i t w i l l g o w i t h o u t t h e
wheels hitting any objects, e.g. a road
curb.

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
P
Gear selector
lever to P
You have tried to start the engine with
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
with the gear selector lever not in P.

Place the gear selector lever in position P.
You have tried to turn off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton with the gear selector lever not in
P.You have opened the driver’s door
while engine is running with the gear
selector lever not in P.