2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ESP

324 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in the instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 84).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP, ABS, or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 83).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

325 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.

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

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 335).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

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.

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.

345 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires
electrical energy and therefore has
only limited operation. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is re-
quired and the stopping distance is
increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Visit
workshop!
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 capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.

Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise, the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Notify an authorized
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.

348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
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.

Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center im-
mediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.
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 circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle 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 infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 408).
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!

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter
engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 274) and check the
engine oil level (page 272).
Engine oil level
Stop, put engine off
There is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as soon as
possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 274) and check the
engine oil level (page 272).
Engine oil level
Reduce
oil level
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.

Have excess oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with respect to its
disposal.