2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS ESP

327 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Checking anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Adding of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning* system. Add
MB Concentrate “S” to a pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 429).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4.0 mm) on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Using winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires mounted to your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.

328 OperationWinter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with the collapsible tire, MOExtended
tires in general, and with the following
tire sizes:

245/40 R17


245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)

333 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service data information
The maintenance service indicator shows
the maintenance service type (letters
A-H)
in the multifunction display approximately
one month before the maintenance service
appointment is due in miles or km (dis-
tance criterion) or in days (time criterion).
This maintenance service type is based on
the maintenance service items to be car-
ried out. The maintenance service items
are described in the Maintenance Booklet.
The maintenance service items to be car-
ried out under the corresponding mainte-
nance service type can be displayed in the
multifunction display.Calling up the service item menu

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
Items
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Items
menu.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
iThe maintenance service items to be
carried out are shown in this menu.
Please refer to the Maintenance Book-
let for a description of each mainte-
nance service item.

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in 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 ignition
(
page 35), have the respective bulb
checked and replaced if necessary.
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
ESP are also switched off (see mes-
sages in display).
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.
If the ABS control unit is malfunction-
ing, other systems such as the
automatic transmission* may also be
malfunctioning.

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

Read and observe the messages in
the display (
page 348).

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.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched
off.
The battery might not be charged suf-
ficiently.

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.

345 Practical hints
What to do if …
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp comes
on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 84).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on, have the
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The yellow ESP warning lamp flashes
while driving.
The ESP or traction control has
come into operation because of de-
tected traction loss in at least one
tire.

When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 82).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
comes on while driving.
Additionally you see the message Reserve fuel
in the multifunction
display.
The fuel level has gone below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station (
page 284).
After refueling you will see the message
1 Malfunction
in the multifunction display.

Press reset buttonJ to confirm the message
(page 24).
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution

350 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
the BAS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
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.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

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.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The self-diagnosis has not been com-
pleted.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.
The display will clear after driving a short dis-
tance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below
ten volts. The ESP has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The 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 an accident.
SRS
Restraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The SRS system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Transmis-
sion
Visit workshop
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*:
The provided operating safety of the
automatic transmission is reduced.

Drive with added caution to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center.