Page 344 of 464
344 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
±
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow engine
malfunction indicator
lamp comes on while
driving.
There is a malfunction in:
the fuel management system
the ignition system
the emission control system
systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in ex-
cessive emissions values and may
switch the engine to its limp-home
(emergency operation) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used by
the service station to link the vehicle to the
shop diagnostics system. It allows the accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area of the
footwell near the hood release.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refueling start, turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
Additionally you see
the message
Check
gas cap
See Operator’s
Manual
in the multi-
function display.
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaking.
Check the fuel cap (
page 284).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 346 of 464
346 Practical hintsWhat to do if …4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
flashes after starting the engine.
The fuel cap is not closed properly.
Close the fuel cap.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes on
after starting the engine and with all
doors closed.
The seat belt telltale reminds you
and your passenger to fasten your
seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts.
For more information, see “Seat belts”
(page 69).
1
The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in the re-
straint systems. The air bags or
emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to deploy in an accident.
Drive with added caution to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event that a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you visit an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked;
otherwise the SRS may not be activated
when needed in an accident, which could re-
sult in serious or fatal injury, or it might de-
ploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in an accident and/or
injury to you or to others.
Page 356 of 464
356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.
Release parking brake (
page 49).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
3
Brake fluid
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.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Page 357 of 464
357 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The poly-V-belt could be
broken.
Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt (
page 411).
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the engine will overheat
due to an inoperative water pump which may result in dam-
age to the engine. Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message dis-
played. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Observe the coolant temperature display (
page 122).
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine
damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 358 of 464
358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.
Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine.
/
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 293).
If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn off
the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not
stand near the vehicle until the engine has
cooled down.
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.
Page 360 of 464
360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message
Add 1 qt.
(Canada:
1 liter
) engine oil when next
refueling (SLK 55 AMG) or
Check oil
level when next refueling (SLK 350)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the
minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 292) and check the
engine oil level (page 288).
Check oil level
when next refueling
SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.
Check the engine oil level (
page 288) and
add engine oil as required (page 292).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Page 361 of 464
361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off
SLK 55 AMG only:
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 292) and check the
engine oil level (page 288).
Engine oil level
Visit workshop
SLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunc-
tioning.
Have the measuring system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
SLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.
Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect
to its disposal.
Engine oil
Visit workshop
SLK 55 AMG only:
There may be water in the engine
oil.
Have the engine oil checked.
Page 388 of 464
388 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.
Set the parking brake (
page 49).
Move the gear selector lever* toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 58).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire are different from those of the
road wheels. As a result, the vehicle han-
dling characteristics change when driving
with a spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire is for
temporary use only. When driving with spare
wheel with collapsible tire mounted, ensure
proper tire inflation pressure and do not ex-
ceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
with collapsible tire replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire mount-
ed.
