Page 286 of 417
285 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 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
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized 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.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:
255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL
295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL
295/35 ZR18 (99Y)
Page 288 of 417
287 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the right multifunction display:Service exceeded by .. days
Service exceeded by .. kmAny authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.
Calling up the service due date
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
The standard display of the control
system appears (
page 117).
Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator service
symbol 9 appears in the left multi-
function display and the service dead-
line appears in the right multifunction
display.
iYou should not disconnect the consum-
er battery if you do not intend to use
your SLR for a longer period. Instead,
maintain the condition of the battery by
using the battery charger approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on the SLR and
supplied with the car (
page 356).
This charger automatically controls the
charge rate, and can be left connected
to the car for long periods without dam-
age to the battery.
If the battery supplying the vehicle’s
electrical consumers is disconnected,
the days of disconnection will not be in-
cluded in the count shown by the ser-
vice indicator. To arrive at the true
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract these days from the days shown
in the service indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance
service indicator with the engine oil
level indicator:.
Page 298 of 417
297 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solutions
-
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 dis-
play).
The SBC brake system is still functioning
normally but without ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning
the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the display
(page 304).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and battery
checked.
Page 307 of 417
306 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Text messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ABS has detected a mal-
function and has switched off.
The ESP and the BAS are also
deactivated.
The SBC brake system is still
functioning normally but with-
out the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Display malfunc-
tion
Visit
workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Page 308 of 417
307 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ESP has detected a mal-
function and switched off. The
SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally. The ABS may
still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Unavailable!
See Oper.'s Man.
The ESP is deactivated because
the power supply has been in-
terrupted. The SBC brake sys-
tem is still functioning
normally.
Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle stationary, turn
the steering wheel completely to the left and then to the
right.
Ensure that you can turn the steering wheel to the stop
without the wheels touching an object (e.g. the road
curb).
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Page 314 of 417
313 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Reduced
brake effect
Visit
workshop!
The SBC brake system is
in emergency operation
mode. Considerable
brake pedal force is re-
quired and the stopping
distance is increased.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately. Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of
an accident.
Increased
braking distance
Visit
workshop!
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 357).
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. Stopping distance is increased!
Page 332 of 417
331 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pressure
Caution
tire defect!
The tire inflation pressure in
one or more tires is dropping.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
Temporarily repair tire using TIREFIT (
page 349) or
contact Roadside Assistance. If tire cannot be tempo-
rarily repaired using TIREFIT, contact Roadside Assis-
tance.
Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle.
Continued driving with a flat tire will cause
excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
Have worn or damaged tires replaced in
pairs (front pair or rear pair). Otherwise the
driving stability of the vehicle will be ad-
versely affected.
Page 333 of 417
332 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pressure
Check
tires!
The tire inflation pressure in
one or more tires is already be-
low the minimum value.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
Check the tires. If no damage visible, check and correct
tire inflation pressure as required.
Temporarily repair tire using TIREFIT (
page 349) or
contact Roadside Assistance. If tire cannot be tempo-
rarily repaired using TIREFIT, contact Roadside Assis-
tance.
Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle.
Continued driving with a flat tire will cause
excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
Have worn or damaged tires replaced in
pairs (front pair or rear pair). Otherwise the
driving stability of the vehicle will be ad-
versely affected.
