2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS battery

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:.

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.

310 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Electric
consumers
offline!
The consumer battery has in-
sufficient voltage and can no
longer supply the convenience
functions.
The electrical consumers will come back online as soon as
on-board voltage is sufficient.
Battery/
Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery or the alternator is
malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires
electrical energy and therefore
has only limited operation.
Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the
stopping distance is increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediate-
ly.

Observe the additional messages in the instrument clus-
ter.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.

311 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Visit
workshop!
The battery is no longer charg-
ing. Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake
system requires electrical ener-
gy and may be operating with
restricted capability. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force
is required and the stopping
distance is increased.

Stop your vehicle safely 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 authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsiveness.

Observe the additional messages in the instrument
cluster.
There is a malfunction in the
electronic system.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.

315 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient
voltage and cannot supply suffi-
cient power to the SBC brake
system.

Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
braking distance
Start engine!
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.

344 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive
substances. Therefore keep the batteries
out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.

345 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
SmartKey

Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 342).
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Insert the mechanical key1in side
opening and push gray slide.
The battery compartment is unlatched.

Pull battery compartment2 out of the
housing in direction of arrow.

Remove the batteries.3Battery
4Contact spring

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries3 under the contact
spring4 with the plus (+) side facing
up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.

Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.

Check the operation of the SmartKey.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.iWhen replacing batteries, always re-
place both batteries. The required re-
placement batteries are available at
any Mercedes-Benz Center.

354 Practical hintsBatteries Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery (located in the
trunk)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 250).
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.!You must not jump start the vehicle,
otherwise the vehicle electrical sys-
tems could be damaged.
Only use the battery charge unit tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for
use on the SLR to charge the battery or
maintain the battery charge. Using oth-
er battery chargers may cause damage
to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Information on charging the batteries
(page 355).
Have the batteries checked regularly
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
If it is necessary to replace the batter-
ies, notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.