2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR ESP

308 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Display malfunc-
tion
Visit
workshop!
The ESP or the ESP display is
malfunctioning.

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.
SLR
ACL system
malfunction
Visit
workshop!


The locking system is
malfunctioning.


The transmission cooling
system is malfunctioning.

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

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.

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!

350 Practical hintsFlat tire
Attach the sticker where it will be easily
seen by the driver on the instrument
cluster.
1TIREFIT container
2Flap
3Notch
4Electrical plug
5Air hose
6Flange

Open flap 2 on the electric air pump.

Pull plug4 and air hose5 out of the
pump housing.

Screw the air pump’s air hose5 onto
flange6 of the TIREFIT container.

Stick TIREFIT container1 upside
down into notch3 of the electric air
pump.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
T I R E F I T t o c o m e i n c o n t a c t w i t h h a i r , e y e s o r
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swal-
lowed or absorbed through the skin - causes
skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.iIf sealant has leaked out, let it dry. You
can then peel it off.


357 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

375 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 85
Power steering
approximately 1.15 US qt (1.1 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approximately 3.0 oz (85 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

379 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to engine
operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending
additional fuel additives other than those
tested and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.