2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG ESP

317 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 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.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select setting 1 of the level control sys-
tem (
page 220). Other settings may
result in damage to your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 86) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel and with tire
size:

285/35 R18 97W


285/35 R18 97Y


285/35 ZR18 97Y


285/35 R18 97Y MOExtended


285/35 R18 97V M+S .
MOExtended


285/30 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)

329 Operation
Vehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Instrument cluster and cup holders

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
Hard plastic trim items

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
disks.
!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

332 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in the 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 the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP
® warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.

Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 87).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP
® warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP
®, ABS, or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 86).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

333 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
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 display).
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without ABS avail-
able.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.

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

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.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 345).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

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.

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
H
Combination low tire pres-
sure/TPMS malfunction telltale
for the TPMS illuminates contin-
uously.
The TPMS detects a loss of pressure in at
least one tire.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation
around you.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display.
If the tire inflation pressure in the respec-
tive tire(s) has (have) been corrected, the
combination low tire pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale goes out after few minutes
driving.
H
Combination low tire pres-
sure/TPMS malfunction telltale
for the TPMS flashes for
60 seconds and then stays illu-
minated.
There is a malfunction in the TPMS.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display.

Have the TPMS checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
After the malfunction has been remedied
the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after few
minutes driving.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of in-
compatible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

349 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
Malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off.
The ESP
® and the BAS are also deacti-
vated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
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 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 malfunc-
tioning.

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.
Cruise control
Visit
workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
Malfunction
Visit
workshop
The ESP
® has detected a malfunction
and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.

Continue driving with added caution.

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 ESP
® or the ESP
® display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.