2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 Owner's Manual

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 132) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset buttonJ (
page 24) or
buttonj, k, ·, orè on the
steering wheel.
Other high-priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset
buttonJ (
page 24) or buttonj,
k, ·, orè on the steering
wheel. They are then stored in the vehicle
status message memory (
page 132). Re-
member that clearing a message will only
make the message disappear. Clearing a
message will not correct the condition that
caused the message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find
a compilation of the most important warn-
ing and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 370)


Symbol messages (
page 374)
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iSwitching on ignition (
page 36)
causes all instrument cluster lamps
(except high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure
the lamps and multifunction display are
in working order before starting your
journey.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
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 deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

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 mal-
functioning.

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
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® was deactivated because of
a malfunction.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The self-diagnosis has not been com-
pleted.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.
The display will clear after driving a short dis-
tance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below
ten volts. The ESP
® has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP
® is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.

372 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
SRS
Restraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The SRS system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Transmis-
sion
Visit workshop
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*:
The provided operating safety of the
automatic transmission is reduced.

Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive
The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure
Check tires
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

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

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 329).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 408).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 304).
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator*.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable
The Run Flat Indicator* has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by 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. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

Alternator malfunctioning


Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.

Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release parking brake (
page 52).
USA only:;Canada only: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.
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Do not add brake fluid 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.