2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 Warning message

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.

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.

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.

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine.
/
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 313).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn off
the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not
stand near the vehicle until the engine has
cooled down.
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.
When the display is malfunctioning, warnings
and malfunction messages might not be dis-
played.
Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems
have malfunctioned. Some systems
themselves may also have malfunc-
tioned.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with
one or more doors open.

Close all doors.

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message
Add 1 qt.
(Canada:
1 liter
) engine oil when next
refueling (SLK 55 AMG) or
Check oil
level when next refueling (SLK 280,
SLK 350) appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
N
Check oil level
when next refueling
SLK 280 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.

Check the engine oil level (
page 308) and
add engine oil as required (page 312).

If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 312) and check the
engine oil level (page 308).
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

397 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manuallyWarning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on


after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable roof being opened
.


Properly lock retractable hardtop before
continuing to drive (
page 252).
Warning!
G
Manually closing the retractable hardtop is a
complicated and technically demanding pro-
cedure and should only be performed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or quali-
fied technician. Attempting to manually
close the retractable hardtop may cause
damage to the retractable hardtop and/or
personal injury.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.