Page 291 of 409

290 OperationMaintenanceMaintenance 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 .. milesAny 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).
Press buttonè orÿ on the
multifunction steering wheel repeated-
ly until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
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.
iIf the vehicle is not be used for a longer
period of time, do not disconnect the
consumer battery. 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 358).
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:.
Page 300 of 409

299 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
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 electrohydraulic 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 multi-
function display (
page 307).
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.
Page 316 of 409

315 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
<
Airbrake malfunc
The Airbrake locking mecha-
nism is malfunctioning.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
#
Battery/
Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery or the alternator is
malfunctioning.
The electrohydraulic brake sys-
tem requires electrical energy
and therefore has only limited
operation. Considerably great-
er brake pedal force is required
and the pedal travel is longer.
The stopping distance is in-
creased.
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.
Read and observe messages in the multifunction display.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Convenience func-
tions
Temporarily
Unavailable
The consumer battery has in-
sufficient voltage and can no
longer supply the convenience
functions such as power win-
dows.
The electrical consumers will come back online as soon as
on-board voltage is sufficient.
Page 317 of 409

316 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
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 pedal travel
is longer. The stopping distance
is increased.
Stop your vehicle immediately in a safe location 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.
Read and observe messages in the multifunction display.
There is a malfunction in the
electronic system.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Page 322 of 409
321 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
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 electrohy-
draulic brake system.
Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
stopping 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 possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.
Page 347 of 409
346 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.
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 344).
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.
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.
Page 348 of 409
347 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
1Mechanical key
2Unlocking the battery compartment
3Removing the battery compartment
4Slide
Insert mechanical key1in side
opening, push gray slide4 in direction
of arrow2.
The battery compartment is unlatched.
Pull battery compartment2 out of the
housing in direction of arrow3.5Battery
6Contact spring
Remove the discharged batteries.
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries5 under the contact
spring6 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.
Page 357 of 409

356 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 251).
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 358).
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.