2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 ESP

334 Practical hintsWhat 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 347).
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.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
H
USA only:
Combination low tire pressure/
TPMS malfunction telltale for
the TPMS illuminates continu-
ously.
Canada only:
Low tire pressure telltale for the
Advanced TPMS* illuminates
continuously.
The TPMS (USA only) or Advanced TPMS*
(Canada only) 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
USA only:
Combination low tire pressure/
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.

344 Practical hintsWhat 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.
USA only:
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.

351 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
unavailable
See
Oper. Manual
The ABS and ESP
® are not available
due to a malfunction. The BAS is also
deactivated.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not
be completed yet.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP®, and the BAS avail-
able.

Drive a short distance with added caution
at a vehicle speed of above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ABS,
the ESP
®, and the BAS are available again.
If the message does not disappear:

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.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. Manual
The ABS and ESP
® have switched off
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP®, and the BAS 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.
––– mph
Cruise control
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.

Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.

Release the parking brake (
page 54).

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
––– mph
Distronic
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.

Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.

Release the parking brake (
page 54).
DISTRONIC
Inoperative
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Currently
unavailable.
See
Oper. Manual
Distronic* is deactivated because the
functionality is impaired by external in-
terferences, e.g. high-frequency sourc-
es such as too stations, speed
measuring systems etc.

Leave the area of the external interfer-
ence.

Activate Distronic* again (
page 218)
when the message
DISTRONIC available
again
appears.
Distronic* is deactivated because the
Distronic* sensor has not sensed any
other vehicles or objects, e.g. road
sign or such, for a long time.

Try to activate Distronic* again
(page 218) when the message
DISTRONIC available again
appears.

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. Manual
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.
ESP unavailable
See
Oper. Manual
The ESP
® is deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.

Synchronize the ESP
®. With the vehicle
stationary, turn the steering wheel com-
pletely to the left and then to the right.
If the ESP
® message does not go out:

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.
!
When sychronizing the ESP
®, make sure you
can turn the steering wheel in both directions as
far as it will go without the wheels hitting any ob-
jects, e.g. a road curb.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.

Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.

Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
No wheel sensors
There are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter
tires).

Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Tire pressure monitor
Wheel sensor missing
One or more sensors defect (e.g. emp-
ty sensor battery).
One or more wheels without appropri-
ate wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare
wheel).

Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire pressure for the respective tire
is indicated in the multifunction display.