2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ESP

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
HUSA 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
multifunction display.
If the tire inflation pressure in the respec-
tive tire(s) has (have) been corrected,
the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after a few
minutes of driving.
HUSA 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
multifunction 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 a few
minutes of driving.
(Continued on next page)

356 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
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 294) or, if
available, the tire inflation pressure label on
the inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 279).
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Load-
ing Information placard or, if available, the
tire inflation pressure label, you should de-
termine the proper tire inflation 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 underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat 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
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.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABCVehicle Rising
Please WaitThe vehicle’s level is too low while at a
standstill. The vehicle will be raised.Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from
the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailable
See
Oper. ManualThe 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.

364 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
Inoperative
See
Oper. ManualThe 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.
Cruise Control––– MPHYou have attempted to set a speed
below 20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 215).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 94).
The gear selector lever is set to
position P, R, or N.Move the gear selector lever to position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.Release the parking brake (page 55).
Cruise Control
AND SPEEDTRONICInoperativeThe cruise control is malfunctioning.Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
DISTRONIC––– MPHYou have attempted to set a speed
below 20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 215).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 94).
The gear selector lever is set to
position 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 55).
InoperativeDistronic* is malfunctioning or the
display is malfunctioning.Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPESP
Inoperative
See
Oper. ManualThe 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. ManualThe 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 synchronizing the ESP®, make sure
you can turn the steering wheel in both direc-
tions as far as it will go without the wheels hitting
any objects, e.g. a road curb.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressuredisplayed 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 MonitorInoperativeThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure MonitorInoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere 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 MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors defect
(e.g. empty sensor battery).
The respective tire is indicated by
---
instead of the tire inflation pressure in
the multifunction display.
Have Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more wheels without
appropriate wheel sensors
mounted (e.g. spare wheel).
The respective tire is indicated by
--- instead of the tire inflation
pressure in the multifunction
display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have appropriate wheel sensors installed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure MonitorCurrently
UnavailableThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
unable to monitor the tire pres-
sure due to a nearby radio interfer-
ence source.As soon as the causes for the malfunction
are no longer present, the TPMS or
Advanced TPMS* automatically becomes
active again after a few minutes driving.
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.
Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.