2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ignition

337 Operation
Vehicle care
Restart the engine after cleaning
sensor cover1.
Cleaning the Parktronic system*
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors in front
bumper
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
soft, non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors1 in the bumpers.Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Make sure the hood is fully closed.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 58).
With wiper arms in vertical position,
switch off the ignition (
page 40).
!To prevent scratches or damage, never
apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning Distronic
system sensor cover1. Do not attempt to wipe
dirty sensor with a dry cloth or sponge.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
!To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
!The windshield wipers must be in a vertical
position before folding them away from the wind-
shield. They could otherwise damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms are
folded forward.


346 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on when
the engine is running.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel injection system

The ignition system

The emission control system

Systems which effect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics
system. It allows the accurate identifi-
cation of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the front
left area of the footwell next to the
parking brake pedal.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

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

Text messages (page 361)

Symbol messages (page 376)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative. Contact your nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the fail-
ure of any systems. Driving characteristics
may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and the
multifunction display are in working order before
starting your journey.

368 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display Right display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passeng.
AirbagEnabled
See Oper. ManualThe passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual,
or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the pas-
senger seat, or the passenger
seat is empty. Objects on the
seat or forces acting on the seat
may make the system sense
supplemental weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and
check the passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Remove child and child restraint from passenger seat.
Make sure that no objects which are applying supple-
mental weight onto the seat are present. The system
may recognize such supplemental weight and sense that
an occupant on the passenger seat is of a greater weight
than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door
and switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Monitor the 5/indicator lamp (
page 78) and the
multifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 143)
for the following:
(Continued on next page)

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display Right display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,

the 5/indicator lamp (page 78) should illumi-
nate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS
(
page 74) has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front Passeng. Airbag Enabled See
Oper. Manual
or the message Front Passeng. Airbag
Disabled See Oper. Manual
should not appear in the
multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the
necessary check cycles and to make sure neither
message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger
seat again. Depending on the passenger classification
sensed by the OCS (
page 74), the 5/indicator
lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 5/ indicator lamp remains
out even after performing the above correc-
tive steps, do not have any children 12 years
old and under and other small individualsuse the passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.

370 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display Right display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passeng.
AirbagDisabled
See Oper. ManualThe passenger front air bag is
deactivated while driving even
though an adult or someone
larger than a small individual is
occupying the passenger seat.
Forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense a
decrease in weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and
check the passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Have the passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door
and switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Monitor the 5/indicator lamp (
page 78) and the
multifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 143)
for the following:
(Continued on next page)

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display Right display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,

the 5/indicator lamp (page 78) should illumi-
nate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS
(
page 74) has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front Passeng. Airbag Enabled See
Oper. Manual
or the message Front Passeng. Airbag
Disabled See Oper. Manual
should not appear in the
multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the
necessary check cycles and to make sure neither
message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger
seat again. Depending on the passenger classification
sensed by the OCS (
page 74), the 5/indicator
lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 5/indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
passenger seat even after performing the
above corrective steps, do not have anypassenger use the passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

389 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
AFuel Cap
OpenA loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 279).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
KRetract. Roof Oper.
Please Wait
See Oper. Manual
The on-board voltage is too low.Start the engine.
The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multi-
ple, consecutive attempts to raise
or lower the hardtop.After about 10 minutes you can open or close the
retractable hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
Retractable Roof
LoweringThe retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pres-
sure.Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 204).
Retractable Roof
Operation
Only At StandstillYou have attempted to open the re-
tractable hardtop while driving.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.