2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG instrument cluster

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)

384 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated 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 engine 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). Do-
ing so may cause serious engine damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
BTop Up
Coolant
See Oper. ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 288).
Comply with all warnings while doing so.
If you have to add coolant frequently, have the
cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the coolant temperature is below 120°C,
you may continue driving to the nearest
specialist workshop.
Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine
(e.g. by driving uphill) as well as stop-and-go
traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
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 could 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 cool-
ing system. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.

470 Index
Control system submenus 147
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 163
Time 161
Vehicle 166
Convenience feature 206
Coolant 463
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 464
Checking coolant level 288
Coolant warning lamp 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 383, 385
Temperature 278
Temperature gauge 141
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 136
Replacing bulbs 409
Courtesy lighting 139
Cruise control 214
Messages in the multifunction
display 364, 365
Cup holder 243
Curb weight 323D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 163
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 196
Defrosting, Front 195
Defrosting, Rear 187
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 60
With starting the engine 54
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 149
Dimensions, Vehicle 455
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (tires) 294
Displays
Digital speedometer 149
Distronic* 156, 220, 222
Maintenance service indicator 330
Multifunction display 143Outside temperature 142, 149
Symbol messages 376
Text messages 361
Vehicle status message memory 156
Vehicle status messages 359
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 169
Distance warning function* 229
Activating 230
Deactivating 230
Intermittent warning sound 229
Symbol 222
Distronic* 218
“Resume” function 225
Activating 223
Cleaning system sensor cover 336
Control system 156, 222
Distance warning function* 229
Driving hints 227
System sensor cover 336
Warning and indicator
lamps 27, 220, 221, 229, 350

474 Index
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 270
Hood 282
Messages in the multifunction
display 390
Opening 282
Horn 25
HVAC see Automatic climate control
Hydroplaning 272
I
Identification labels 444
Identification number, Vehicle (VIN) 445
Ignition 40
Immobilizer 98
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tire inflation
pressure
Inside door handle 113Instrument cluster 26, 140
Illumination brightness 140
Lamps 342
Language 160
Messages in the multifunction
display 26, 359
Multifunction display 143
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 138
Delayed switch-off 165
Interior rear view mirror 49
Antiglare position 185
Auto-dimming 185
J
Jack 401
Jacking up the vehicle 418
Jump starting 432K
Key, Mechanical 403
Valet locking 120
Key, SmartKey
Batteries 407
Battery check lamp 104
Checking the batteries 113
Factory setting 106
Global locking 106, 107
Global unlocking 106, 107
Locking/unlocking 38, 65, 104
Loss of 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 390
Opening, Trunk 115
Opening/closing retractable
hardtop 206
Remote control 104
Replacing batteries 407
Reprogramming 107
Restoring to factory settings 107
Selective setting 107
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 53
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114

482 Index
Storage compartments 238
Armrest 239
Cup holder 243
Glove box 238
In door 238
Locking compartments
separately 240
Locking storage compartments 240
Parcel net 241, 242
Rear 240
Seats 239
Telephone* compartment 239
Unlocking compartments
separately 241
Unlocking storage
compartments 241, 404
Ventilated glove box 200
Storing tires 293
Submenus 147
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 160, 161
Lighting 163Selecting 158
Settings menus 158
Time 161
Vehicle 166
Summer opening feature 206
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 186
Sunshade 213
Closing 213
Opening 213
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 233
For sporty driving style 233
Suspension tuning (ABC) 230
Switching on headlamps 57
Symbol
Distance warning function* 222
Synchronizing
ESP
®367
Power windows 203
Synchronizing time with head unit 161T
Tachometer 29, 142
Tail lamps 410, 414
Cleaning lenses 336
Technical data
Electrical system 454
Main dimensions 455
Rims and tires 449
Weights 456
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system 465
Tele Aid 250
Emergency calls 252
Information 254
Initiating an emergency call
manually 253
Messages in the multifunction
display 396
Roadside Assistance 253
SOS button 33, 253
Tele Aid system 251