2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 Owner's Manual

368 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,

the 75indicator lamp on the center console
should illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS has
deactivated the passenger front air bag and the passenger-side knee
bag.

the message Front-passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s
Manual
or the message Front-passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator’s Manual
should not appear in the multifunction display at
any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the sys-
tem 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 71), the 75indicator 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 75indicator lamp
remains illuminated with an adult occupant
on the passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat
Indicator.There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
restarted yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator* (page 316).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator* indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and
braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation around you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as required (page 313).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 408).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure values (
page 313).
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. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend 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.

370 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS is malfunctioning.Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS is unable to monitor the tire
pressure due to a nearby radio interfer-
ence source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been re-
moved, the 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. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend 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.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ÊThis message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.Close the trunk lid.
OYou are driving with the hood open.Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Close the hood (page 294).
JYou are driving with one or more
doors open.Close the doors.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature display
(
page 127).
If the coolant temperature is below 120°C,
you may continue driving to the nearest
specialist workshop.
Avoid 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.

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

Alternator malfunctioning

Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe loca-
tion 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. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:
Contact an Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.
USA only:
;
Canada only:
!
Release
Parking BrakeYou are driving with the parking
brake set.Release the parking brake (page 53).

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
USA only:
;
Canada only:
3
Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in
the reservoir.Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as
it is safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Do not drive any further.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
2Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their
wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant
Stop, turn engine
off
.
The coolant is too hot.
Among other possible causes,
the poly-V-belt could be broken.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
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. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Wait for the message to disappear before restarting
the engine.
Doing otherwise could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
(Continued on next page)

375 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).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature display
(
page 127).
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 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).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.