2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR display

68 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyWarning!
G
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp illuminates when an adult or someone
larger than a small individual is in the pas-
senger seat, have the passenger re-position
himself or herself in the seat until the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
goes out.
For information on air bag display
messages, see (
page 324).
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow passenger front air bag or
passenger knee air bag deployment when
the OCS classified the passenger seat occu-
pant as being up to or less than the weight
of a typical 12-month-old child in a standard
child restraint or if the passenger seat is
sensed as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the passenger
seat occupant is classified as being up to or
less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indi-
cator lamp will illuminate when the engine is
started and remain illuminated, indicating
that the passenger front air bag and passen-
ger knee air bag are deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger
seat is classified as being empty, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started
and remain illuminated, indicating that the
passenger front air bag and the passenger
knee air bag are deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger
seat occupant is classified as being heavier
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child seated in a standard child restraint or
as being a small individual (such as a young
teenager or a small adult), the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the
engine is started and then, depending on
occupant weight sensor readings from the
seat, remain illuminated or go out. With the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
illuminated, the passenger front air bag and
the passenger knee air bag are deactivated.
With the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp out, the passenger front air bag and
the passenger knee air bag are activated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger
seat occupant is classified as an adult or
someone larger than a small individual, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the passenger front air bag

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The switch is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP
® switch

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lampv in
the instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lampv in
the instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system com-
bines a hydraulic brake circuit with elec-
tronically controlled brake servo
assistance. You have increased braking
safety and improved braking comfort.
Warning!
G
When the ABS/ESP
® warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers reduces.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated
in the speedometer display, for example by
the ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only)
warning lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section (
page 307). Also read and ob-
serve the messages in the instrument
cluster multifunction display (
page 334).

88 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
automatically activated when you

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
Warning!
G
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 307)
comes on and warning messages
(
page 334) appear in the multifunction
display while driving. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-hy-
draulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels
off the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
u p t o 3 0 m i l e s ( 5 0 k m ) a n d a t a s p e e d n o t t o
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 373).
i
If the electro-hydraulic brake system is acti-
vated as the brake pedal is first depressed, you
may feel a reduced pedal resistance and longer
pedal travel than normal. When releasing the
pedal, you may also feel the brake pedal pulsate
and you may hear a sound which is caused by the
activation of the electro-hydraulic brake system
pump. This is normal and not an indication of a
malfunction. Pedal travel returns to normal when
you release the brake pedal and the sound soon
ceases.
If you experience the above while driving and the
red brake warning lamp (
page 307) illumi-
nates and/or warning messages appear in the
multifunction display (
page 334), the brake
system is malfunctioning. Follow the instructions
of the warning message(s) and have the brake
system checked immediately.

106 Controls in detailLightingFor information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 51)
and “Turn signals” (
page 51).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
MOff
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 108)
UAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 108)
CParking lamps (also tail lamps,
license plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)BLow-beam headlamps or high-beam
headlamps
ˆStanding lamps, right
(turn left one stop)
‚Standing lamps, left
(turn left two stops)
CIndicator lamp for parking lamps
‡Indicator lamp for front fog lamps
†Indicator lamp for rear fog lamp
i
If you drive in countries where vehicles drive
on the other side of the road than the country
where the vehicle is registered, you must have
the headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
If you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the low-beam headlamps or the
parking lamps before opening the driver’s door.
In addition the message$
Lights Are
Still On
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the headlamps or the parking lamps.
If the message
Switch off lights or re-
move key.
appears in the multifunction display,
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch or
switch off the automatic headlamp mode.
!
Failure to switch off the headlamps when
leaving the vehicle may result in a discharged
battery.

114 Controls in detailInstrument clusterFor a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(page 28).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you


open a door


switch on the ignition


press the reset button1


switch on exterior lampsOpening a door will activate the instrument
cluster only for about 30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 132).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use the reset button1 to adjust the illu-
mination brightness for the instrument
cluster and the switches on the center
console.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn the reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
i
The instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient light
conditions.

115 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
Resetting trip odometer
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display in
the multifunction display (
page 117).

Press buttonk orj until the
trip odometer appears in the right
multifunction display.

Press and hold the reset button1
(page 114) until the trip odometer is
reset.
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 which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
f r o m t h e e n g i n e i f y o u s e e o r h e a r s t e a m
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 310)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 340).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).

116 Controls in detailInstrument clusterTachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(page 29) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the left or right multifunction display
(page 117), depending on the setting for
the standard display (
page 132). The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!
Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

117 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1. The control system
enables you to call up information about
your vehicle and to change vehicle
settings.
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
The multifunction display consists of the
display fields in the speedometer and the
tachometer. In its default state, the left
display field shows the outside tempera-
ture and main odometer, while the trip
odometer and the clock appears in the
right display field. This default setting is
referred to as the standard display.Standard display1Main odometer
2Outside temperature or speed
3Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
4Trip odometer
5Automatic transmission shift program
mode
6Clock
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.