2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR engine overheat

333 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible 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 capability.
Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the
pedal travel is longer. The stop-
ping distance is increased. If
necessary, apply full pressure
to the brake pedal.

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location 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 authorized Mercedes-Benz Center imme-
diately. Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

Read and observe additional messages in the
multifunction display.
The starter battery has been
charged with a battery charger
or jump started.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
There is a malfunction in the
electronic system.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.

338 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Brakes Overheated
Drive on, but with
even greater care
The brake system is overheated
due to an excessive load on the
brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake system.

Drive more smoothly and think ahead to avoid
unnecessary braking.

Use the engine’s braking power more frequent-
ly. Shift into a lower gear (
page 174).

Cautiously continue driving so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes.

The message disappears after driving carefully
for a few minutes.
Warning!
G
Overheating of the brake system will short-
en the service life of the brake disks. The
brake disks could fail. Have the brake disks
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

340 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
B
Top Up
Coolant
See Oper. Manual
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 255).
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
immediately.
•
The cooling fan for the coolant
is malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 29).
If the coolant temperature is below 248°F (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 the 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 cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster (
page 29).
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 which can occur just by open-
ing the hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam 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.
!
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.