2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR Owner's Manual

305 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
v
The yellow ABS/ESP
® warn-
ing lamp flashes while
driving.
Risk of accident!
The ESP
®, ABS, or traction control has
come into operation because of detected
traction loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.

Do not deactivate ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 86).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

306 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
-
The yellow ABS indicator
lamp comes on while the
engine is running.
Risk of accident!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP
®
are also switched off.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the automatic
transmission may also be malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without ABS
available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 319).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the ABS indicator
lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.

307 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 49).
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running and you hear a
warning sound.
Risk of accident!

There is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system.


There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location
or as soon as it is safe to do so and contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 319).
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult 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.

308 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while 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 possi-
ble 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 accu-
rate identification 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.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

309 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel filler cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel filler cap (
page 247).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel filler cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop immediately as soon as the engine
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.

310 Practical hintsWhat 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).
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
the engine is running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.

Immediately add coolant to prevent en-
gine from overheating (
page 255).
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.

Have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric
radiator fan may be broken.

If the coolant temperature is below
248°F (120°C), you can continue driv-
ing to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
the engine is running and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).

Stop as soon as possible in a safe loca-
tion and allow the engine and coolant
to cool down.
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 engine hood. Stay away from the en-
gine 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). Do-
ing so may cause serious engine damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

311 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
<
The red Airbrake warning
lamp comes on while driving
and you hear a warning
sound.
The Airbrake or the central locking system
is malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
>
The red gearshift indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
You are driving with the manual shift pro-
gram. The engine is in the overrevving
range.

Shift to the next higher gear. Otherwise the
fuel supply will be interrupted to prevent the
engine from overrevving.
A
The yellow fuel reserve warn-
ing lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.

Refuel at the nearest gas station
(page 247).
The fuel filler cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel filler cap (
page 247).
=
The engine oil temperature
indicator comes on in the
tachometer while driving.
The engine oil has not yet reached its
operating temperature.

Warm up the engine and do not drive at full
power until the operating temperature has
been reached.
The symbol will go out as soon as the engine
oil has reached its operating temperature.

312 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on for a maximum of 6 seconds
after starting the engine.
The telltale reminds you and your passenger
to fasten your seat belts before driving off.

Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts
are fastened or not, the seat belt tell-
tale always comes on and remains lit
for 6 seconds after starting the
engine.
<
You hear a warning chime for a
maximum of 6 seconds after
starting the engine.
You have forgotten to fasten your seat belt.

Fasten your seat belt.
The warning chime stops sounding.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on while the vehicle is standing
still and the engine is running or
during driving.
You and/or your passenger have forgotten to
fasten your seat belts.

Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out.
There are items placed on the passenger seat
and therefore the system senses the passen-
ger seat as being occupied.

Remove the items from the passenger
seat and put them in a safe place.
The seat belt telltale goes out.