2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR battery

332 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
<
Airbrake
Malfunction
The Airbrake locking mecha-
nism is malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop Car
The battery is malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake
system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only
limited operation. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is
required and the pedal travel is
longer. The stopping distance is
increased. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Adjust
driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.

Do not drive any further.

Call Roadside Assistance.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.

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.

337 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Reduced
Brake Effect
Start Engine
The battery has insufficient
voltage and cannot supply
sufficient power to the
electro-hydraulic brake system.
Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the
pedal travel is longer. The
stopping distance is increased.

Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
Stopping Distance
Start Engine
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.

359 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing SmartKey batteries
If the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 357).
Warning!
G
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive
substances. Therefore keep the batteries
out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
Warning!
G
SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate ma-
terial, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. Check with
your local government’s disposal guidelines.
California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Per-
chlorate/index.cfm.
i
When inserting the batteries, make sure
they are clean and free of lint.
i
When replacing batteries, always replace
both batteries. The required replacement batter-
ies are available at any Mercedes-Benz Center.

360 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteries1Mechanical key
2Unlocking the battery compartment
3Removing the battery compartment
4Slide
Insert mechanical key1in side
opening, push gray slide4 in direction
of arrow2.
The battery compartment is unlatched.

Pull battery compartment out of the
housing in direction of arrow3.5Battery
6Contact spring

Remove the discharged batteries.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries5 under the contact
spring6 with the plus (+) side facing
up.

Return battery compartment into
housing until it locks into place.

Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.

Check the operation of the SmartKey.

370 Practical hintsBatteries Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery (located in the
trunk)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 256).
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!
You must not jump start the vehicle, other-
wise the vehicle electrical systems could be
damaged.
Only use the battery charge unit tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz for use on the SLR to
charge the battery or maintain the battery
charge. Using other battery chargers may cause
damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Information on charging the batteries
(
page 371).
Have the batteries checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for maintenance intervals
or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information.
If it is necessary to replace the batteries, contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.

371 Practical hints
Batteries
Charging the batteries
You can obtain detailed information on
charging the battery from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
The 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. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. 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. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is
increased! Adjust your driving style
accordingly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 87).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in park positionP
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the battery charge unit
approved by Mercedes-Benz (supplied with
your vehicle) is being used. Gases may es-
cape during charging and cause explosions
that may result in paint damage, corrosion
or personal injury.
A battery charge unit specially adapted for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz is available,
permitting the charging of the battery in its
installed position. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for information and
availability. Charge battery in accordance
with the separate operating instructions for
the battery charger.

372 Practical hintsBatteriesCharging with the battery charger
Only use the battery charge unit approved
by Mercedes-Benz and supplied with your
vehicle. This charger is designed to auto-
matically control the charge rate, and
charge the battery or maintain the existing
charge in the battery while the vehicle is
parked and not being driven for long
periods of time (on average approximately
3 weeks or more). Not driving the vehicle
for such extended periods may cause the
charge in the vehicle battery to drop. Using the charging point
The charging point for the battery charger
is located next to the CD-changer on the
left-hand side in the trunk.
1Charging point

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Open the cover of the charging
point1.

Connect the battery charger with the
charging point 1.

Observe and follow the separate
operating instructions for the battery
charger.

Charge up the battery.
The battery charger switches off
automatically when the battery is
sufficiently charged.