2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 key

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Check
Brake
Fluid
LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XDo not drive any further.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem.
GWarning!
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.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Brake
Service
RequiredThere are malfunctions, but the electro-hydraulic brake
system is operating normally.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.$
(USA only)
J
(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:XDrive more smoothly and think ahead to avoid unnecessary
braking.XWhen driving down steep grades, shift into a lower gear to
use the engine’s braking power ( Y page 108).XCautiously continue driving so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes.$
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only)Release
Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake engaged.XRelease the parking brake.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display239Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 239Z

VehicleDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsNThe trunk is open.XClose the trunk ( Y page 75).LYou are driving with the hood open.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XClose the hood ( Y page 181).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
OYou are driving with the hood and the trunk open.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XClose the hood ( Y page 181) or the trunk ( Y page 75).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
CYou are driving with at least one door open.XClose all doors.CCheck
DoorsVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
You are pressing the lock button on the door handle and at
least one door is open.XClose all doors.KRetract.
Roof Oper.
Please
Wait
See Oper.
ManualThe on-board voltage is too low.XRepeat the opening or closing procedure.XStart the engine.The hardtop drive system was shut down for safety reasons
after multiple, consecutive attempts to raise or lower the
hardtop.
After about 10 minutes you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.XSwitch on the ignition.XRepeat the opening or closing procedure.XIf the retractable hardtop still does not open or close
properly, have the hardtop system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.KRetractabl
e Roof
LoweringThe retractable hardtop is not completely opened or closed.
The roof hydraulics will start to lose pressure.XMake sure the retractable hardtop is completely opened or
closed ( Y page 155).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display241Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 241Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsKRetractabl
e Roof
Operation
Only At
StandstillYou have attempted to open the retractable hardtop while
driving.XStop the vehicle in a safe location and try to open the
hardtop again.KRetractabl
e Roof
Not
Opened/
Closed
CompletelyYou are driving with the retractable hardtop not properly
locked.XStop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe the traffic
situation around you.XPull or push on the retractable hardtop switch until the
retractable hardtop is completely open or closed
( Y page 155).XIf the retractable hardtop still does lock properly, have the
hardtop system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.JTrunk
Partition
OpenYou are trying to open or close the retractable hardtop even
though the luggage cover in the trunk is not closed and/or
properly engaged.XClose the luggage cover and engage it into the side holders
( Y page 158).+Key
Detected
In VehicleA SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO left in the vehicle was
recognized while trying to lock the vehicle from the outside.XTake the SmartKey out of the vehicle.+Remove KeyYou have forgotten to remove the SmartKey.XRemove the SmartKey from the starter switch.+Replace
KeyThe SmartKey is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.+Change
Key
BatteriesThe batteries in the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO are
discharged.XReplace the batteries ( Y page 269).+Key Not
Detected
(message
appears in
red)The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is not detected while the
engine is running because the SmartKey is not in the vehicle.XStop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XSearch for the SmartKey.
The vehicle cannot be locked centrally nor can the engine
be started again after the engine is stopped.242Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+Key Not
Detected
(message
appears in
red)The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is not detected while the
engine is running because there is strong radio-frequency
interference.XStop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XOperate the vehicle with the SmartKey in the starter switch.+Key Not
Detected
(message
appears in
white)The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is momentarily not detected.XChange the position of the SmartKey in the vehicle.XOperate the vehicle with the SmartKey in the starter switch
if necessary.~Bluetooth
ReadyThe telephone has not yet been connected to the COMAND
system via Bluetooth ®
.XConnect the telephone to the COMAND system via
Bluetooth ®
.¥Top Up
Washer
FluidThe washer fluid in the washer fluid reservoir has fallen below
the minimum level.XAdd washer fluid ( Y page 185).YEntry
Position
Do Not
DriveThe steering wheel has not yet moved into its stored driving
position.XWait until the steering wheel has moved to its driving
position.
The message disappears.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display243Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 243Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbRear
Foglamp
LeftThe rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bLights
Are still
OnYou have removed the SmartKey from the starter switch,
opened the driver’s door and left the headlamps on or
removed the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle
and left the headlamps on.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to $ or Ã
( Y page 89).
or
XWith the rear fog lamp switched on: Push in the exterior
lamp switch to its stop.bTail Lamp
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Tail Lamp
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb OnThe left or right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A substitute bulb
is being used.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCornering
Lamp Left
or
Cornering
Lamp RightThe left or right corner-illuminating lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 271).bTurn
Signal
Rear Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Turn
Signal
Rear
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb OnThe left or right rear turn signal lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 271).252Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions45
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
does not illuminate
and/or does not
remain illuminated with
the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint
or less on the
passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between seat cushion and child seat
and check installation of the child seat.
XMake sure no objects applying supplemental weight onto the
seat are present.
XIf the passenger front air bag off indicator lamp remains out,
have the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
XRead and observe messages in the multifunction display and
follow corrective steps (Y page 226).
GWarning!
If the 45 indicator lamp does not
illuminate or remains out with the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint or less on the passenger seat, do not
transport a child on the passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.
Unlocking/locking manually
Unlocking the vehicle
If you cannot unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, unlock the
driver’s door and the trunk using the
mechanical key.
The anti-theft alarm system will trigger when
you
Runlock the driver’s door or the trunk with
the mechanical key
and
Ropen the driver’s door or the trunk
To cancel the alarm, insert the SmartKey into
the starter switch.
Removing the mechanical key
SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XMove locking tab : in the direction of
arrow.
XSlide mechanical key ; out of the housing.Unlocking/locking manually267Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 267Z

Unlocking the driver’s doorXInsert mechanical key ; into the driver’s
door lock.
XTurn mechanical key ; counterclockwise
to position 1 until the locking knob moves
up.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
XPull the door handle to open the driver’s
door.
XTurn mechanical key ; back and remove
it from the driver’s door lock.
Unlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 6.2 ft (1.89 m)
is required to open the trunk lid.
XInsert mechanical key = into the trunk lid
lock.
XTurn mechanical key = counterclockwise
to position 2.
XPull handle : and lift the trunk lid.! When you open the trunk, the trunk lid
swings open upwards. Always make sure
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
XTurn mechanical key = back and remove
it from the trunk lid lock.
Unlocking the glove box
Lockable storage areas in the passenger
compartment include:
Rthe glove box
Rthe storage compartment under the
armrest
Rthe rear storage compartments
If these cannot be unlocked by means of the
SmartKey, use the mechanical key to unlock
the glove box.
iTo unlock the remaining storage
compartments, the cause for the
malfunction of the SmartKey must be
determined and corrected, see
(Y page 68).
XInsert mechanical key : into the glove box
lock.
XTurn mechanical key : counterclockwise
to position 2.
You can now open the glove box.
iUnlocking the glove box with the
mechanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, insert the SmartKey in
the starter switch.
268Unlocking/locking manuallyPractical hints
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Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, lock it as
follows:
XOpen the driver’s door.XClose the passenger door and the trunk.XPress the central locking switch
(Y page 73).
XCheck to see whether the locking knob on
the passenger door has moved down.
XIf necessary, push it down manually.XExit the vehicle and close the driver’s door.XRemove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (Y page 267).
XCheck whether the trunk is locked.XIf it is not locked, lock it with the
mechanical key (Y page 77).
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
XInsert mechanical key ; into the driver’s
door lock.
XTurn mechanical key ; clockwise to
position 1.
The driver’s door is locked.
XTurn mechanical key ; back and remove
it from the driver’s door lock.
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-
theft alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel
filler flap and the storage compartments.
The storage compartments can be locked
separately (Y page 161).
Lowering the load assist manually
If the load assist feature does not fully lower
the retractable hardtop into the trunk
compartment and you are unable to close the
trunk lid, follow the instructions below.
XOpen the trunk (Y page 73).XRemove the trunk floor from the trunk.XHave a second person lift and hold the
retracted hardtop.
XTake the hex-socket wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 224).
XUsing hex-socket wrench :, carefully turn
locking screw ; approximately one
quarter of a turn counterclockwise.
XHook luggage cover into holders
(Y page 159).
XLet go of the hardtop.
It should gradually lower into the trunk.
XWhen hardtop is completely lowered,
return locking screw ; clockwise to its
original position.
! Do not overtighten the screw.
XReplace the trunk floor.XClose the trunk.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Replacing SmartKey batteries
If the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
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