2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG warning

Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of the
vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither
necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-
Benz because of the possibility of
incompatibility between materials used in the
production process and others applied later.
We have selected vehicle-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and which
always reflect the latest technology. You can
obtain Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the vehicle-care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references to
Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products.
Power washerGWarning!
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash tires.
The intense jet of water can result in damage
to the vehicle, especially the tires.
Damaged tires increase the risk of an
accident. Always replace a damaged tire.
Sudden loss of tire inflation pressure could
cause you to lose control over the vehicle and
cause an accident resulting into injury to you
and/or others.
! Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on
maintaining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.
Always keep the jet of water moving across
the surface. Do not aim directly at electrical
parts, electrical connectors, seals, or other
rubber parts.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and
become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
! Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape
or similar materials to painted body
components may damage the paintwork.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should
be applied when water drops on the paint
surface do not “bead up”. This should
normally be done every 3 to 5 months,
depending on the climate and washing
detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface shows
signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if
your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood
is still hot.
XUse the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for
quick and provisional repairs of minor paint
damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehicle
doors, etc.).
Vehicles with mat paint
Your vehicle is painted with mat clear-coat
paint. Observe the following notes to avoid
paint damage caused by improper treatment.
i Only use insect remover and car shampoo
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
! Do not polish the vehicle. Polishing will
brighten the paintwork.
Do not use paintwork cleaning agents,
abrasives, polishing compounds, or wax for
paintwork care. Such products are
intended for use on high-polish surfaces.
Using such products on mat paint causes
severe damage, such as bright, spotted
areas on the respective surface.
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Have paintwork repairs performed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have stone chipping repairs as soon as
possible.
Remove the following immediately if possible.
Do not apply strong force.
R Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse them of with water afterwards.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush for remains
that have not come off.
R Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
them of with water afterwards. Use a soft
bristle toothbrush for remains that have not
come off.
R Remove tree resins, grease, oil, wax, and
gasoline with commercially available
benzine.
R Dab off tar splashes or tar stains with tar
remover.
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical components
and connectors from contact with water and
cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB
Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage
bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be
protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
GWarning!
After washing the vehicle, braking efficiency
may be reduced. Reduced braking efficiency
could cause an accident.
Brake the vehicle significantly after washing
the vehicle. Observe the traffic situation when
doing so. The brake discs will warm up and
dry faster. Drive carefully after washing the
vehicle until the brakes have dried and you
can notice that brake efficiency has been
restored.
Hand-washXDo not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.XOnly use a soft, wet cloth or sponge to
clean the vehicle.XOnly use a mild vehicle wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.XThoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.XDo not spray directly towards the
ventilation intake.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
and chamois frequently.XRinse with clean water and dry with a
chamois thoroughly.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an
automatic car wash from the start. Brushless
car washes are preferable.
XTo protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using button 0074 on
the climate control panel.
! Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic
spray. Caustic spray will damage the paint
or ornamental moldings.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
running it through the automatic car wash.
! Make sure the combination switch is set
to wiper setting 0027. Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers
to move unintentionally. This may lead to
vehicle damage.
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XOnly use clean water and a soft, non-
scratching cloth to clean rear view camera
lens 0046.
Be careful not to apply wax to rear view
camera lens 0046 when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using the
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo with
plenty of water.
! Do not clean the camera and the area
around the camera
R with a high-pressure cleaner
R with a dry cloth and strong pressure
R with aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
! The windshield wipers must be in a
vertical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could otherwise
damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
XMake sure the hood is fully closed.XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn combination switch to wiper setting
00B6 (Y page 253).XWith wiper arms in vertical position, switch
off the ignition.GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the windshield and/or the wiper
blades. KEYLESS-GO: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0.
Otherwise, the wiper motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear.
XFold the wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.XClean the windshield and the wiper blade
inserts with a clean cloth and mild
detergent solution.XUse a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution on all outside and inside
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button or turning
the SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
! To clean the window interior, do not use
a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the
inside of the windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of
water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.
! Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage the
clear coat.
! The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after
it has been cleaned. This applies especially
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners
can lead to increased corrosion of the
brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved
wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel
paint if the vehicle is not driven after
cleaning.
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Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is
parked after cleaning. Drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved
Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz approved
Wheel Care products, take care not to
spray them on the brake disks.
Plastic and rubber partsXUse a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild
detergent for delicate fabrics as a washing
solution.XWipe with a cloth moistened in a lukewarm
solution.
The surface may temporarily change color.
If this is the case, wait for it to dry.GWarning!
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or the
steering wheel. Cleaners containing solvents
will make the surface porous and vehicle
occupants could suffer serious injuries from
plastic parts coming loose in the event of air
bag deployment.
! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
Hard plastic trim items
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
on a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light
pressure.
COMAND display
! You must switch off the COMAND display
and allow it to cool prior to cleaning.
! Do not use any liquids or cleaning agents.
These can damage or even destroy the
COMAND display screen.
XUse a standard microfiber cloth and apply
with light pressure.Steering wheel and gear selector leverXWipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Carpets
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet and
Fabric Care for cleaning the carpets.
Headliner
XUse a soft bristle brush or a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts
XOnly use clear, lukewarm water and soap.
! The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the
seat belts at temperatures above 176‡
(80†) or in direct sunlight.
GWarning!
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause the
upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will
be prevented.
GWarning!
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the side impact air bags. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
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Leather upholstery
Please note that leather upholstery is a
natural product and is therefore subject to a
natural aging process. Leather upholstery
may also react to certain ambient influences
such as high humidity or high temperature by
showing wrinkles for example.
XWipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-
Benz approved Leather Care.
! To avoid damage to leather upholstery:
RWipe with light pressure only.
RDo not clean with abrasive cleaning
agents such as scouring milk or powder.
RDo not soak the leather upholstery.
As leather is a natural product, it could
otherwise harden or become porous.
RExercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside
should not become wet.
Chrome-plated exhaust tip
Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plated
exhaust tips will help to maintain their shine
and the classy appearance.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome
Polishing Paste each time the vehicle has
been washed, especially during the winter.
! Do not use alkaline cleaners such as
wheel cleaners as they could cause
corrosion.
Trunk Wing
You can extend and retract the Trunk Wing
manually for cleaning.
GWarning!
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you retract the Trunk Wing manually. If
there is a risk of entrapment, release the
Trunk Wing switch to stop the retraction
process. The Trunk Wing will then extend
again.
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle. They could inadvertently retract the
extended Trunk Wing. Somebody could
become trapped and be seriously injured.
! Do not enter an automatic car wash with
the Trunk Wing extended. Otherwise, the
Trunk Wing could be damaged.
Only extend the Trunk Wing in order to
clean it by hand. Retract it again after
cleaning.
XClose the trunk lid (Y page 240).XSwitch on the ignition.XTo extend: Press Trunk Wing switch \000F.
The Trunk Wing extends.
Trunk Wing switch \000F flashes for as long as
the Trunk Wing extends. It remains
illuminated in red when the Trunk Wing is
fully extended.
XTo retract: Press and hold Trunk Wing
switch \000F until the Trunk Wing has
retracted completely.
Trunk Wing switch \000F flashes for as long as
the Trunk Wing retracts. It goes out when
the Trunk Wing is fully retracted.
The message Rear Spoiler retracts
manually appears in the multifunction
display.
iWhen you release Trunk Wing switch \000F
during the retraction process, the Trunk
Wing extends again automatically.
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Before placing the jack back into the vehicle
tool kit:XFully collapse the jack.XFold in the crank handle (storage position).
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
0064 or 0041 on the multifunction steering
wheel ( Y page 272).
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
0064 or 0041 . They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
( Y page 281). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
GWarning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.
GWarning!
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
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 365) and
symbol messages ( Y page 370).
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GWarning!
If the 007F 0080 indicator lamp remains out even after performing the above corrective steps,
do not have any children 12 years old and under and other small individuals use the passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Operator's
ManualThe passenger front air bag and the passenger-side knee bag are
deactivated while driving even though an adult or someone larger
than a small individual is occupying the passenger seat. Forces
acting on the seat may make the system sense a decrease in
weight.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.XEngage the electronic parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XHave the passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and switch
on the ignition.
Monitor the 007F 0080 indicator lamp in the center console
( Y page 38) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
( Y page 273) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,
R the 007F 0080 indicator lamp in the center console should
illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS
( Y page 49) has deactivated the passenger front air bag.
R the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See
Operator's Manual or the message Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled See Operator's Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is
unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to
complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure neither
message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger seat
again. Depending on the passenger classification sensed by the
OCS, the 007F 0080 indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go
out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWarning!
If the 007F 0080 indicator lamp remains illuminated with an adult occupant on the passenger
seat even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
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Driving systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 SolutionsCruise Control
InoperativeThe cruise control is malfunctioning.
In addition an acoustic warning sounds.XHave the cruise control checked at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.Cruise Control
- - - mph One of the activation conditions for cruise control has not been
fulfilled. You may have attempted to set a speed below 20 mph
(30 km/h). XDrive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) if the situation allows and
set the speed.XCheck the activation conditions for cruise control
( Y page 290).
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 SolutionsApply Brake
to Shift from 'P'You have attempted to shift the transmission into drive position
D , reverse gear R or neutral position N without depressing the
brake pedal.XDepress the brake pedal.Door Open
Vehicle Not in 'P'In addition an acoustic warning sounds.
You have opened the driver’s door and the transmission is still in
drive position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N.XBefore you leave the vehicle, make sure the transmission is in
park position P and the electronic parking brake is engaged.Service Required
Do Not Shift Gears
Visit DealerIn addition an acoustic warning sounds.
The transmission cannot be shifted out of the current transmission
position because of a malfunction.
If the transmission is in drive position D:XWithout shifting the transmission out of drive position D, drive
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the transmission is set to neutral position N, reverse gear R or
park position P:
XDo not drive.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call Roadside
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