2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS check engine

EngineDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low. XAdd coolant ( Y page 324).XIf you have to add coolant frequently, have the cooling system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.GWarning!
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.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Level Low
Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XEngage the electronic parking brake.XOnly start the engine again after the message disappears. You
could otherwise damage the engine.XObserve the coolant temperature in the multifunction display.XIf the temperature rises again: Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately.
During severe operation conditions and stop-and-go city traffic,
the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡ (120†).
GWarning!
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 opening the
engine 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‡ (120†).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display381Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 381Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Level Low
Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine OffThe poly-V-belt could be broken.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf 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.XIf it is intact: Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.XObserve the coolant temperature in the multifunction display.XDrive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.?The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.XObserve the coolant temperature in the multifunction display.
If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving uphill)
as well as stop-and-go traffic.XHave the fan replaced as soon as possible.382Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 382

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic systemXStop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so and check the poly-V-belt.XIf 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.XIf it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.4
Check Engine Oil
At Next RefuelingThe engine oil has dropped to a critical level. XCheck the engine oil level ( Y page 323) and add engine oil as
required ( Y page 323).XIf you must add engine oil frequently, have the engine checked
for possible leaks.
If the message Check Engine Oil At Next Refueling appears while the engine is running
and at operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped to approximately the minimum
level.
The message will be stored in the vehicle status message memory after you have cleared it
from the multifunction display.
Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest service station
to refill your engine oil to the required level.
For information on approved engine oils contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or visit
http://www.MBUSA.com (USA only).
! Engine oil level warnings should not be ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
could result in serious engine damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCThe fuel level is low.XRefuel at the next gas station.8
Fuel Level LowThe fuel level has dropped below the reserve mark. XRefuel at the next gas station.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display383Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 383Z

AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-SPEED TransmissionDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsj
Parking Lock
Malfunct. Apply
Parking BrakeThe transmission cannot be shifted to park position P anymore.XMake sure the electronic parking brake is engaged.XBlock the wheels of the vehicle with suitable objects before
leaving the vehicle.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Have the vehicle
transported with all wheels off the ground or towed with the rear
axle raised ( Y page 415).d
Stop Engage 'P'The transmission is malfunctioning. The vehicle is not propelled
anymore and will coast to standstill.XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.d
Transmission Oil
Cooling
MalfunctionThe coolant pump of the transmission is malfunctioning. The
transmission could overheat.XSelect the AMG menu via the control system ( Y page 287) and
check the transmission fluid temperature.XAvoid heavy load on the engine and transmission such as a
dynamic manner of driving.XWhen the transmission fluid temperature is below 248‡
(120 †), continue to drive to the next authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.d
Trans. Oil
Overheated Drive
on with CareThe transmission fluid is overheated. Manual program mode M
and limiting the gear range are not available anymore. The engine
output is limited according to the degree of the overheating.XReduce the transmission fluid temperature by moderate driving.What to do if...
Lamps in the instrument cluster
Notes
If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-
check when switching on the ignition, have
the respective bulb checked and replaced if
necessary.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, turn signal
indicator lamps, and the indicator lamp for
the rear fog lamp will only come on if
activated. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if necessary.388What to do if...Practical hints
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 388

BrakeProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESC, and the hill-start assist
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 364).XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
÷
å
!The yellow ESC
warning lamp,
the yellow ESC
OFF warning
lamp, and the
yellow ABS
indicator lamp
come on while
the engine is
running and an
acoustic
warning sounds.The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP) switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS, the BAS, the ESC, and the hill-start assist system are
also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
systems specified above available.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 364).XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
What to do if...389Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 389Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsF (USA only)
! (Canada only)
The red indicator lamp
for the electronic
parking brake flashes
and/or the yellow
warning lamp for the
electronic parking
brake is on.The electronic parking brake is malfunctioning or defective.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 364).XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
the engine is running
and an acoustic
warning sounds.There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!XDo not drive any further. Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as it is safe to do so.XEngage the electronic parking brake.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 364).XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem.
GWarning!
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated 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 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.
390What to do if...Practical hints
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 390

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsìThe yellow ESC
SPORT warning
lamp comes on
while the engine
is running.ESC SPORT is activated.
Risk of accident!
When ESC SPORT is activated it will only stabilize the vehicle to a
limited extent if the system recognizes that the vehicle starts to
skid or that a wheel is spinning.XSwitch ESC SPORT off ( Y page 62).
The message ESC-ON appears in the multifunction display.÷
åThe yellow ESC
warning lamp
and the yellow
ESC OFF
warning lamp
come on while
the engine is
running. The ESC is not operational due to a malfunction.
The ABS, the BAS, and the hill-start assist system are also
switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
systems specified above available.XRead and observe additional messages that may appear in the
multifunction display.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
÷The yellow ESC
warning lamp
flashes while
driving.The ESC or the ETS has come into operation because of detected
traction loss in at least one tire.XWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.XWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.XAdapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.XDo not deactivate the ESC.
Exceptions: ( Y page 62).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
What to do if...393Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 393Z

VehicleProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions8The yellow fuel
tank reserve
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running. The fuel level has gone below the reserve mark.XRefuel at the next gas station.
Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions;The yellow
engine
malfunction
indicator lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running. There may be a malfunction in
R the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the emission control system
R systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive emissions values and
may switch the engine to limp-home (emergency operation) mode.XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as
soon as the engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.
;The yellow
engine
malfunction
indicator lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running.A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaky.XCheck the fuel cap ( Y page 321).XIf it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.XIf it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.çThe red engine
oil temperature
warning lamp is
on while the
engine is
running. In
addition, an
acoustic
warning sounds.The engine oil temperature is above 284‡ (140†).
The engine is not cooled sufficiently and could be damaged.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so and turn off the engine.XLet the engine cool.394What to do if...Practical hints
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 394