2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp flashes while
the vehicle is in motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Accelerate more gently while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 74).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is deactivated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 74).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. M
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Only switch on SPORT handling mode in certain situations
(Y page 75). 278
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE‑ SAFE®
, PRE ‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist and the adaptive brake lights are unavail- able due to a malfunction.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, PRE‑SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
temporarily unavailable.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE ‑SAFE®
Brake may
also have failed.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps
279On-board computer and displays Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The red indicator lamp
for the electric parking
brake flashes or is lit
and/or the yellow
warning lamp for the
electric parking brake
is lit. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) is malfunctioning.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
For further information about the Supplemental Restraint System, see (Y page 51). Engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions ;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. There may be a fault, for example:
R in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be
running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp is on
while the engine is run-
ning. The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. 280
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the start of the scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 175).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps
281On-board computer and displays Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator may
be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be malfunc-
tioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 175).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 565).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
below 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
In addition, steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns, which can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 175).282
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 565).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Driving systems
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. A warning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 185).
Further information on PRE‑ SAFE®
Brake (Y page 77). Warning and indicator lamps
283On-board computer and displays Z

Tyres
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions h
The yellow tyre pres-
sure monitor warning
lamp (pressure loss/
malfunction) is lit.
The tyre pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at
least one of the tyres.
G WARNING
With tyre pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the fol-
lowing hazards: R the tyres may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R the tyres may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may
greatly impair tyre traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
manoeuvres. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 175).
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Check the tyres and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tyre (Y page 578).
X Check the tyre pressure (Y page 602).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. h
The yellow tyre pres-
sure monitor warning
lamp (pressure loss/
malfunction) flashes for
approximately one
minute and then
remains lit. The tyre pressure monitor is faulty.
G WARNING
The system may not be able to recognise or register low tyre pres- sure.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 284
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Useful information
............................286
Operating safety ............................... 286
At a glance ......................................... 288
System settings ................................ 310
Vehicle functions .............................. 316
Navigation ......................................... 323
Telephone .......................................... 387
Online and Internet functions ..........432
Audio .................................................. 462
Video .................................................. 501
Rear Seat Entertainment System ....519 285COMAND Online