2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 ESP

Symbol messages
BrakeDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#Reduced
Brake
Effect
Depress
brake
pedal
fully.The electro-hydraulic brake system is in emergency operation
mode. Considerably greater brake pedal force is required and
the brake pedal travel is longer. The stopping distance is
increased.
The maximum speed is limited to 55 mph (90 km/h).XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XDo not drive any further.XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking the
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable objects.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Reduced
Brake
Effect
Service
RequiredThe electro-hydraulic brake system is in emergency operation
mode. Considerably greater brake pedal force is required and
the brake pedal travel is longer. The stopping distance is
increased.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XDo not drive any further.XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking the
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable objects.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.GWarning!
Driving while one of the previous messages is
displayed can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much further
than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-
hydraulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommendedVehicle status messages in the multifunction display237Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 237Z

towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is only permissible for distances up to30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). For more information, see
“Towing the vehicle”.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Reduced
Brake
Effect
Start
EngineThe battery has insufficient voltage and cannot supply
sufficient power to the electro-hydraulic brake system.XStart the engine.
The message disappears when sufficient voltage is
available.GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and lead to death. Do not
run the engine in confined areas (such as a
garage) which are not properly ventilated.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their wear limit.XHave the brake pads replaced as soon as possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually inspected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
GWarning!
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system carried
out by qualified technicians only. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
The electro-hydraulic brake system must be
deactivated prior to working on the system.
High pressure is intermittently built up in the
system as part of its automatic self-test.
In addition, the system is automatically
activated when the vehicle is unlocked by
remote control, when the driver or passenger
door is opened, when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is turned to position 1 or the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button is pressed
once, when the brake pedal is depressed or
when the parking brake is released. Failure to
deactivate the system prior to maintenance
will cause brake pistons to extend and brake
fluid to leak, which may result in injuries
(contusions and acid burns). Extended brake
pistons may also cause injury.238Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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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

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsIRaise
Roll-over
BarThe roll bar is malfunctioning.
For safety reasons, always have the roll bar raised when
driving with the retractable hardtop open.XAttempt to raise the roll bar using the roll bar button
( Y page 51).XHave the roll bar checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.IRaise
Roll-over
BarThe roll bar was raised automatically and you have attempted
to open or close the retractable hardtop.XRaise the roll bar manually until you hear the roll bar lock
into place ( Y page 51).XOpen or close the retractable hardtop.GTele Aid
Inoperativ
eOne or more main functions of the Tele Aid system are
malfunctioning.XHave the Tele Aid system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.+Restraint
System
Malfunctio
n
Service
RequiredThere is a malfunction in the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS). The air bags or the Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or fail to activate in an
accident.XDrive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center and have the system checked
immediately.GWarning!
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not
be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it
might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in injury.240Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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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

EngineDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions=
or
;Engine
ServiceThere may be a malfunction in
R the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the exhaust system
R the fuel systemXHave the engine checkedas soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.;Service
RequiredCertain electronic systems are unable to relay information to
the control system. The coolant temperature display or the
tachometer may have failed.XHave the electronic systems checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.+Top Up
Coolant
See Oper.
ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant ( Y page 184).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.
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