2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER ESP inoperative

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 23).
Important safety notes
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
( Y page 27).
GWARNING
The driver's concentration must always be
directed primarily at road traffic.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) per
second.
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
Rmalfunction/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.GWARNING
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner's and/or driver's
responsibility to maintain the vehicle's
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the
malfunction and warning messages.
Displays and operation
Instrument lighting
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster
( Y page 27).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwise
or counter-clockwise.
Instrument cluster: if the light switch is set
to à , T or L , brightness control
takes ambient light into account.
i The light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of
the multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated.
Displays and switches in the vehicle
interior: if the light switch is set to Ã,
brightness control takes ambient light into
account. If the light switch is set to T or
L , brightness control does not take
ambient light into account.
180Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only), ÷, å
and ! warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XCarefully drive a short distance on a suitable stretch of road,
making slight steering movements at a speed above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages201On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable
due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Operator's Manual GRisk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the
HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Check Brake Pad
WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.F (USA
only) ! (Canada
only)
Release Parking
BrakeThe red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds. A condition for automatic
release of the electric parking brake is not fulfilled ( Y page 150).
You are driving with the electric parking brake applied.XRelease the electric parking brake manually.The red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are making an emergency stop using the electric parking
brake ( Y page 150).202Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe yellow ! warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release the electric parking brake, the red F (USA
only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning. It is not possible to
apply the electric parking brake manually.XVehicles with manual transmission: switch off the ignition.
The electric parking brake is applied automatically.
You can release the electric parking brake using the automatic
emergency release ( Y page 150).XVehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission
to P as the electric parking brake is not being applied
automatically.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
i If you do not wish the electric parking brake to be applied,
leave the ignition switched on, e.g. when washing the vehicle in
an automatic car wash or when having the vehicle towed.
Exception: when having the vehicle towed with the rear axle
raised ( Y page 287).
F (USA
only) ! (Canada
only)
Pkg Brake
InoperativeThe yellow ! warning lamp lights up. The red F (USA
only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about ten
seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or
released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of
overvoltage or undervoltage.XRemove the cause for the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging the battery or restarting the engine.XEngage or release the electric parking brake.
If it remains impossible to apply or release the electric parking
brake:
XSwitch off the ignition and turn it back on.XEngage or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages205On-board computer and displaysZ

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.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsG
Tele Aid
InoperativeUSA only: one or more of the main functions in the mbrace system
are malfunctioning.
Canada only: one or more of the main functions of the TELEAID
system are malfunctioning.XUSA only: have the mbrace system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.XCanada only: have the TELEAID system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.PRE-SAFE
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of injury
Important functions of PRE-SAFE ®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. air bags, remain available.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.Display messages207On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsPRE-SAFE
Function Currently
Limited See Oper.
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes are:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator trim is dirty
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R AMG vehicles: ESP ®
is deactivated.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
If the display message does not disappear:
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the electric parking brake.XClean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator trim
( Y page 269).XClean the bumpers ( Y page 269).XRestart the engine.XAMG vehicles: reactivate ESP ®
(Y page 60).
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again.
PRE-SAFE
Functions Limited
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is defective. BAS PLUS or the distance warning
signal may also have failed.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.208Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Rear Fog LampThe rear fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Parking
Lamp or Check Front
Right Parking LampThe front left or front right parking or standing lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Backup LightThe backup lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Sidemarker
Lamp or Check Front
Right Sidemarker
LampThe left or right front side marker lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Sidemarker
Lamp or Check Rear
Right Sidemarker
LampThe rear left or right side marker lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Daytime
Running
Light or Check
Right Daytime
Running LightThe left or right-hand daytime running lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 109).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Active Headlamps
InoperativeThe active light function is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages215On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Malfunction See
Operator's ManualThe exterior lighting is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
AUTO Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Switch Off LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to c or à .
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 262).XIf coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.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.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored.
216Display messagesOn-board computer and displays