2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class Owner's Manual

Safety
Seat belts
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
ü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up for 6 seconds.The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 54).
ü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a warn-
ing tone sounds for up
to 6 seconds.The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 54).
The warning tone ceases.
ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up after
the engine starts, as
soon as the driver's or
the front-passenger
door is closed.The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 54).
The warning lamp goes out.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out.
ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp flashes and an
intermittent audible
warning sounds.The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The
vehicle is being driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly
been driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 54).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The vehicle is being
driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases.
Warning and indicator lamps271
On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety systems
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
GWARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 171).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the mal-
function.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP®(Electronic Stability
Program), PRE‑ SAFE®, PRE‑SAFE®Brake, the HOLD function and
hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will not be available.
272Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP®, EBD (elec-
tronic brake force distribution), PRE‑SAFE®, PRE‑SAFE®Brake, the
HOLD function, hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.
Possible causes are:
Rself-diagnosis is not yet complete.
Rthe on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps273
On-board computer and displays
Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.EBD is not available due to a malfunction. Therefore, ABS, BAS,
BAS PLUS, ESP®, PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE®Brake, the HOLD func-
tion and hill start assist are also unavailable, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP
®
and ESP®OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running.
ABS and ESP®are not available due to a malfunction. Therefore,
BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD, PRE ‑SAFE®, PRE‑SAFE®Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist, for example, are not available either.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
274Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
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.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
XEase off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
XDo not deactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 75) , it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP
®(Ypage 74).
å
The yellow ESP
®OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.
ESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If ESP®is switched off, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restric-
ted, e.g. Active Blind Spot Assist. The system does not perform
course-correcting brake applications.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XReactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 75) , it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP
®(Ypage 74).
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XDrive on carefully.
XHave ESP®checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
M
Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.SPORT handling mode is activated.
GWARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XOnly switch on SPORT handling mode in certain situations
(
Ypage 76).
Warning and indicator lamps275
On-board computer and displays
Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
֌
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 and hill start assist are not available due to a malfunction.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit 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.
BAS PLUS and PRE‑SAFE
®Brake may also have failed.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
276Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA only)
! (Canada only)
The red electric parking
brake indicator lamp
flashes or lights up
and/or
!
the yellow warning
lamp for the electric
parking brake lights up.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
6
The red restraint sys-
tem warning lamp is lit
while the engine is run-
ning.The restraint system is faulty.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be trig-
gered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be
triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XDrive on carefully.
XHave the restraint system checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop.
For further information about the restraint system, see
(
Ypage 50).
Warning and indicator lamps277
On-board computer and displays
Z

Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
;
The yellow Check
Engine warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.There may be a malfunction, for example:
Rin the engine management
Rin the fuel injection system
Rin the exhaust system
Rin the ignition system
Rin the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be
in emergency mode.
XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
iIn some states, you must immediately visit a qualified special-
ist workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp
lights up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in these
states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations apply in the state in which you are currently driving.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
XIf the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.
XIf the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist work-
shop.
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gage is at the
start of the scale.The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gage is defec-
tive.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue
driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 171).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
278Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays