2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
M Solutions !
N
The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is faulty.
An additional warning tone indicates that EBD (electronic brake force distribution) is faulty.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be faulty.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock, for example, if you brake
hard.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The braking
distance may 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 Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, will be unavailable. J÷
å!
N
The red brake system warning lamp and the yellow ESP ®
, ESP ®
OFF and ABS
warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP ®
are faulty.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be faulty.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock, for example, if you brake
hard.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The braking
distance may 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 Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 246
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ÷
N
The yellow ESP ®
warning 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 Distance Pilot DISTRONIC 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 ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 70) it may be better to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 67). ֌
N
The yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP ®
is faulty.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be faulty.
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 Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. å
N
The yellow ESP ®
OFF warning lamp is lit while the engine is running or the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
ESP ®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is deactivated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restricted, e.g. Active
Blind Spot Assist. The system does not perform course-correcting braking appli-
cations.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 70) it may be better to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 67).
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. Warning and indicator lamps
247On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
M Solutions M
N
Mercedes-AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT handling mode warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Only switch to SPORT handling mode in accordance with the conditions descri-
bed in the "Activating/deactivating ESP ®
" section (Y page 70). !
N
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
N
The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is malfunctioning.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the
event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Contact a qualified specialist workshop immediately and have the restraint sys-
tem checked.
For further information on the restraint system, see (Y page 40).248
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Engine
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ;
N
The yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp lights up while the engine is run-
ning.
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 Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 8
N
The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp is on while the engine is running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. ?
N
The red coolant warning lamp lights up while the engine is running and the
coolant temperature 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 traffic conditions,
and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 153).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps
249On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
M Solutions ?
N
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
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 malfunctioning.
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 traffic conditions,
and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 153).
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 279).
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. ?
N
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
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 traffic conditions,
and switch off the engine.
X Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 153).
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 279).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine cooling system
checked. 250
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions 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
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ·
N
The red distance warning 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. ·
N
The red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion. A warning
tone also sounds.
You are approaching a vehicle, a pedestrian 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 Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Y page 161).
Further information on Active Brake Assist (Y page 64).
Further information on Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function (Y page 72). Warning and indicator lamps
251On-board computer and displays Z

Tyres
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions h
N
The yellow tyre pressure 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
Underinflated tyres pose the following risks:
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 Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 153).
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 289).
X Check the tyre pressure (Y page 309).
X If necessary, correct the tyre pressure. h
N
The yellow tyre pressure 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 is possibly unable to detect or register low tyre pressure.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 252
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

General notes
The multimedia system section in this manual
describes the basic principles for operation.
More information can be found in the Digital
Owner's Manual. Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Operating the integrated information systems and communications equipment in the vehicle
while driving will distract you from traffic con-
ditions. You could then lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate these devices if road traffic con-
ditions permit. If you are unsure about the
surrounding conditions, pull over to a safe
location and make entries only while the vehi-
cle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for the country in which you are currently driving whenoperating the multimedia system.
The multimedia system calculates the route to
the destination without taking the following into
account, for example:
R traffic lights
R stop and give way signs
R parking or stopping restrictions
R road narrowing
R other road and traffic rules and regulations
The multimedia system may give incorrect driv-
ing recommendations if the actual road/traffic
situation does not correspond with the digital
map data.
For example:
R a diverted route
R the road layout or the direction of a one-way
street has been changed
For this reason, you must always observe road
and traffic rules and regulations during your
journey. Road and traffic rules and regulations
always have priority over multimedia system
driving recommendations. Function restrictions
For safety reasons, some functions are restric-
ted or unavailable while the vehicle is in motion.
You will notice this, for example, because either
you will not be able to select certain menu items or a message will appear to this effect. Operating system
Overview
General notes !
Do not use the space in front of the display
for storage. Objects placed here could dam-
age the display or impair its function. Avoid
any direct contact with the display surface.
Pressure on the display surface may result in
impairments to the display, which could be
irreversible.
Wearing polarised sunglasses may impair your
ability to read the display.
The display has an automatic temperature-con- trolled switch-off feature. The brightness is
automatically reduced if the temperature is too
high. If necessary, the display may temporarily
switch off completely.
Cleaning instructions !
Do not touch the display. The display has a
very sensitive high-gloss surface; there is a
risk of scratching. If you have to clean the
screen, however, use a mild cleaning agent
and a soft, lint-free cloth.
The display must be switched off and have
cooled down before you start cleaning. Do not
apply pressure to the display surface when
cleaning it, as this could cause irreversible dam- age to the display.
Switching the multimedia system
on/off X
Press the qcontrol knob. Operating system
253Multimedia system Z