2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owner's Manual

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
OnlySelect Par k(P)WhenVehicl eisStationar y
The vehicleis moving .
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
Apply Brake toSelectRYou haveattempte dto shift from position hto position k.
XDepress thebrak epedal .
XShift th etransmission to position k.
ServiceRequiredDoNot Shift GearsVisit Dealer
You canno tchang eth etransmission position due to amalfunction .
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position his selected:
XDrive to aqualified specialist workshop without shifting th etrans -
mission from position h.
If position k,iorj is selected:
XNotify aqualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
ReversingNotPossi‐bleServic eRequiredYou can no longer shift to transmission position kdue to amalfunc -
tion .
Transmission position sj, iorh continu eto be available.
A warning tone also sounds.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Transmission Mal‐function StopAmalfunction has occurred in th emechanical transmission compo -
nents.
A warning tone also sounds. The transmission shift sautomatically to
position i.
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XSecureth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 142).
XNotify aqualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Sto pVehicl eLeaveEngineRunnin gWaitTransmission Cool‐ing
The transmission has overheated. Pullin gaway can be temporarily
impaire dor no tpossible.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XWait until th edisplay message disappear sbefore pullin gaway.
Auxiliary Batter yMalfunctionThe auxiliary battery for th eautomatic transmission is no longer bein g
charged.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop at th enext opportunity.
XUnti lthen ,always shift th etransmission to position jbefore you
switch off th eengine.
XBefor eleaving th evehicle, apply th eelectric parking brake.
Display messages22 3
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
NThe trunk lid is open.
XCloseth etrunk lid.
MThe hoo dis open .
GWARNIN G
The open hoo dmay bloc kyour vie wwhen th evehicl eis in motion .
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 142).
XCloseth ehood.
CAt least on edoor is open . Awarning tone also sounds.
XClos eall th edoors.
Ð
Power Steering Mal ‐function See Opera‐tor's Manual
The powersteering is malfunctioning .
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
You will need to use mor eforce to steer .
There is aris kof an accident.
XChec kwhether you are able to apply th eextr aforce required.
XIf you ar eabl eto steer safely: carefully drive on to aqualified
specialist workshop .
XIf you areunable to steer safely: do notdrive on .Contac tth e
neares tqualified specialist workshop .
J
TrunkPartitionOpen
The trunk partition is open .
The trunk is loade dto ohigh and th eload is preventing automatic
closin gof th etrunk partition .
XStow theload suc hthat th etrunk partition can close unhindere d
and is no tpushed upwards.
XClos eth etrunk partition (Ypage 91).
Phone No Servic eYour vehicleis outside th enetwork provider' stransmitter/receiver
range.
XWait until th emobile phone operational readiness symbol appear s
in th emultifunction display.
K
Decrease Speed
You wante dto open th eroo fwhile th evehicl ewas in motion .
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XOpe nth eroo f (Ypage 89).
224Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
K
Vario-RoofLowering
The roo fis no tfull yopened or closed .The hydraulic sare depressur-
ized.
XFull yopen or close th eroo f (Ypage 89).
K
Open/Clos eVario-Roo fCompletel y
The roofis no tlocked.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XPush or pull and hold th eroo fswitch until th eroo fis full yopen or
closed (Ypage 89) .
K
Start Engine SeeOperator' sManual
The on-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
XStart th eengine.
XAfte rapproximately te nseconds, repeat th eopening or closin g
procedure (Ypage 89).
The roofhas been opened and closed several times in arow .The roo f
drive has been switched off automatically for safet yreasons.
You can open and close th eroo fagain after approximately te n
minutes.
XSwitc hoff th eignition and tur nit bac kon .
XRepeat th eopening or closin gprocedure (Ypage 89).
CloseRearSideWin‐dowsYou leav eth evehicl eand at least on erear side window is open .
XCloseth eside windows (Ypage 87).
¥
Check Washer Fluid
The washer flui dlevel in th ewasher flui dreservoir has dropped belo w
th eminimum .
XAddwasher flui d (Ypage 261).
Wiper Malfunction‐ingThe windshield wiper sare malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
Hazard WarningFlashers Malfunc‐tioning
The hazard warning lamp sare faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
SmartKey
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Â
KeyDoesNotBelongto Vehicl e
You haveput th ewrong SmartKey in th eignition lock.
XUse th ecorrec tSmartKey.
Â
Tak eYou rKey fro mIgnition
The SmartKey is in th eignition lock.
XRemove th eSmartKey.
Display messages22 5
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Â
ObtainaNew Key
The SmartKey needs to be replaced.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Â
ReplaceKey Batter y
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
XChange thebattery (Ypage 76) .
Â
Don't Forget You rKey
The SmartKey is notin th eignition lock. You hav eopened th edriver's
door wit hth eengin eswitched off .
The multifunction display shows th edisplay message amaximum of
60 seconds and is simply areminder.
XTak eth eSmartKey wit hyou when you leav eth evehicle.
Â
Key Not Detected(re ddisplay message )
The SmartKey is no tin th evehicle.
A warning tone also sounds.
If th eengin eis switched off ,you can no longer loc kth evehicl ecen-
trally or start th eengine.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 142).
XLocate th eSmartKey.
XPress aon thesteering whee lto confirm th edisplay message .
Becausethere is interferenc efrom astron gsource of radi owaves, th e
SmartKey is no tdetecte dwhils tth eengin eis running.
A warning tone also sounds.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 142).
XInsertth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand bring int oke ymode.
Â
Key Not Detected(whit edisplay message )
The SmartKey is currentl yundetected.
XChange th elocation of th eSmartKey in th evehicle.
If th eSmartKey still canno tbe detected:
XInser tth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand tur nit to th edesire d
position .
Â
Remove 'Start 'But ‐ton and Insert Key
The SmartKey is continually undetected.
KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective. Awarning
tone also sounds.
XInser tth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand tur nit to th edesire d
position .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
226Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Warning and indicator lamps
General notes
Some systems carry out a self-diagnosis when the ignition is switched on. Therefore, some indicatorand warning lamps may light up or flash temporarily. This behavior is non-critical. These indicator
and warning lamps only indicate a malfunction if they light up or flash after starting the engine or
whilst driving.
Safety
Seat belts
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
üNAfter starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up for six sec-
onds.
The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger to fasten their
seat belts.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 44).
üN After starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds for up to six seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 44).
The warning tone ceases.
üN The red seat belt warning 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 44).
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.
üN The red seat belt warning 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 44).
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 lamps227
On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety systems
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
$JN$ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be
affected.
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 142).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$JN $ (USA only) or J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is
lit while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
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 142).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$N USA only: the red brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The multifunction display also shows a display message with the #symbol.
The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
228Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (anti-lock braking system) is malfunctioning.
If there is an additional warning tone, the EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 exam-
ple.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. 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 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 not be available.
$J
֌
!N $ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake warning lamp and the yellow
ESP®, ESP®OFF and ABS warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 exam-
ple.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. 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 immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps229
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
÷NThe 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.
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 67) it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 65).
÷åN The yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 immediately.
åN The yellow ESP®OFF warning lamp is lit while the engine is running or the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
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 restricted, e.g. Active
Blind Spot Assist. The system does not perform course-correcting brake applica-
tions.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XReactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 67) it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 65).
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.
230Warning and indicator lamps
On-board computer and displays