warning light MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2018 Owner's Guide

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. There is am alfunction in the engine electronics or in am echanical
componen toft he engine management system.X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. X
Have the cause rectified immediately at aq ualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
gauge shows av alue
above 248 ‡( 120 †).
The coolant warning
lamp may also be on and
aw arning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down. X
Check the coolant level ( Y
page 235). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct ,t he engine radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X
At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡( 120 †), drive to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop. X
Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainou st errai na nd stop-and-go traffic.
DYNAMIC SELEC Tb uttonUse the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change the
drive program. Depending on the drive program
selected the following vehicle characteristics
wil lc hange: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspensio nort he adaptive adjustable
damping (only on vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL sports suspension) R
the sound of the exhaust system (vehicles
with sports exhaust system) R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program C is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see ( Y
pag e1 17). X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button C as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
progra miss elected.
The selected drive progra ma ppears in the
multifunction display. After as hort period of
time, the displa yg oes out and the symbol for
the selected drive progra ma ppears.
In addition, the current drive progra ms ettings
are displayed briefly in the multimedi as ystem
display.
i In af ew countries, the ECO start/stop func-
tion is deactivated at the factory due to the
available fuel grade. In this case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available in anyDYNAMI CS ELEC Tb utton 121
Driving and parking Z

In addition to driving style, the actual consump-
tion is affected by other factors, such as: R
load R
tire pressure R
cold start R
choice of route R
active electrical consumers
These factors are not include dint he ECO dis-
play.
An economical driving style specially requires
driving at moderate engine speeds.
Achieving ah igher valu eint he categories
"Acceleration" and "Constant": R
observe the gearshift recommendations. R
drive the vehicle in drive program C or E .
In urba nt raffic and stop-start traffic, drive pro-
gram C is recommended.
On long journeys at ac onstant speed ,e .g. on the
highway, only the outer area for "constant" will
change.
The ECO display summarizes the driving style
from the start of the journey to its completion.
Therefore, there are more marked changes in
the outer area satt he start of aj ourney. On lon-
ger journeys, there are fewer changes. For more
marked changes, perform am anua lr est
( Y
page 167).
Further information on the ECO display
( Y
page 166).
Braking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you shift down on as lippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheel sc ould lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on as lippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
! On long, steep gradients, you must reduce
the load on the brakes. To use engine braking,
shift to al owe rg ear in good time. This helps you to avoid overheating the brakes and wear-
ing them out excessively.
When making use of the engine braking
effect, it is possible that ad rive wheel may not
turn for some time, e.g. in the case of sud-
denly changing or slippery road surface con-
ditions. This could cause damage to the drive
train. This type of damage is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Change into al owe rg ear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilo tD ISTRONIC.
Heavy and light loads
G WARNING
If you rest you rf oot on the brake peda lw hile
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail .T here is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake peda lasaf ootrest. Never
depres st he brake peda la nd the accelerator
peda latt he same time.
! Depressing the brake peda lc onstantly
results in excessive and premature wea rt o
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to ah eavy
load ,don ot stop the vehicle immediately ,b ut
drive on for as hort while. This allows the airflow
to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If you have driven for al ong time in heavy rain
withou tb raking, there may be ad elayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depres st he brake peda lm ore
firmly .M aintai nag reater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on aw et road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly whil ep aying attention to
the traffic conditions. This wil lw arm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.136
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you driv eons alted roads ,al ayer of salt resi-
due may for mont he brak ed isc sa nd brake
pads. This can result in as ignificantly longer
braking distance. R
In orde rtop revent any salt build-up, apply the
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
th et ra ffic conditions.R
Carefully depress th eb rak ep edal and the
beginnin ga nd end of aj ou rney.R
Maintain ag reater distanc etot he vehicle
ahead.
Servicing th eb rakes
! The brak ef luid level may be to ol ow, if:R
if th er ed brak ew arning lamp light supi n
th ei nstrumen tc luster andR
you hear aw arning tone while th ee ngine is
running
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brak ef luid level may be to ol ow due to
brak ep ad wear or leaking brak el ines.
Hav et he brak es ystem checked immediately.
Consult aq ualifie ds pecialist workshop to
arrange this.
! As th eE SP ®
system operates automatically,
th ee ngine and th ei gnitio nm ust be switched
off (th eS ma rtKey must be in position

Problems with Parking Assist PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
display sa re lit. You also
hear aw arning tone for
approximately two sec-
onds.
Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds, and
the indicator lamp in the
Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has been deacti-
vated. X
If problems persist, have Parking Assist PARKTRONIC checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC warning
display sa re lit. Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five sec-
onds. The Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or malfunctioning. X
Clean the Parking Assist PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y
page 242).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
Check to see if Parking Assist PARKTRONIC functions in ad ifferent
location.
Parking Guidance
Important safety notes Parking Guidance is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to measure
the road on both sides of the vehicle. As uitable
parking space is indicated by the parking sym-
bol. You receive steering instructions when
parking. You can also still use Active Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 149).
Parking Guidance is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a
parking space. Make sure that there are no per-
sons, animals or object sint he maneuvering
area when you are maneuvering or parking.
G WARNING
If object sa re located above or below the
detection range, Active Parking Assist may
steer too early. This could cause ac ollision. There is ar isk of an accident.
Do not use Active Parking Assist in these
types of situation.
! If they cannot be avoided, drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and at an obtuse
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
If Active Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated, Parking Guidance is also unavailable.
Parking Guidance may also display spaces not
suitable for parking, e.g.: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces
Use Parking Guidance for parking spaces: R
paralle ltot he direction of travel R
on straight roads, not bends R
that are on the same level as the road, i.e. not
on the pavement, for example. Parking Guid-
ance may not detect flat curbs152
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Blind Spot Assist monitors the are aupto10f t
(3.0 m) behind your vehicle and directly nex tt o
your vehicle, as shown in the diagram. For this
purpose, Blind Spot Assist uses radar sensor si n
the rear bumper.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane nex ttoy our vehicle may be
indicated, especially if the vehicles are not driv-
ing in the middle of their lane. This may be the
case if ther ea re vehicles driving at the inner
edge of their lanes.
Due to the natur eoft he system:R
warning sm ay be issued in error when driving
close to crash barriers or similar solid lane
borders. R
warning sm ay be interrupted when driving
alongside long vehicles, e.g. trucks, for ap ro-
longed time.
Indicator and warning display
C
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp Blind Spot Assist is not activ eats peeds below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in
the monitoring range are then not indicated.
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp C in the exterior mirror sl ights up yellow
at speeds of up to 20 mph (3 0k m/ h) .Ats peeds
above 20 mph (30 km/h), the indicator lamp
goe so ut and Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If av ehicl eisd etected within the blind spot
monitoring rang eats peeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lamp C on the correspond-
ing sid el ig hts up red .T hi sw ar ning is always
emitted when av ehicl ee nter st he blind spot
monitoring rang ef rom behind or from the side.
Whe ny ou overtake av ehicle, the warning only
occurs if the difference in speed is less than
7m ph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goe so ut if reverse
gea rise ngaged .Int his event, Blind Spot Assist
is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning lamps
is adjuste da ut omaticall ya ccording to the ambi-
ent light.
Collisio nw arningIf av ehicl eisd etected in the monitoring rang eo f
Blind Spot Assist and yo us witch on the corre-
sponding turn signal ,ad oubl ew ar ning tone
sounds. Re dw ar ning lamp C flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, vehicles detected are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp C .
There are no further warning tones.
Switchin gonB lind Spo tA ssis tX
Make sure that Blind Spot Assist
( Y
page 171 )i sa ctivate dint he on-board
computer. X
Turn the SmartKey to position H in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps C in the exterio rm irrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 seconds and
then turn yellow.160
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen ti ntegrate dint he vehi-
cle when driving ,y ou may be distracte df ro m
th et ra ffic situation .Y ou could also lose con-
trol of th ev ehicle. Ther eisar is kofana cci-
dent.
Only operate this equipmen tw hen th et ra ffic
situation permits. If you are no ts ur et ha tt hi s
is possible ,p ark th ev ehicl ep ayin ga ttention
to traffic condition sa nd operate th ee quip-
men tw hen th ev ehicl eiss ta tionary.
You must observ et he legal requirements for th e
country in whic hy ou are currentl yd riving when
operating th eo n-bo ard computer.
G WARNIN G
If th ei nstrumen tc luste rh as faile dorm al-
functioned, you may no tr ecognize function
restriction sins ystems relevan ttos afety. The
operating safet yofy our vehicl em ay be
impaired .T her eisar is kofana ccident.
Drive on carefully. Hav et he vehicl ec hecked
at aq ualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
The on-board computer only shows message so r
warning sf ro mc ertai ns ystems in th em ultifunc-
tion display. You should therefor em ak es ur e
your vehicl eiso perating safely at all times .
If th eo perating safet yofy our vehicl ei s
impaired ,p ull ove rass oo nasitiss af etodos o.
Contac taq ualified specialist workshop.
Fo rano verview, see th ei nstrumen tp anel illus-
tration ( Y
page 32).
Display sa nd operation
Instrumen tc luster lighting
The lighting in th ei nstrumen tc luster, in th ed is-
plays and th ec ontrols in th ev ehicl ei nterior can
be adjusted usin gt he brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is locate dont he
botto ml ef toft he instrumen tc luste r
( Y
page 32). X
Turn th eb rightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you tur nt he ligh ts witch ( Y
page 95 )t ot he
X , ` or X position ,t he brightness
will depend upon th eb rightness of th ea mbi -
en tl ight.
The ligh ts ensor in th ei nstrumen tc luste r
automatically control st he brightness of th e
multifunction display. In daylight, th ed isplays
in th ei nstrumen tc luste ra re no ti lluminated.
Speedometer with segments The segments in th es peedometer indicat e
whic hs pee dr ange is available. R
Cruis ec ontro la ctivated ( Y
page 138):
The segments ligh tupf ro mt he store ds pee d
to th em aximum speed. R
Distanc eP ilot DISTRONI Cisa ctivated
( Y
page 140):
On eort wo segments in th es et spee dr ange
ligh tu p. R
Distanc eP ilot DISTRONI Cd etects av ehicl ei n
fron tm oving mor es lowly than th es to re d
speed:
The segments between th es pee doft he vehi-
cle in fron ta nd th es to re ds pee dl igh tu p.
Tachometer
! Do no td riv eint he overrevving range, as this
could damag et he engine.
The red ban dint he tachometer indicates th e
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel suppl yisi nterrupted to protect th e
engin ew hen th er ed ban disr eached.
Outsid et emperatur ed isplayYou should pay special attention to road condi-
tion sw hen temperatures are aroun df re ezing
point.
Bea rinm in dt ha tt he outside temperature dis-
play indicates th et em perature measured and
does no tr ecord th er oad temperature.
The outside temperature display is in th em ulti-
function display ( Y
page 165).
Ac ha ng eint he outside temperature is shown in
th em ultifunction display after ad elay.Display sa nd operation 163
On-boar dc omputer and displays Z

X
Press the d or c button to select the
Automatic Door Lock function.
When the Automatic Door Lock function is
activated, the multifunction display shows the
left-hand vehicle door in orange. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
For further information on the automatic locking
feature, see ( Y
page 71).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal If you switch on the Acoustic Lock function, an
acoustic signal sounds when you lock the vehi-
cle. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Vehicle submenu.X
Press v to confirm.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Lock function is activated,
the 7 symbol in the multifunction display
lights up orange. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
Comfort
Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXI Tf eature
G WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steerin gw heel, you and other vehicle
occupant s–p articularly children –c ould
become trapped. There is ar isk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is mak-
ing adjustments, make sure that no one has
any body parts in the sweep of the steering
wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped: R
press one of the memory function position
buttons, or R
move the switch for steerin gw heel adjust-
ment in the opposite direction to that in
which the steerin gw heel is moving.
The adjustmen tp rocess is stopped. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Convenience submenu. X
Press v to confirm. X
Using d or c ,s elect the Easy Entry/
Exit function.
If the Easy Entry/Exit function is activated,
the multifunction display shows the steering
wheel in orange. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature ( Y
page 89).
Switching the seat belt adjustment on/off X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Convenience submenu. X
Press v to confirm. X
Press the d or c button to select the
Belt Adjustment function.
When the Belt Adjustment function is acti-
vated, the seat belt is displayed in orange in
the multifunction display. X
Press the v button to save the setting.
For further information on belt adjustment, see
( Y
page 42).
Switching the fold-in mirrors when lock-
ing feature on/off This function is only availabl ew hen the vehicle is
equipped with the electrical fold-in function.
This function is only availabl einC anada.
When you activat et he Auto. Mirror Folding
function, the exterior mirrors are folded in when
the vehicle is locked.
If you have switched on the Auto. Mirror
Folding function and you fold in the exterior
mirrors using the button on the door
( Y
page 91), they will not fold out automatically.
The exterior mirrors can then only be folded out
using the button on the door. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Convenience submenu. X
Press v to confirm.174
Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp and th er ed I (US Ao nl y) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp ligh tu p.
The electric parking brak eism alfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc ho ff th ei gnition and tur nitb ac ko n.X
Releas et he electric parking brak em anually.
or X
Releas et he electric parking brak ea utomatically ( Y
page 132).
If th ee lectric parking brak es ti ll canno tber eleased:X
Do no td rive on .X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop .
The red I (US Ao nl y) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and th ey ellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak eism alfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc ho ff th ei gnition and tur nitb ac ko n.X
Releas et he electric parking brak em anually.
To apply : X
Switc ho ff th ei gnition and tur nitb ac ko n.X
Apply th ee lectric parking brak em anually.
If th er ed I (US Ao nl y) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp con-
tinue stof lash: X
Do no td rive on .X
Secur et he vehicl ea gainst rollin ga way ( Y
page 281).X
Shift th et ra nsmission to position P .X
Turn th ef ront wheels toward st he curb.X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop .182
Display messages
On-boar dc omputer an dd isplays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US Ao nl y)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te ns econds
after th ee lectric parking brak eh as been applie dorr eleased. It then
goe so ut or remain sl it .
The electric parking brak eism alfunctioning .X
Switc ho ff th ei gnition and tur nitb ac ko n.X
Apply th ee lectric parking brake.
If it is no tp ossibl etoe ng age th ee lectric parking brake:X
Shift th et ra nsmission to position ] .X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop .
If it is no tp ossibl etor elease th ee lectric parking brake:X
Releas et he electric parking brak ea utomatically ( Y
page 132).
If th ee lectric parking brak es ti ll canno tber eleased:X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release th ee lectric parking brake, th er ed I (US Ao nl y) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
The electric parking brak eism alfunctioning .Itisn ot possibl etoa pply
th ee lectric parking brak em anually.X
Shift th et ra nsmission to position ] ,ast he electric parking brak e
is no ta pplie da utomatically.X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop .
I (US A
only)
$ (Canada
only)
Parkin gB rake Inop‐
erativ e The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US Ao nl y)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te ns econds
after th ee lectric parking brak eh as been applie dorr eleased. It then
goe so ut or remain sl it .
The electric parking brak eism alfunctioning ,e .g .b ecause of over-
voltag eoru ndervoltage. X
Remove th ec aus ef or th eo vervoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th eb attery or restarting th ee ng ine.X
Engage or release th ee lectric parking brake.
If it remain si mpossible to apply or release th ee lectric parking brake:X
Switc ho ff th ei gnition and tur nitb ac ko n.X
Engage or release th ee lectric parking brake.
If th ee lectric parking brak es ti ll canno tber eleased:X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop .
If th ee lectric parking brak es ti ll canno tbea pplied:X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop .Display messages 18 3
On-boar dc omputer an dd isplays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up and th er ed I (US Ao nl y)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no tp ossibl etoa pply th ee lectric parking brak em anually.X
Shift th et ra nsmission to position ] .X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop .
' (US Ao nl y)
M (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level There is no te no ugh brak ef luid in th eb rak ef luid reservoir .
In addition ,t he ' (US Ao nl y) or M (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th ei nstrumen tc luste ra nd aw arning tone sounds.
G WARNIN G
The braking effec tm ay be impaired.
There is ar is kofana ccident.X
Pull ove ra nd stop th ev ehicl es afely as soo nasp ossible, payin g
attention to roa da nd traffic conditions. Do no tc ontinue drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Secur et he vehicl ea gainst rollin ga way ( Y
page 131).X
Consult aq ualified specialist workshop .X
Do no ta dd brak ef luid .T his does no tc orrect th em alfunction .
& Check Brake Pad Wea r The brak ep ads/linings hav er eached their wear limit.X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop .
S Inoperative On eorm or em ain features of th em brace system are malfunctioning .X
Hav et he mbrace system checke dataq ualified specialist work-
shop.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐
tiv e See Operator' s
Manual Importan tf unction sofP RE-SAF E ®
hav ef ailed. Al lo th er occupant
safet ys ystems ,e .g .a ir bags ,r emain available.X
Visit aq ualified specialist workshop immediately.
Active Brake Assist
Functions Currently
Limite dS ee Opera‐
tor's Manual Active Brake Assis tist em porarily inoperative.
Possibl ec auses are: R
The radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagneti cr adiation emitted by nearby TV or radi os ta tion so r
other source sofe lectromagneti cr adiation .R
The system is outside th eo perating temperature range.R
The on-boar dv oltag eist oo low.
Whe nt he causes state da bov enol onger apply, th ed isplay message
disappears.
Active Brake Assis tiso perational again .
If th ed isplay message does no td isappear :X
Pull ove ra nd stop th ev ehicl es afely as soo nasp ossible, payin g
attention to roa da nd traffic conditions.X
Secur et he vehicl ea gainst rollin ga way ( Y
page 131).X
Restart th ee ng ine.184
Display messages
On-boar dc omputer an dd isplays