MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2004 R230 Owner's Manual

290 Practical hintsWhat to do if …AIRBAG OFF indicator lampProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
7
The AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the passen-
ger front airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning if the
7indicator lamp comes on with no
BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the front
passenger seat.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
7
The AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
does not come on with a
BabySmart
TM child seat properly
installed on the front passenger
seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between
seat cushion and child seat.

Check installation of the child seat.
If the indicator lamp remains out:

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint to
transport children on the front passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.

291 Practical hints
What to do if …
Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
High priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 22) or a
steering wheel button.
Other high priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset but-
ton or one of the steering wheel buttons.
These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 136).Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 136) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the display. High priority messages
appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
lamps as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure they are all
in working order before starting your
journey.

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Drive carefully!
The capability of the ABC system is
restricted. This can impair handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Stop,
car too low
The car is parked on an extremely
uneven surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to select
level 2 (
page 209).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 209).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

293 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABC display or the ABC system
itself is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Visit
workshop!
The capability of the ABC system is
restricted.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ABS
malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunc-
tion and has switched off. The ESP
and the BAS are also deactivated.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the
ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently
unavailable!
See Oper’s Man.
Distronic* is switched off because
the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille is dirty.

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 277).

Restart the vehicle.
Visit
workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the
display is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ESP
malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ESP has detected a malfunction
and switched off. The SBC brake
system is still functioning normally.
The ABS may still be operational.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ESP or the ESP display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.

295 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Unavailable!
See Oper.’s Man.
The ESP is deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally.

Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle station-
ary, turn the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.
!When sychronizing the ESP, make sure
you can turn the steering wheel in both
directions as far as it will go without the
wheels hitting any objects, e.g. a road
curb.

296 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
P
Gear selector
lever to P!
You have tried to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button with the gear selector lever
not in P.

Place the gear selector lever in position P.
You have tried to turn off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button with the gear selector lever
not in P.You have opened the driver’s door
while engine is running with the
gear selector lever not in P.

297 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/
Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires
electrical energy and therefore has
only limited operation. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is re-
quired and the stopping distance is
increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Visit
workshop!
The battery was charged with a bat-
tery charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.

Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.

298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Visit
workshop!
There is a malfunction in the elec-
tronic system.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
#
Electric
consumers
offline!
The consumer battery has insuffi-
cient voltage and can no longer sup-
ply the convenience functions such
as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back online
as soon as on-board voltage is sufficient.
2
Brake lining wear!
Visit
workshop!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service
Booklet.

299 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
T
Brake malfunction!
Stop vehicle!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance
is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Stop the vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Significantly greater force must be applied to
the brake pedal.

Call for roadside assistance.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.

Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
braking distance
Start engine!
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.