MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER 2012 Owners Manual

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsF (USA only)
J (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
LevelGRisk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. In
addition, the J indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up and a warning tone sounds.
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.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.
#
Check Brake Pad
WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWARNING
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
Displays and operation169On-board computer and displaysZ

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
ESC Inoperative
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction. In addition, the h and å warning lamps light
up in the instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.÷
ESC Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS and hill start assist are temporarily unavailable. The
self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example. The
brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. In addition, the h and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
XCarefully drive a short distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h) until the display
message disappears.Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Operator's
ManualThe front-passenger air bag and front-passenger knee bag are
enabled during the journey, even though:
R a child, a small adult or an object weighing less than the
system's weight threshold is located on the front-passenger
seat.
R the front-passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system may detect objects or forces applying additional
weight on the seat.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch the ignition off.XOpen the front-passenger door.XRemove the child and the child restraint system from the front-
passenger seat.170Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsXMake sure that there are no objects on the seat adding to the
weight.
The system may otherwise detect the additional weight and
interpret the seat occupant's weight as greater than it actually
is.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 45(Y page 42) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 45 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit. When
the indicator lamp is on, OCS (Y page 42) has disabled the front-
passenger air bag.
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's
Manual or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator's Manual display messages must not be shown in
the multifunction display. Wait for a period of at least
60 seconds until the necessary system checks have been
completed and to make sure that the display messages do not
appear in the multifunction display.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the front-passenger seat can be
occupied again. Whether the 45 indicator lamp remains lit
or goes out depends on how OCS classifies the occupant.
If the conditions are not fulfilled, the system is not operating
correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp remains off even after performing the above corrective steps, do
not have any children twelve years old and under and other small individuals use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Displays and operation171On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Operator's
ManualThe front-passenger air bag and the front-passenger knee bag are
deactivated during the journey even though an adult or a person
larger than a certain size is occupying the front-passenger seat. If
additional forces are applied to the seat, the system may interpret
the occupant's weight as lower than it actually is.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch the ignition off.XHave the occupant get out of the vehicle.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 45(Y page 42) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 45 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit. When
the indicator lamp is on, OCS (Y page 42) has disabled the front-
passenger air bag.
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator's
Manual or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator's Manual display messages must not be shown in
the multifunction display. Wait for at least 60 seconds until the
necessary system checks have been completed and to make
sure that the display messages do not appear in the
multifunction display.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the front-passenger seat can be
occupied again. Whether the 45 indicator lamp remains lit
or goes out depends on how OCS classifies the occupant.
If the conditions are not fulfilled, the system is not operating
correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp remains lit with an adult occupant on the front-passenger seat
even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
172Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsG
Tele Aid
InoperativeOne or more main features of the mbrace system are
malfunctioning.XHave the mbrace system checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Front Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Front Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWARNING
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.
Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
The display message will only appear if all or a number of LEDs have failed.
Displays and operation173On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left Low Beam
or
Check Right Low
BeamThe left or right-hand low-beam headlamp does not light up. In
addition, the low-beam headlamp is also inoperative.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Auto Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is defective.
USA only:XSwitch off the daytime running lamps in the on-board computer
( Y page 157).XSwitch the lights on and off using the light switch.b
Check Rear Left
Turn Signal
or
Check Rear Right
Turn SignalThe LEDs in the rear left or right-hand indicator lamp do not light
up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Mirror Turn
Signal
or
Check Right Mirror
Turn SignalNone of the LEDs in the left or right-hand exterior mirrors light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Turn Signal
or
Check Front Right
Turn SignalThe LEDs in the front left or right-hand indicator lamp do not light
up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Center Brake
LampNone of the LEDs in the high-mounted brake lamp light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.174Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left Brake
Lamp
or
Check Right Brake
LampThe left or right-hand brake light LEDs do not light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
Lamp
or
Check Right Tail
LampThe left or right-hand tail lamp LEDs do not light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left High
Beam
or
Check Right High
BeamThe left or right-hand high-beam headlamp does not light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left License
Plate Lamp
or
Check Right
License Plate LampThe left or right-hand license plate lamp does not light up.XReplace the bulb ( Y page 99).b
Backup lightNone of the LEDs in the backup lamp light up.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Left daytime
running lamp
or
Right daytime
running lampThe LEDs in the left or right-hand daytime running lamp do not
light up. As a result, the corresponding side/standing lamp has
failed.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Displays and operation175On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Front Left
Sidemarker Lamp
or
Check Front Right
Sidemarker Lamp The left or right front side marker lamp is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Sidemarker Lamp
or
Check Rear Right
Sidemarker LampThe rear left or right side marker lamp is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Parking Lamp
or
Check Front Right
Parking LampThe front left or front right parking or standing lamp is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Switch off lightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to c.b
Malfunction See
Operator's ManualThe exterior lighting is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Engine
GWARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
GWARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
176Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Low Stop
Vehicle Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot. In addition, the ? warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up and a warning tone sounds.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XMake sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked, e.g.
by snow, slush or ice.XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.XPay attention to the coolant temperature display.XIf the coolant temperature increases again, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
! If the coolant temperature is over 248 ‡ (120 †), do not
continue driving. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The poly-V-belt may have torn. A warning tone also sounds.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf the poly-V-belt is not damaged: do not start the engine
again until the display message disappears. Otherwise, the
engine could be damaged.XIf the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue driving. Consult a
qualified specialist workshop.?The engine fan is defective.XAt coolant temperatures under 248 ‡(120 †), drive to the next
qualified specialist workshop.XAvoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads (e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain) and stop-and-go driving.Displays and operation177On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes are:
R a defective alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronicsXPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XOpen the hood.XCheck whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.+
Check Coolant
Level See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low.Xadd coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so
( Y page 220).XIf coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with
too little coolant in the cooling system. The engine will otherwise
be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that
indicate that the coolant level is too low must not be ignored.
4
Engine Oil Level
low Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine OffThere is insufficient oil in the engine. There is a risk of engine
damage.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XTop up and check the engine oil level ( Y page 219).178Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays