check engine MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2012 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2012, Model line: SL ROADSTER, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2012Pages: 637, PDF Size: 20.68 MB
Page 231 of 637

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 34). 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. G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognise function
restrictions relevant to safety. The operating
safety of your vehicle may be impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving when operating the on-board computer.
The on-board computer only shows messages
or warnings from certain systems in the mul- tifunction display. You should therefore make
sure your vehicle is operating safely at all times. Otherwise, a vehicle that is not oper-
ating safely may cause an accident.
For an overview, see the instrument panel
illustration (Y
page 40). Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the
displays and the controls in the vehicle inte-
rior can be adjusted using the brightness con- trol knob.
The brightness control knob is on the bottom
left of the instrument cluster (Y page 40).
X Turn the brightness control knob anti-
clockwise or clockwise.
If the light switch is set to Ã,Tor
L, the brightness is dependant upon
the brightness of the ambient light.
i The light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of
the multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not lit. Coolant temperature gauge
G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side
(Y page 40).
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant tem-
perature may rise to 120 †. 228
Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays
Page 242 of 637

R
Checking the tyre pressure electronically
(Y page 602)
R Calling up the service due date
(Y page 567) Settings menu
Introduction In the
Settings Settings menu, you have the following
options:
R changing the instrument cluster settings
(Y page 239)
R changing the light settings (Y page 239)
R changing the vehicle settings
(Y page 242)
R changing the convenience settings
(Y page 243)
R restoring the factory settings
(Y page 244)
Instrument cluster Selecting the unit of measurement for dis-
tance
You can determine whether the multifunction
display shows some messages in miles or kil- ometres.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings
Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm. X
Press the :or9 button to select the
Display unit Speed-/odometer Display unit Speed-/odometer func-
tion.
You will see the selected setting: km kmor
miles
miles.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for dis-
tance applies to: R digital speedometer in the Trip Tripmenu
R total distance recorder and the trip meter
R trip computer
R current consumption and the range
R navigation instructions in the Navi Navimenu
R cruise control
R SPEEDTRONIC
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
Selecting the permanent display function
Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this func-
tion is unavailable.
You can determine whether the multifunction display permanently shows your speed or the
outside temperature.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings Settingsmenu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Permanent display
Permanent display function.
You will see the selected setting outside
outside
temperature
temperature orDig. speedo [mph]
Dig. speedo [mph].
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
i The speed is displayed in mph.
Lights Setting the daytime driving lights
The
Daytime driving lights Daytime driving lights function can
only be switched on with the engine turned
off. Menus and submenus
239On-board computer and displays Z
Page 256 of 637

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
Parking Parking
brake
brakeinop‐
inop‐
erative
erative The yellow
!warning lamp lights up. The red !indicator
lamp flashes for about ten seconds after the electric parking brake
has been applied or released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of over- voltage or undervoltage.
X Rectify the cause of the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging the battery or restarting the engine.
X Apply or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be applied or released: X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The red
!indicator lamp flashes and the yellow !warning
lamp is lit.
It is not possible to apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Move the transmission selector lever to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
Turn on the igni‐ Turn on the igni‐
tion to release tion to release
the parking brake the parking brake The red
!indicator lamp lights up.
You attempted to release the electric parking brake while the igni-
tion was switched off.
X Key: turn the key to position 1in the ignition lock.
X KEYLESS-GO: switch on the ignition. J
Check brake fluid Check brake fluid
level level There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In addition, the red Jwarning lamp lights up in the instrument
cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
Braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident. X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 175).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the fault. Display
messages
253On-board computer and displays Z
Page 257 of 637

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions #
Check brake pad Check brake pad
wear wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
PRE-SAFE
inoperative See inoperative See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual
Important functions of PRE-SAFE
®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. airbags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. PRE-SAFE
PRE-SAFE
Functions cur‐ Functions cur‐
rently rently
limited
limited See
See
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual PRE
‑SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated or temporarily inoperative. Pos-
sible causes:
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow
R the sensors in the radiator trim and in the bumpers are dirty
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation
R AMG vehicles: ESP ®
is deactivated
R the system is outside the operating temperature range
R the on-board voltage is too low
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message goes out.
PRE ‑SAFE ®
Brake is operational again.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 175).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator grille and the bumper
(Y page 571).
X Restart the engine.
X AMG vehicles: reactivate ESP ®
(Y page 75). PRE-SAFE PRE-SAFE
Functions limited Functions limited
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual
PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is inoperative due to a fault. BAS PLUS or the
distance warning signal may also have failed.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. A
Malfunction Con‐ Malfunction Con‐
sult workshop sult workshop The roll bars are defective.
G WARNING
The roll bars will then possibly not be extended in the event of an
accident.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 254
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays
Page 261 of 637

Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions +
Top Top
up
upcoolant
coolant See
See
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low.
! Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so
(Y page 565).
X If the coolant needs topping up more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop. ? The fan motor is faulty.
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. ?
Coolant Stop vehi‐ Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine cle Switch engine
off off The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
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 Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 175).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
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 display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 120 †. 258
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
Page 262 of 637

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions # The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 175).
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil Check eng. oil
lev. when next lev. when next
refuelling refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 564).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 564).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if the
engine oil needs topping up more often than usual.
! Avoid long journeys when there is too little coolant in the cool-
ing system. Otherwise the engine will be damaged.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop or on the Internet at http://
bevo.mercedes-benz.co m. Display
messages
259On-board computer and displays Z
Page 263 of 637

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 4
Add Add
1
1litre
litre engine
engine
oil
oil when
when next
next refu‐
refu‐
elling
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 564).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 564).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if the
engine oil needs topping up more often than usual.
! Avoid long journeys when there is too little coolant in the cool-
ing system. Otherwise the engine will be damaged.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop or on the Internet at http://
bevo.mercedes-benz.co m.8
Reserve fuel level Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. C There is very little fuel in the fuel tank.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. Driving systems
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ABC
ABC
Malfunction Malfunction The ABC function (Active Body Control) is restricted.
G WARNING
The vehicle's suspension settings may be affected.
There is a risk of an accident. X Do not drive at speeds above 80 km/h.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ABC ABC
Malfunction Stop Malfunction Stop
vehicle vehicle The vehicle level of the ABC is too low.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
After a few seconds, the vehicle level is adjusted and the display
message disappears. 260
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
Page 268 of 637

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions DISTRONIC
DISTRONIC
PLUS
PLUScur‐
cur‐
rently
rently unavailable
unavailable
See Owner's Manual
See Owner's Manual DISTRONIC PLUS is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow
R the sensors in the radiator trim and in the bumpers are dirty
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation
R the system is outside the operating temperature range
R the on-board voltage is too low
A warning tone also sounds.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
DISTRONIC is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 175).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator grille and the bumper
(Y page 571).
X Restart the engine. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is faulty.
BAS PLUS and PRE‑SAFE
®
Brake may also have failed.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
inactive inactive You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - km/h - - - km/h An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 185). DISTRONIC
DISTRONIC
PLUS
PLUSand
and
SPEEDTRONIC inop‐
SPEEDTRONIC inop‐
erative erative DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are faulty. A warning tone
also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Cruise Cruise
control
control and
and
SPEEDTRONIC inop‐
SPEEDTRONIC inop‐
erative erative SPEEDTRONIC and cruise control are malfunctioning.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
265On-board computer and displays Z
Page 281 of 637

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing 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 DISTRONIC PLUS 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 ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 74).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is deactivated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 74).
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. M
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Only switch on SPORT handling mode in certain situations
(Y page 75). 278
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays
Page 283 of 637

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
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
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) is malfunctioning.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
For further information about the Supplemental Restraint System, see (Y page 51). Engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions ;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. 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 Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp is on
while the engine is run-
ning. The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station. 280
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays