steering wheel MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG 2008 R230 Workshop Manual

315 Operation
Tires and wheels
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(
page 317).
Tire speed rating
The tire speed rating6 (
page 313)
indicates the approved maximum speed
for the tire.Summer tires
Warning!G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 323) of your vehi-
cle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the result
which may cause an accident and/or seri-
ous personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
iTire load rating5 (page 313) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 313) are also referred
to as “service description”.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
iTire load rating5 (page 313) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 313) are also referred
to as “service description”.
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)
Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)
Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)
Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
(Y)above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZRabove 149 mph (240 km/h)

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 314).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 296).
Maximum tire inflation pressure
1Maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure
This is the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure for the tire.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

322 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

332 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
You can call up the maintenance service in-
dicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is due.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press button è or ÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 149).
Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator display
with the maintenance service symbol
9 or ½ appears in the left multi-
function display and the maintenance
service deadline appears in the right
multifunction display.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator
reset. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the
maintenance service indicator in the main-
tenance-relevant information for your vehi-
cle. Such information is available from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iThe menu overview can be found on
(
page 146).
iIf the battery supplying the vehicle’s electri-
cal consumers is disconnected, the days of dis-
connection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator. To
arrive at the true maintenance service deadline,
you will need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service indicator
message or maintenance service indicator dis-
play.
Do not confuse the maintenance service indica-
tor with the engine oil level indicator N.
!If the maintenance service indicator was in-
advertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing proper maintenance service as
called for by the maintenance service indicator
will result in engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

339 Operation
Vehicle care
Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry
thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved
Carpet and Fabric Care for cleaning
the carpets.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is parked
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks. Warning!G
Do not use cleaners containing solvents or
cockpit care sprays to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.
!Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.

344 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP® are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without the ABS
available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 359).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again and
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and
battery checked.

359 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the in the multifunction display
located in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction mes-
sages are accompanied by an audible
signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(
page 156) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
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 26) or
button j, k, ÿ, or è on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button or button j, k,
ÿ, or è on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel. They are then stored in the vehi-
cle status message memory (
page 156).
Remember that clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the mes-
sage to appear.
Warning!G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed 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
damage or personal injury.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat Indicator
.
There was a warning message about a
loss in the tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
restarted yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation
pressure is set for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrupt steering and braking maneu-
vers. Observe the traffic situation around
you.
Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 302).
If necessary, change the wheel
(
page 417).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator after adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure values
(
page 304).
ABCMalfunction
Stop CarYou have started driving although the
vehicle level is still too low.
The vehicle is being raised. The ABC
message goes out after a few seconds.Stop your vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Wait until the message disappears from
the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.

362 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABCMalfunction
Stop CarThe vehicle is losing oil.
The ABC message is continuously
shown.Stop your vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The ABC is malfunctioning.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and
press the vehicle level control button to
select a higher vehicle level (
page 231).
If the vehicle does not raise, observe the
following when you continue to drive:
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).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
ABCMalfunctionThe capability of the ABC system is
restricted. This can impair handling.Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABCVehicle Rising
Please WaitThe vehicle’s level is too low while at a
standstill. The vehicle will be raised.Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from
the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailable
See
Oper. ManualThe ABS and ESP® are not available
due to a malfunction. The BAS is also
deactivated.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not
be completed yet.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP
®, and the BAS avail-
able.
Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ABS,
the ESP
®, and the BAS are available again.
If the message does not disappear:
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing 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.