MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

360 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
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.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(
page 135) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset buttonJ(
page 26) or
buttonj, k, ·, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other high-priority messages and
messages of less immediate priority
(regular display colors) can be cleared
from the multifunction display using the
reset buttonJ(
page 26) or
buttonj, k, ·, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel. They are
then stored in the vehicle status message
memory (
page 135). Remember that
clearing a message will only make the mes-
sage disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message 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 dam-
age or personal injury.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find
a compilation of the most important warn-
ing and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (page 362)

Symbol messages (page 371)
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 ignition (page 37) causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and multifunction display are in working
order before starting your journey.

362 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP Inoperative
See Operators’s ManualThe ABS and ESP® are not available
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.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.
Cruise
ControlInoperativeThe cruise control is malfunction-
ing.Have the cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPInoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.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.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPUnavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® is temporarily not available.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not
be completed yet.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ESP
® is
available again.
If the message does not disappear:
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.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ESP® has switched off.
The BAS may be switched off, too. The
battery may not be charged. The bat-
tery or the generator may be malfun-
tioning.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ESP
® is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and battery
checked.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

364 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
SRSRestraint System Malfunction
Service RequiredThere is a malfunction in the supple-
mental restraint systems. The air bags
or emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to activate in an accident.Drive with added caution to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
and have the system checked
immediately.
TransmissionService RequiredVehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*:
The provided operating safety of the
automatic transmission is reduced.Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
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 immedi-
ately to have the system checked; otherwise
the SRS may not be deployed 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 an accident and/or
injury to you or to others.

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front-passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Operator’s
ManualThe passenger front air bag and the
passenger-side knee bag are
activated while driving even though a
child, small individual, or object below
the system’s weight threshold is on
the passenger seat, or the passenger
seat is empty. Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the seat may make
the system sense supplemental
weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 37).
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Remove child and child restraint from passenger seat.
Make sure that no objects which are applying supplemental weight
onto the seat are present. The system may recognize such supple-
mental weight and sense that an occupant on the passenger seat is
of a greater weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and switch on
the ignition (
page 37).
Monitor the 75indicator lamp on the center console
(
page 29) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(
page 121) for the following:
(Continued on next page)

366 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,

the 75indicator lamp on the center console
should illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the
OCS (
page 71) has deactivated the passenger front air bag and the
passenger-side knee bag.

the message Front-passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s
Manual
or the message Front-passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator’s Manual
should not appear in the multifunction display at
any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the sys-
tem to complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure neither
message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger seat again.
Depending on the passenger classification sensed by the
OCS (
page 71), the 75indicator lamp will remain
illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have
the system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
If the 75indicator lamp
remains illuminated with an adult occupant
on the passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front-passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Operator’s
ManualThe passenger front air bag and the
passenger-side knee bag are
deactivated while driving even though
an adult or someone larger than a
small individual is occupying the front
passenger seat. Forces acting on the
seat may make the system sense a
decrease in weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 37).
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Have the passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and switch on
the ignition (
page 37).
Monitor the 75indicator lamp on the center console
(
page 29) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(
page 121) for the following:
(Continued on next page)

368 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,

the 75indicator lamp on the center console
should illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS has
deactivated the passenger front air bag and the passenger-side knee
bag.

the message Front-passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s
Manual
or the message Front-passenger Airbag Disabled See
Operator’s Manual
should not appear in the multifunction display at
any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the sys-
tem to complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure neither
message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger seat again.
Depending on the passenger classification sensed by the
OCS (
page 71), the 75indicator lamp will remain
illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have
the system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
If the 75indicator lamp
remains illuminated with an adult occupant
on the passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat
Indicator.There was a warning message about
a loss in 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* (page 316).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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, avoiding abrupt steering and
braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation around you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as required (page 313).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 408).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure values (
page 313).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.