
298 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear 
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir 
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid 
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for 
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated 
can result in an accident. Have your brake system 
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp 
stays on. Don’t 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.
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299 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag 
system is verified by the indicator lamp 
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when 
turning the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 
or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go out after 
approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out, the 
system continues to monitor the components and 
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a 
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 92 for notes on airbags, see page 91 for belt 
tensioners and page 102 for infant and child seat 
restraint.Fuel reserve warning
1Fuel reserve indicator
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the 
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that 
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of 
approximately 2.9 gal (11 liters).
See page 291 for notes on refueling the vehicle.
Wa r n i n 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 visit 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.
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300 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster comes on with the 
electronic key in starter switch position 2 
and should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster remains illuminated while the 
en gin e is  r unn in g, it in d icates that t he AB S has  d etec te d 
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the 
brake system functions in the usual manner, but 
without antilock assistance.
A malfunctioning ABS control unit can possibly affect 
the operation of other systems (e.g. Parktronic, 
Navigation, Automatic transmission). Be guided 
accordingly with respect to the use of those systems and 
have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also 
switched off. The malfunction indicator lamp and 
malfunction messages in the multifunction display 
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is 
switched of f. When the voltage is above this value again, 
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the 
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 276 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
ABS
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302 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning 
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a 
short time if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the 
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center 
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately 
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter 
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a 
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front 
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger 
airbag is switched off.See page 88 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation 
system.
Baby Smart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will 
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to 
operate with it. It will not work with child seats 
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and 
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the 
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if 
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time 
you use the special system child seat. Should the 
light go out while the restraint is installed, please 
check installation. If the light remains out, do not 
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children 
on the front passenger seat until the system has 
been repaired.
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307 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 303When this message appears during braking, it indicates 
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 303 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in 
an accident. Have your brake system checked 
immediately. Don’t add brake f luid 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.
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310 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 303When this message appears while driving, the coolant 
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks 
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not 
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station 
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be 
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed 
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have 
the cooling system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The 
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving, 
see page 117.
See page 339 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
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 can be seriously burned.
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319 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 One or more tires is or has deflated rapidly. Carefully bring the 
vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. 
For reference on changing wheels, see page 343.
2 The tire pressure on one or more tires is already below minimum 
value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt 
steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing 
wheels, see page 343.
3 For tire inflation pressure monitor, see page 153.4 Tire pressure in one or more tires is low. Check and correct tire 
pressure according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap. 
For tire inflation pressure, see page 351.
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after 
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 153.
5 When the message appears after starting the engine, the tire 
inflation pressure on all road wheels should be checked and 
corrected according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap. 
For tire inflation pressure, see page 351. 
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after 
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 153.
6 The tire inflation pressure monitor system is unable to monitor the 
tire pressure due to the presence of several wheel electronics in 
the vehicle (e.g. a deflated road wheel in the trunk), or nearby 
radio interference source, or excessive wheel sensor temperatures, 
or unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
7 The tire inflation pressure monitor is defective or a wheel without 
proper sensor was installed. Visit your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Wa r n i n 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.
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320 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil 
level indicator on page 157.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The 
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 157.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level. 
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 157 and check the engine for visible leakage 
(loss of oil).
It may be that there is water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil 
checked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL” 
message appears while the engine is running and at 
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped 
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first come on 
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops 
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest 
service station where the engine oil should be topped to 
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The engine oil level warnings should not be ignored. 
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could 
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2
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