
217 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is 
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning 
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should 
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on 
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction 
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in 
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS 
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 241.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the 
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended 
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine 
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp 
should go out.
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220 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap 
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in 
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to 
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
Manual release of fuel filler flap, see page 296.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully 
insert filler nozzle unit. Only fill fuel tank until the filler 
nozzle unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can 
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 l).
This includes approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 l) reserve. Use 
premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane Index 91 
(Average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It 
burns violently and can cause serious injury. 
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling 
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking 
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking 
materials near gasoline!
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating 
pressure in the system which could cause a gas 
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon 
removing the filler nozzle which could cause 
personal injury.
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221 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 108 and page 252.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick 
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.
• Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 316.
• Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 314.
• Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside 
the fuel filler flap. See page 268 for further details.• Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see 
page 316.
•Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front 1156 NA (26.9/5 W/32/4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: H 6W (6 W),
side marker lamps, front: 5 W/4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/24 cp,
stop, tail, parking and side marker lamps: 21/4 W,
tail and parking lamp: 5 W/4 cp,
rear fog lamp, driver’s side: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W/4 cp.
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222 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Engine oil level, checking” on page 108 and 
page 252.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 253.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 318.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 255.
Opening hood, see page 250.
Ve h i c l e  l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For 
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on 
page 277.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 110.
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223
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster  .............224
On-board diagnostic system Check 
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................224
Brake warning lamp  ..................225
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................226
Electronic stability program (ESP) 
— warning lamp  ..........................227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator 
lamp ..............................................227
ABS malfunction indicator 
lamp ..............................................227
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................228
Seat belt warning lamp  .............228Malfunction and indicator lamps in 
the center console  .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp  .............. 229
Malfunction and warning messages 
in the multifunction display  ... 230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine 
control unit) ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several 
systems) ...................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 232
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 233
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 233
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 234
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 234
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 235
ENGINE FAN ............................... 235
COOLANT (coolant level)  ......... 236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant 
temperature) ............................... 237LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic 
stability program)  ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID  .........................242
TELE AID  .....................................243
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224 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up 
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic 
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and 
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator 
lamp comes on when the engine is running, 
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management 
system, emission control system, systems which impact 
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the 
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated 
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you 
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we 
recommend that you have the system checked at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously 
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g. 
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission 
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control 
module monitors emission control components that 
either provide input signals to or receive output signals 
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from 
interruptions or failure of any of these components are 
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are 
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp 
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off 
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the 
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists 
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 226 for 
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the 
passenger compartment near to the parking brake 
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system 
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble 
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE
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225 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 brake fluid in the brake fluid 
reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or below, 
have the brake system checked  for brake pad thickness 
and leaks. 
BRAKE
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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226 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 steering lock to position 1 
or 2. If no malfunction 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 61 for notes on airbags, see page 60 for belt 
tensioners and page 69 for infant and child seat 
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
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 2.1 gal (8 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not 
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected. 
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and 
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the 
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can 
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see 
page 224.
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.SRS
1
P54.30-4557-21
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