Page 240 of 356
240 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar, gravel and stone chippingTo avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Insects
Tree resins etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
Near the ocean
In industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
During winter operationYou should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Page 247 of 356
247 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
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 accidents.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
Page 249 of 356
249 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.
Release the parking brake
(page 46).
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated 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 sys-
tem. 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.
!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.
Page 250 of 356
250 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.
After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.
Fasten your seat belt.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
lights up while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 224).
Page 253 of 356
253 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated. The brake system is still
functioning normally but without the ABS
available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
ABS or the ABS display is malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Page 254 of 356
254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
BAS
BRAKE ASSIST
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
BRAKE ASSIST
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off. The brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the BAS avail-
able.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
BAS or the BAS display is malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
Page 256 of 356
256 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!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 pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the service book-
let.
Page 265 of 356
265 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TURN SIGNAL, LF
CHECK LAMP!
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL RF
CHECK LAMP!
The right front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or lamp
is permanently on.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP L
CHECK LAMP!
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP R
CHECK LAMP!
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
3RD BRAKE LAMP
CHECK LAMP!
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left high beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
