Page 265 of 384
265 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
The red distance indicator lamp
lights up while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.
Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red distance indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
-
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.
If the ABS control unit control unit is malfunc-
tioning, other systems such as Parktronic*,
Distronic*, the navigation system and the au-
tomatic transmission can also malfunction.
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.
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 266 of 384
266 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?<
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.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp lights
up while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint sys-
tems. The airbags or emergency tensioning
device (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to activate in an accident.
Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event that 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 autho-
rized 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 result in an
accident and/or injury to you or to others.
Page 267 of 384
267 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
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.
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
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult 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 268 of 384
268 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 affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its Limp-Home Mode (emergency opera-
tion).
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.
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 yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights up while
driving.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 235).
The fuel cap not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap (
page 235).
Page 270 of 384
270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
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 malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 130) 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 J
.
Other messages of high priority or messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset but-
ton
J
.These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 130).
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of all the messages that may
appear in the display.
High priority messages appear on a red
background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed 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.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.
iTurning the key in the starter switch to
position2, or pressing the KEY-
LESS-GO* start/stop button twice to
position2 causes all lamps as well as
the multifunction display to come on.
Ensure that they are all in working or-
der before starting your journey.
Page 275 of 384
275 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle
and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
iBrake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service Book-
let.
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.
Page 277 of 384
277 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
CHIP CARD
DO NOT FORGET
This display appears (for a maximum of
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened
with the engine shut off and no key in the
starter switch.
Message is only a reminder.
Insert key in the starter switch.
Take the KEYLESS-GO*card with you
when leaving the vehicle.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 242).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Warning!
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.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.
Page 278 of 384
278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The coolant is too hot.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the en-
gine.
Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could oth-
erwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.