Page 288 of 399
288 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
light up during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
lights up while driving.
The ESP is deactivated. Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.
Turn the ESP back on (
page 77).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP or traction control has come into op-
eration because of detected traction loss in
at least one tire. Distronic* is deactivated.
DISTRONIC* is switched off.
When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.
While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.
Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 77).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 289 of 399
289 Practical hints
What to do if …
-
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 SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will 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 accidents.
l
The red DTR 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 DTR 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.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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Page 296 of 399
296 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ABS
defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated. The SBC brake system is
still functioning normally but without the
ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will 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 accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
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Page 298 of 399
298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …BAS
not available!
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center if
you see the warning message for a
longer period of time.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
ESP
Malfunction!
Visit workshop!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally. The ABS may still be operational.
With the vehicle stationary, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left
and then to the right to synchronize
the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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Page 299 of 399
299 Practical hints
What to do if …
ESP
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The BAS or the BAS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
ESP
not available!
See operator‘s manual
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally. The ABS may still be operational.
With the vehicle stationary, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left
and then to the right to synchronize
the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
:
Engine oil leve
l
Stop, engine off!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a dan-
ger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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Page 300 of 399
300 Practical hintsWhat to do if …:
Engine oil level
Check level!
The engine oil level is too low.
Check the engine oil level
(page 262) and add oil as required.
:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level!
You have added too much engine oil. There
is a risk of damaging the engine or the cat-
alytic converter.
Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its dis-
posal.
Engine oil
Visit workshop!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical lev-
el.
Check the engine oil level
(page 262) and add oil as required.
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
There is water in the oil.
Have the oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate!
The Distronic* is switched off and is tem-
porarily unavailable.
Try activating the Distronic* again
later.
Clean sensor!
see oper. Manual
The Distronic* is switched off because the
Distronic* cover in the radiator grille is
dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the ra-
diator grille (
page 283).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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Page 303 of 399
303 Practical hints
What to do if …
G
Display defective
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
G
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The displays for several systems have mal-
functioned. Some systems themselves may
also have malfunctioned.
Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
L
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the Tele Aid
system are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
#
Malfunction
Electrical consumers
switched off
The consumer battery has insufficient volt-
age and can no longer supply the conve-
nience functions such as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back
online as soon as on-board voltage is
sufficient.
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only limited oper-
ation. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping distance
is increased.
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking respon-
siveness.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 43).
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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Page 304 of 399
304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …#
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
–
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
The battery is no longer charging. Possible
causes:
Alternator malfunctioning
Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be operat-
ing with restricted capability. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is increased.
Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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