Page 297 of 416

297 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Suggested solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
The vehicle is losing oil.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely 
uneven surface.
Press the vehicle level control button 
to select level 2 (
page 215).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle 
level (
page 215).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to 
avoid damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as 
possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
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298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?ABC
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
ABS
MALFUNCTION!
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 nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, 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 MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, 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
Possible cause
Suggested solution 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 299 of 416
299 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Suggested solution
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.
Have the air filter checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
@
AIRMATIC
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely 
uneven surface.
Press the vehicle level control button 
to select the raised vehicle level 
(page 212).
The vehicle level control is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle 
level (
page 212).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to 
avoid damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
AIRMATIC
DRIVE CAREFULLY!
The capability of the AIRMATIC system is 
restricted.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible. 
         
        
        
     
        
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300 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?@
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for AIRMATIC or the AIRMATIC 
system itself is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as 
possible.
AIRMATIC
LEV. SELECT. CANCELED!
You have exceeded a speed of 75 mph 
(120 km/h).
or
You have maintained a speed of be-
tween 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph 
(120 km/h) for more than 5 minutes.
Press the vehicle level control button 
to adjust the vehicle level 
(page 212).
BAS
MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and 
switched off.
The ESP is switched off, too. The ABS may 
still be operational.
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 an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS or the BAS display is malfunction-
ing.
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 an accident.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 301 of 416
301 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery 
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station. 
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 longer.
Stop immediately and check the 
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise 
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with 
reduced braking responsiveness. 
         
        
        
     
        
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302 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested 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. 
!Brake 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 303 of 416

303 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Suggested solution
F 
CHIP CARD
CHECK BATTERY
KEYLESS-GO*card batteries are dis-
charged.
Change the batteries (
page 328).
CHIP CARD
NOT RECOGNIZED!
KEYLESS-GO*card is not recognized while 
the engine is running because
the card is not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency interfer-
ence
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so.
Search for the card.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be central-
ly locked nor can the engine be started 
again after it has been stopped.
KEYLESS-GO*card is momentarily not rec-
ognized.
Change the position of the card in 
the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the 
SmartKey in the ignition if necessary.
CHIP CARD
DETECTED IN VEHICLE
KEYLESS-GO*card left in the vehicle was 
recognized while locking the vehicle from 
the outside.
Take the card out of the vehicle.
CHIP CARD
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 304 of 416

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested 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 SmartKey in 
the ignition.
Message is only a reminder.
Insert SmartKey in the ignition.
Take the KEYLESS-GO*card with you 
when leaving the vehicle.
B 
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 268).
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.