Page 254 of 376
254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp lights up frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.
Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 230).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).
Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
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.
Page 255 of 376
255 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
C
The yellow roll bar warning lamp
lights up or flickers when the en-
gine is running.
The roll bar is not operational.
For safety reasons, always have the
roll bar raised when driving with the
retractable hardtop open. Attempt to
raise the roll bar manually.
Have the roll bar checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 225).
The fuel cap is not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap (
page 225).
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning lamp does not light up,
does not go out after a long time, flickers or
lights up while driving as described above,
then the roll bar system is not operating
properly and may not activate in an acci-
dent. In this case, raise the roll bar manually
(page 61) before continuing to drive.
Page 257 of 376
257 Practical hints
What 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.
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 knob (
page 21) or a
steering wheel button.
Other high priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset knob
or one of the steering wheel buttons.
These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 118).Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 118) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of all the messages that may
appear in the display. High priority mes-
sages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All messages contain important information
which should be taken note of and, where a
malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon
as possible at an authorized 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 starter switch to
position2, or pressing the KEY-
LESS-GO* start/stop button (if so
equipped) twice to position2 causes
all lamps as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Ensure that they
are all in working order before starting
your journey.
Page 258 of 376
258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Drive carefully!
The capability of the ABC system is re-
stricted. This can impair handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Stop, car too low
The car is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.
Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 184).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 183).
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 an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Page 262 of 376
262 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
External fault
Reactivate!
Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
Clear sensor!
See Owner’s Man.
Distronic* is switched off be-
cause the Distronic* cover in the
radiator grille is dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator grille
(page 246).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
P
Selector lever
to P!
You have turned off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button* and opened
the driver’s door.
Place the selector lever in position P.
Cruise
Control
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is
malfunctioning.
Have the cruise control or Distronic* checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 267 of 376
267 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For
more information, refer to "Towing the
vehicle"(
page 325).
If the SBC brake system enters its emergen-
cy operation mode, the driver must apply
significantly greater brake pedal pressure
and depress the pedal much further than
normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
Page 268 of 376
268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Service brake
Visit workshop!
There are malfunctions, but the SBC
brake system is operating normally.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Incr.
braking distance
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.
Start the engine.
The message disappears when sufficient
voltage is available.
Brakes overheated!
Drive carefully!
The brake system is overheated due
to an excessive load on the brakes.
Relieve the load on the brake system.
Drive more smoothly and think ahead to
avoid unnecessary braking.
When driving down steep grades, shift into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power
(page 139).
Cautiously continue driving so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes.
Page 269 of 376
269 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
Chip card
Check battery!
The KEYLESS-GO* card batteries are
discharged.
Change the batteries (
page 294).
Chip card
not recognised!
The KEYLESS-GO* card is not recog-
nized while the engine is running be-
cause
the card is not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency
interference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Search for the card or continue to operate
the vehicle with the key.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again
after the engine is stopped.
The KEYLESS-GO* card is momen-
tarily not recognized.
Change the position of the card in the vehi-
cle.
Operate the vehicle with the key if neces-
sary.
Chip card
still in vehicle!
A KEYLESS-GO* card left in the vehi-
cle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.
Take the card out of the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO
Visit workshop!
The KEYLESS-GO* system is mal-
functioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
