282OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):SERVICE A IN XXXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A IN XXX DAYS
SERVICE A IN X DAY
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of service due is indicated in the
multifunction display:9
Minor service (A)
´
Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 30 seconds. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 22).
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the multifunction display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY X DAYAn acoustic signal will also sound.
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
283 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 129).
Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until FSS indi-
cator with the service symbol 9 or
´ and the service deadline appears
in the multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 129).
Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator with the service symbol 9
or ´ and the service deadline ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Press reset button on the instrument
cluster for about three seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:SERVICE INTERVAL...
RESET WITH
R BUTTON FOR 3 SEC.
To confirm, press reset button until you
hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator :.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when the ignition is turned on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction in-
dicator lamp comes on while
driving.
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 nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*, Distron-
ic*, and the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.
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 increas-
es 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.
296 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 257).
<
The red seat belt telltale illumi-
nates briefly after starting the
engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten
seat belts.
Fasten your seat belt.
The warning lamp goes out.
H
The yellow warning lamp for the
tire pressure monitor comes on.
The tire pressure monitor detects a loss of
pressure in at least one tire.
Bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Observe the traffic situation around you.
Take note of the messages in the multi-
function display.
Warning!
G
When the tire pressure monitoring system
warning lamp is lit, one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. You should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure
as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as speci-
fied in the vehicle placard and owner’s
manual.
iThe recommended tire inflation pres-
sure for your vehicle can be found on
the inside of the fuel filler flap, not in
the owner’s manual.
299 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.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 144) 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 (page 22).
Other messages of high priority or messag-
es of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button (
page 22). These are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 144).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear 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 SmartKey in the starter
switch to position2, or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button twice
causes all lamps as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure
that they are all in working order before
starting your journey.
300 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible 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 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.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.
Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect raised level 2 (
page 212).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton 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 an authorized Mercedes-Benz center
soon as possible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system itself
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
301 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center as
soon as possible.
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 braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases 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 braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.
Have the air filter checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
CRUISE CON-
TROL
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.
Have cruise control or Distronic* checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
302 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL INTERFER-
ENCE
REACTIVATE!
Distronic* is switched off and is temporarily
unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
CURRENTLY UNAVAIL-
ABLE
SEE OPER. MANUAL
Distronic* is switched off because the Dis-
tronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 287).
Restart the vehicle.
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
P
SHIFT
TO P
You have tried to turn off the engine with
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button with
the gear selector lever not inP.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.