Page 313 of 440

313 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the passen-
ger front airbag is switched off.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp does not
come on with a BabySmart
TM
child seat properly installed on
the front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.
Make sure there is nothing between
seat cushion and child seat and check
installation of the child seat.
If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.
Page 314 of 440

314 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 138) 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 126).
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 but-
ton and are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 138).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pe ar i n the di spl ay . High pr iori ty m es sa ge s
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 the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or result
in property damage 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 starter switch
to position2, or pressing the
KEYLESS-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
order before starting your journey.
Page 315 of 440

315 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Anti-lock
braking system
not working!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
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 an accident.
Defective!
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 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 an accident.
Page 316 of 440

316 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Display defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.
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 an accident.
BAS
Defective!
Visit workshop
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
Continue driving with added caution.
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.
Display defective
Visit workshop
BAS or the BAS display is malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
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.
Page 317 of 440

317 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
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 autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Cruise Con-
trol
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate!
Distronic* is switched off and is tempo-
rarily unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manual
Distronic* is switched off because the
Distronic* cover in the radiator grille is
dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radi-
ator grille (
page 301).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Page 318 of 440

318 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.
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 an accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ESP or the ESP 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 an accident.
not available!
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator (al-
ternator) and battery checked.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Page 319 of 440
319 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
P
Selector lever
in park position
You have turned off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in gear
selector lever positionN and opened the
driver’s door.
or
You have attempted to switch off the en-
gine with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Please move
selector lever to P
or N
You have attempted to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP or N.
Page 320 of 440

320 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 43).
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a service
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 oper-
ating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is in-
creased.
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.