Page 310 of 442

310 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 turning the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position2, have it checked and replaced 
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction 
warning 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 SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the Parktronic system*, 
Distronic*, or 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 in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the 
display (
page 318).
The charging voltage has fallen below 
10 volts. 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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 318 of 442

318 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 129) 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.Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be 
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button (
page 22) and are 
then stored in the malfunction message 
memory (
page 137).
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 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 
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 323 of 442

323 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
not available!
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP is deactivated because of a 
malfunction or interrupted power 
supply.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally.
Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle sta-
tionary, turn the steering wheel completely 
to the left and then to the right to synchro-
nize 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 increases 
the risk of accident.
P
Gear selector lever in P
You have turned off the engine with 
the KEYLESS-GO* start / stop but-
ton* and opened the driver’s door.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
P/N
Shift to N or P
You have attempted to start the en-
gine with the KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button while the gear se-
lector lever was in positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP or 
N. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 335 of 442
335 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
A 
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station 
(page 278).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 281).
F
Key
Check battery!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.
Change the batteries (
page 355).
Key
not recognized!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not 
recognized while the engine is running 
because
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is 
not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so.
Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be cen-
trally locked nor can the engine be 
started again after the engine is 
stopped.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey 
in the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the Smart-
Key in the starter switch if necessary. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 336 of 442
336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
Key detected
in vehicle!
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the 
vehicle was recognized while locking the 
vehicle from the outside.
Take the SmartKey out of the vehicle.
Keyless go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Key
Do not forget key
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 starter switch. 
This message is only a reminder.
Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.
Take the SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO* with you when leaving the 
vehicle.
Remove key
!
You have forgotten to remove the Smart-
Key.
Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
Replace key
There is no additional code available for 
SmartKey or SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 339 of 442

339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
. 
Marker light
,
front left
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Marker light
front right
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Park. light, front left
Back-up light on!
 
The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Park. light,
 front right
Back-up light on!
 
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglight
Back-up light on!
 
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning. A 
backup bulb is being used. 
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse light, left
The left reverse light is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse light, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lights!
Lamps have been turned on although the 
SmartKey in the starter switch is in posi-
tion 0.
Switch off the headlights.
Tail light, left
Back-up light on!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A 
backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Tail light, right
Back-up light on!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A 
backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 353 of 442
353 Practical hints
Unlocking / locking in an emergency
Unlocking / locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with 
the SmartKey, open the driver’s door and 
the trunk using the mechanical key. 
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 in the direction of 
the arrow and slide mechanical key2 
out of the housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
3Unlocking
4Locking
Unlock the door with the mechanical 
key. To do so, push the mechanical key 
in the lock until it stops and turn it to 
the left.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft 
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do 
one of the following:
Press button Œ or ‹ on the 
SmartKey. 
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch. 
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button (
page 33). 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 354 of 442

354 Practical hintsUnlocking / locking in an emergencyUnlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.90 ft 
(1.80 m) is required to open the trunk lid. 
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with 
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the 
trunk with the mechanical key.
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.
1Unlocking in an emergency 
2Handle
Insert the mechanical key into the 
trunk lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 and hold it in this 
position.
Pull trunk lid handle2 and lift the 
trunk lid.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with 
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical 
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the 
trunk.
Press the central locking switch in the 
cockpit (
page 107).
Check to see whether the locking 
knobs on the passenger doors are still 
visible. If necessary, push them down 
manually.
Slide mechanical key2 out of the 
SmartKey.
Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key (
page 354).
Check if the trunk is locked. If neces-
sary lock the trunk with the mechanical 
key (if appilcable) (
page 105).
!Always make sure there is sufficient 
overhead clearance.iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft 
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do 
one of the following:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Grasp the outside door handle.
Press the start /stop button.