2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 ESP

311 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS / ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated. Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.

Turn the ESP back on (
page 79).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.
v
The yellow ABS / ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ABS, ESP or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire. Distronic* is deacti-
vated.
Distronic* is switched off.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 79).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

319 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Malfunction!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
the BAS are also deactivated. The
SBC brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

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.

322 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Malfunction!
Visit workshop!
The ESP has detected a malfunction
and switched off.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally. 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 mal-
functioning.

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.

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.

324 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
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.

325 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only limited op-
eration. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 43).
Malfunction
Electrical consumers
switched off
The consumer battery has insufficient
voltage and can no longer supply the con-
venience functions such as seat ventila-
tion*.
The electrical consumers will come back
online as soon as on-board voltage is suf-
ficient.
(
Backrest, rear right
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.

A d j u s t t h e r e a r s e a t b a c k r e s t u n t i l i t i s
fully engaged in position.
Backrest rear left
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.

A d j u s t t h e r e a r s e a t b a c k r e s t u n t i l i t i s
fully engaged in position.

327 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced
braking effect
Visit workshop!
Longer
stopping dist.
Visit workshop!
The SBC brake system is in emergency
operation mode. Considerable brake ped-
al force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.

Continue driving with added caution.

Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
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.
Brake 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 slopes, shift into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking
power (
page 159).

Cautiously continue driving so that
the air stream will cool down the
brakes.
Release
park. brake!
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 45).

366 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight-ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT (E 55 AMG) Small tire punctures, only those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
TIREFIT to come in contact with hair, eyes or
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swal-
lowed or absorbed through the skin. It caus-
es skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.