Page 285 of 434
284 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(except Canada)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving
You are driving with the parking brake set,
or
there is a malfunction in the SBC brake system.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Release the parking brake
(page 45).
Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 291).
Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake sys-
tem.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
Page 287 of 434
286 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on 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 258).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below
248 °F (120 °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
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248 °F (120 °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 the
engine has cooled down.
Page 288 of 434
287 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
E
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.
Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
E
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
E
The white DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a vehicle in front of you.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 250).
The fuel cap is not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap (
page 250).
Page 289 of 434
288 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
C
The yellow roll bar warning lamp
comes on or flickers when the
engine 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.
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning lamp does not come
on, does not go out after a long time, flickers
or comes on while driving as described
above, then the roll bar system is not oper-
ating properly and may not activate in an ac-
cident. In this case, raise the roll bar
manually (
page 69) before continuing to
drive.
Page 292 of 434
291 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 button (
page 22) 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 but-
ton or one of the steering wheel buttons.
These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 136).Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 136) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.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.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
lamps as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure they are all
in working order before starting your
journey.
Page 293 of 434
292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Drive carefully!
The capability of the ABC system is
restricted. 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
uneven surface.
Press the vehicle level control button to select
level 2 (
page 209).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 209).
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 295 of 434
294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently
unavailable!
See Oper’s Man.
Distronic* is switched off because
the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille is dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 277).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit
workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the
display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ESP
malfunction!
Visit
workshop!
The ESP has detected a malfunction
and switched off. The SBC brake
system is still functioning 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.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.
Page 301 of 434
300 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Visit workshop!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
able brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is in-
creased.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center im-
mediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.
Increased
braking distance
Visit
workshop!
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 circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle 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 infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 365).
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!
