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 294 of 434
293 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABC display or the ABC system
itself is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Visit
workshop!
The capability of the ABC system is
restricted.
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 malfunc-
tion and has switched off. The ESP
and the BAS are also deactivated.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the
ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may 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 an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may 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 an accident.
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 296 of 434
295 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Unavailable!
See Oper.’s Man.
The ESP is deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally.
Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle station-
ary, turn the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right.
If the ESP message does not go out:
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.
!When sychronizing the ESP, make sure
you can turn the steering wheel in both
directions as far as it will go without the
wheels hitting any objects, e.g. a road
curb.
Page 298 of 434
297 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/
Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires
electrical energy and therefore has
only limited operation. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is re-
quired and the stopping distance is
increased.
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Visit
workshop!
The battery was charged with a bat-
tery 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
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.
Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Page 299 of 434
298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Visit
workshop!
There is a malfunction in the elec-
tronic system.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
#
Electric
consumers
offline!
The consumer battery has insuffi-
cient voltage and can no longer sup-
ply the convenience functions such
as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back online
as soon as on-board voltage is sufficient.
2
Brake lining wear!
Visit
workshop!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service
Booklet.
Page 300 of 434
299 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
T
Brake malfunction!
Stop vehicle!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance
is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).
Do not drive any further.
Stop the vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Significantly greater force must be applied to
the brake pedal.
Call for roadside assistance.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.
Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
braking distance
Start engine!
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.
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!
