Page 274 of 506

272 Controls in detailUseful featuresThe Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged, 
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can 
be adjusted when using the volume control 
on the multifunction steering wheel. To 
raise, press buttonæ and to lower, 
press buttonç or use the volume knob 
on your COMAND headunit.
To activate, press the SOS button, the 
Roadside Assistance button• or 
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.Shortly after the completion of your 
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive 
a user ID and password. By visiting 
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid” 
(USA only), you will have access to account 
information, remote door unlock and 
more.
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition, 
malfunctions are detected and indicated 
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the 
Roadside Assistance button• and the 
Information button¡ stay on longer 
than ten seconds or do not come on). The message 
TELE AID malfunction – Drive 
to workshop
 appears in the multifunction 
display.
iThe SOS button is located above the in-
terior rear view mirror.
The Roadside Assistance button• 
and the Information button¡ are 
located below the center armrest cov-
er.
iThe Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular 
network for communication and the 
GPS (G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of 
these signals are unavailable, the 
Tele Aid system may not function and if 
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in 
the Roadside Assistance button and/or in 
the Information button remain illuminated 
constantly in red and/or the message TELE AID malfunction – Drive to 
workshop
 is displayed in the multifunction 
display after the system self-check, a mal-
function in the system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined 
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the 
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as 
possible. 
     
        
        Page 371 of 506
369 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 deac-
tivated. 
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the ABS 
available.
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 an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.
Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels will lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing steering capability.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases 
the risk of an accident. 
     
        
        Page 372 of 506
370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Low
Battery
Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage 
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear 
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient, 
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Conven. functions
available again
 
On-board voltage is sufficient; the 
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.
Have the cruise control or Distronic* 
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is 
temporarily unavailable.
Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or 
the display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
as soon as possible. 
     
        
        Page 374 of 506

372 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 ABS may not be operational.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the ESP 
available.
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.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP is deactivated because the 
power supply was interrupted.
The SBC brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the ESP 
available.
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.
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.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make 
sure you can turn the steering wheel in 
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g. 
a road curb. 
     
        
        Page 375 of 506
373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
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 an accident.
P
Gear selector lever
in Park
You have attempted to turn off the 
engine with the KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button with the gear se-
lector lever not inP. You have 
opened the driver's door with the 
gear selector lever not inP.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
P/N
Shift to Neutral or Park
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 
orN. Make sure the brake pedal is de-
pressed.  
     
        
        Page 380 of 506
378 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 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. 
     
        
        Page 382 of 506

380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear 
limit.
Brake pad thickness must be visually 
inspected at the intervals specified in 
the Maintenance Booklet.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon 
as possible.
T
Reduced braking power
Depress brake
pedal fully
The SBC brake system is in emergency 
operation mode. Considerably 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 autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away 
by blocking the wheels with wheel 
chocks or other sizable objects.
Call for Roadside Assistance.
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Reduced braking power
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage and 
cannot supply sufficient power to the 
SBC brake system.
Start the engine.
The message disappears when suffi-
cient voltage is available. 
     
        
        Page 383 of 506

381 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Reduced braking power
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.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
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 176).
Cautiously continue driving so that 
the air stream will cool down the 
brakes.
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking brake 
set.
Release the parking brake 
(page 48).