Page 355 of 474
353 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause
Possible solution
MOVE SELECTOR LEVER 
TO PARK
You have tried to turn off the engine with 
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 
(page 35) with the gear selector lever not 
inP.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
PRE-SAFE INACTIVE
SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
If BAS or ESP malfunction messages are 
displayed simultaneously, PRE-SAFE has 
been deactivated as a result of these mal-
functions. All other occupant safety sys-
tems, such as the air bags, are still 
available.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
PRE-SAFE itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the air bags, 
are still available.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 356 of 474
354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay 
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
AIRMATIC
STOP, CAR TOO LOW
The vehicle is parked on an extremely 
uneven surface.
Press the vehicle level control button to 
select the raised vehicle level 
(page 230).
The vehicle level control is malfunction-
ing.
Stop and press the vehicle level control 
button to select a higher vehicle level 
(page 230).
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.
AIRMATIC
DRIVE CAREFULLY!
The capability of the Airmatic system is 
restricted.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center 
as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 357 of 474
355 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible solution
@
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The display for Airmatic or the Airmatic 
system itself is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.
AIRMATIC
LEVELING CANCELLED
You have exceeded a speed of 
75 mph (120 km/h).
or
You have maintained a speed of be-
tween 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph 
(120 km/h) for more than 5 minutes.
Press the vehicle level control button to 
adjust the vehicle level (
page 230). 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 358 of 474
356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
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Possible solution
#
BATTERY CHARGE
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 
longer.
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 inoperative 
water pump which may result in damage 
to the engine. Notify an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking 
responsiveness.
;(USA only)!(Canada only)
 RELEASE
 PARKING BRAKE
You are driving with the parking brake en-
gaged.
Release the parking brake (
page 48).  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 359 of 474

357 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP
The brake pads have reached their wear 
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as 
possible. 
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve 
the problem. 
Failure to follow these instructions increases 
the risk of accident.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system 
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid 
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in 
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and 
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously 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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually 
checked by a qualified technician at the 
intervals specified in the Maintenance 
Booklet. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 360 of 474
358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
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?
VISIT WORKSHOP
There may be a malfunction in the:
Fuel injection system
Ignition system
Exhaust system
Fuel system
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
B 
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 292).
If you have to add coolant frequently, 
have the cooling system checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which 
may burn if it comes into contact with hot 
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant 
level warning. Extended driving with 
the message and symbol displayed 
may cause serious engine damage not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient 
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing 
major engine damage. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 361 of 474

359 Practical hints
What to do if …?
During severe operating conditions, 
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display 
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï 
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The coolant is too hot. 
Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.
Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise 
damage the engine.
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.
!The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature above 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious 
engine damage which is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 362 of 474
360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï 
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
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 inoperative 
water pump which may result in damage 
to the engine.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
If it is intact:
Restart the engine only after the message 
disappears from the multifunction dis-
play. Doing so could result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge 
(page 141).
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking 
responsiveness.