2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 warning

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply. The
BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are also deac-
tivated.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
If the yellow ESP
® warning lampv flashes
while driving and this message appears, the
electronic traction system has switched off to
prevent overheating of the drive wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on
again.
The self-diagnosis has not been completed
yet.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
temporarily deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
SRS
Restraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the SRS may not be
deployed when needed in an accident,
which could result in serious or fatal injury,
or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
Front-pass.
airbag
activated
See Operator’s
Manual
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (
page 27) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 24) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,


the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 77) has deactivated the air bag.


the message
Front-pass. airbag activated See Operator’s Manual
or the
message
Front-pass. airbag deactivated See Operator’s Manual
should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last
60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make
sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 77), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
out even after performing the above correc-
tive steps, do not have any children 12 years
old and under and other small individuals
use the front passenger seat until the sys-
tem has been repaired.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
Front-pass.
airbag
deactivated
See Operator’s
Manual
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (
page 27) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 24) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,


the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 77) has deactivated the air bag.


the message
Front-pass. airbag activated See Operator’s Manual
or the
message
Front-pass. airbag deactivated See Operator’s Manual
should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last
60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make
sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 77), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
front passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any
passenger use the front passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive

The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator

There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator*.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable

The Run Flat Indicator* has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure
Check tires

The Run Flat Indicator* indicates
that the pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 316).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 406).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 318).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Release
Parking brake
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
2
Brake 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
reservoir.

Risk of accident! 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 message
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake
fluid before checking the brake system.
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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
booklet.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 301).

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 sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.

372 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location and
turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could
otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated 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 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.