Page 352 of 474
351 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.
Release the parking brake (
page 50).
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident! Carefully stop the vehi-
cle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the prob-
lem.
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. Don’t add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result 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 353 of 474
352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used
by the service station to link the vehicle to
the shop diagnostics system. It allows the
accurate identification of system malfunc-
tions through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the parking
brake pedal.
A loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 294).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
H a v e t h e f u e l s y s t e m c h e c k e d b y a n a u t h o -
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 361 of 474
360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP
®, BAS and the
Run Flat Indicator* are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems specified
above.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing 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
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing 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 362 of 474
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).
Page 363 of 474
362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
Continue driving with added caution.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP
® is operational again.
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® is deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ESP®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
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.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is
malfunctioning.
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.
Page 369 of 474
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.
Page 371 of 474
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.
Page 378 of 474
377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
3rd brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, left
The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Drive to workshop
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp left
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp right
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Display malfunction.
Visit workshop
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front left
side marker lamp
The left front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front right
sider marker lamp
The right front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
