Page 357 of 473
356 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
1The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.There is a malfunction in the restraint
systems. The air bags or emergency
tensioning devices (ETDs) could deploy
unexpectedly or fail to deploy in an acci-
dent.Drive with added caution to the near-
est 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 an accident
and/or injury to you or to others.
Page 359 of 473

358 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(
page 134) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 122) or
button j, k, ÿ, orè on the
steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 122) or
button j, k, ÿ, orè on the
steering wheel. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(
page 134). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.
Page 360 of 473

359 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:
Text messages (page 360)
Symbol messages (page 365)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warning/
indicator lamps, malfunction/warning mes-
sages or the failure of any systems. Driving
characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
i
Switching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and multifunction display are in
working order before starting your
journey.
Page 362 of 473

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPunavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are also
deactivated.
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 Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
If the yellow ESP® warning lampv flash-
es 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 dis-
tance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Page 364 of 473
363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
SRSRestraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshopThe 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.
Page 365 of 473

364 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible 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 317).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 404).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 319).
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 367 of 473

366 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release
Parking brakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake
(
page 46).
2Brake wear
Visit workshopThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Brake fluid
Visit workshopThere 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
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Booklet.
Page 368 of 473
367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
BCoolant
Check levelThe 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.