Page 337 of 456

336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Lamp in center consoleLamp
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
5
8
The indicator lamp comes
on and remains illuminat-
ed.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on
the front passenger seat. Therefore the
passenger front air bag is switched off.
The indicator lamp comes
on and remains illuminated
if there is no BabySmart
TM
child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The indicator lamp does
not come on or does not
remain illuminated with a
BabySmart
TM child seat
properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.
Make sure there is nothing between seat
cushion and child seat and check
installation of the child seat.
If the front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp remains out, have the
system checked as soon as possible by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint to
transport children on the front passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Page 338 of 456

337 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Vehicle status messages in the multi-function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear 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 153) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset buttonJ (
page 134) or
button j, k, ÿ, or è on the
multifunction steering wheel
(
page 138).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset buttonJ or button j,
k, ÿ, or è on the multifunction
steering wheel. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(page 153). 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 impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative. Contact your nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 339 of 456
338 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:
Text messages (
page 339)
Symbol messages (
page 345)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all in-
strument cluster lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps
and multifunction display are in work-
ing order before starting your journey.
Page 340 of 456
339 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface and/or is heavily laden.
Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 222).
You can continue to drive, if the vehicle
raised and the message disappears.
Set the desired vehicle level using the vehicle
level control button.
Page 341 of 456
340 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(page 222).
If the vehicle is not raised, observe the fol-
lowing when you continue to drive:
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.
ABC
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The display for ABC or the ABC system itself
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 342 of 456

341 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP
® and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing 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 DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing 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.
AIR CLEANER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The air filter is clogged.
Have the air filter checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 343 of 456

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL MALFUNCTION
REACTIVATE
Distronic* is switched off and is temporarily
unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
DISTRONIC
CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE
SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
Distronic* is switched off because the Dis-
tronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 322).
Restart the vehicle.
DISTRONIC
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ESP
MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ESP
® has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
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.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is malfunc-
tioning.
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.
Page 344 of 456
343 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
UNAVAILABLE
SEE OPERATORS
MANUAL
The ESP
® was deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The ABS is still operational.
Synchronize the ESP
®. With the vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize 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 wheel hitting any objects, e.g.
aroad curb.