2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500 brake

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP
® are also
switched off (see messages in multifunction
display).
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without the ABS
available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the Parktronic system*,
Distronic*, or the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 363).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

354 Practical hintsWhat 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.

Observe the additional message in
the multifunction display.
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running and you hear a warning
sound.


There is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system.


There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 376).

Risk of accident! Do not drive any
further. Consult a Mercedes-Benz
Service Center. Under no circum-
stances should you top up the brake
fluid. This will not solve the problem.
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. Do not 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.

355 Practical hints
What 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 engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible 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 malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is
located in the front left area of the foot-
well next to the parking brake.
iSome states may by law require you to
visit a workshop immediately as soon
as the engine malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

357 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric
radiator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 297).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
266°F (130°C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
266°F (130°C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
l
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
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.

358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
l
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning chime sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
W
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 290).
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on for a brief period after starting
the engine.
The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts before
driving off.

Fasten your seat belts.
The telltale goes out.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on and a warning chime sounds
for approximately six seconds af-
ter starting the engine.
The driver’s seat belt is not fastened before
the engine is started.

Fasten the driver’s seat belt.
The telltale goes out.

365 Practical hints
What 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
® and the BAS are also deac-
tivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is still functioning normally but with-
out the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
will 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 mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
will lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Cruise
control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or the Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
Malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® has detected a malfunc-
tion and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is still functioning normally but with-
out the ESP® available.

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.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® is deactivated because the
power supply was interrupted.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is still functioning normally but with-
out the ESP® available.

Synchronize the ESP
®. With the vehicle sta-
tionary, 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 wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is mal-
functioning.

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.
P
Gear selector lever
in Park
You have attempted to turn off the
engine with the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button with the gear
selector lever not inP. You have
opened the driver's door with the
gear selector lever not inP.

Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
P/N
Shift to
Neutral or Park
You have attempted to start the
engine with the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button while the gear se-
lector lever was in positionR orD.

Place the gear selector lever in positionP
orN. Make sure the brake pedal is depressed.
Low Battery

Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient, the
consumers will switch on again.