Page 356 of 498
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.
Page 357 of 498
356 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.
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.
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refuelling start, turn off and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
Page 358 of 498
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.
Page 359 of 498
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.
Page 367 of 498
366 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Currently unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
Distronic* is switched off if:
the Distronic* cover in the area
of the radiator grille is dirty
the functionality is impaired by
heavy rain or thick fog
If necessary, clean the Distronic* cover in the
area of the radiator grille (
page 346).
Restart the vehicle.
or
Distronic* becomes operational again without the
engine being restarted when:
dirt on the grille falls off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
the system recognizes full sensor availability
(due to lessening rain or the road surface dry-
ing)
the message in the multifunction display dis-
appears
the speed last stored flashes in the display for
5 seconds.
You can operate Distronic* as usual again.
Page 370 of 498
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.
Page 374 of 498
373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Low voltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
Visit workshop
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may be
operating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is
increased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
Page 375 of 498
374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system re-
quires electrical energy and therefore has
only limited operation. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Low voltage
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 49).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet.
