2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 Abs malfunction

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
375
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
153
5
lDistance warning lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
380
6
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
7
Coolant temperature
indicator with:
151
•Coolant temperature
warning lamp
379
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
383
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
374
380
BLow beam headlamp
indicator lamp
54
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
145
9
Main odometer with:

Gear selector lever
position
50


Program mode
189
a
Clock with:
168
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
376
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
376
Item
Page
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
377
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
377
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale*
381
qPreglow indicator
lamp, Diesel engine
only
51
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warning
lamp
380
c
Reset button for:

Resetting trip odometer
151


Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
150


Confirming new time
settings
168

93 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster dial flashes. Because of
the electrohydraulic brake system, you will
not feel any pulsation in the brake pedal.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 375).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.

94 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP
® works
to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is espe-
cially useful while driving off and on wet or
slippery road surfaces. The ESP® also sta-
bilizes the vehicle during braking maneu-
vers.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP
®
is engaged.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.

97 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in
the instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Electrohydraulic brake system
The electrohydraulic brake system com-
bines a hydraulic brake circuit with elec-
tronically controlled brake servo
assistance. You have increased braking
safety and improved braking comfort.
Warning!
G
When the ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
® is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP
®
switched off. This may cause serious
damage to the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Turn on the ESP
® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
Warning!
G
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated
in the speedometer display, for example by
the ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only)
warning lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section (
page 376). Also read and ob-
serve the messages in the instrument clus-
ter display (page 386).

111 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with KEYLESS-GO come
with two SmartKeys with KEYLESS-GO,
each with remote control and a removable
mechanical key. The locking tabs for the
mechanical key portion of the two Smart-
Keys with KEYLESS-GO are a different col-
or to help distinguish each SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO unit.
The function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.
The KEYLESS-GO function is integrated
into the SmartKey. On these vehicles, the
validity of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is checked every time you pull an outside
door handle.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is valid,
your vehicle unlocks

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO 1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for the trunk
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 91)
iWhen any outside door handle other
than the driver’s outside door handle is
pulled, the vehicle is centrally un-
locked.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. It is possible for children
to open a locked door from the inside, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.

374 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 the multifunc-
tion display).
The electrohydraulic 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 386).

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.

388 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay
Display 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 de-
activated.
The electrohydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing 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 will lock during hard braking, reduc-
ing steering capability.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

391 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
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 electrohydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
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 electrohydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
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 synchro-
nize 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.