2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S350 Workshop

255 Controls in detail
Useful features
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than ten seconds or do not come on). The
message:TELE AID MALFUNCTION
DRIVE TO WORKSHOPappears for approximately ten seconds in
the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 256) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message:
CONNECTING CALL

appears in the multifunction display and
the audio system is muted. When the con-
nection is established, the message:
CALL
CONNECTED
appears in the multifunction
display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the ve-
hicle (determined by the GPS satellite loca-
tion system), vehicle model, identification
number and color are generated.
iThe Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (Global Positioning System) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the Tele
Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned
by other means.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button
•

and/or in the Information button
¡
do
not come on during the system self-check,
or if any of these indicators remain illuminat-
ed continuously in red and/or the message:
TELE AID MALFUNCTION
DRIVE TO WORKSHOPis displayed in the multifunction display af-
ter the system self-check, a malfunction in
the system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
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 233).
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.

353 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
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.

354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
AIR CLEANER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The air filter is clogged.

Have the air filter checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 335).

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.

355 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
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.

359 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The display for Airmatic or the Airmatic
system itself is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AIRMATIC
LEVELING CANCELLED


You have exceeded a speed of
75 mph (120 km/h).
or


You have maintained a speed of be-
tween 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph
(120 km/h) for more than
five minutes.

Press the vehicle level control button to
adjust the vehicle level (
page 230).

360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY CHARGE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be oper-
ating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is
longer.

Stop immediately 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 result in damage
to the engine. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
;(USA only)!(Canada only)
RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE
You are driving with the parking brake en-
gaged.

Release the parking brake (
page 48).

361 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message:
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don 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 serious-
ly 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
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.