Page 344 of 481
343 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?(USA only)±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion 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 (
page 284).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 284).
Page 346 of 481
345 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP
® switched off.
Risk of accident!
Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 83).
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
<
The red seat belt telltale illumi-
nates briefly after starting the
engine.
The driver has not fastened his or her seat
belt.
Fasten your seat belt.
The warning lamp goes out.
Page 357 of 481
356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
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.
Page 361 of 481
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).
Page 362 of 481

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.
Page 363 of 481
362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
VISIT WORKSHOP
There may be a malfunction in the:
Fuel injection system
Ignition system
Exhaust system
Fuel system
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 294).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.
Page 365 of 481
364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
Stop the vehicle and immediately turn off
the engine.
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:
Restart the engine only after the message
disappears from the multifunction dis-
play. Doing so could result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge
in the instrument cluster (
page 24).
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Page 367 of 481
366 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
ADD 1.0 QT. OIL
AT FILLING STATION(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 292) and check
the engine oil level (page 289).
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF
There is no oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 292) and check
the engine oil level (page 289).
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Have excess oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.