Page 365 of 481

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
?
±
(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 ex-
cessive 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 accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
cod es . It is l oc ate d i n the f ront l ef t a rea of the
footwell near the hood release.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refueling start, turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
Additionally you see
the message
Check
gas cap
See Operator’s
Manual
in the multi-
function display.
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaking.
Check the fuel cap (
page 304).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 366 of 481

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
v
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.
Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 86).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on, have the
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp flash-
es while driving.
The ESP
® or traction control has
come into operation because of de-
tected traction loss in at least one
tire.
When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 84).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
comes on while driving.
Additionally you see the message Reserve fuel
in the multifunction
display.
The fuel level has gone below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station (
page 304).
After refueling you will see the message
1 message
in the multifunction display.
Press reset buttonJ to confirm the message
(page 24).
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
Page 369 of 481

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 132) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset buttonJ (
page 24) or
buttonj, k, ·, orè on the
steering wheel.
Other high-priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset
buttonJ (
page 24) or buttonj,
k, ·, orè on the steering
wheel. They are then stored in the vehicle
status message memory (
page 132). Re-
member that clearing a message will only
make the message disappear. Clearing a
message will not correct the condition that
caused the message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.
Page 370 of 481
369 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find
a compilation of the most important warn-
ing and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:
Text messages (
page 370)
Symbol messages (
page 374)
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iSwitching on ignition (
page 36)
causes all instrument cluster lamps
(except high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure
the lamps and multifunction display are
in working order before starting your
journey.
Page 371 of 481

370 Practical hintsWhat 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 deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may 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 may 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.
Cruise
control
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 372 of 481

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® was deactivated because of
a malfunction.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit 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 self-diagnosis has not been com-
pleted.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.
The display will clear after driving a short dis-
tance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below
ten volts. The ESP
® has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
® avail-
able.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP
® is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.
Page 373 of 481
372 Practical hintsWhat 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.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
SRS
Restraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The SRS system is malfunctioning.
Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Transmis-
sion
Visit workshop
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*:
The provided operating safety of the
automatic transmission is reduced.
Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 374 of 481

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive
The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure
Check tires
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 329).
If necessary, change the wheel (
page 408).
Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 304).
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
reactivated yet.
Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.
Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator*.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable
The Run Flat Indicator* has been
switched off due to an error.
Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.