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368 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear 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 149) 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 button (
page 138) or but-
ton k,j, è, orÿ on the
steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 138) or but-
ton k,j, è, orÿ on the
steering wheel. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(
page 149). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.
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369 Practical hints
What to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display.
High priority messages appear in red color.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:
Text messages (page 370)
Symbol messages (page 378)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low beam
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and the
multifunction display are in working order before
starting your journey.
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370 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
inoperative
See Operator’s Man.The ABS and ESP® are not available due to
a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without but without the
systems specified above.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
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.
Cruise con-
trol and
SPEEDTRONICinoperativeCruise control is malfunctioning.Have the cruise control checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPinoperative
See Operator’s Man.The ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be opera-
tional.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems speci-
fied above.Continue driving with added caution.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
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371 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPunavailable
See Operator’s Man.The ESP® is temporarily not available.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not be
completed yet.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the
ESP
® is available again.
If the message does not disappear:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
The ESP® has switched off.
The BAS may be switched off, too. The battery
may not be charged. The battery or the gener-
ator may be malfunctioning.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP
® is operational again.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
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372 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front passenger
airbag
enabled
See Operator’s
ManualFront passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even though
a child, small individual, or object
below the system’s weight
threshold is on the front passenger
seat, or the front passenger seat is
empty. Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense supple-
mental weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 36).
Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and proper-
ly secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if neces-
sary.
Make sure that no objects applying supplemental weight onto the seat
are present. The system may recognize such supplemental weight and
sense that an occupant on the front passenger seat is of a greater
weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch
on the ignition (
page 36).
(Continued on next page)
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373 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (page 29) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 26) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,
the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 70) has deactivated the air bag.
the message Front passenger airbag enabled See Operator’s Manual or the
message
Front passenger airbag disabled See Operator’s Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last
60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make
sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 70), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
out even after performing the above correc-
tive steps, do not have any children 12 years
old and under and other small individuals use the front passenger seat until the sys-
tem has been repaired.
Page 375 of 481
374 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front passenger
airbag
disabled
See Operator’s
ManualFront passenger front air bag is deac-
tivated while driving even though an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual is occupying the front pas-
senger seat. Forces acting on the
seat may make the system sense a
decrease in weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
front passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (page 36).
Have the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and
switch on the ignition (
page 36).
(Continued on next page)
Page 376 of 481

375 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (page 29) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 26) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,
the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 70) has deactivated the air bag.
the message Front passenger airbag enabled See Operator’s Manual or the
message
Front passenger airbag disabled See Operator’s Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last
60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make
sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 70), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
front passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have anypassenger use the front passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.