Page 380 of 522
379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Resetting activated head restraints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only)
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses
Page 385 of 522

384 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine mal-
function indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There may be a malfunction in the
fuel management system
ignition system (gasoline engine)
emission control system
systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble 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
accurate identification of system malfunc-
tions through the readout of diagnostic trou-
ble codes. It is located in the front left area
of the footwell next to the parking brake.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop immediately as soon as the engine
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check lo-
cal requirements.
Page 386 of 522
385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine mal-
function 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.
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.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refuelling 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.
Page 388 of 522
387 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
l
Only vehicles with Distronic*:
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.
Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
Only vehicles with Distronic*:
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning chime sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
A
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 321).
Page 393 of 522

392 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Warning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Page 415 of 522

414 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
Visit workshop
There may be a malfunction in the:
fuel injection system
ignition system
exhaust system
fuel system
Have the measuring system
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
H
Top up coolant
See Operator’s Manual
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 330).
If you have to add coolant frequent-
ly, 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 could 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 sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.
Page 418 of 522

417 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature indicator
in the instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the coolant temperature is under 248°F
(120°C), you may continue driving to an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine
(e.g. by driving uphill) as well as
stop-and-go traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine
Service
There may be a malfunction in:
the fuel injection system
the ignition system
the exhaust system
Have the engine checked as soon as possi-
ble by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Page 419 of 522

418 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message
Check oil level at
next refueling
appears while the engine
is running and at operating temperature,
the engine oil level has dropped to approx-
imately the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved engine oil.For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
:
Check oil level
at next refueling
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.
Check the engine oil level
(page 328) and add oil as required
(page 329).
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
!
The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.