Page 417 of 585
416 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/conse-
quence
Suggested solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
-
v
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving. In ad-
dition, the yellow ABS malfunc-
tion indicator lamp, and the
yellow ESP
® warning lamp
come on and a warning will
sound.
A malfunction in the Electronic
Brake Proportioning
(page 101) was detected.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Page 418 of 585

417 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
?
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion 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
excessive emissions values and
may switch the engine to its
limp-home (emergency opera-
tion) mode (
page 198).
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 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 identi-
fication of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the
front left area of the footwell next to
the parking brake pedal.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop immediately as soon as the engine
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.
Page 424 of 585

423 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
l
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 probable
line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic
situation. You may need to brake
or maneuver to avoid hitting an
obstacle.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint systems.
The air bags or emergency tensioning device
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or fail to
deploy unexpectedly in an accident.
Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked, otherwise
the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious
or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpect-
edly and unnecessarily which could result in
an accident and/or injury to you or to
others.
Page 431 of 585

430 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
inoperative
See Operator’s Manual
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 Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ABS was deactivated because of
insufficient power supply. The charg-
ing voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
Page 432 of 585

431 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
the electronic traction system switches
on again.
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears and the ESP
® warning
lampv goes out.
The self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a
short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise control and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative
The cruise control is malfunctioning.
Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Cruise control
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the
speed (
page 245).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.
Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.
Release the parking brake
(page 57).
Page 433 of 585
432 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding 20 mph
(30 km/h) and set the speed (
page 250).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.
Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 57).
inoperative
Override
The Distronic* or the Distronic*
display are malfunctioning.
Have the system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
You have accelerated. The
Distronic* has switched off.
Stop accelerating.
Page 436 of 585
435 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Depress brake
to shift out of
Park
You have tried to shift the automatic
transmission into positionD,R orN
using the gear selector lever without
depressing the brake pedal.
Depress the brake pedal.
Door Open
Vehicle not in Park
You have opened the driver’s door
and the transmission is still in
positionD,R orN.
Before you leave the vehicle, make sure
that the automatic transmission is set to
positionP and that the parking brake is
engaged.
Drive to workshop
without
shifting gears
The automatic transmission cannot
be shifted out of the set position be-
cause of a malfunction.
If the automatic transmission is set to
positionD:
Without changing the automatic transmis-
sion from positionD, drive to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to
positionN,R orP:
Do not drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Page 438 of 585

437 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® was deactivated because
of insufficient power supply. The
charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in the
multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes
out.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).