Page 580 of 705
579 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
When you engage or release the electric
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electric parking brake flashes for
approx.10 seconds. Afterward, it goes out
or lights up continuously. The yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electric parking brake lights
up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning
or overheated for example due to over- or
undervoltage.
Carefully drive off (
page 364).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
In the event of overvoltage or undervoltage:
Remove the cause of the overvoltage or und-
ervoltage, e.g. charge the battery or restart
the engine.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake
(page 364).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be re-
leased:
Release electric parking brake mechanically
(page 616).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
(Continued on next page)
(USA only)(Canada only)
Page 581 of 705
580 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
If overheated:
Let vehicle cool down, and do not engage
electric parking brake during this time.
or
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Parking brake
inoperative
When you engage or release the electric
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electric parking brake flashes and goes
out after approx. 10 seconds. The yellow
warning lamp for the electric parking brake
lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage electric parking brake (
page 364).
If the electric parking brake cannot be engaged:
Shift the automatic transmission to P
(page 367).
Protect vehicle from rolling away while
parked by using a chock from the vehicle tool
kit (
page 613).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 582 of 705
581 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Please release
parking brake
The red indicator lamp for the electric park-
ing brake flashes and you also hear a warn-
ing tone.
You are driving with the electric parking
brake activated, or you are carrying out an
emergency brake application with the elec-
tric parking brake (
page 364).
Release electric parking brake.
or
Carefully drive off (
page 364).
or
Release the handle for electric parking brake.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Please release
parking brake
The red indicator lamp for the electric park-
ing brake flashes and the yellow warning
lamp for the electric parking brake comes
on. You also hear a warning tone.
The electric parking brake is malfunction-
ing; braking action is restricted.
While driving:
Release the handle for electric parking brake.
While at a standstill:
Switch off ignition and press handle for elec-
tric parking brake until the warning message
disappears from the multifunction display.
Page 583 of 705
582 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Turn on the ignition
to release the
parking brake
The yellow indicator lamp for the electric
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electric park-
ing brake, but the ignition was not switched
on.
Switch on the ignition (
page 315).
(USA only)(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS is still operational.
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.
Page 584 of 705
583 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
S 600 only:
ESP
® a s w e l l a s P R E - S A F E
® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
and ; (USA only) or 3(Canada only)
warning lamps come on in the instrument
cluster.
Brake force assistance is impaired and is
sustained through an electric substitute
function as long as the engine is running.
The brake system continues to function
normally. You will feel a pulsating effect at
the brake pedal while braking.
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.
Page 586 of 705
585 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
STOP,
car too low
You have started driving although the vehi-
cle level was too low.
The vehicle will be raised. The Airmatic*
warning lamp goes out after several sec-
onds.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
STOP,
car too low
The Airmatic* is malfunctioning.
The Airmatic* warning lamp lights up con-
tinuously.
Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(page 401).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Malfunction
The capability of the Airmatic* system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 587 of 705
586 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Vehicle rising
Please wait a moment
The vehicle level is too low while at a stand-
still. The vehicle will be raised.
Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the en-
gine will overheat due to an inoperative water
pump which may result in damage to the en-
gine. Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 595 of 705
594 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey in the
vehicle.
If necessary, operate vehicle using SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch under
KEYLESS-GO* button (
page 316).
Key being
initialized…
Please wait
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is being
initialized in the vehicle.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
Remove starting
button, then
insert key
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Remove KEYLESS-GO* button from over
starter switch (
page 316).
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in the
starter switch.
Replace key
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be
replaced.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
