Page 340 of 473
339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
E
The white Distronic* indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a preceding vehicle.
E
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning 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 lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 271).
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 271).
Page 352 of 473
351 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
unavailable
See
Oper. Manual
The ABS and ESP
® are not available
due to a malfunction. The BAS is also
deactivated.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not
be completed yet.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP®, and the BAS avail-
able.
Drive a short distance with added caution
at a vehicle speed of above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ABS,
the ESP
®, and the BAS are available again.
If the message does not disappear:
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.
Page 353 of 473
352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. Manual
The ABS and ESP
® have switched off
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP®, and the BAS 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.
––– mph
Cruise control
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.
Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 54).
Page 354 of 473
353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
––– mph
Distronic
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.
Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 54).
DISTRONIC
Inoperative
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Currently
unavailable.
See
Oper. Manual
Distronic* is deactivated because the
functionality is impaired by external in-
terferences, e.g. high-frequency sourc-
es such as too stations, speed
measuring systems etc.
Leave the area of the external interfer-
ence.
Activate Distronic* again (
page 218)
when the message
DISTRONIC available
again
appears.
Distronic* is deactivated because the
Distronic* sensor has not sensed any
other vehicles or objects, e.g. road
sign or such, for a long time.
Try to activate Distronic* again
(page 218) when the message
DISTRONIC available again
appears.
Page 356 of 473
355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. Manual
The ESP
® has detected a malfunction
and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.
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.
ESP unavailable
See
Oper. Manual
The ESP
® is deactivated because the
power supply has been interrupted.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.
Synchronize the ESP
®. With the vehicle
stationary, turn the steering wheel com-
pletely to the left and then to the right.
If the ESP
® message does not go out:
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.
!
When sychronizing the ESP
®, make sure you
can turn the steering wheel in both directions as
far as it will go without the wheels hitting any ob-
jects, e.g. a road curb.
Page 365 of 473
364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure monitor
currently
unavailable
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
unable to monitor the tire pres-
sure due to
a nearby radio interference
source.
excessive wheel sensor tem-
peratures.
As soon as the causes for the malfunction are
no longer present, the TPMS or Advanced
TPMS* automatically becomes active again
after a few minutes driving.
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.
Page 366 of 473
365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesLeft display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe loca-
tion and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise, the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Adjust driving to be
consistent with reduced braking respon-
siveness.
#
There is a malfunction in the elec-
tronic system.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Page 367 of 473
366 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop car
The battery is malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
requires electrical energy and
therefore has only limited opera-
tion. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking re-
sponsiveness.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
2
Brake wear
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
USA only:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the electro-hydraulic brake sys-
tem.
Start the engine.
The message disappears when sufficient
voltage is available.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.
