2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350S warning

387 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
High-priority messages are shown in red
on the multifunction display. Messages of
lower priority are also shown in yellow or
white.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L on the multifunction
steering wheel (
page 152).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L. They are then stored
in the vehicle status message memory
(
page 164). 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
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play 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. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

388 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 ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (page 389)

Symbol messages (page 397)
Warning!G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except 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 multi-
function display are in working order before
starting your journey.

390 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Cruise control
- - - mph
(USA only)
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).If traffic conditions allow, drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h)
and save the speed.
Cruise control
- - - km/h
(Canada only)
The automatic transmission* is in position
P, R or N.Move the gear selector lever to positionD (page 140).
ESP® is switched off.Switch on ESP® (page 64).
The system is overheated.Wait until the system cools down.
Cruise Control and
Speedtronic
InoperativeCruise control is malfunctioning. In addition
a warning chime sounds.Have the cruise control checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Check,
Tire Pressure
Then Restart
Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
There was a warning message about a loss
in tire inflation pressure and the Run Flat In-
dicator has not been restarted yet.Make sure the correct tire inflation pressure is set for each
tire (
page 339).
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator (page 343).
Run Flat
Indicator
Inoperative
(Canada only)
Run Flat Indicator is malfunctioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

391 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check
Tire Pressure Soon
(Canada only)
The Run Flat Indicator indicates that the
pressure is too low in one or more tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering
and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation around
you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 339).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 440).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire inflation
pressure values (
page 343).
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. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

394 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Operator’s Manu-
alWith the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on (page 82),

the 5/indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster should il-
luminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 41)
has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s Man-
ual
or the message Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Opera-
tor’s Manual
should not appear in the multifunction display at any time
the seat is unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to com-
plete the necessary check cycles and to make sure neither message ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS
(
page 41), the5/indicator 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 at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
If the 5/indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
front passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any
passenger use the front passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.

396 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Operator’s Manu-
alWith the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on (page 82),

the 5/indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster should il-
luminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 41)
has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s Man-
ual
or the message Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Opera-
tor’s Manual
should not appear in the multifunction display at any time
the seat is unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to com-
plete the necessary check cycles and to make sure neither message ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS
(
page 41), the 5/indicator 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 at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
If the 5/indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
front passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have any
passenger use the front passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.

400 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
;Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Depress the parking brake (page 134).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be serious-
ly burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

402 Practical hints
What to do if …?
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant Low
Stop Vehicle!
Turn Engine OffThe coolant is too hot. Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so and immediately turn off
the engine.
Only start the engine again after the message
disappears. You could otherwise damage the
engine.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 26).
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the engine hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Do-
ing so may cause serious engine damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.