Page 379 of 521

378 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP® are also
switched off (see messages in the multifunc-
tion display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 394).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off. The BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off (see mes-
sages in the multifunction display)
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.
Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating*.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
Page 380 of 521
379 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ABS is temporarily not available. The
ESP® and the BAS are also unavailable.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not be
completed yet.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.
Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the ABS indicator lamp goes
out, the ABS, the ESP
®, and the BAS
are available again.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Page 381 of 521

380 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
;
3 (USA only)
(Canada only)The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.You are driving with the parking
brake set.Release the parking brake
(
page 53).
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
could be seriously 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.
Page 382 of 521

381 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú
±(USA only)
(Canada only)The yellow engine
malfunction indi-
cator 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 ex-
cessive emissions values and may
switch the engine to its Limp-Home
Mode (emergency operation).
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble at 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 accu-
rate identification 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.
iIn some states you may be required by law
to have the vehicle serviced as soon as the
engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Check local requirements.
Page 383 of 521

382 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú
±(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
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 (page 320).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
•The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is run-
ning.There is insufficient coolant in the
reservoir.Add coolant to prevent engine from overheat-
ing (
page 328).
If this warning lamp comes on fre-
quently, there is a leak in the cooling
system.Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant level is correct, the
electric radiator fan may be broken.If the coolant temperature is below 248 °F
(120 °C), you can continue driving to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving uphill)
and stop-and-go driving.
Page 385 of 521

384 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp comes on while
the engine is running.The ESP® has been switched off with the
ESP® switch or has been switched off due
to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
When the ESP
® is switched off it will not
stabilize the vehicle if the system recog-
nizes that the vehicle starts to skid or that
a wheel is spinning.
The cruise control is deactivated and can-
not be switched on.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 96).
Exceptions: (
page 94).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road, weather and
traffic conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observer additional messages that may appear in
the multifunction display (
page 394).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp flashes while
driving.The ESP® or traction control has come
into operation because of detected trac-
tion loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivatedWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possi-
ble.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 94).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk
of an accident.
Page 386 of 521
385 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
AThe 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 320).
CThe yellow roll bar warning lamp
comes on or flickers when the
engine is running.The roll bar system is malfunctioning.Release the roll bars manually.
Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
on for a maximum of 6 seconds
after starting the engine.The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts before
driving off.Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts
are fastened or not, the seat belt tell-
tale always comes on and remains lit
for 6 seconds after starting the
engine.
maximum of 6 seconds after
starting the engine.You have forgotten to fasten your seat belt.Fasten your seat belt.
The warning chime stops sounding.
Page 401 of 521

400 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
PSelector Lever
In ParkYou have turned off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in gear
selector lever positionN and opened the
driver’s door.
or
You have attempted to switch off the en-
gine with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Please Shift To
N or PYou have attempted to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.Place the gear selector lever in
positionP or N.
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeRun Flat Indicator is malfunctioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat Indicator.There was a warning message about a
loss in the tire inflation pressure and the
Run Flat Indicator has not been reactivat-
ed yet.Make sure the correct tire inflation
pressure is set for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator.