2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS63AMG ESP

346 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning
lamp flashes while driving.The ESP® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 94).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

354 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
HUSA only:
Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale for the TPMS illuminates
continuously.
Canada only:
Low tire pressure telltale for the
Advanced TPMS* illuminates
continuously.The TPMS (USA only) or Advanced TPMS*
(Canada only) detects a loss of pressure in at
least one tire.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situa-
tion around you.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 358).
If the tire inflation pressure in the respec-
tive tire(s) has (have) been corrected, the
combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after few
minutes driving.
HUSA only:
Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale for the TPMS flashes for
60 seconds and then stays
illuminated.There is a malfunction in the TPMS.Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 358).
Have the TPMS checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
After the malfunction has been remedied
the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after few
minutes driving.

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the inside of the
fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
tire inflation pressure label, you should de-
termine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

360 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
Inoperative
See Operator’s Man.The ABS, ESP® as well as PRE-SAFE® have
switched off due to a malfunction.
BAS is also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS, BAS, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE® available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
w i l l l o c k d u r i n g h a r d b raking, 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.
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailable
See Operator’s Man.The ABS, ESP® as well as PRE-SAFE® were
deactivated because of insufficient power
supply. The charging voltage has fallen be-
low 10 volts.
BAS is also switched off.
The brake system still functions normally
but without ABS, BAS, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE® available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS, ESP® and PRE-SAFE® are operational again
and the message should disappear.
If the message does not disappear:
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
DISTRONICCurrently Unavailable
See Operator’s ManualDistronic* is deactivated because the
functionality is impaired by external in-
terferences, e.g. high-frequency sources
such as too stations, speed measuring
systems etc.Leave the area of the external interference.
Activate Distronic* again (page 222) when
the message
DISTRONIC available again ap-
pears.
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.Activate Distronic* again (page 222) when
the message
DISTRONIC available again ap-
pears.
ESPInoperative
See Operator’s Man.The ESP® as well as BAS and PRE-SAFE®
have detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS, BAS, ESP
®
and PRE-SAFE® 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.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic* or do not
turn it on if the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished as a result of snow, rain or fog.
The distance control may be impaired even
before the system is able to detect a dirty
sensor. The messageDISTRONIC
Currently Unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
will be displayed in the multifunction display
and Distronic* will be turned off.

368 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
PGear Selector Lever
In P PositionYou have tried to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button with the gear selector lever
not in positionP.Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
You have tried to turn off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button with the gear selector lever
not in positionP.
P/NPlease Shift To
N or PYou have tried 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
orN. Make sure the brake pedal is depressed.
PRE-SAFEInoperative
See Operator’s ManualPRE-SAFE® itself has failed. All other
occupant safety systems, such as
the air bags, are still available.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
If ESP® and PRE-SAFE® malfunction
messages are displayed simulta-
neously, PRE-SAFE
® has been deac-
tivated as a result of these
malfunctions. All other occupant
safety systems, such as the air bags,
are still available.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropri-
ate wheel sensors mounted (e.g.
winter tires).Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pres. Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors malfunction
(e.g. battery in one or more wheel
sensors is empty).
One or more wheels without appro-
priate wheel sensors mounted (e.g.
spare tire).Have the Advanced TPMS* checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The tire pressure for the respective tire is
shown in the multifunction display.
One or more wheels without appro-
priate wheel sensors mounted (e.g.
spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by ---
instead of the tire inflation pressure
in the multifunction display.Have the Advanced TPMS* checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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.

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
V You are driving with one or more doors
open.Close the doors.
YYou are driving with the hood open.Close the hood (page 286).
Ê This message will appear whenever the
trunk is open.Close the trunk.
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning

broken poly-V-belt
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is
increased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so 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 re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.