Page 348 of 481
347 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
;(USA only)
3(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.
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running and you hear a warning
sound.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.Risk of accident! Do not drive any
further. Consult a Mercedes-Benz
Service Center. Under no circum-
stances should you top up the 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
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can 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 349 of 481
348 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.
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 excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by 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 accurate identification of
system malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is
located in the front left area of the foot-
well next to the parking brake.
iSome states may by law require you to con-
tact a workshop as soon as the engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on. Check local
requirements.
Page 350 of 481
349 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.
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 351 of 481
350 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
DThe red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on when
the engine is running.There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric
radiator fan may be broken.Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(
page 290).
Have the cooling system checked.
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.
DThe red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
driving and you hear a warning
sound.The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).Stop in a safe location as soon as pos-
sible and allow the engine and coolant
to cool down.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed 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 open-
ing the engine hood. Stay away from the en-
gine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
Page 373 of 481
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.
Page 374 of 481
373 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#There is a malfunction in the electronic
system.Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
#Battery/Alternator
Stop VehicleThe battery is malfunctioning.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is in-
creased.Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.
Call Roadside Assistance.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
#Low Voltage
Start EngineThe battery has insufficient voltage.Start the engine (page 51).
2Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually in-
spected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Page 375 of 481
374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
(USA only)
;
(Canada only)
!
Release
Parking BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake
(
page 53).
(USA only)
;
(Canada only)
3
EBV, ABS, ESP
Inoperative
See Operator’s Man.ABS, ESP®, EBP 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.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
(USA only)
;
(Canada only)
3
Check
Brake Fluid
LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the messages 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 res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can 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 376 of 481
375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
(USA only)
ú
(Canada only)
±
Service RequiredThere may be a malfunction in the:
fuel injection system
ignition system
exhaust system
fuel system
Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
H Top Up
Coolant
See Operator’s Man.The coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 290).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.
