2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV ESP

Troubleshooting
281Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
-
The yellow ABS warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS has been deactivated due to
a malfunction. Therefore, Brake
Assist, ESP ®
and PRE-SAFE ®
are,
for example, also deactivated.
The brake system continues to
function normally, but without
electronic support. The wheels
could therefore lock if you brake
hard, for example. X
Drive on carefully.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 255).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible. -
The yellow ABS warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS has been deactivated due to
undervoltage. It is possible that
the battery is not being charged.
Therefore, the following systems
are, for example, also deactiva-
ted: Brake Assist, ESP ®
, BAS and
PRE-SAFE ®
.
The brake system continues to
function normally, but without
electronic support. The wheels
could therefore lock if you brake
hard, for example. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting, etc.
ABS will be available again as soon as the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem voltage increases. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
282 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
v
3
- The yellow ESP
®
warning
lamp, the red brake sys-
tem warning lamp and the
yellow ABS warning lamp
light up while the engine is
running. You will also hear
a warning tone. G
Risk of accident
The electronic brake force distri-
bution (EBV) is faulty. Therefore,
ABS, Brake Assist, ESP ®
and PRE-
SAFE ®
are, for example, no lon-
ger available. The brake system
continues to function normally,
but without electronic support.
The wheels could therefore lock
if you brake hard, for example. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. v
The yellow ESP ®
warning
lamp flashes while the
vehicle is in motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, ABS or traction control has
intervened because at least one
wheel has reached its grip limit
and is threatening to spin or lock.
Cruise control or Distronic* is
deactivated. X
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when pull-
ing away.
X Release the accelerator pedal while you are driving.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Ypage 61). v
The yellow ESP ®
warning
lamp is lit while the engine
is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated. ESP ®
will
not stabilise the vehicle if it starts
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin. X
Reactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Ypage 61).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
283Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
v
The yellow ESP ®
warning
lamp is lit while the engine
is running. In addition, a
message appears in the
multi-function display. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is unavailable due to a mal-
function. ESP ®
will not stabilise
the vehicle if it starts to skid or if
a wheel starts to spin. X
Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 255).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 1
The red SRS warning lamp
is lit while the engine is
running. G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are faulty.
The airbags or belt tensioners
may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an acci-
dent, not be triggered at all. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 3
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while you are driving. You
will also hear a warning
tone. You are driving with the parking
brake applied. X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. 3
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. You will also hear a
warning tone. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the fluid reservoir. X
Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 255).
X Under no circumstances should you top up the brake fluid. This will
not rectify the fault. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
290 Engine
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The engine will not start. You can
hear the starter motor operating. R
There is a malfunction in the
engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the
fuel supply. X
Turn the key back to position 0(Y page 76)in the ignition lock
before the next starting attempt.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 110). When doing so, remem-
ber that excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine
will drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine will not start. You can
hear the starter motor operating.
The reserve fuel warning lamp is
on and the fuel gauge shows 0. The fuel tank has been run dry. X
Refuel the vehicle.
X Bleed the fuel system (Y page 289).The engine will not start. You can-
not hear the starter motor oper-
ating. The on-board voltage is too low
because the starter battery is too
weak or discharged. X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 329).
If the engine does not start despite attempting to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to
a thermal load that was too high. X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
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Changing the bulbs
310 Changing the rear bulbs
Opening and closing the side trim pan-
els You must open the side trim panel in the load
compartment before changing the bulbs in
the tail lamps. Left-hand side trim panel
1
Release catch
2 Side trim panel Right-hand side trim panel
1
Release catch
2 Side trim panel
X To open: insert a suitable object, e.g. a
coin, into the slot of release catch 1on
side trim panel 2.
X Turn release catch 190° in the direction
of the arrow and remove side trim panel
2.
X To close: insert side trim panel 2and turn
catch 190° in the opposite direction to
the arrow. Changing the tail lamps X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the luggage compartment.
X Open the side trim panel (Y page 310). Tail lamps
1
Brake lamp/tail lamp/parking lamp
2 Turn signal lamp
3 Rear fog lamp
4 Reversing lamp
X Turn the corresponding bulb holder anti-
clockwise and remove it.
X Take the bulb out of the bulb holder.
X Insert the new bulb into the bulb holder.
X Insert the bulb holder and turn it clockwise.
X Close the side trim panel (Y page 310).Practical advice
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Flat tyre
317Changing a wheel/fitting the emer-
gency spare wheel*
G
Risk of accident
The wheel dimensions and tyre size of the
emergency spare wheel* may differ from
those of the standard wheels.
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
will change if you fit an emergency spare
wheel*. Adapt your style of driving accord-
ingly.
You may only use the emergency spare
wheel* for a short while. Do not exceed the
maximum speed of 80 km/h and do not
deactivate ESP ®
.
Never drive the vehicle with more than one
emergency spare wheel* fitted. G
Risk of accident
Have the emergency spare wheel*
replaced as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the neces-
sary specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required. Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particu-
lar, work relevant to safety or on safety- related systems must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Preparing the vehicle X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 313).
X If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
X Position the wheels in the straight-ahead
position.
X Take the following from the stowage well
beneath the luggage compartment floor:
R
the emergency spare wheel
R the electric air pump
R the vehicle tool kit
R the wheel chock
R the jack
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
On level ground: place chocks or similar
items under the front and rear of the wheel
that is diagonally opposite the wheel you
wish to change. Securing a vehicle on level ground (example illus-
tration)
X
On downhill gradients: place chocks or
similar items under both wheels of the
other axle. Securing a vehicle on slight downhill slopes (exam-
ple illustration) Practical advice
* optional
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Flat tyre
318
Raising the vehicle G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise the vehi-
cle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed.
If you intend to work under the vehicle, it
must be placed on stands.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar items as jacking supports.
Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while
the wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured. G
Risk of accident
If you fail to position the jack correctly, the
vehicle may: R
slip off the jack
R injure you or others
R be damaged
It is thus important to ensure that the jack
is positioned correctly in the respective
jacking points. Before positioning the jack,
remove any dirt that may have collected in
the jacking points. 1
Wheel wrench
X Using wheel wrench 1, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
The jacking points for the jack are located
behind the wheel housings of the front wheels and in front of the wheel housings of the rear
wheels (arrows). 1
Jacking point
2 Jack
3 Ratchet ring spanner
X Position jack 2at jacking point 1. Practical advice
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Battery
323
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
80 km/h. G
Risk of accident
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
deteriorate in run-flat mode, for example:
R when cornering
R when braking
R when accelerating rapidly
Adapt your driving style accordingly and
avoid sudden changes in direction and sud-
den acceleration, as well as driving over
obstacles (i.e. kerbs, potholes), and driving
off-road. This is particularly the case when
the vehicle is heavily laden.
The maximum permissible distance that
can be driven in run-flat mode depends to
a large extent on the loads placed on the
vehicle. It can be shorter due to high
speeds, a heavy load, sudden acceleration
and/or manoeuvring, the road surface con-
dition, outside temperature, etc., or further
if you drive carefully and conservatively.
Do not continue to drive in run-flat mode if:
R you hear banging noises
R the vehicle starts to shake
R you see smoke and smell rubber R
ESP ®
is intervening constantly
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tyre
After driving in run-flat mode, you must
have the rims checked for damage at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools
to carry out the work required. The faulty
tyre must be replaced in every case.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to
safety or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
i On a vehicle with MOExtended tyres, only
use MOExtended spare tyres. These must
be of the size specified for the vehicle. Battery
Notes on the vehicle battery
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Have the battery charge checked more fre-
quently if you use the vehicle mainly for short
trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period.
To prevent damage from corrosion, only
replace the battery with one that has a central
ventilation cover.
Consult a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre if
you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for
a long period of time. G
Risk of injury
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. Risk of explosion
Fire, naked flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating
sparks. Practical advice
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