Page 629 of 801
628 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS, ESP
®, EBP and
PRE-SAFE
® are also switched off (see mes-
sages in multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*,
DISTRONIC Plus*, navigation system, Park
Assist* and the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
Page 630 of 801
629 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again and the ABS in-
dicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)-
v
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. In addi-
tion, the yellow ABS mal-
function indicator lamp,
and the yellow ESP
®
warning lamp come on
and an acoustic warning
sounds.
A malfunction in the Electronic Brake Pro-
portioning (EBP) was detected. The ABS,
BAS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are also
switched off (see messages in multifunction
display).
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without electronic support.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
Page 631 of 801
630 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
v
The yellow ABS malfunc-
tion indicator lamp and
the yellow ESP
® warning
lamp come on while the
engine is running and an
acoustic warning sounds.
ABS and ESP
® are switched off due to a
malfunction.
The BAS, EBP and PRE-SAFE
® are also
switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
0(USA only)!(Canada only)
The red indicator lamp
for the electronic parking
brake flashes and/or the
yellow warning lamp for
the electronic parking
brake is on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing or defective.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Page 632 of 801
631 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running and an
acoustic warning sounds.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe loca-
tion or as soon as it is safe to do so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
Contact 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 result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine 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 633 of 801
632 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
±
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion 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 en-
gine to Limp-Home Mode (emergency oper-
ation).
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 lo-
cated in the front left area of the
footwell.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.
Page 634 of 801
633 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
±
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion 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 au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refueling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The Limp-Home Mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
Page 636 of 801
635 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.
Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 76).
Exceptions: (
page 74).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on:
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
ESP
® is switched off due to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.
Continue driving with added caution.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
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 telltale al-
ways comes on and remains lit for
6 seconds after starting the engine.
Page 637 of 801
636 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
<
You hear a warning chime for a
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.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on while the vehicle is standing
still and the engine is running or
during driving.
You and/or your front passenger have for-
gotten to fasten your seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out.
There are items placed on the front passen-
ger seat and therefore the system senses
the front passenger seat as being occupied.
Remove the items from the front pas-
senger seat and put them in a safe
place.
The seat belt telltale goes out.
<
During driving the red seat belt
telltale flashes and you addition-
ally hear an intermittent warning
chime with increasing intensity.
The vehicle’s speed once exceeded 15 mph
(25 km/h) and you and/or your front pas-
senger have forgotten to fasten your seat
belts.
Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out and the
warning chime stops sounding.
There are items placed on the front passen-
ger seat and therefore the system senses
the front passenger seat as being occupied.
Remove the items from the front pas-
senger seat and put them in a safe
place.
The seat belt telltale goes out and the
warning chime stops sounding.
i
After 60 seconds with an unfastened seat
belt the warning chime stops sounding and the
seat belt telltale illuminates continuously.The seat belt telltale will only go out if both, the
driver and front passenger’s seat belt arefastened, or the vehicle is standing still and a
front door is opened.
