Page 642 of 801
641 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
75The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
does not illuminate and/or
does not remain illuminat-
ed with the weight of a typ-
ical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or
less on the front passen-
ger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.
Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.
Make sure no objects applying supplemental weight onto the seat
are present.
Make sure no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around
the seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may
recognize such forces as supplemental weight.
If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp remains out,
have the system checked as soon as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been repaired.
Also read and observe any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 642).
Warning!
G
If the59indicator lamp does
not illuminate or remains out with the
weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or less on the front
passenger seat, do not transport a child on
the front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.
Page 643 of 801
642 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Vehicle status messages in the multi-function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
High-priority messages are shown in red
on the multifunction display. Messages of
lower priority are also shown in yellow or
white.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L on the multifunction
steering wheel (
page 288).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L. They are then stored
in the vehicle status message memory
(
page 304). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Page 644 of 801
643 Practical hints
What to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:
Text messages (
page 644)
Symbol messages (
page 660)
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.i
Switching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and multi-
function display are in working order before
starting your journey.
Page 651 of 801
650 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Oper. Manual
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on (
page 370),
the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster should
illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 47)
has deactivated the air bag.
the message “Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Oper. Manual” or the
message “Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual” should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check
cycles and to make sure neither message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS
(
page 47), the59indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go
out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the
system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the 59indicator lamp re-
mains illuminated with an adult occupant on
the front passenger seat even after
performing the above corrective steps, do
not have any passenger use the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been re-
paired.
Page 653 of 801
652 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on (
page 370),
the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster should
illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 47)
has deactivated the air bag.
the message “Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Oper. Manual” or the
message “Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual” should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at last 60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check
cycles and to make sure neither message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS
(
page 47), the 59indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go
out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the
system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the 59indicator lamp re-
mains illuminated with an adult occupant on
the front passenger seat even after
performing the above corrective steps, do
not have any passenger use the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been re-
paired.
Page 658 of 801
657 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Shift to P or N
to Start Engine
You have attempted to start the engine
while the automatic transmission was set to
reverse gearR or drive positionD.
Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP or neutral
positionN (
page 426).
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
The Advanced TPMS or a wheel sensor is
malfunctioning.
Have the Advanced TPMS checked by 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. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated. Do
not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc.
Page 665 of 801
664 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Brake Fluid Level
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
(USA only)(Canada only)Warning!
G
Driving with the message “Check Brake Fluid
Level ” displayed can result in an accident.
Have your brake system checked immedi-
ately. Do not add brake fluid before check-
ing the brake system. Overfilling the brake
fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake flu-
id 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 666 of 801
665 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Brake Immediately
A malfunction has occurred while
DISTRONIC Plus* was switched on.
While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
(USA only)(Canada only)
EBR, ABS and ESP
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not 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.
(USA only)(Canada only)
