2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class ESP inoperative

543 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and mo-
bile phone and GPS coverage are available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the COMAND
volume thumbwheel , on the lower
part of the front center console
(page 98).

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.Shortly after the completion of your
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive
a user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated.
If a malfunction is detected, the indicator
lamps in the SOS button, the Roadside As-
sistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than
10 seconds or do not come on. The mes-
sage “Tele Aid Not Activated” or “Tele Aid
Inoperative” appears in the multifunction
display.
i
The Tele Aid system utilizes the mobile
phone network for communication and the GPS
(Global Positioning System) satellites for vehicle
location. If either of these signals are unavail-
able, the Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be summoned by
other means.
i
The SOS button is located above the interior
rear view mirror (
page 545).
The Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ are located below the
center armrest cover (page 546).
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button•
and/or in the Information button¡ do
not come on during the system self-check,
or if any of these indicators remain illuminat-
ed continuously in red and/or the message
“Tele Aid Not Activated” or “Tele Aid Inoper-
ative” is displayed in the multifunction dis-
play after the system self-check, a
malfunction in the system has been detect-
ed.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

645 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Cruise Control
- - - mph
(USA only)
Cruise Control
- - - kmh
(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on
cruise control below a speed of
20 mph (30 km/h).

Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save the speed.
ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on ESP
® (page 76).
The automatic transmission is in
park position P, reverse gearR
or neutral positionN.

Shift the automatic transmission to drive positionD (
page 426).
The system is overheated.

Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place
by the electronic parking brake.

Release electronic parking brake (
page 422).
Cruise Control
Inoperative
Cruise control is malfunction-
ing.

Have cruise control checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

662 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Malfunction
The capability of the ABC* system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Vehicle rising
Please wait a moment
The vehicle’s level is too low while at a
standstill. The vehicle will be raised.

Do not drive off.

Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
ABS and ESP
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ABS, ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are
switched off due to a malfunction. BAS is
also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing 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.

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)

673 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Turn On the Ignition
to Release the
Parking Brake
The yellow indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electronic
parking brake, but the ignition was not
switched on.

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
(USA only)(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS may not be operational and the fol-
lowing systems are not available:


BAS and BAS Plus*


PRE-SAFE
® Brake*


Distronic Plus*


Cruise control


Hill start assist system

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.

674 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
ESP
® a s w e l l a s P R E - S A F E
® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
and ; (USA only) or 3(Canada only)
warning lamps come on in the instrument
cluster.
Brake force assistance is impaired and is
sustained through an electric substitute
function as long as the engine is running.
The brake system continues to function
normally. You will feel a pulsating effect at
the brake pedal while braking.
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.