2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S63AMG ESP

600 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-
vThe 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 612).
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 612).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

604 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
lPRE-SAFE® Brake*: The red dis-
tance warning lamp comes on
while driving.You are too close to the vehicle in front of
you to maintain selected speed.Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
lDISTRONIC Plus* or PRE-SAFE®
Brake*: The red distance warn-
ing lamp comes on while driving
and an acoustic warning
sounds.You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.Apply the brakes immediately.
DISTRONIC Plus* or PRE-SAFE® Brake* has
recognized a stationary obstacle on your
probable line of travel.Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver to
avoid hitting an obstacle.
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
flashes while driving.The ESP® or electronic traction system has
come into operation because of detected
traction loss in at least one tire.
Cruise control and DISTRONIC Plus* are de-
activated.When driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®. Exceptions:
(
page 73).
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

605 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe 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 75).
Exceptions: (
page 73).
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 612).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
in the fuel gauge comes on while driving.The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.Refuel at the next gas station
(
page 538).
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.

608 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
HUSA only:
Combination low tire pres-
sure/TPMS malfunction telltale
for the Advanced TPMS* illumi-
nates continuously.
Canada only:
Low tire pressure telltale for the
Advanced TPMS* illuminates
continuously.The Advanced TPMS* detects a loss of
pressure in at least one tire.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation
around you.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 612).
If the tire inflation pressure in the respec-
tive tire(s) has (have) been corrected, the
combination low tire pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale goes out after few minutes
driving.
HUSA only:
Combination low tire pres-
sure/TPMS malfunction telltale
for the Advanced TPMS* flashes
for 60 seconds and then stays il-
luminated.There is a malfunction in the Advanced
TPMS*.Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 612).
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
After the malfunction has been remedied
the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after few
minutes driving.

609 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

614 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messages
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Apply brake
to shift
from 'P'You have tried to shift the auto-
matic transmission to D, R or N
without stepping on the brake.Step on brake.
Child seat
in wrong position
See Oper. Manual
(Canada only)The child seat is not positioned
correctly.Fasten the seat in the correct position.
The sensor for the child seat is
malfunctioning.Have the sensor for child seat detection checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Cruise control
- - - mph
(USA only)
Cruise control
- - - km/h
(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 75).
The automatic transmission is in
position P, R or N.Shift the automatic transmission toD (page 399).
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 395).
Cruise control
inoperativeCruise control is malfunction-
ing.Have cruise control checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

616 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
overrideYou have depressed the accelerator pedal,
DISTRONIC Plus* is no longer controlling
the speed of the vehicle.Release the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - mph
(USA only)
Canada only:
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - km/h
(Canada only)You have attempted to activate DISTRONIC
Plus* at a speed below 20 mph (30 km/h)
without the vehicle in front being displayed
in the multifunction display (
page 427).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and activate DISTRONIC
Plus* again.
ESP® is switched off.Switch on ESP® (page 75).
The automatic transmission is in position P,
R or N.Shift the automatic transmission toD (page 399).
The system is overheated.Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tronic parking brake.Release electronic parking brake (page 395).
The driver’s door is open and the drivers
seat belt is unbuckled.Close the driver’s door and fasten your seat belt.
The hood is open.Close the hood (page 542).

628 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
MalfunctionThe 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 momentThe 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. ManualABS, 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.