Instruments and warning lights
26
Red symbols
A red symbol signals danger.– Bring the vehicle to a stop.
– Switch the engine off.
– Investigate the function indicated.
– Obtain professional assistance.
Meaning of the red symbols:
Three successive warning signals will sound if a red symbol appears.Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol signals a warning.Check the relevant function as soon as possible.
The meaning of the yellow symbols:
One warning signal will sound if a yellow symbol appears.
If several operational faults of priority 2 exist, the symbols appear one after the other
and are each illuminate d for about 5 seconds.
SetupYou can change certain settings by means of the information display. The current
setting is shown on the information display in the respective menu at the top below the
line.
You can select the following information (depending on the equipment installed on
the vehicle):
Language
MFD Data (MFA DATA)
Convenience
Lights & Vision (Lights & Vision)
Time
Winter tyres
Units
Assistants
Alt. speed dis.
Service Interval (Service)
Fa cto r y se tt ing
Back
After selecting the menu point Back you will reach one level higher in the menu.
Language
Here you can set in which language the warning and information texts should be
displayed.
Displays of the MFA
Here you can switch off or on certain displays of the multi-functional indicator.
Comfort*
You can set the following f unctions (depending on the equipment installed on the
vehicle):
Engine oil pressure too low
page 31
Overheated clutches of the automatic gear-
box DSG*
page 37
Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor faulty
page 205
Brake pad worn
page 35
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Instruments and warning lights
28
Warning lightsOverview
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Fig. 21 Instrument cluster with warning lights
Turn signal lights (to the left) page 29
Turn signal lights (to the right) page 29
Fog lights* page 30
Main beam light page 30
Low beam light page 30
Rear fog light page 30
Cruise control system* page 30
Failure of the light bulbs page 30
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine) page 30
Airbag system page 31
Control system for exhaust page 31
Electromechanical power steering page 31
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Instruments and warning lights29
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body inju-
ries or major vehicle damage.
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire wh en working in the engine compartment,
e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and other fluids. It is also essential to
observe all warnings page 204, “Working in the engine compartment”.Note
The arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model version. The
symbols shown in the following functional description are to be found as indicator
lights in the instrument cluster.
Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority 1 -
danger) or yellow symbols (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system
Either the left
or right
indicator light flashes depending on the position of the turn
signal lever.
The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails. This does
not apply when towing a trailer.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the turn
signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash.
Engine oil page 31
EPC fault light (petrol engine) page 32
Glow plug system (diesel engine) page 32
Coolant temperature/coolant level page 33
Traction control system (TCS) page 33
Electronic stability programme (ESP)* page 34
Switch off traction control system (TCS) page 33
Selector lever lock* page 34
Tyre pressure* page 34
Antilock brake system (ABS) page 34
Boot lid page 35
Open door page 35
Seat belt warning light page 35
Brake pad wear* page 35
Fluid level in windshield washer system* page 36
Brake system page 36
Dynamo page 36
Fuel reserve page 36
Downhill Drive Support* page 37
Overheated clutches of the automatic gearbox
DSG*
page 37
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Instruments and warning lights
30
Further information about the turn signal system page 59.Fog lights*
The warning light
comes on when the fog lights are operating page 56.
Main beam
The indicator light
comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated.
Further information about the main beam page 59.
Low beam
The warning light
comes on when low beam is selected page 53.
Rear fog light
The warning light
comes on when the rear fog lights are operating page 57.
Cruise control system*
The warning light
lights up, when operating the speed regulating system.
Bulb failure
The warning light
comes on if a bulb is faulty:
up to 2 seconds after the ignition is switched on;
when switching on the defective light bulb.
The following text e.g will be disp layed in the information display*:
Check front right dipped beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate li ghting require several light bulbs. The indi-
cator light
only lights up if all light bulbs of the licence plate lighting or the parking light (in one rear light unit) are defective.
Check regularly the function of the light
bulbs.
Diesel particle filter*
(diesel engine)
If the warning light
comes on, this means that soot has accumulated in the diesel
particle filter because of the frequent short distances.
In order to clean the diesel particle filter, the vehicle should be driven at an even speed
of at least 60 km/h at engine speeds of 1 800 - 2 500 rpm for at least 15 minutes or until
the warning light goes out with the 4th or 5th gear engaged (automatic gearbox: posi-
tion S) when the traffic situation permits it . This increases the exhaust temperature and
the soot deposited in the diesel particle filter is burnt.
Always pay attention to the valid speed limits .
The warning light
goes out after the successful cleaning of the diesel particle filter.
If the filter is not properly cleaned, the warning light
does not go out and the
warning light
begins to flash. In the information display* appears Diesel-particle
filter: Owner's manual. Afterwards the engine control unit shifts the engine into the
emergency mode, which only has a reduced po wer output. After switching the ignition
off and on again the warning light
comes on.
Have the vehicle inspected without delay by your specialist garage.
WARNING
If you do not pay attention to the warning light coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in injuries or major
vehicle damage.
Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The route indicated by the warnin g light must not tempt you to disregard
the national regulations for road traffic.Caution
As long as the warning light
li ghts up, o ne must take into account an incre as ed f uel
consumption and in certain circumstances a power reduction of the engine.
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Instruments and warning lights31
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Note
Further information about diesel particle filter page 170.Airbag system
Monitoring the airbag system
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning light does not go out or flashes while driving
. This also applies if the warning light does not come on when the ignition is
switched on.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Error: Airbag
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically when one airbag
has been switched off.
The following situation applies if the fr ont, side and head airbags or belt
tensioner have been switched off using the vehicle system tester:
The warning light
lights up for 4 seconds after switching on the ignition and then
flashes again for 12 seconds in intervals of 2 seconds.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated
If the airbag was switched off using th e airbag switch* in the stowage compart-
ment on the front passenger side:
The warning light
comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been switched
on.
switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the yellow indicator light in display
page 154.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediat ely by a specialist garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activated in the event of
an accident.
Control system for exhaust
The warning light
comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when driving,
a fault exists in an exhaust relevant co mponent. The engine management system
selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist
garage by adopting a ge ntle style of driving.
Electromechanical power steering
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up continu-
ously, a fault exists in the electromechanical power steering.
If the warning light
lights up, this indicates a partial failure of the power steering
and the steering assist can be less.
If the warning light
lights up, this indicates a complete failure of the power
steering and thus the steering assist.
Further information page 168.
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.
Note
If the yellow warning light
goes out after starting the engine again and a short
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
If the battery has been di sconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light
comes on after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a
short distance.
Engine oil
The warning light
lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds
3) when the ignition is switched on.
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Instruments and warning lights
32
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not go off after
the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up with oil
as necessary page 205.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine
damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest specialist
garage to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil Pressure: Engine off! Owner's manual!
The warning light
lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too low.
Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up page 205 with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check oil level!
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is le ft open for more than 30 seconds. If no
engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after driving
about 100 km.
The warning light
flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal and
the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switched on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil sensor. Workshop!
WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch of f the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system page 58.
The red oil pressure light
is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular interval s, preferably after every refueling stop.
Pay attention to the following instructions page 204 before checking the
coolant fluid level and opening the bonnet.
EPC fault light
(petrol engine)
The
(Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition is switched on.
If the warning light
does not go out or lights up after starting the engine, a fault
exists in the engine control. The engine management system selects an emergency
programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a
gentle style of driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
Glow plug system
(diesel engine)
The warning light
lights up for a cold engine when switching on the ignition (pre-
heat position) 2 page 108. Start the engine after the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicator light will come on fo r about 1 second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This
means that you can start the engine right away.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light
does not come on or
lights up continuously ; contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to obtain
assistance.
If the warning light
begins to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine management system selects an emergency programme which
3)The warning light on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after switch-
ing the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.s2ug.6.book Page 32 Friday, April 9, 2010 2:24 PM
Instruments and warning lights33
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of
driving.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity
The warning light comes on for a few seconds
4) when the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning light
does not go out or flashes while driving.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level; top up the
coolant as necessary.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine switched off and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be caused
by an operating problem at th e coolant fan. Check the fuse for the coolant fan, replace
it if necessary page 234, “Fuse assignment in engine compartment”.
Do not continue driving if the warning light does not go off although the fluid is at the
correct level and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order. Contact a specialist garage
to obtain assistance.
Please refer to the following guidelines page 207, “Cooling system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check coolant! Owner's manual!
WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic and switch of f the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system page 58.
Take care when opening the coolant expa nsion bottle. If the engine is hot,
the cooling system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is best to allow the engine
to cool down before removing the cap.
Do not touch the coolant fan The coolant fan may switch on automatically
even if the ignition is off.
Traction control system (TCS)
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light flashes when a control cycle is activated while driving.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the TCS system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS system
can be switched off for techni cal reasons. In this case, the TCS system can be switched
on again by switching the igni tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the TCS
system is fully functional again.
Further information about the TCS page 165, “Traction control system (TCS)”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
comes on
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short
distance.
Switch off traction control system (TCS)
The TCS system is switched off by pressing the button page 165, fig. 147 and the
warning light
lights up.
4)The warning light on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after switching
the ignition on, but only if the coolant temperat ure is too high or the coolant level is too low.
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Instruments and warning lights
34
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
When the ESP helps to stabilise the vehicle (for example when applying and releasing
a braking force to an individual wheel), then the warning light
flashes in the infor-
mation display.
The ESP system cannot be switched off, only the TCS system can be switched off by
pressing the button page 163, fig. 146 , the warning light
lights up.
The warning light lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP
warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly.
If the warning light
comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP system
can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case, the ESP system can be switched
on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes out, the ESP
system is fully functional again.
Further information on the ESP page 163, “Electronic stability programme (ESP)*”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The EDL is a part of the ESP. A fault in the EDL is indicated by the lighting up of the ESP
warning light in the instrument cluster. Have the vehicle inspected immediately by
your specialist garage. Further information on the EDL page 164, “Electronic Differ-
ential Lock (EDL)*”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the warning light
comes on
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short
distance.
Selector lever lock*
If the green warning light
lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary, in
order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position P or N.
Further information about the selector lever lock page 122.
Tyre inflation pressure*
The warning light
lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in one
of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or correct as soon as possible the inflation
pressure in the tyres page 216.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist garage and
have the fault rectified.
Further information about the tyre pressure monitoring system page 169.
WARNING
When the warning light
lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvr es. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and in spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light
can be delayed or does not light up at all.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light
comes on after switching on
the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
The warning light
shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched on
or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic check
sequence has been completed.
A fault in the ABS
The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the igni tion, does not light up at all or lights up
while driving. The vehicle will only be br aked by the normal brake system. Visit a
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