2011 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK warning

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
æ
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the
start of the scale.
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
239On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator
may be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 265).
Observe the warning notes as you do so.
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
under 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartmen tto
catch fire.
Stea mfrom the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the electric parking brake. 240
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 265).
Observe the warning notes as you do so.
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw
arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
241On-board computer and displays Z

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviations are possible. Please
note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all features described. This also
applies to safety-relevan tsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 22).Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Secure and position the load as described in
the loading guidelines.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could
be injured by the load being throw naround in
the event of sharp braking, a sudden change
in direction or an accident.
You will find further informatio ninthe "Secur-
ing a load" section.
Even if you follow all the loading guidelines,
the load will increase the risk of injury in the
event of an accident. G
WARNING
Keep the tailgate closed when the engine is
running. Otherwise, you could be poisoned by
exhaust fumes entering the vehicle.
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants).
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the load compart-
ment as possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R hook in the safety net when loading.
R the maximum load capacity of the stowage
well under the luggage compartmentf loor
is 25 kg.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistan tlashing material. Pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Lashing material is available at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
! Do no tposition the load on one part of the
folding luggage compartment floor only.
The maximum load capacity of the folding
luggage compartment floor is 100 kg.
Spread the weight evenly to avoid damag-
ing the luggage compartment floor. Place a
solid board under the load if necessary.
Please note that the load on the luggage
compartment floor will be increased when
the load is lashed down. Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The stowage compartments must be closed
when items are stored in them. Luggage nets
are not designed to secure heavy items of
luggage. 244
Stowage areasStowing and features

Stowage compartment/telephone com-
partment under the armrest
X
To open: on vehicles with moveable armr-
ests, make sure that the armrest is in the
rearmost position.
X Press button :and fold the armrest up.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB port and an AUX-IN jack or a Media
Interface are installed in the stowage com-
partment. A Media Interface is a universal
interface for portable audio equipment, e.g.
for an iPod ®
or MP3 player (see the sepa-
rate Audio or COMAND Online operating
instructions).
Stowage compartment under the driver's
and front-passenger seat G
WARNING
Only load the stowage compartmen twith the
maximum permissible load of 1. 2kg. Othe r-
wise, the transported load could, for example,
be thrown out of the stowage compartment if
you change directio nsuddenly or brake
sharply, and you or other scould be injured. X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards.
i On vehicles with a fire extinguisher
instead of a stowage compartment, the fire
extinguisher is installed under the driver's
seat.
Rear stowage compartments Stowage compartment in the rear centre
console
X
To open: pull down the top of stowage
compartment :by the edge of the handle.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
there may be an open stowage space above
the stowage compartment.
Folding table G
WARNING
Keep the folding table closed while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise, in the event of sharp
braking, a sudden change in direction or an
accident, you could be injured by objects on
the table or by the folding table itself.
! Do not load the folding table beyond the
maximum permissible load of 2kg. 246
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
To fold out: pull folding table :up in the
direction of the arrow to the desired posi-
tion.
X To fold away: push folding table :down
onto the backrest. Luggage nets
G
WARNING
Only place lightweight items in the luggage
net. Do not use it to transport heavy, bulky,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. In the event of
an accident, the luggage net will not secure
the transported goods.
Luggage nets are located in the front-
passenge rfootwell and on the back of the
driver's and the front-passenger seat. Folding backrest on the front-
passenger seat X
To fold forward: gently push the backrest
back.
X Pull release handle :and fold the back-
rest fully onto the seat cushion until it
engages.
X To fold back: gently push the backrest
down and pull release handle :.
X Fold the seat backrest back until it
engages. Through-loading facility in the rear
compartment
G
WARNING
Do not transport unsecured objects in the
through-loading facility.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occupants
could be injured by object sbeing thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent. X
To open: fold down seat armrest :.
X Pull the cover, which can now be seen, for-
wards by the grip until it lies on arm-
rest :.
X Pull the centre head restraint on the rear
bench seat into the uppermost position
(Y page 88). Stowage areas
247Stowing and features Z

X
Slide locking mechanism =in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
X Swing flap ;fully to the side.
Flap ;is held ope nby a magnet.
X To close: swing flap ;in the luggage com-
partmen tback until it engages.
X Fold the cover forwards until it engages into
armrest :.
X Fold armrest :up fully if necessary. Enlarging the luggage compartment
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do no tcarry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the luggage compartmen tunless
they are secured.
Otherwise, you and othe rvehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent.
When using the luggage compartment
enlargemen tfeature, you must always fully
fold down the respective backrests and
attach the safety net. G
WARNING
Always drive with the tailgate closed. Exhaust
fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle inte-
rior. !
Before you fold down the rear seat back-
rest, remove the side head restraints for
the integrated child seat; see the "Side
head restraints for integrated child seat"
section. The side head restraints could oth-
erwise be damaged.
! Before folding the backrest in the rear
compartment forwards, make sure that the
rear compartment armrest and the
cupholder are folded in. They may other-
wise be damaged.
Vehicles without the EASY-VARIO-PLUS
system Folding the rear seat backrest forwards
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded forwards separately to
increase the luggage compartment capacity. X
Fully insert the backrest head restraints
(Y page 89).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Vehicles with integrated child seat: fold in
the child seat (Y page 53) and remove the
side head restraint (Y page 56).
X Pull left-hand or right-hand release han-
dle ;of the seat backrest forwards.
Corresponding seat backrest :is
released.
X Fold seat backrest :forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. 248
Stowage areasStowing and features

Folding back the rear seat backrest
X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backres tback .Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged.
X Fold seat backrest :back until it engages.
Red lock status indicator ;is no longer
visible. G
WARNING
Make sure that the seat backrest is correctly
engaged .The red lock verification indicators
on the left and right sides should no longer be
visible. If they are visible, the backrests are
not locked in position.
Occupants could otherwise be injured in the
event of an accident, e.g. by objects being
thrown forwards through the vehicle interior
from the luggage compartment.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 89).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Vehicles with the EASY-VARIO-PLUS
system Folding the rear seat backrest forwards
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded forwards separately to
increase the luggage compartmentc apacity. X
Fully insert the backres thead restraints
(Y page 89).
X Move the rear seat as far back as possible
(Y page 250).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Pull right or left loop ;on the backrest in
the direction of the arrow.
Corresponding seat backrest :is
released.
X Fold down backrest :fully.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding back the rear seat backrest X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged. Stowage areas
249Stowing and features Z