2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class display

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
ABS and ESC
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction. In addition, the ä, å and ! warning lamps
light up in the instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
EBD, ABS, and ESC
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS and hill
start assist are unavailable due to a malfunction. In addition, the
ä , å and ! warning lamps in the instrument cluster light
up and a warning tone sounds.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Check Brake Pad
WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
Release Park. BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake engaged. A warning tone
also sounds.XRelease the parking brake.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
LevelGRisk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
Additionally, the red $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only)
warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and a warning
tone sounds.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.XEngage the parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.XDo not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.190Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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GWarning
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left
Cornering Light
or
Check Right
Cornering LightThe left or right-hand cornering light is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Low Beam
or
Check Right Low
BeamThe left or right-hand low-beam headlamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Turn Signal
or
Check Rear Right
Turn SignalThe rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Turn Signal
or
Check Front Right
Turn SignalThe front left-hand or front right-hand turn signal is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages191On-board computer and displaysBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 191Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left Mirror
Turn Signal
or
Check Right Mirror
Turn SignalThe turn signal in the left-hand and/or right-hand exterior mirror
is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Center Brake
LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Brake
Lamp
or
Check Right Brake
LampThe left or right-hand brake lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
and Brake Lamps
or
Check Right Tail
and Brake LampsThe left or right brake/tail lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
Lamp
or
Check Right Tail
LampThe left or right-hand tail lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left High
Beam
or
Check Right High
BeamThe left or right-hand high beam is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.192Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left License
Plate Lamp
or
Check Right
License Plate LampThe left or right-hand license plate lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Fog Lamp
or
Check Front Fog
LampThe left-hand or right-hand front fog lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Fog Lamp
or
Check Rear Right
Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand rear fog lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Parking Lamp
or
Check Front Right
Parking LampThe front left or front right standing lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Reverse
Lamp
or
Check Right
Reverse LampThe left or right-hand backup lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Sidemarker Lamp
or
Check Front Right
Sidemarker LampThe front left or right side marker lamp is faulty. XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages193On-board computer and displaysBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 193Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Rear Left
Sidemarker Lamp
or
Check Rear Right
Sidemarker LampThe rear left or right side marker lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Daytime
Running Light
or
Check Right
Daytime Running
LightThe left or right-hand daytime running light is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 111).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Active Headlamps
InoperativeThe active light function is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Malfunction See
Operator's ManualThe exterior lighting is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Auto Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Switch Off LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to c.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 240).XIf coolant needs adding more often than usual, have the engine
coolant system checked at a qualified specialist workshop.194Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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GWarning
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Level Low
Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XMake sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked, e.g.
by snow, slush or ice.XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. There is otherwise a risk of engine damage.XPay attention to the coolant temperature display.XIf the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.The poly-V-belt may have torn.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XOpen the hood.XCheck whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. There is otherwise a risk of engine damage.XPay attention to the coolant temperature display.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWarning
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
Display messages195On-board computer and displaysBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 195Z

! If the coolant temperature exceeds 248 ‡(120 †) do not continue driving. The engine will
otherwise be damaged.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?The engine fan is faulty.XAt coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), continue driving
to the next qualified specialist workshop.XAvoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop-start driving.#The battery is not being charged.
Possible causes are:
R a faulty alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronicsXPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XOpen the hood.XCheck whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.4
Check Engine Oil
At Next
Refueling Check
Engine Oil at Next
RefuelingThe engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
A warning tone also sounds.XCheck the oil level ( Y page 239).XIf necessary, add the engine oil ( Y page 240).XHave the engine checked for leaks if engine oil has to be added
more often than usual.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any qualified specialist workshop
or on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! The oil level is too low. Avoid long journeys with too little engine oil. There is a risk of
engine damage.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the oil level is too
low must not be ignored.
196Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCThere is only a small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.8
Fuel Level LowThe fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.8
Gas Cap LooseThe fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.XIf the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.XIf the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist
workshop.
Driving systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCruise Control
InoperativeCruise control is faulty.
A warning tone also sounds.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Cruise Control
--- mphA condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
You attempted to save a speed of less than 20 mph (30 km/h).XIf the situation allows, drive faster than 20 mph ( 30 km/h) and
save the speed.XCheck the activation conditions for cruise control
( Y page 156).
Tires
GWarning
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.
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Display messages197On-board computer and displaysBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 197Z