2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON ABS

Safety systems (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!÷
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill
start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily not avail-
able.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. G
Risk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily not available.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
For example, the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Drive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again. Display messages
255On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are no tavailable due to a malfunc-
tion.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the J,÷,åand! 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.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop immediately. ÷
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily not available.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ÷andå warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 256
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are no tavailable due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ÷andå warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. T!
÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, the HOLD function ,hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisatio nare not available due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but withou tthe
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. J
Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
Awarning tone also
sounds.
X Release the parking brake. Display messages
257On-board computer and displays Z

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the error. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) has been deactivated due to a fault.
For this reason, BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic
Stability Program), PRE-SAFE ®
,P RE-SAFE ®
Brake ,the HOLD func-
tion, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation are also deactivated, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
293On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
,
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive
brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are also
deactivated.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the on-board voltage may be
insufficient, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. G
Risk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS,B AS, BAS PLUS, ESP®
, PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive
brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are not
available either.
The brake system continue sto function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 294
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP
®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS,
EBD, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start
assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for
example, are not available either.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp flashes while
the vehicle is in motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Accelerate more gently during the journey.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Vehicles with a 12-button multifunction steering wheel only: do
not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (Y page 75). å
Vehicles with a 12-but-
ton multifunction steer-
ing wheel only:
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are deactivated. ESP ®
will not
stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if awheel starts to spin.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 75).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
295On-board computer and displays Z

carry ou
tthe work required. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particular,
work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Correct the tyre pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/20 psi) (for the values,
see the fuel filler flap).
X To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the tyre inflation compressor. Example: TIREFIT kit, version 2
X
To reduce the tyre pressure: press pres-
sure release button :next to pressure
gauge ;.
X TIREFIT kit version 1: pull the tyre sealant
bottle from the recess of the tyre inflation
compressor.
X TIREFIT kit version 1: unscrew the hose
from the tyre inflation compressor to the
flange of the tyre sealant bottle. TIREFIT kit version 2 X
TIREFIT kit version 2: to remove the tyre
sealant bottle from the tyre inflation com-
pressor, press together the locking tabs on
the yellow cap.
X TIREFIT kit version 2: pull the tyre sealant
bottle out of the tyre inflation compressor.
The filler hose stays on the tyre sealant
bottle.
X Stow the tyre sealant bottle, the tyre infla-
tion compressor and the warning triangle.
X Drive to the nearest workshop and have the
tyre changed there.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle and the filler
hose replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. H
Environmental note
Have the used tyre sealant bottle disposed of
professionally, e.g. at aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Changing
awheel and fitting the spare
wheel
Preparing the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheel and tyre size of the emergency
spare wheel/spare wheel may diffe rto that of
the damaged wheel. When using an emer-
gency spare wheel/spare wheel the handling
characteristics of the vehicle may change.
Adapt your style of driving accordingly.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel that dif-
fers in size.
Only use an emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel of a differing size briefly and do not
switch off ESP ®
. Flat tyre
341Breakdown assistance
Z

M+S tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, use winter tyres
or all-seaso ntyres .Both types of tyre are
identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tyres bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions. Only these tyres will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to
function optimally in winter. These tyres have
been developed specifically for driving in
snow.
Use M+S tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics. G
WARNING
M+S tyres with a tread depth of less than
4mmm ust be replaced. They are no longer
suitable for winter use and can no longer pro-
vide sufficient grip .This could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tyres you have
fitted.
If you fit M+S tyres that have a lower maxi-
mum permissible speed than that of the vehi-
cle, affix an appropriate warning sign in the
driver's field of vision. This can be obtained
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent SPEEDTRONIC so that it
does not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for the M+S tyres(Y page 183).
When you have fitted M+S tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 361).
X Restart the tyre pressure loss warning sys-
tem (Y page 362).
X Restart the tyre pressure monitor
(Y page 365). G
WARNING
If you fit the spare wheel when driving with M
+S tyres, bear in mind that driving stability will
be impaired due to unstable cornering char-
acteristics caused by the different tyres. You
should therefore adapt your driving style and
drive carefully.
Have the spare wheel replaced at the nearest
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particular,
work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or that are of a corre-
sponding standard of quality.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R it is not permissible to attach snow chains
to all wheel-tyre combinations; see the
information under "Wheel/tyre combina-
tions" in the "Wheels and tyres" section.
R snow chains must not be fitted to emer-
gency spare wheels, e.g. a "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel.
R only fit snow chains in pairs and to the rear
wheels, even on vehicles with 4MATIC.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you wish
to fit snow chains to steel wheels, make
sure that you remove the respective
wheels' hubcaps first .The hubcaps may
otherwise be damaged.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h. 360
Winter operationWheels and tyres