2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON stop start

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
With the Hold function activated, you have either:
R
opened the driver's doo rand released the sea tbelt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
At one may also sound at regular intervals. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
You can restart the engine. N Saloon: the boot lid is open.
X
Close the boot lid. A Estate: the tailgate is open.
X
Close the tailgate. Mor? G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with an anti-theft alarm system: the bonnet is open. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Close the bonnet. C At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. Rear left seat
backr. not locked
or
Rear right seat backrest not locked G
Risk of injury
Vehicles with the through-loading feature in the rear bench seat:
The backres tinthe rear is not engaged on the left-hand and/or
right-hand side. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Push the backres tback until it engages . 284
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Check trailer
hitch lock G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with a retractable trailer coupling:
The trailer tow hitch is no tcorrectly engaged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Allow the trailer tow hitch ball coupling to engage in the end
position (Y page 217). Pwr. steering
malfunc. G
Risk of accident
The power steering assistance is faulty. You will need to use more
force to steer.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kwhether you are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Top up
washer fluid The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X
Top up the washer fluid (Y page 325).Vehicle (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
To start engine,
shift to either P
or N You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position
Ror D.
X Shift the transmission to position Por N. P
Select Park (P) You have switched off the engine with the Start/Stop button and
opened the driver's door.
You wanted to lock the vehicle.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
or
You have switched off the engine with the Start/Stop butto nand
opened the driver's door with the transmission in position N.
X Shift the transmission to position P. Display messages
285On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
While the HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLU
Sis active, you have:
R opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
At one may also sound at regular intervals. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
You can restart the engine. N Saloon: the boot lid is open.
X
Close the boot lid. A Estate: the tailgate is open.
X
Close the tailgate. Mor? G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with an anti-theft alarm system: the bonnet is open. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Close the bonnet. C At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. _
Rear left seat
backrest not locked
or
Rear right seat backrest not locked G
Risk of injury
Saloon with through-loading feature in the rear bench seat:
The backres tinthe rear is not engaged on the left-hand and/or
right-hand side. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Push the backres tback until it engages. 286
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Telephone No
Service Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/
receiver range.
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in the multifunction display. ¥
Top
up washer fluid The washer fluid level in th
ewasher fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X Top up the washe rfluid (Y page 325). Key (4-button multifunction steering wheel)
Displa
ymessages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Key does not
belong to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignitio
nlock.
X Use the correct key. +
Replace key The key needs to be replaced.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. +
Change battery The batteries of the KEYLESS-GO key are discharged.
X
Change the batteries (Y page 86).Key not detected
(Red display message) The KEYLESS-GO key is not in the vehicle.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
If the engine is switched off, you can no longer loc kthe vehicle
centrally or start the engine.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Locate the KEYLESS-GO key. The KEYLESS-GO key is not detected while the engine is running
because there is interference from a strong source of radio waves.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary. 288
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Â
Key not detec‐
ted (red display mes-
sage) The KEYLESS-GO key is not in the vehicle.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
If the engine is switched off, you can no longer loc kthe vehicle
centrally or start the engine.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Locate the KEYLESS-GO key. The KEYLESS-GO key is not detected while the engine is running
because there is interference from a strong source of radio waves.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary. Â
Key not detected
(White display mes-
sage) The KEYLESS-GO key cannot be detected at present.
X
Change the location of the key with the KEYLESS-GO functions
in the vehicle.
If the KEYLESS-GO key is still not detected:
X Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary. Â
Key still in vehi‐
cle The KEYLESS-GO key has been detected inside the vehicle during
locking.
X
Remove the KEYLESS-GO key from the vehicle. Â
Remove starting
button, then
insert key KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective.
Awarn-
ing tone also sounds.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired
position.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. Â
Close doors to
lock vehicle At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors and loc kthe vehicle again. 290
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

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

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. There may be a fault, for example:
R
in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engin emay
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tan
khas been run dry
(Y page 173).
X Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
If the yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp goes out, emer-
gency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need no tbe
checked. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops 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
star
toft he 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. 298
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

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 Let the engine and coolant cool down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 324).
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. ?
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.
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
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 Let the engine and coolant cool down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 324).
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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
299On-board computer and displays Z