2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class warning

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCruise Control
--- mph A condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
You wanted 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 171).DISTRONIC
--- MPH An activation condition for DISTRONIC is not fulfilled.XIf the situation allows, drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and
save the speed.XCheck activation conditions for DISTRONIC ( Y page 173).DISTRONIC
OverrideDISTRONIC is no longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.XTake your foot off the accelerator pedal.DISTRONIC
InoperativeDISTRONIC is faulty or the display has failed.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.DISTRONIC
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualDISTRONIC is deactivated and is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the radar sensor system has not detected any vehicles or
stationary objects, e.g. traffic signs, for a long time.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
DISTRONIC becomes available again and the display message
disappears when:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the DISTRONIC cover in the radiator grill ( Y page 291).XRestart the engine.GWarning
DISTRONIC cannot take weather conditions into account. Switch off DISTRONIC or do not turn
it on if the sensor is dirty or visibility is diminished as a result of snow, rain or fog. The distance
control may be impaired even before the system is able to detect a dirty sensor. The DISTRONIC
240Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Currently Unavailable See Operator’s Manual message will be displayed in the
multifunction display and DISTRONIC will be turned off.
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.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsTire Pressure
Check TiresGRisk of accident
The tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant
loss in pressure.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XCheck the tires and, if necessary, change the wheel
( Y page 340).XCheck the tire pressures and, if necessary, set to the correct
tire pressure.XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire
pressure is correct ( Y page 329).Check tires,
then restart Run
Flat IndicatorA display message for the tire pressure loss warning system was
shown.XSet the correct tire pressure in all four tires.XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system ( Y page 329).Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe tire pressure loss warning system is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for a few
minutesThe tire pressure monitor is measuring the tire pressure.XDrive on.
The tire pressures appear in the multifunction display after you
have been driving for a few minutes.Display messages241On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 241Z

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Brakes
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds.You are driving with the parking brake engaged.XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
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 immediately.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.
GWarning
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. 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.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster247On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 247Z

Seat beltsProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up for 6 seconds.The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.XFasten your seat belt ( Y page 53).7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to 6 seconds.GRisk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
XFasten your seat belt ( Y page 53).
The warning tone ceases.7
The red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts,
as soon as the driver's
or the front-passenger
door is closed.GRisk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
XFasten your seat belt ( Y page 53).
The warning lamp goes out.GRisk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out.7
The red seat belt
warning lamp flashes
and an intermittent
audible warning
sounds.GRisk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. In
addition, you are driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or you have
briefly driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XFasten your seat belt ( Y page 53).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases.GRisk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. In addition, you are
driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or you have briefly driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases.248Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
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Safety systemsProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. GRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program),
EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) and PRE-SAFE ®
are also
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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit 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
transmission, will not be available.
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of accident
The on-board voltage is too low. ABS has been deactivated due to
undervoltage.
Therefore, ESP ®
, BAS and PRE-SAFE ®
are also 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.
XSwitch off consumers that are not required, e.g. the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
ABS will be available again as soon as the vehicle's on-board
electrical system voltage increases.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XHave the battery and alternator checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.Self diagnosis is not yet complete.XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster249On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 249Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
! d
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. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are also not available due to a
malfunction.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.d
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.GRisk 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 is deactivated.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far down as necessary
when pulling away.XRelease the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.XDo not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 66).d
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.At least one wheel is spinning and ETS (Electronic Traction
System) is deactivated to prevent the brakes on the drive wheels
from overheating.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
ETS switches back on again as soon as the brakes have cooled
down.
The display message disappears and the d warning lamp goes
out.
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ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsd
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are deactivated. ESP ®
will not
stabilize the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
XReactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 66).XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
XHave ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.d
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction. ESP ®
will not stabilize
the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.+
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. GRisk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The air bags or
Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, not be triggered at
all.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.GWarning
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster251On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 251Z

EngineProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions! (USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow engine
diagnostics warning
lamp lights up while the
engine is running.There may be a malfunction, 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 gasoline engines)
The emission limit values may have been exceeded and the engine
may be breaking in emergency mode.XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In some states, you are required to visit a qualified specialist
workshop as soon as the yellow engine diagnostics warning
lamp lights up due to the relevant applicable legislation. If
necessary, check whether this is the case in the state you are
in.
! (USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow engine
diagnostics warning
lamp lights up while the
engine is running.The 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.Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run
completely dry and the engine will not start. There is air in the fuel
system ( Y page 155).The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.The fuel level has fallen below the reserve range.
The fuel tank must be filled at least to the reserve fuel level to
prevent impairment to the running of the engine.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.252Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
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