2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Start

BrakesDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start
assist are temporarily unavailable. The self-diagnosis function
might not be complete, for example. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist
PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may be inoperative as well. In
addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 25
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.
XOn a suitable road, carefully drive the vehicle making slight
steering 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:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are
temporarily unavailable. The on-board voltage may be insufficient,
for example. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have
failed. In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light
up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 25
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.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.25 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.388Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
may also have failed. In addition, the ÷, 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.
ATTENTION ASSIST 25
is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual GRisk of accident
EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have
failed. In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up and a warning tone sounds.
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.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Brake wearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.F
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Release parking
brakeThe red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are driving with the electric parking brake applied.XRelease the electric parking brake.
or
XPull away carefully ( Y page 317).25
Not available on HYBRID vehicles.Display messages389On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe yellow F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up. The red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator
lamp flashes for approximately 10 seconds after the electric
parking brake has been applied or released. It then goes out or
remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of over
or undervoltage.XPull away carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
In the event of over or undervoltage:
XRemove the cause for the over or undervoltage, e.g. by charging
the battery or restarting the engine.XSwitch the ignition off and on, and then apply or release the
electric parking brake.
If this does not release the electric parking brake:
XDo not drive on.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.The yellow F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up. The red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator
lamp flashes for approximately 10 seconds after the electric
parking brake has been applied or released. It then goes out or
remains lit.
The electric parking brake has overheated.XAllow the vehicle to cool down. Do not apply or release the
electric parking brake during this time.XUse the folding wheel chock (Y page 464) from the vehicle tool
kit to secure the vehicle against rolling away.XWhen the vehicle has cooled down: switch the ignition off and
on again, then apply or release the electric parking brake.392Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

! 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 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.
! If the coolant temperature exceeds 248 ‡(120 †) do not continue driving. The engine will
otherwise be damaged.
398Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

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 RefuelingVehicles with oil dipstick: the oil level has dropped to a critical
level.XCheck the oil level ( Y page 447).XIf necessary, add the engine oil ( Y page 449).XHave the engine checked for leaks if engine oil has to be added
more often than usual.4
Check Engine Oil
Level(Add 1 quart)
(USA only)
Check Engine Oil
Level(Add 1 Liter)
(Canada only)Vehicles without an oil dipstick: the engine oil level is too low.XCheck the oil level ( Y page 447).XIf necessary, add the engine oil ( Y page 447).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.
Display messages399On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsLane Keeping
Assist Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. Manual
Active Lane
Keeping Assist
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. ManualLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated
and temporarily inoperative if:
R the windshield is dirty in the camera’s field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R there are no lane markings for a longer period.
R the lane markings are worn, dark or covered, for example by dirt
or snow.
Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is operational
again and the display message disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the camera is fully operational again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the windshield.Lane Keeping
Assist Inoperative
Active Lane
Keeping Assist
InoperativeLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Blind Spot Assist
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. Manual
Active Blind Spot
Assist Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. ManualBlind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily
inoperative if:
R the sensors are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
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.
The yellow 9 indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again
and the display message disappears if:
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 radar sensor system is back within the operating
temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the sensors ( Y page 456).XRestart the engine.404Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsBlind Spot Assist
Inoperative
Active Blind Spot
Assist InoperativeBlind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow 9 indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Parking Guidance
InoperativeParking Guidance is faulty.XRestart the engine.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Parking Guidance
CanceledParking Guidance is deactivated because:
R the vehicle is skidding.
R the sensors are dirty.
R a malfunction has occurred.XReactivate Parking Guidance later.
If the parking space symbol is not displayed in the multifunction
display when you are driving at a speed of less than 19 mph
(30 km/h):
XClean the sensors ( Y page 456).XRestart the engine.
If the parking space symbol is still not displayed in the
multifunction display when you are driving at a speed of less than
19 mph (30 km/h):
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Parking Guidance is deactivated because you have left the lane.XPark again and, while doing so, observe the display messages
in the multifunction display.Parking Guidance
FinishedThe vehicle is parked. A warning tone also sounds.
The display message disappears automatically.DISTRONIC PLUS
OffDISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated. If it was deactivated
automatically, a warning tone also sounds ( Y page 333).DISTRONIC PLUS
Available AgainDISTRONIC PLUS is operational again after having been
temporarily unavailable. You can now reactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
( Y page 325).Display messages405On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsDISTRONIC PLUS
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. ManualDISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated and is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
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 its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
A warning tone also sounds.
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational again and the display message
disappears if:
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 PLUS cover in the radiator grill
( Y page 456).XClean the bumpers ( Y page 456).XRestart the engine.DISTRONIC PLUS
InoperativeDISTRONIC PLUS is faulty. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed. A warning tone also sounds.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.DISTRONIC PLUS
OverrideYou have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.XTake your foot off the accelerator pedal.DISTRONIC PLUS
--- mphAn activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.XCheck activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
( Y page 325).406Display messagesOn-board computer and displays