2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class check engine

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

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsh
Check Tire PressureGRisk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XIf necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 502).XCheck the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
( Y page 487).h
Correct Tire
PressureThe tire pressure is insufficient in at least one of the tires or the
tire pressure difference between the wheels is too great.XCheck the tire pressures at the next opportunity. If necessary,
correct the tire pressure ( Y page 487).
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsShift to P or N
to startto Start
Engine to Start
EngineYou have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position R or D.XShift the transmission to position P or N.Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction
(white display
message)The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction
(red display message)The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is discharged.
If there is a malfunction in the vehicle's electrical system, you may
not be able to change the transmission position.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.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.Apply brake to
Shift from 'P'You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position D, R or N without depressing the brake pedal.XDepress the brake pedal.Door Open
Vehicle Not in ParkThe driver's door is open and the transmission is in position R, N
or D.XShift the transmission to position P.XEngage the parking brake.Display messages409On-board computer and displaysZ

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Brakes
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsF (USA only)
! (Canada only)
The red indicator lamp
for the electric parking
brake flashes and/or
the yellow warning
lamp for the electric
parking brake lights up.The electric parking brake is temporarily malfunctioning or
defective.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.$ (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 problem.
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 cluster413On-board computer and displaysZ

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionså
The yellow ESP ®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated. ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
XReactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 69).XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
XHave ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.֌
The yellow ESP ®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist are 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.
ATTENTION ASSIST 26
is deactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The air bags or ETDs
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.
26 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster417On-board computer and displaysZ

EngineProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions;
The yellow Check
Engine 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
R the fuel system
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/provinces, you are required by law to visit a
qualified specialist workshop as soon as the Check Engine
warning lamp lights up. If necessary, check whether this is the
case in the state/province you are in.
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
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.The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.The amount of fuel in the tank has dropped into the reserve range.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.418Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

XPull release lever : on the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
XPull hood catch handle ; outwards from
the radiator grill as far as it will go and lift
the hood from underneath by the radiator
grill.
! Do not lift the hood by hood catch
handle ;. The handle may otherwise be
damaged.
Closing the hood
GWarning
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force.
Radiator
iVehicles with a diesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, for example with a
winter front or bug cover. Otherwise, the
readings of the on-board-diagnostic
system may be inaccurate. Some of these
readings are required by law and must be
accurate at all times.
Engine oil
Notes on the oil level
GWarning
Hybrid vehicles: ensure that you read the
"HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise fail
to recognize dangers.
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 l) of oil over a
distance of 600 miles (1,000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
On vehicles with a 12-cylinder engine, the oil
level can be checked using the on-board
computer. On all other models, the dipstick
must be used to check the engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Engine compartment447Maintenance and careZ

Example: vehicles with a gasoline engine
Example: vehicles with 4MATIC
XPull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.
XWipe off oil dipstick :.XSlowly insert oil dipstick : into the
dipstick guide tube to the stop, and take it
out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark = and MAX mark ;.
XAdd oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer
On vehicles with a 12-cylinder engine, the oil
level can be checked using the on-board
computer. On all other models, the dipstick
must be used to check the engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2 in the ignition lock.
XPress the ; or = button to select the
Service menu.
XPress the : or 9 button to select
Engine Oil Level.
XPress a.
The Measuring Engine Oil Level
Accurate Only When Vehicle is
Level message appears in the
multifunction display.
The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display:
REngine Oil Level OK
RAdd1.0 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
RAdd1.5 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
RAdd2.0 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
XAdd oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature and the ReduceEngine Oil
Level message appears, the engine oil level
is too high.
XHave excess oil siphoned off.
! Do not add too much oil. Adding too much
oil can result in damage to the engine or the
catalytic converter. Have excess oil
siphoned off.
If the For Engine Oil Level Ignition
Must be On message appears:
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
If the Need More Time to Check Engine
Oil Level message appears:
XIf the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after about five minutes.
448Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

much oil has been added. This can lead to
damage to the engine or the catalytic
converter. Have excess oil siphoned off.
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 513).
XReplace cap : on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.
Checking and adding other service
products
Check coolant level
Only check the coolant level when the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down.
XTurn the key to position 2 (Y page 299) in
the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button twice (Y page 299).
XCheck the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †).
GWarning
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
Ruse extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
Rdo not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant reservoir if the coolant temperature
is above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
Rusing a rag, slowly turn the cap
approximately 1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out under
pressure.
Rdo not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts.
XSlowly turn cap : half a turn counter-
clockwise and allow excess pressure to
escape.
XTurn cap : further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
If the coolant is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar = in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank ;.
XIf necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
XReplace cap : and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 515).
Windshield washer system/headlamp
cleaning system
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windshield washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system.
450Engine compartmentMaintenance and care