2012 MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class warning

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsIf the display message is shown while the vehicle is in motion and
the ÷ warning lamp flashes, the electronic traction system is
deactivated. Otherwise, the brakes on the drive wheels could
overheat.XLet the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the ÷ warning lamp goes out.
The electronic traction system is active again.÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
and BAS, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are not available due to a malfunction.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS,
PRE-SAFE ®
, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are not
available due to a malfunction.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
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.216Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA
only) ! (Canada
only)
Release Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake applied. A warning tone also
sounds.XRelease the parking brake$ (USA
only) J (Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
LevelGRisk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
Additionally, the red $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only)
warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and a warning
tone sounds.
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.XDo not add brake fluid. This will not correct the malfunction.GWARNING
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
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.
Display messages217On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsG
Tele Aid
InoperativeUSA only: one or more of the main functions in the mbrace system
are malfunctioning.
Canada only: one or more of the main functions of the TELEAID
system are malfunctioning.XUSA only: have the mbrace system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.XCanada only: have the TELEAID system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.PRE-SAFE
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of injury
Important functions of PRE-SAFE ®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. air bags, remain available.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.+
Restraint Sys.
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System).
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.
218Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsXVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp remains off even after performing the above corrective
steps, do not have any children 12 years old and under and other small individuals use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
220Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp remains lit with an adult occupant on the front-passenger
seat even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Low Beam Left
or Low Beam RightThe left or right-hand low-beam headlamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 119).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Trailer Tail Lamp
Left or Trailer
Tail Lamp RightThe left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself.
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Trailer Turn
Signal Left or
Trailer Turn
Signal RightThe left or right-hand trailer turn signal lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself.
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Trailer Brake LampThe trailer brake lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself.
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Turn Signal Rear
Left or Turn Signal
Rear RightThe rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 119).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.222Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
AUTO Light
InoperativeThe light sensor is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
USA only:
XSwitch off the daytime running lamps in the on-board computer
( Y page 206).XSwitch the lights on and off using the light switch.b
Switch Off LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press the light switch in to
the stop.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Top Up Coolant See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 285).XIf the coolant needs to be refilled more often than usual, have
the engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.GWARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! 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 messages225On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Stop car,
switch engine offThe coolant is too hot.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XMake sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is 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 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:
XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is 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.
226Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsDISTRONIC
InoperativeDISTRONIC is defective 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 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 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
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.
Display messages231On-board computer and displaysZ