2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN brake

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 ten 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 engage or release the
electric parking brake during this time.XUse the folding wheel chock (Y page 476) 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 engage or release the electric parking brake.F (USA only)
! (Canada only)
Parking Brake
InoperativeThe yellow F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up. The red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator
lamp flashes for approximately ten seconds after the electric
parking brake has been applied or released. It then goes out or
remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.XSwitch the ignition off and on, and then engage the electric
parking brake.
If it is not possible to engage the electric parking brake:
XShift the transmission to P.XUse the folding wheel chock (Y page 476) from the vehicle tool
kit to secure the vehicle against rolling away.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.F (USA only)
! (Canada only)
Turn On the
Ignition to
Release the
Parking BrakeThe red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up.
You attempted to release the electric parking brake while the
ignition was switched off.XSmartKey: turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the ignition lock.XKEYLESS-GO: switch on the ignition.Display messages397On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
Service See Oper.
ManualThere is a malfunction in the system. The brake system continues
to operate normally.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (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.XApply the electric parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.XDo not add brake fluid. This will not rectify 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 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
Oper. 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.398Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsPRE-SAFE
Functions
Currently Limited
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes are:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
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 the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
If the display message does not disappear:
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the electric parking brake.XClean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill
( Y page 470).XClean the bumpers ( Y page 470).XRestart the engine.
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again.
PRE-SAFE
Function Limited
See Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is defective. BAS PLUS or the distance warning
signal may also have failed.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Front Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required  
or  Front Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages399On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. ManualThe front-passenger air bag is enabled during the journey, even
though:
R a child, a small adult or an object weighing less than the
system's weight threshold is located on the front-passenger
seat.
R the front-passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system may detect objects or forces applying additional
weight on the seat.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch the ignition off.XOpen the front-passenger door.XRemove the child and the child restraint system from the front-
passenger seat.XIf necessary, secure the child in a child restraint system on a
suitable rear seat.XMake sure that there are no objects on the seat adding to the
weight.
The system may otherwise detect the additional weight and
interpret the seat occupant's weight as greater than it actually
is.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42 (Y page 54) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 42 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit.
When the indicator lamp is on, OCS (Y page 54) has deactivated
the front-passenger air bag.
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Oper. Manual
or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual
display messages must not appear in the multifunction display.
Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the necessary
system checks have been completed and to make sure that the
display messages do not appear in the multifunction display.
If the conditions are not fulfilled, the system is not operating
correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.Display messages401On-board computer and displaysZ

GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp remains off even after performing the above corrective
steps, do not have any children twelve years old and under and other small individuals use the
front-passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Oper. ManualThe front-passenger air bag is deactivated during the journey even
though an adult or a person larger than a certain size is occupying
the front-passenger seat. If additional forces are applied to the
seat, the system may interpret the occupant's weight as lower
than it actually is.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch the ignition off.XHave the occupant get out of the vehicle.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42 (Y page 54) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 42 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit.
When the indicator lamp is on, OCS (Y page 54) has deactivated
the front-passenger air bag.
R the Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Oper. Manual
or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual
display messages must not appear in the multifunction display.
Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the necessary
system checks have been completed and to make sure that the
display messages do not appear in the multifunction display.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the front-passenger seat can be
occupied again. Whether the 42 indicator lamp
remains lit or goes out depends on how OCS classifies the
occupant.
If the conditions are not fulfilled, the system is not operating
correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.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.
402Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Center Brake
LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
and Brake
Lamp or Check Right
Tail and Brake LampThe left or right-hand tail lamp/brake lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left High
Beam or Check Right
High BeamThe left or right-hand high beam is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left License
Plate Lamp or Check
Right License
Plate LampThe left or right-hand license plate lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Fog
Lamp or Check Right
Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand front fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Fog Lamp or Check
Rear Right Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand rear fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Parking
Lamp or Check Front
Right Parking LampThe front left or front right parking or standing lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.404Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions4
Check Engine Oil
At Next RefuelingVehicles with an oil dipstick: the oil level has dropped to the
minimum level.XCheck the oil level when next refueling, at the latest
( Y page 459).XIf necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 462).XHave the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
engine oil needs 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 459).XIf necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 459).XHave the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
engine oil needs 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.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the oil level is too
low must not be ignored.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions4
Engine Oil Level
Low Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine OffVehicles without an oil dipstick: the engine oil level is too low.
There is a risk of engine damage.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XAdd engine oil ( Y page 462) and check the oil level
( Y page 459).4
Engine Oil Level
Too HighVehicles without an oil dipstick: you have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damage to the engine or to the catalytic
converter.XHave the excess oil siphoned off at a qualified specialist
workshop. Observe the legal requirements.4
Engine Oil Level
Cannot Be MeasuredVehicles without an oil dipstick: the measuring system is
defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.408Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÁ
Night View Assist
Only When It Is
DarkYou have attempted to activate Night View Assist Plus in the
daytime.
Night View Assist Plus can only be activated when it is dark.¨
Vehicle RisingYour vehicle is adjusting to the level you have selected.¨
Vehicle Rising
Please Wait BrieflyThe vehicle level is too low when the vehicle is stationary. A
warning tone also sounds.XDo not pull away.
The vehicle level is set when the display message disappears.¨
STOP Car Too LowYou have pulled away while the vehicle level is still too low.
AIRMATIC sets the vehicle to the selected level after a short
period.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the electric parking brake.XWait until the display message disappears before pulling away.GRisk of accident
AIRMATIC is defective. A warning tone also sounds.
XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80km/h).XMake only slight steering movements. Otherwise, the front
fender or the tires could be damaged if the steering movement
is too large.XListen for scraping sounds.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions, and select a higher vehicle level.
Depending on the malfunction, it may be possible to raise the
vehicle.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.¨
MalfunctionGRisk of accident
The AIRMATIC function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.
XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80km/h).XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages411On-board computer and displaysZ