Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of
water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.
! Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage the
clear coat.
! The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after
it has been cleaned. This applies especially
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners
can lead to increased corrosion of the
brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved
wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel
paint if the vehicle is not driven after
cleaning.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is
parked after cleaning. Drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved
Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz approved
Wheel Care products, take care not to
spray them on the brake disks.
Plastic and rubber parts
XUse a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild
detergent for delicate fabrics as a washing
solution.XWipe with a cloth moistened in a lukewarm
solution.
The surface may temporarily change color.
If this is the case, wait for it to dry.GWarning!
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or the
steering wheel. Cleaners containing solvents
will make the surface porous and vehicle
occupants could suffer serious injuries from
plastic parts coming loose in the event of air
bag deployment.
! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
Hard plastic trim items XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
on a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light
pressure.
COMAND display
! You must switch off the COMAND display
and allow it to cool prior to cleaning.
! Do not use any liquids or cleaning agents.
These can damage or even destroy the
COMAND display screen.
XUse a standard microfiber cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
XWipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Carpets
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet and
Fabric Care for cleaning the carpets.
Headliner
XUse a soft bristle brush or a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts
XOnly use clear, lukewarm water and soap.
! The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the
seat belts at temperatures above 176‡
(80†) or in direct sunlight.
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Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
Rmalfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 227) and
symbol messages ( Y page 237).
Text messages
Safety systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABSABS, ESP
Inoperativ
e
See Oper.
Manual.The electro-hydraulic brake system is still functioning
normally but due to a malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP ®
, and the hill-start assist system (SL 63 AMG only) are
unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e
See Oper.
ManualThe self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a short distance at a vehicle
speed of above 12 mph (20 km/h).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display227Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 227Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABSABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e See
Oper.
ManualThe electro-hydraulic brake system is still functioning
normally but due to a malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP ®
, and the hill-start assist system (SL 63 AMG only) are
unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
ESPESP
Inoperativ
e See
Oper.
ManualThe electro-hydraulic brake system is still functioning
normally but due to a malfunction the ESP ®
, and the hill-start
assist system (SL 63 AMG only) are unavailable.
The ABS may not be operational.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
ESPESP
Unavailabl
e See
Oper.
ManualThe electro-hydraulic brake system still functions normally
but due to insufficient power supply the ESP ®
and the hill-
start assist system (SL 63 AMG only) are unavailable.XSynchronize the ESP ®
. With the vehicle stationary, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left and then to the right.
! When synchronizing the ESP ®
, make sure you can turn the
steering wheel in both directions as far as it will go without
the wheels hitting any objects, e.g. a road curb.
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:
XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront
Passeng.
AirbagEnabled
See Oper.
ManualThe passenger front air bag is activated while driving even
though a child, small individual, or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the passenger seat, or the passenger
seat is empty. Objects on the seat or forces acting on the seat
may make the system sense supplemental weight.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.XEngage the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XOpen the passenger door.XRemove child and child restraint from passenger seat.XMake sure no objects which apply supplemental weight to
the seat are present. The system may recognize such
supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the
passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Monitor the 45 indicator lamp ( Y page 45) and the
multifunction display in the instrument cluster (Y page 30) for
the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,
R the 45 indicator lamp in the center console should
illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS
( Y page 43) has deactivated the passenger front air bag.
R the message Front Passeng. Airbag Enabled See
Oper. Manual or the message Front Passeng. Airbag
Disabled See Oper. Manual should not appear in the
multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the
necessary check cycles and to make sure neither message
appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger
seat again. Depending on the passenger classification sensed
by the OCS, the 45 indicator lamp will remain
illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
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GWarning!
If the 45 indicator lamp remains out even after performing the above corrective steps,
do not have any children 12 years old and under and other small individuals use the passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront
Passeng.
Airbag Disabled
See Oper.
ManualThe passenger front air bag is deactivated while driving even
though an adult or someone larger than a small individual is
occupying the passenger seat. Forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense a decrease in weight.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.XEngage the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XHave the passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Monitor the 45 indicator lamp ( Y page 45) and the
multifunction display in the instrument cluster (Y page 30) for
the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,
R the 45 indicator lamp should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS ( Y page 43) has
deactivated the passenger front air bag.
R the message Front Passeng. Airbag Enabled See
Oper. Manual or the message Front Passeng. Airbag
Disabled See Oper. Manual should not appear in the
multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the
necessary check cycles and to make sure neither message
appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the passenger
seat again. Depending on the passenger classification sensed
by the OCS, the 45 indicator lamp will remain
illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWarning!
If the 45 indicator lamp remains illuminated with an adult occupant on the passenger
seat even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
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Driving systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABCMalfunctio
n Stop CarYou have started driving although the vehicle level is still too
low.
The vehicle is being raised. The ABC message goes out after
a few seconds.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XWait until the message disappears from the multifunction
display.
You may then drive off.ABCMalfunctio
n Stop CarThe vehicle is losing oil.
The ABC message appears continuously.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XCall Roadside Assistance.
or
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.ABCMalfunctio
n Stop CarThe ABC is malfunctioning.XStop the vehicle in a safe location and press the vehicle
level control button to select a higher vehicle level
( Y page 142).
If the vehicle does not raise, observe the following when you
continue to drive:
XDo not turn steering wheel too far to avoid damaging the
front fenders.XListen for scraping noises.XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.ABCMalfunctio
nThe capability of the ABC system is restricted. This can impair
handling.XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display231Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 231Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCheck
TiresThe tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is significantly
below the reference value.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.XCheck and adjust tire inflation pressure as required.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 276).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.
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Symbol messages
BrakeDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#Reduced
Brake
Effect
Depress
brake
pedal
fully.The electro-hydraulic brake system is in emergency operation
mode. Considerably greater brake pedal force is required and
the brake pedal travel is longer. The stopping distance is
increased.
The maximum speed is limited to 55 mph (90 km/h).XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XDo not drive any further.XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking the
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable objects.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Reduced
Brake
Effect
Service
RequiredThe electro-hydraulic brake system is in emergency operation
mode. Considerably greater brake pedal force is required and
the brake pedal travel is longer. The stopping distance is
increased.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brake.XDo not drive any further.XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking the
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable objects.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.GWarning!
Driving while one of the previous messages is
displayed can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much further
than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-
hydraulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommendedVehicle status messages in the multifunction display237Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 237Z