
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsAIRMATIC is defective. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80km/h).
X Make only slight steering movements. Otherwise, the front
fender
or the tires could be damaged if the steering movement
is too large.
X Listen for scraping sounds.
X Pull 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.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¨or°
Malfunction The AIRMATIC function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.
X
Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80km/h).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ë
Off The HOLD function is deactivated. the vehicle is skidding.
A warning tone also sounds.
X
Reactivate the HOLD function later (Y page 196). The HOLD function is deactivated. When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed, an activation condition is not fulfilled.
A warning tone also sounds.
X
Check the activation conditions for the HOLD function
(Y page 196). Radar Sensors
Deactivated See
Operator's Manual The radar sensor system is deactivated.
X
Switch on the radar sensor system (Y page 241).262
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Safety
Seat belts Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning lamp lights
up for 6 seconds. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).ü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to six seconds. The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X
Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).
The warning tone ceases. ü
The red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts,
as soon as the driver's
or the front-passenger
door is closed.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X
Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).
The warning lamp goes out. There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. ü
The red seat belt
warning lamp flashes
and an intermittent
audible warning
sounds.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. You
are driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h
) or have briefly driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. There are objects on the front-passenger seat. You are driving
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h
) or have briefly driven faster than
15 mph (25 km/h).
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases.276
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Engine
Problem Possible 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 (for vehicles with a gasoline engine)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i In some states, you must immediately visit a qualified
specialist
workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning
lamp lights up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in
these states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations
apply in the state in which you are currently driving. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run dry
(Y page 172).
X
Start the engine three to four times after refueling.
If the yellow Check Engine warning lamp goes out, emergency
running mode is canceled. The vehicle need not be checked. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.
The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X
Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
close the fuel filler
cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist
workshop. 282
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions?
The red coolant
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is
running
and the coolant
temperature gauge is
at the start of the scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
defective.
The
coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue
driving under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 175).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
283
On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsX
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning
notes ( Y page 331).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X At coolant temperatures under 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the next
qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions·
The red distance
warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in
motion.
A warning tone
also sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 185).
Further information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 72). Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
285
On-board computer and displays Z

Stowage net in the rear
:
Stowage net
Stowage pockets G
WARNING
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking,
or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
The stowage pockets are on the back of the
driver's and front-passenger's seats. Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking,
or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident. Parcel nets are located in the front-passenger
footwell and on the left and right-hand sides
of the trunk/cargo compartment.
Skibag
Unfolding the skibag and loading skis G
WARNING
The skibag is designed for up to four pairs of
skis. Do not load the skibag with any other
objects.
Always fasten the skibag securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski bag can cause
injury to vehicle occupants. X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Press release catches ;
together and fold
down cover :. X
Pull skibag : into the vehicle interior and
unfold it.
X Open the trunk lid. Stowage areas
291
Stowage and features Z

X
Open the trunk lid.
X Press release catch :.
Flap ; folds down.
X Press catch = in and pull out frame ?
containing the skibag. Through-loading facility in the rear
compartment
G
WARNING
Do not transport any unsecured items in the
through-loading area. The through-loading facility is opened from
the trunk.
X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Press release catch :.
The flap opens downwards. Through-loading facility in the rear
bench seat (Sedan)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When expanding the cargo volume, always
fold the seat backrests fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests
must remain properly locked in the
upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie-down rings.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded down separately to
increase the trunk capacity.
Folding the seat backrest forward i
Vehicles
with memory function: when you
fold one or both parts of the rear seat
backrest forwards, the respective front
seat moves forward slightly, when
necessary, in order to avoid contact.
X Vehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.
X Open the trunk.
X Pull right-hand or left-hand rear seat
backrest release handle :.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released.
The rear seat head restraints are lowered. Stowage areas
293
Stowage and features Z

The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded forwards separately
to
increase the cargo compartment capacity.
The combined cargo cover and net can
remain installed.
i When you fold one or both parts of the
rear seat backrests forwards, the
headrests are also lowered if necessary. In
the case of vehicles with memory function,
the respective front seat is moved forwards
slightly to avoid contact with the seat
behind it.
X Vehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.
X Pull the left-hand or right-hand release
handle at the rear in cargo
compartment : or at the side beside
backrests ;.
The corresponding backrest folds
forwards.
X Pull the left-hand or right-hand release
handle at the rear in cargo
compartment :.
The corresponding backrest folds
forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding the rear seat backrest back G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is
correctly engaged. Otherwise, vehicle
occupants could be injured by objects being
thrown around if you
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged, this
will be shown in the multifunction display in
the instrument cluster.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become
trapped when folding the rear seat backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Fold seat backrest :
back until it engages.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 105).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Securing cargo
Plastic hooks (Sedan) On vehicles without a through-loading feature
in the rear bench seat, six plastic hooks are
installed to the trunk floor. Stowage areas
295
Stowage and features Z