2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN ESP

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsIf the display message continues to be displayed:
X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !÷
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual G
Risk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start
assist are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only), ÷, å
and ! warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
The
brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 20
is deactivated.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
,
BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 20
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 20
Not available on hybrid vehicles.390
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsG
Risk of accident
If the display message is shown and the ÷ warning lamp flashes
at the same time, the Electronic Traction System is deactivated.
Otherwise, the brakes on the drive wheels could overheat.
X Let the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the ÷ warning lamp goes out.
The Electronic Traction System is activated again. ÷
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
,
BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 20
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. å
System Inoperative G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
,
BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
may also have failed. In addition, the ÷ and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 20
is deactivated.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 20
Not available on hybrid vehicles. Display messages
391
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsT!
÷
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual G
Risk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
,
the HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable due
to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST 20
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. #
Check Brake Pad
Wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. F(USA
only)!(Canada
only)
Please Release
Parking Brake The red
F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are driving with the electric parking brake applied.
X Release the electric parking brake.
or
X Pull away carefully ( Y page 324). The red
F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are making an emergency stop using the electric parking
brake ( Y page 324).
X After the emergency stop: release the electric parking brake
lever. 20
Not available on hybrid vehicles.392
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsb
Please Switch Off
Lights The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.
X
Turn the light switch to $ or c.
or
X If the rear fog lamp is switched on: press the light switch in to
the stop. Adaptive High-beam
Assist inoperative Adaptive Highbeam Assist is defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See Oper.
Manual The coolant level is too low.
X
Add coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
(Y page 460).
X If coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
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. 404
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

!
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 messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions4
Engine Oil Level
Low Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine Off Vehicles without an oil dipstick: the engine oil level is too low.
There is a risk of engine damage.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Add engine oil ( Y page 459) and check the oil level
(Y page 457). 4
Engine Oil Level
Too High Vehicles 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.
X
Have the excess oil siphoned off at a qualified specialist
workshop. Observe the legal requirements. 4
Engine Oil Level
Cannot Be Measured Vehicles without an oil dipstick: the measuring system is
defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 8
Reserve Fuel The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station. C There is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station without fail. 8
Gas Cap Loose 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.
If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
X Close the fuel filler cap.
If the fuel filler cap is correctly closed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 8
Ultra Low-sulfur
Diesel Fuel Only Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel level has fallen below the
reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station.
X Only use commercially available vehicular ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL (ULSD, 15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM). Display messages
407On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions!
The
yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function and
hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.
The

brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 22
is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
The

yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
, EBD
(electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®


Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist are therefore
also deactivated, for example.
Self diagnosis is not yet complete or the on-board voltage may be
insufficient, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 22
is deactivated.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 22
Not available on hybrid vehicles. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
423On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions!
The
yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. G
Risk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®


Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are also
unavailable, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 22
is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. $ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP
®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®

are faulty. Other systems, e.g. BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD,
PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function and hill start
assist, are also not available due to a malfunction.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 22
is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®

or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions:
(Y page 71). 22
Not available on hybrid vehicles.424
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionså
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning
lamp is lit while
the engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated. ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions:
(Y page 71).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk 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 22
is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 22
Not available on hybrid vehicles. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
425
On-board computer and displays Z