2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN Owners Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual The 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.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Open the front-passenger door.
X Remove the child and the child restraint system from the front-
passenger seat.
X If necessary, secure the child in a child restraint system on a
suitable rear seat.
X Make 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.
X Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42(Y page 50) 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 50) 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.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Display messages
399
On-board computer and displays Z

G
WARNING
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. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Oper. Manual The 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.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Have the occupant get out of the vehicle.
X Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front-passenger door and
switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42(Y page 50) 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 50) 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.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. G
WARNING
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. 400
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsb
Check Left
Cornering
Light or Check
Right Cornering
Light The left or right-hand cornering light is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Left Low
Beam
or Check
Right
Low Beam The left or right-hand low-beam headlamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Rear Left
Turn
Signal or Check
Rear Right Turn
Signal The rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Front Left
Turn
Signal or Check
Front Right Turn
Signal The front left-hand or front right-hand turn signal is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Left Mirror
Turn
Signal or Check
Right Mirror Turn
Signal The turn signal in the left-hand or right-hand exterior mirror is
defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
401
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsb
Check
Center Brake
Lamp The high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Left Tail
and Brake
Lamp
or Check

Right
Tail and Brake Lamp The left or right-hand tail lamp/brake lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Left High
Beam
or Check

Right
High Beam The left or right-hand high beam is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check

Left License
Plate Lamp or Check
Right License
Plate Lamp The left or right-hand license plate lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Left Fog
Lamp
or Check

Right
Fog Lamp The left-hand or right-hand front fog lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Rear Left
Fog Lamp or Check
Rear

Right Fog Lamp The left-hand or right-hand rear fog lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Front Left
Parking
Lamp
or Check

Front
Right Parking Lamp The front left or front right parking or standing lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.402
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsb
Check
Left Reverse
Lamp or Check Right
Reverse Lamp The left or right-hand backup lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Front Left
Sidemarker
Lamp
or Check

Front
Right Sidemarker
Lamp The left or right front side marker lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check Rear Left
Sidemarker
Lamp or Check Rear
Right Sidemarker
Lamp The rear left or right side marker lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Check

Left Daytime
Running
Light or Check
Right Daytime
Running Light The left or right-hand daytime running lamp is defective.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 282).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Active Headlamps
Inoperative The active light function is defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Malfunction See
Oper. Manual The exterior lighting is defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
AUTO

Lamp Function
Inoperative The light sensor is defective.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
USA only:
X Switch off the daytime running lamps in the on-board computer
(Y page 385).
X Switch the lights on and off using the light switch. Display messages
403
On-board computer and displays Z

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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions?
Coolant Low Stop
Vehicle Turn
Engine Off The coolant is too hot.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the hood.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do
not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
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. Display messages
405
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions? The engine fan is defective.
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. # The battery is not being charged.
Possible causes are:
R
a defective alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the hood.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do

not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check Engine Oil
at Next Refueling Vehicles with an oil dipstick: the oil level has dropped to the
minimum level.
X
Check the engine oil level at the latest when next refueling
(Y page 457).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 459).
X If engine oil needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 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.
X
Check the oil level (Y page 457).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 457).
X If engine oil needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any qualified specialist workshop
or on the Internet at

http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).406
Display messages
On-board computer and displays