2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN Owners Manual

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

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. 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.
ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel
starts to spin.
Self diagnosis is not yet complete.
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. F (USA only)
! (Canada only)
The red indicator lamp
for the electric parking
brake flashes and/or
the yellow warning
lamp for the electric
parking

brake lights up. The electric parking brake is temporarily malfunctioning or
defective.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The air bags or ETDs
may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an
accident, not be triggered at all.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 22
Not available on hybrid vehicles.426
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

G
WARNING
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately
to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury. 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 are required by law to immediately visit a
qualified specialist workshop as soon as the yellow Check
Engine warning lamp lights up. If in doubt, check whether such
legal regulations apply in the state/province in which you are
currently driving. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run dry
(Y page 320).
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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
427
On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
yellow 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
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
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. 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. 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. G
Risk of accident
The warning is issued if you approach a stationary vehicle or a
vehicle driving ahead of you 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.
More information about DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 332) and
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 73). 428
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Tires
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsh
USA only:
The
yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss/
malfunction) is lit.
Canada only:
The yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss) is lit. G
Risk of accident
The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at
least one of the tires.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers.

Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Check the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
(Y page 497).
X If necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 513).h
USA only:
The

yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss/
malfunction) flashes for
60 seconds and then
remains lit. The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked at least every two weeks when
cold and inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's door B-pillar

or, if available, the tire pressure label
on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the Tire and Loading Information placard or the tire pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires are
significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling
and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately
1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will be repeated every time Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
429
On-board computer and displays
Z

the vehicle is started as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of incompatible
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels
on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. 430
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays