2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN instrument cluster

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions$(USA
only)J(Canada
only)
Service See Oper.
Manual There is a malfunction in the system. The brake system continues
to operate normally.
X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. $(USA
only)J(Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level G
Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
Additionally, the red $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only)
warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and a warning
tone sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention
to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction. G
WARNING
Driving with the message Check
Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsG
Tele Aid
Inoperative USA only: one or more of the main functions in the mbrace system
are malfunctioning.
Canada only: one or more of the main functions of the TELEAID
system are malfunctioning.
X
USA only: have the mbrace system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Canada only: have the TELEAID system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual
G
Risk of injury
Important functions of PRE-SAFE ®

have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. air bags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.396
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsPRE-SAFE
Functions
Currently Limited
See Operator's
Manual
G
Risk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again and the display message
disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill
(Y page 467).
X Clean the bumpers ( Y page 467).
X Restart the engine.
X Wait until the battery is sufficiently charged. PRE-SAFE
Function Limited
See Oper. Manual
G
Risk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is defective. BAS PLUS or the distance warning
signal may also have failed.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
SRS Malfunction
Service Required G
Risk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
397
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions6
Front Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required

or
Front Right SRS
Malfunction
Service Required G
Risk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Rear Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required


or
Rear Right SRS
Malfunction
Service Required G
Risk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Rear Center SRS
Malfunction
Service Required G
Risk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear center. The 6
warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Left Side Curtain
Airbag

Malfunction
Service Required or
Right Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service Required G
Risk of injury
There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window
curtain air bag. The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the
instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 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. 398
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsÂ
Key Not Detected
(White display
message) The KEYLESS-GO key cannot be detected at present.
X
Change the location of the key with the KEYLESS-GO functions
in the vehicle.
If the KEYLESS-GO key is still not detected:
X Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock. Â
Key Detected In
Vehicle The KEYLESS-GO key has been detected inside the vehicle during
locking.
X
Remove the KEYLESS-GO key from the vehicle. Â
Remove 'Start'
Button and Insert
Key KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective.
X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock and turn it to the
desired position.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Â
Close Doors to
Lock Vehicle At least one door is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Close all doors and lock the vehicle again. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Seat belt
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning lamp lights
up for six 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).7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt

warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to six seconds. G
Risk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).
The warning tone ceases. 420
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions7
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.
G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 57).
The warning lamp goes out. G
Risk of injury
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. 7
The red seat belt
warning lamp flashes
and an intermittent
audible warning
sounds.
G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. In
addition, you are driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or you 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. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. In addition, you are
driving faster than 15 mph (25 km/h
) or you 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. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
421
On-board computer and displays Z

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning
lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds. G
Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention

to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction. G
WARNING
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked
immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned. 422
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

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