Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions J
The red brake system
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
Braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident. 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 Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 180).
X Do not top up the brake fluid. Topping up will not rectify the fault.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) has been deactivated due to a fault.
Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist System), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic
Stability Program), PRE ‑SAFE®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD func-
tion, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer stabilisation and the adaptive
brake lights, for example, are also deactivated.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will be unavailable. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
289On-board computer and displays Z
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP
®
,
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), PRE‑ SAFE®
,
PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation and the adaptive brake lights, for example, are also
deactivated.
Possible causes:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock, for example, if you brake hard.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements at a speed above 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. 290
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. EBD is unavailable due to a malfunction. Therefore, ABS, BAS, BAS
PLUS, ESP ®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function,
hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer stabilisation and the adaptive brake
lights, for example, are also unavailable.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock, for example, if you brake hard.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J
֌!
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. ABS and ESP
®
are unavailable due to a fault. Therefore, BAS, BAS
PLUS, EBD, PRE ‑SAFE®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill
start assist, ESP ®
trailer stabilisation and the adaptive brake
lights, for example, are also unavailable.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock, for example, if you brake hard.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
291On-board computer and displays Z
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer stabilisation and the adap-
tive brake lights are unavailable due to a fault.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
293On-board computer and displays Z
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily unavailable.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking
situation.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements at a speed above 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. 6
The red restraint sys-
tem warning lamp is lit
while the engine is run-
ning.
The restraint system is faulty.
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury. X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Have the restraint system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
For further information about the restraint system, see
(Y page 42). 294
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
vehicle and the high-pressure cleaner noz-
zle. Information about the correct distance is available from the equipment manufac-
turer. X
Clean sensors :of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the reversing camera !
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the reversing camera with a high-
pressure cleaner. X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
Cleaning the exhaust tail pipes !
Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners. Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in win-
ter and after washing.
X Clean the exhaust pipe with a care product
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch (CLS
Shooting Brake) H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high-
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents.
! Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions. The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X Remove rust, e.g. with a wire brush.
X Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or a
brush.
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling :.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
i You can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch
carried out by a qualified specialist work-
shop. 338
CareMaintenance and care
X
First, remove the jump leads from earth point Aand negative terminal ?, then from pos-
itive clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begin each time at the contacts on your own vehicle
first.
X Close cover :of positive clamp ;after removing the jump leads.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jump-starting cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Safety-relevant functions are restricted or not
available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical
system is malfunctioning.
If your vehicle is towed, significantly greater
force may be required to steer the vehicle or
to brake. There is a risk of an accident.
In such circumstances, use a towing bar.
Make sure that the steering is moving freely
before towing. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow- started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could over-
turn.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
i Information on your vehicle's gross vehi-
cle weight rating can be found on the vehi-
cle identification plate (Y page 398).!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes or, if available, to the trailer
tow hitch. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle.
! Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R Make sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope
in the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being
towed.
R Only secure the tow cable to the towing
eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow
hitch.
R Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a
distance a distance so that the tow rope
does not sag.
R Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle. Towing and tow-starting
357Breakdown assistance Z
!
Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! To tow vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use
the key instead of the Start/Stop button.
The automatic transmission may otherwise switch to position Pwhen you open the
driver's or front-passenger door which
could damage the transmission.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum of
50km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must not be exceeded.
For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle must be lifted up and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per- missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
Observe the legal requirements for the rele-
vant countries when towing.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission dam-
age, have it transported on a transporter or
trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion Nwhen the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged. Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed away
(Y page 90). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
i Deactivate tow-away protection before
the vehicle is towed away (Y page 79). Fitting/removing the towing eye
Fitting the towing eye G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be extremely hot.
There is a risk of burning when removing the
rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust tail pipe. Use
extreme caution when removing the rear
cover. Towing eye covers (example: CLS Coupé)
Towing eye covers (AMG vehicles)358
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance