
Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
Coolant Too Hot Coolant Too Hot
Stop Vehicle Turn Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine Off Engine Off The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 104).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 248 ‡ (120 †).
Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †). 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 Check the poly-V-belt.
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, the engine could be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 152
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Driving systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions TC Shift
TC Shift
Conditions Not Conditions Not
Fulfilled Fulfilled
Apply Brake/ Apply Brake/
Parking Brake Parking Brake The parking brake has not been applied and the brake pedal has
not been depressed. The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in
Neutral. There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 130).
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC Malfunction TC Malfunction
Visit WorkshopTo Visit WorkshopTo
park, apply the park, apply the
parking brake parking brake There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X When parking, secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 104).
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop. TC Shift Canceled TC Shift Canceled
Please Reactivate Please Reactivate The transfer case has not performed the gear change process.
X
Repeat the gearshift process.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 130). TC TC
Shift
Shift Condition
Condition
Not Fulfilled
Not Fulfilled
Drive at Max. Drive at Max.
25 mph 25 mph You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC TC
Shift
Shift Condition
Condition
Not Fulfilled
Not Fulfilled
Shift to NEUTRAL Shift to NEUTRAL You have not met one or more shift conditions.
X
Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC TC
shift
shift condition
condition
not fulfilled
not fulfilled
Drive at Max. Drive at Max.
40 mph 40 mph You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process. LOW RANGE LOW RANGE
On On The transfer case is in the
LOW RANGEoff-road position. HIGH RANGE
HIGH RANGE
On On The transfer case is in the
HIGH RANGEon-road position. Display
messages
153On-board computer and displays Z

Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions A The rear door is open.
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the rear door is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the rear door. ? The hood is open.
G WARNING
The open hood may block your view when the vehicle is in motion.
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.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 104).
X Close the hood. D
Power Steering Power Steering
Malfunction See Malfunction See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual The power steering is malfunctioning.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Check whether you are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster General notes
This section describes indicator and warning
lamps in the instrument cluster relevant to
safety and solutions. A description of other
indicator and warning lamps in the instrument
cluster and their solutions can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
157On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. 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 When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
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 ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 61).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 61).
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. ESP
®
, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are not available due to a
malfunction.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and 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
163On-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, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are temporarily unavailable.
BAS and the adaptive brake lights may also have failed.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
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. å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. You have engaged the differential locks. ABS, ESP
®
, 4ETS and BAS
have been deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System).
G WARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be
triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not
be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
For further information about SRS, see (Y page 40).164
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
The red coolant
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 248 ‡ (120 †). The
airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level
may be too low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 104).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning
notes (Y page 203).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain, and stop-start driving. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
165On-board computer and displays Z

Opening the hood
The release lever on the hood is in the footwell
on the left-hand side of the vehicle when
viewed in the direction of travel.
X Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Pull release lever :on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Lift the hood slightly.
X Push hood catch handle ;in the direction
of the arrow and lift the hood.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up when
the vehicle is in motion and block your view.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving. X
Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
X Check that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force. Engine oil
Notes on the oil level Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 liters) of oil per
600 miles (1000 km). The oil consumption
may be higher than this when the vehicle is
new or if you frequently drive at high engine
speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
Example: oil dipstick
When checking the oil level:
R
park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine is not at
operating temperature, e.g. if you only start
the engine briefly.
X Pull oil dipstick :out of the dipstick guide
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :. Engine compartment
201Maintenance and care Z

X
Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X Add oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer !
Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off.
G 65 AMG: the oil level can be checked using
the on-board computer only.
On all other models, the oil dipstick must be
used to check the engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X Press the &or* button on the
steering wheel to select the following
message: The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display:
R Engine Oil Level OK Engine Oil Level OK
R Add 1.0 qt
Add 1.0 qt (Canada:1.0 liter
1.0 liter) to
to
reach maximum oil level.
reach maximum oil level.
R Add 1.5 qts
Add 1.5 qts (Canada:1.5 liters
1.5 liters )to
to
reach maximum oil level.
reach maximum oil level.
R Add
Add 2.0 qts.
2.0 qts. (Canada:2.0 liters
2.0 liters )to
to
reach maximum oil level.
reach maximum oil level. X
Add oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature and the Engine oil Reduce
Engine oil Reduce
oil oil level
level display appears, too much oil has
been added.
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
If the Switch on ignition to check
Switch on ignition to check
engine oil level engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 97).
If the Observe waiting time
Observe waiting time message
appears:
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after about five minutes.
X If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature: e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, repeat the measurement
after approximately 30 minutes.
If the Engine oil level Not when
Engine oil level Not when
engine on engine on message appears:
X Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating
temperature: wait about five minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
X If the engine is not at normal operating
temperature: e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait approximately
30 minutes before carrying out the
measurement.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the *or& button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Adding engine oil H
Environmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. You can obtain a list of the 202
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care