Safety
Seat belts
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
ü
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt warning lamp lights
up. In addition, a warn-
ing tone sounds for up
to six seconds.The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Ypage 46).
The warning tone ceases.
ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up after
the engine starts, as
soon as the driver's or
the front-passenger
door is closed.The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Ypage 46).
The warning lamp goes out.
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.
ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp flashes and an
intermittent audible
warning sounds.The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The
vehicle is being driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h). X Fasten your seat belt ( Ypage 46).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The vehicle is being
driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been 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 toneceases.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster161
On-board computer and displays
Z
Safety systems
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USA only)
J (Canada only)
USA only: the red
brake system warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone alsosounds.
Canada only: the yel-
low brake system warn-
ing lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone alsosounds.GWARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking char- acteristics may be affected.
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 ( Ypage 110).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
USA only: the red
brake system warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone alsosounds.
Canada only: the yel-
low brake system warn-
ing lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone alsosounds.There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
GWARNING
The braking effect 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 ( Ypage 110).
X Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the mal-
function.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
162Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Other systems, e.g. BAS (Brake Assist), ESP ®
(Electronic Sta-
bility Program) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution), the
HOLD function, hill start assist, adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization have also been deactivated.
GWARNING
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 in an emergency braking situation can 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.
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 not be available.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster163
On-board computer and displays
Z
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, ESP ®
, EBD (electronic brake
force distribution), the HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP ®
trailer
stabilization and the adaptive brake lights, for example, have also
been deactivated.
Possible causes are: R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
GWARNING
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 in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments 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.
164Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone alsosounds.EBD is malfunctioning. Therefore, ABS, BAS, ESP ®
, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization, for example, are also unavailable.
GWARNING
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 in an emergency braking situation can 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.
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.You have engaged the differential locks. ABS is deactivated.
X Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated.
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The yellow brake warn-
ing 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 malfunctioning. BAS, EBD, the HOLD function,
hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabili-
zation, for example, are therefore unavailable.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can 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 cluster165
On-board computer and displays
Z
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
The yellow ESP®
warn-
ing 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: ( Ypage 66).
å
The yellow ESP ®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.ESP ®
is deactivated.
GWARNING
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: ( Ypage 66).
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 unavailable due to a mal-
function.
GWARNING
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.
166Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
֌
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.
GWARNING
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 move-
ments 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.The differential lock is engaged. ABS, ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS have
been deactivated. X Disengage the differential lock. ESP ®
, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
6
The red restraint sys-
tem warning lamp is lit
while the engine is run-ning.The restraint system is faulty.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be trig-
gered 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 the restraint system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
For further information about the restraint system, see( Y page 42).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster167
On-board computer and displays
Z
Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.The coolant temperature has exceeded 248 ‡ (120 †). The air-
flow to the engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may
be too low.
GWARNING
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 ( Ypage 110).
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 ( Ypage 208).
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 moun-
tainous terrain, and stop-start driving.
168Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays