2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class brake

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions $J
÷!
N
$ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake warning lamp, the
yellow ESP ®
warning lamp and the yellow ABS warning lamp are lit while the
engine is running.
ABS and ESP ®
are not available due to a malfunction. Therefore BAS, BAS
PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, EBD,
PRE‑SAFE ®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
PLUS, PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start
assist, Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane Keeping Assist and
Active Blind Spot Assist 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 if you brake hard,
for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. 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. ÷
N
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 ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 82), it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 82). 360
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ÷
N
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ESP ®
, BAS, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS, PRE ‑SAFE®
, PRE‑SAFE ®
PLUS, PRE‑SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane
Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are unavailable due to a malfunc-
tion.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
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. å
N
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 ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 82), it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 82).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
361On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions F!
N
F (USA only), !(Canada only): the red indicator lamp for the electric
parking brake flashes or is lit and/or the yellow warning lamp for the electric parking brake is lit.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display. 6
N
The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is faulty.
G WARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered unin-
tentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is 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 imme-
diately.
For further information about the restraint system, see (Y page 49).362
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions 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 408).
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 257 ‡(125 †), you can continue driving to
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in mountainous
terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. Hybrid system
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions é
N
The yellow RBS (recuperative brake system) warning lamp is on. In addition,
there may be a warning tone.
G Risk of accident
RBS is malfunctioning. Pedal travel may be longer than usual and braking
performance may be affected. The automatic engine switch-off function may also be deactivated.
X Observe the messages in the multifunction display (Y page 316).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 366
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions $
N
The red brake system warning lamp is on. A warning tone also sounds.
G Risk of accident
RBS is malfunctioning. Pedal travel may be longer than usual and braking
performance may be affected.
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 circumstan-
ces.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display. Driving systems
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ·
N
The red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion. A
warning tone also sounds.
You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line of travel 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.
Further information on PRE ‑SAFE®
Brake (Y page 84).
For further information about the distance warning function of COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, see (Y page 80). Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
367On-board computer and displays Z

erwise lead to increased wear and damage
to the major assemblies or the vehicle.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, will reset
the ASSYST PLUS service interval display
after the service work has been carried out.
You can also obtain further information on
maintenance work, for example.
Special service requirements The specified maintenance interval takes only
the normal operation of the vehicle into
account. Under arduous operating conditions
or increased load on the vehicle, mainte-
nance work must be carried out more fre-
quently, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi-
ate stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel
short distances
R use in mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long peri-
ods
Under these or similar conditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist work- shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Driving abroad An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center. Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man- ner.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly after having cleaned the wheels with wheel cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident. Care
411Maintenance and care
Z

After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! 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
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0.
R the 360° camera or rear view camera is
switched off.
The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
! If the SmartKey is within the rear detec-
tion range of KEYLESS-GO, the following
situations, for example, could lead to the
unintentional opening of the trunk:
R using a car wash
R using a power washer
Make sure that the SmartKey is at least
10 ft (3 m) away from the vehicle.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in neutral position Nwhen washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
R Operating with the SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door when the engine is switched off or
at very low speeds. Otherwise, when in transmission position
Dor Rthe auto-
matic transmission will automatically
switch to park position Pand block the
wheels.
R Operating with the Start/Stop button:
Do not open the driver's door when the
engine is switched off or at very low
speeds. Otherwise, when in transmission
position Dor Rthe automatic transmis-
sion will automatically switch to park
position Pand block the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N
neutral:
Operating with the SmartKey:
X Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake, if nec-
essary.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
Operating with the Start/Stop button:
X Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Engage park position P.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Remove Start/Stop button from ignition
lock (Y page 189).
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake, if nec-
essary.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock. 412
CareMaintenance and care

repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
This is the case approximately every three to
five months, depending on the climate con-
ditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if
the paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to repair slight damage to
the paintwork quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care !
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable mate-
rials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or pol-
ishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g. wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable sur- face damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a
clear matte finish. This will help you to avoid
damage to the paintwork due to incorrect
treatment.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
The vehicle should preferably be washed by
hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo and
plenty of water.
Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of approved Mercedes-Benz
care products. Cleaning the vehicle parts
Cleaning the wheels G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you 414
CareMaintenance and care