2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class check engine

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

Engine
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ;
N
The yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
There may be a malfunction, for example:
R in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be in emer-
gency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
i In some states, you must immediately visit a qualified specialist workshop
as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up. This is due to the
legal requirements in effect in these states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations apply in the state in which you are currently driving. 8
N
The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest gas station. 8
N
The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp flashes while the vehicle is in motion.
In addition, the ;Check Engine warning lamp may light up.
The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
363On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions ?
N
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked
or the electric engine radiator fan may be malfunctioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
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 220).
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 Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is below 257 ‡
(125 †). Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
X Drive 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. ?
N
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running. A
warning tone also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 255 ‡ (124 †). 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 220).Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
365On-board computer and displays Z

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

Vehicle
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions Ð
N
The red power steering warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
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
369On-board computer and displays Z

!
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood. X
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Pull release lever :on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Reach into the gap, pull hood catch han-
dle ;up and lift the hood.
Once you have lifted the hood about
15 inches (40 cm), it is automatically
opened the rest of the way and held open
by the gas-filled struts.
Closing the hood X
Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 in (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
General notes Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 liters) of oil per 600 miles (1,000 km). The oil consumption
may be higher than this when the vehicle is
new or if you frequently drive at high engine
speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be in a different location.
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 if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick (except S 600 and S 65 AMG) G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following. Engine compartment
405Maintenance and care Z

Checking the oil level using the on-board computer (S 600 and S 65 AMG)
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Use ò on the steering wheel to call up the list of menus.
X Press the :or9 button on the steering wheel to select the Service
Service menu.
X Confirm by pressing aon the steering wheel.
X Use : or9 to select the Engine Oil Level
Engine Oil Level submenu.
X Press ato confirm the selection.
The Measuring
Measuring engine
engineoil
oillevel
level accurate
accurate only
onlywhen
whenvehicle
vehicle is
islevel
level message
appears in the multifunction display.
The measurement takes a few seconds. You will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display: Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Engine
Engine
Oil
OilLevel
Level OK
OK The oil level is correct.
Check Engine Oil
Check Engine Oil
Level Level
(Add
(Add1
1Liter)
Liter) The oil level is too low.
X Top up 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter) of engine oil. Reduce Engine Oil
Reduce Engine Oil
Level Level The engine oil level is too high.
X Have excess engine oil siphoned off. For Engine Oil
For Engine Oil
Level Ignition Level Ignition
Must Be On Must Be On The ignition is switched off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition lock. Need More Time to
Need More Time to
Check Engine Oil Check Engine Oil
Level Level The required waiting period was not observed.
X If the engine is at normal operating temperature: repeat the
measurement after about five minutes.
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. Engine Oil Level Engine Oil Level
Not Measurable Not Measurable
with with
Engine
Engine Running
Running The engine is running; oil level measurement is not possible.
X Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating temperature: wait about five
minutes before carrying out the measurement.
If the engine is not at normal operating temperature, e.g. if theengine was only started briefly: wait approximately 30 minutes before carrying out the measurement. Adding engine oil
G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury. Engine compartment
407Maintenance and care
Z