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 malfunction.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also be mal-
functioning.
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 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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit 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 transmis-
sion, will not be available.
!
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:
Rself-diagnosis is not yet complete.
Rthe 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 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 a risk of an accident.
XCarefully 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 warn-
ing lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
206Warning 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 also
sounds.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 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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit 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.
XDisengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated.
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
÷!
The yellow brake warn-
ing lamp, the yellow
ESP
®warning lamp 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 stabilization, 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 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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster207
On-board computer and displays
Z
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
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.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
XEase off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
XDo not deactivate ESP®.
For exceptions, see: (
Ypage 57).
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.
XReactivate ESP®.
For exceptions, see: (
Ypage 57).
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XHave 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 malfunc-
tion.
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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
208Warning 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 sta-
bilization 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.
XCarefully 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 warn-
ing lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit 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.
XDisengage the differential lock.
ESP®, 4ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play.
(Canada only)
(USA only)
The red parking brake
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is mov-
ing. A warning tone also
sounds.You are driving with the parking brake applied.
XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.
6
The red restraint system
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running.The restraint system is faulty.
GWARNING
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.
XDrive on carefully.
XHave the restraint system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage 34).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster209
On-board computer and displays
Z
Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
;
The yellow Check Engine
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.There may be a malfunction, for example:
Rin the engine management
Rin the fuel injection system
Rin the exhaust system
Rin the ignition system
Rin the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be in
emergency mode.
XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iIn 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
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
8
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.
XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
XIf the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.
XIf the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist workshop.
?
The red coolant warning
lamp lights up while the
engine is running and the
coolant temperature
gage is at the start of the
scale.The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gage is defective.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk
of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, pay-
ing attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
XApply the parking brake.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
210Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
XIf you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the engine
coolant system checked.
XMake sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked,
e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
XAt coolant temperatures below 248 ‡(120 †), drive to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop.
XAvoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain, and stop-start driving.
Driving systems
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
·
The red distance warning
lamp lights up while the
vehicle is in motion.The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed selected.
XIncrease the distance.
·
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.
XBe prepared to brake immediately.
XPay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to brake
or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (
Ypage 147).
212Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays
Sun visors
Overview
GWARNING
If the mirror cover of the vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicle is in motion, you could be
blinded by incident light. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always keep the mirror cover folded down
while driving.
:Sun visor
;Bracket
=Mirror cover
?Mirror light
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
:Sun visor
;Bracket
=Mirror cover
?Mirror light
Mirror lights ?will only function if sun visor :
is clipped into bracket ;.
XFold down sun visor:.
XFold up mirror cover =.
Mirror lights ?are switched on automati-
cally.
Glare from the side
:Sun visor
;Bracket
=Mirror cover
?Mirror light
XFold down sun visor :.
XPull sun visor:from bracket ;.
XSwing sun visor :to the side.
Stowage compartment/ashtray
Stowage compartment/ashtray in the
center console
GWARNING
If you engage transmission position Dwhen
removing the ashtray insert, the vehicle can
roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the engine first and safe-
guard the vehicle against rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
Features221
Stowage and features
Z
:Cover
;Insert
iOn new veh icles, insert ;isstored inthe
glove box. Install the insert before using the
ashtray.
XTo open: press cover :and then release it.
The ashtray opens.
XTo remove the insert: make sure that the
engine is switched off and that the parking
brake has been appliedto secure the veh icle
against rolling away.
XMove the selector lever to N.
XPress downcover :.
In sert ;isreleased.
XPull insert ;upwards and remove it.
XTo install the insert: install insert;from
above.
XPush insert ;down .
In sert ;audibly engages.
XTo close: close cover :fully.
iThe ashtray is litupifthe low- beam head-
lamps are on.
Ashtray in the rear compartment
XTo open: fold cover ;out in the direction of
the arrow.
XTo remove the insert: press retaining lug :
and pull insert =upwards and out.
XTo install the insert: install insert =from
above.
XTo close: close cover ;fully.
Cigarette lighter
GWARNING
You can burn yourself ifyou touch the hot
heating element or the socket of the cigarette lighter.
In addition, flammable materials can ignite if:
Rthe hot cigarette lighter falls
Ra child holds the hot cigarette lighter to
objects, for example
There isa risk of fire and injury.
Alwa ys hold the cigarette lighter bythe knob.
Alwa ys make sure that the cigarette lighter is
out of reach of children. Never leave ch ildren
unsupervised in the vehicle.
!The 12 V socket inthe cigarette lighter can
be used for accessories (up to a maximum of
180 W), as long as they have the standard
socket type for cigarette lighters.
Note that the socket in the cigarette lighter
can bedamaged when connecting accesso-
ries, for example by:
Rfrequent insertion and removal
Rsockets that do not fit correctly
A damaged socket can cause the cigarette
lighter to stop working.
222Features
Stowage and features