2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS transmission

Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning. X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up. X
Shift the transmission to P .X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Start the engine.
The hybrid drive system is faulty. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Recuperative Brake System Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.
G Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play ( Y
page 277). X
Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster ( Y
page 315) .254
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Tur n On the Igni‐
tio n to Releas e the
Parkin g Brake The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up.
You attempte d to release th e electric parking brak e while th e ignition
was switched off .X
Switc h on th e ignition .
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Please
Releas e Park‐
ing Brake The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and a warning tone sounds. A condition for automatic release of th e
electric parking brak e is no t fulfilled ( Y
page 190).
You are drivin g wit h th e electric parking brak e applied.X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and a warning tone sounds.
You are usin g th e electric parking brak e for emergenc y braking
( Y
page 190).
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Parkin g Brake See
Operator' s Manual The yellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To apply : X
Switc h th e ignition off .X
Press th e electric parking brak e handle for at least te n seconds.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp and th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp ligh t up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
or X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 190).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Do no t drive on .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 28 1
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and th e yellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
To apply : X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brak e manually.
If th e red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp con-
tinue s to flash: X
Do no t drive on .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 406).X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Turn th e fron t wheels toward s th e curb.X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brake.
If it is no t possibl e to engage th e electric parking brake:X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
If it is no t possibl e to release th e electric parking brake:X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 190).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release th e electric parking brake, th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning . It is no t possibl e to apply
th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .282
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Parkin g Brake Inop‐
erativ e The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning , e.g. because of over-
voltag e or undervoltage. X
Remove th e caus e for th e overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th e battery or restarting th e engine.X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If it remain s impossible to apply or release th e electric parking brake:X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be applied:X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up and th e red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no t possibl e to apply th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
' (USA
only)
M ( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level There is no t enough brak e flui d in th e brak e fluid reservoir .
In addition , th e ' (US A only) or M (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th e instrumen t cluste r and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNIN G
The braking effec t may be impaired.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .X
Do no t add brak e fluid . This does no t correc t th e malfunction .
& Check Brake Pad Wea r The brak e pads/linings hav e reached their wear limit.
US A only: th e red ' brak e system warning lamp also lights up while
th e engin e is running. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
S Inoperative On e or mor e main features of th e mbrace system are malfunctioning .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 28 3
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Tir e Pressure Moni‐
tor Inoperative No
Wheel Sensor s The wheels mounte d do no t hav e a suitable tire pressur e sensor . The
tire pressur e monitor is deactivated.X
Moun t wheels wit h suitable tire pressur e sensors.
The tire pressur e monitor is activated automatically after drivin g for
a few minutes.
Tir e Press. Monito r
Inoperative The tire pressur e monitor is faulty.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Vehicle Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Shift to 'P' or 'N'
to Start Engine You hav e attempte d to start th e engin e wit h th e transmission in posi-
tion R or D . X
Shift th e transmission to position P or N .
Apply Brake to
Shift fro m 'P' You hav e attempte d to mov e th e transmission selector lever to posi-
tion D , R or N without depressing th e brak e pedal .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .
To Deselect P or N,
Depres s Brake and
Start Engine Wit h th e engin e switched off , you hav e attempte d to shift th e trans -
mission out of position P or N int o another transmission position .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Start th e engine.
Transmission Not in
P Ris k of Vehicl e
Rollin g Awa y The driver's door is open or no t full y closed and th e transmission is in
position R , N or D .
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNIN G
The vehicl e may rol l away.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Clos e th e driver's door completely.
Onl y Shift to 'P'
whe n Vehicl e is Sta ‐
tionar y The vehicl e is moving .X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .308
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Servic e Required Do
Not Shift Gears
Visit Dealer You canno t chang e th e transmission position due to a malfunction .
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position D is selected:X
Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting th e trans -
mission from position D .
If transmission position R , N or P is selected:X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Reversing Not Possi‐
ble Servic e Required You canno t shift int o th e transmission position R due to a malfunction .
The transmission position s P , N or D continu e to be available.
A warning tone also sounds. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Transmission Mal ‐
function Sto p A malfunction has occurred in th e mechanical transmission compo -
nents.
A warning tone also sounds. The gearbox automatically shift s to posi-
tion N . X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Sto p Vehicl e Leave
Engine Runnin g Wai t
Transmission Cool‐
ing PLUG-I N HYBRID vehicles:
The transmission has overheated. Pullin g away can be temporarily
impaire d or no t possible.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Wait until th e display message disappear s before pullin g away.
Auxiliary Batter y
Malfunction The auxiliary battery for th e transmission is no longer bein g charged.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .X
Unti l then , set th e transmission to position P before you switch off
th e engine. X
Befor e leaving th e vehicle, apply th e electric parking brake.

Warning/
indicator
lamp Q Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
'M
Q ' (USA only) or M (Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is
lit while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
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 ( Y
page 189).X
Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
'
Q USA only: the red brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The multifunction display also shows a display message with the & symbol.
The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
%
Q The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunction. Therefore BAS
(Brake Assist), BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), 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 deac-
tivated.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
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. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display. X
Drive on carefully. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other systems, such
as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, will not be available.316
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

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 cleaning.
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 recom-
mended 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.
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 automatically in
certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following 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 detection
range of KEYLESS-GO, the following situa-
tions, for example, could lead to the uninten-
tional 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 transmission
is in neutral position N when 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 igni-
tion lock. Do not open the driver's door
when the engine is switched off or at very
low speeds. Otherwise, when in transmis-
sion position D or R the automatic trans-
mission will automatically switch to park
position P and 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 D or R the automatic transmission
will automatically switch to park position P
and block the wheels. Care 359
Maintenance and care Z