2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN ESP inoperative

cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 68)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 69)
RBAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System PLUS) with
Cross-Traffic Assist (Ypage 69)
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
(Ypage 71)
RESP®( E lectronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 73)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 75)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 75)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 75)
RSTEER CONTROL (Ypage 77)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section (
Ypage 384). In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 68).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 316) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 278).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
68Driving safety systems
Safety

nized by the system are visually highlighted in
color in the Night View Assist Plus display with
small frame corners.
In addition, an infrared camera is integrated into
the radiator trim:. The camera helps detect
pedestrians and animals. Observe the notes on
cleaning the infrared camera (
Ypage 364).
iInfrared light is not visible to the human eye
and therefore does not glare. Night View
Assist Plus can therefore remain switched on
even if there is oncoming traffic.
Important safety notes
Night View Assist Plus is only an aid and is not a
substitute for attentive driving. Do not rely on
the Night View Assist Plus display. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good
time. Drive carefully and always adapt your driv-
ing style to suit the prevailing road and traffic
conditions.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if:
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow, rain,
fog or spray
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up or covered,
for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity of the
camera
Rthe infrared camera in the radiator trim is
dirty, fogged up or obscured
Ron bends, hilltops or downhill gradients
Rat high outside temperatures
Night View Assist Plus cannot display objects
directly in front of or beside the vehicle.
It is possible that, in addition to people and ani-
mals, other objects are also marked or highligh-
ted .
Pedestrian and animal recognition
General notes
Pedestrian or animal recognition may be
impaired or inoperative if:
Rpedestrians or animals are partially or entirely
obscured by other objects, e.g. parked vehi-
cles
Rthe silhouette of the pedestrian or of the ani-
mal in the Night View Assist Plus display is
incomplete or interrupted, e.g. by powerful
light reflections
Rpedestrians or animals do not contrast with
the surroundings
Rthe camera system no longer recognizes
pedestrians as persons due to special cloth-
ing or other objects
Rpedestrians are not in an upright position, e.g.
sitting, squatting or lying
Ranimals are not recognized by the system,
e.g. because of their size or shape
Pedestrian and animal recognition is deactiva-
ted at temperatures above 90 ‡ (32 †). The
spotlight function and automatic delayed
switch-off are then no longer active.
Pedestrian recognition
:Night View Assist Plus display
;Readiness symbol for active pedestrian rec- ognition
=Highlighting
?Pedestrian recognized
Night View Assist Plus can recognize pedes-
trians using typical characteristics, e.g. the body
contours and posture of a person standing
upright.
Pedestrian recognition is then switched on auto- matically if:
RNight View Assist Plus is activated.
Ryou are driving faster than approximately
6 mph (10 km/h).
Rit is dark.
If pedestrian recognition is active, readiness
symbol ;appears. Persons who are detected
are highlighted by framing =. If the pedestrian
recognition system has brought a pedestrian to
your attention, look through the windshield to
evaluate the situation. The actual distance to
objects and pedestrians cannot be gaged accu-
rately by looking at a screen.
Driving systems231
Driving an d parking
Z

Safety systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!÷
Currently Unavaila‐ble See Operator'sManual
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), ESP®(Electronic Stability Program),
BAS (Brake Assist), PRE ‑SAFE®, the HOLD function, Hill Start Assist,
Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane Keeping Assist and
Active Blind Spot Assist are temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE ‑SAFE
®Brake, PRE‑SAFE®
PLUS and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS may also have
failed.
In addition, the÷and! warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
For example, 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 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.
XDrive on carefully.
Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned above are available again.
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
!÷
Inoperative SeeOperator's Manual
ABS, ESP®, BAS, PRE‑SAFE®, the HOLD function, Hill Start Assist,
Crosswind Assist, STEER CONTROL, Active Lane Keeping Assist and
Active Blind Spot are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE ‑SAFE
®Brake, PRE‑SAFE®
PLUS and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS may also have
failed.
The$ (USA only) or J(Canada only), ÷and! warning
lamps in the instrument cluster may also light up.
ATTENTION ASSIST is 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 affected.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
278Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
There is an increased riskof skiddin gand an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
÷
Inoperative SeeOperator' sManual
ES P®,BAS, PRE ‑SAFE®, th eHOLD function ,Hil lStart Assist, Cross-
win dAssist, STEE RCONTROL, Active Lan eKeepin gAssis tand Active
Blind Spot are unavailable due to amalfunction .
BA SPLU Swit hCross-Traffic Assist, PRE‑ SAFE
®Brake,PRE ‑SAFE®
PLU Sand COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Smay also hav e
failed.
The ÷ warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can thus
increase.
If ES P
®is no toperational, ES P®is unable to stabiliz eth evehicle.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
Display messages27 9
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
÷
Currently Unavaila‐ble See Operator'sManual
ESP®,BAS, PRE ‑SAFE®, th eHOLD function ,Hil lStart Assist, Cross-
win dAssist, STEE RCONTROL, Active Lan eKeepin gAssis tand Active
Blind Spot are unavailable due to amalfunction .
BA SPLU Swit hCross-Traffic Assist, PRE‑ SAFE
®Brake,PRE ‑SAFE®
PLU Sand COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Smay also hav e
failed.
The ÷ warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
The self-diagnosis function might no tbe complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above. The wheels could therefor eloc kif you brak e
hard, for example.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can thus
increase.
If ES P
®is no toperational, ES P®is unable to stabiliz eth evehicle.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XCarefully drive asuitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at aspeed abov e12 mph (20 km/ h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned above are available again.
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
T!
÷
Inoperative SeeOperator's Manual
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP®, BAS,
PRE‑SAFE®, the HOLD function, Hill Start Assist, Crosswind Assist,
STEER CONTROL, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot
Assist are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE ‑SAFE
®Brake, PRE‑SAFE®
PLUS and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS may also have
failed.
In addition, the÷and! warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment cluster and a warning tone sounds.
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.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
280Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Parkin gBrake Inop‐
erativ e
The yellow !warning lamp lights up. The red F(USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te nseconds
after th eelectric parking brak ehas been applie dor released. It then
goe sout or remain slit .
The electric parking brak eis malfunctioning ,e.g. because of over-
voltag eor undervoltage.
XRemove th ecaus efor th eovervoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th ebattery or restarting th eengine.
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If it remain simpossible to apply or release th eelectric parking brake:
XSwitc hoff th eignition and tur nit bac kon .
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe released:
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe applied:
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
The yellow!warning lamp lights up and th ered F (USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no tpossibl eto apply th eelectric parking brak emanually.
XShift th etransmission to position P.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
$(USA
only)
J( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak efluid reservoir .
In addition ,th e$ (USAonly) or J(Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th einstrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The braking effec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid .This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
CheckBrakePadWear
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
US Aonly: th ered $ brakesystem warning lamp also lights up while
th eengin eis running.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
Inoperative
Oneor mor emain features of th embrace system are malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
Display messages283
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Collision Preven‐tionAssist Plu sCurrently Unavaila‐ble See Operator' sManual
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis temporarily no toperational.
Possibl ecauses are:
Rth eradar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
Rthesystem is outside th eoperating temperature range.
Rth eon-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis operational again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XRestart th eengine.
Collision Preven ‐tionAssist Plu sInoperative
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU Sis temporarily inoperative due
to amalfunction .Adaptive Brake Assis tmay also hav efailed.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐tiv eSeeOperator' sManual
Importantfunction sof PRE-SAF E®havefailed. Al lother occupant
safet ysystems ,e.g. air bags ,remain available.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE FunctionsCurrently Limite dSee Operator'sMan ‐ual
PRE ‑S AF E®PLU Sor PRE‑SAFE®Brake is temporarily inoperative.
Possibl ecauses are:
Rfunction is impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
Rth eradar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
Rthesystem is outside th eoperating temperature range.
Rth eon-boar dvoltag eis to olow.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears.
PRE ‑SAFE
®PLU Sand PRE ‑SAFE®Brake are operational again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XRestart th eengine.
PRE-SAFE FunctionsLimite dSee Opera‐tor's Manual
PRE ‑S AF E®PLU Sor PRE‑SAFE®Brake is unavailable due to amal-
function .BA SPLU Swit hCross-Traffic Assis tmay also hav efailed.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
284Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
RadarSensorsDirtySee Operator' sMan ‐ual
At least on eof th efollowin gdrivin gsystems or drivin gsafet ysystems
is temporarily restricted or inoperative:
RPRE-SAF E®PLUS
RPRE-SAF E®Brake
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S
RActive LaneKeepin gAssis t
RActive Blind Spot Assis t
RDISTRONICPLU Swit hSteering Assis tand Stop&Go Pilo t
If th eradar sensor system in fron tis dirty, Active Blind Spot Assis twill
no tperfor m acourse-correcting brak eapplication .
Possibl ecauses are:
Rth esensor sin th eradiato rtrim and/o rin th ebumpers are dirty
Rth efunction of th edrivin gsystem and/o rdrivin gsafet ysystem is
impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
A warning tone also sounds.
Whe nth ecauses state dabov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
disappears. Al ldrivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems are oper -
ative again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XSwitchoff th eengine.
XClean th esensor sin th efollowin glocation s (Ypage 362):
Rin theradiato rtrim
Rin th efron tbumper
Rin th erear bumper, particularly in th emiddle of th erear bumper
XRestart th eengine.
The display message disappears.
Check Lef tRea rBeltSeeOperator' sManualorCheckRightRea rBeltSeeOperator' sManual
The seat belt buckl eextender on th eright or lef tof th erear compart-
men tis no tin th epredefine dposition .The belt strap may be jammed
in th ebelt tongue.
GWARNIN G
If th eseat belt buckl eextender is no tin th epredefine dposition ,th e
seat belt canno tprovid eth eintended level of protection .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XReleas eth ejamming.
XRepeat th eseat belt fastenin gprocedure .
Display messages285
On-board computer and displays
Z