
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (anti-lock braking system) is malfunctioning.
If there is an additionalw arning tone, the EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may als omalfunction.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The front and rear wheels coul dtherefore lock if you brake hard ,for exam-
ple.
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 additionald isplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshopi mmediately.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is als oapossibility that other systems ,such
as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, wil lnot be available.
!N The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may als obeunavailable.
Possible causes are:
RSelf-diagnosi sisnot yet complete.
RThe on-board voltag emay be insufficient.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The wheels coul dtherefore 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 arisk of an accident.
XCarefully drive on asuitable stretch of road ,making gentle steering movements
at speeds of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the warning lamp goes
out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additiona ldisplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisitaq ualified specialist workshop.
190Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe 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.
$J
÷!N $ (USA only): the red brake system warning lamp and the yellow ESP®and
ABS warning lamp sare on while the engine is running.
J (Canada only): the yellow brake system, ESP
®and ABS warning lamp sare on
while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP
®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may als omalfunction.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The front and rear wheels coul dtherefore lock if you brake hard ,for exam-
ple.
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 additionald isplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshopi mmediately.
÷NThe yellow ESP®warning lamp flashes while the vehicleisinm otion.
ESP®or traction control has intervened because there is arisk of skidding or at
least one wheelh as started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedalasf ar as necessary.
XEase off the accelerator pedalwhile the vehicleisinmotion.
XAdapt yourdriving style to sui tthe road and weather conditions.
XDo not deactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage5 9), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage5 9).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster191
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
åNThe 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.
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restricted.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XReactivate ESP®.
In rare cases (
Ypage5 9), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage5 9).
XAdapt you rdriving style to sui tthe road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XDrive on carefully.
XHave ESP®checked at aqualified specialist workshop.
÷åNThe yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamp sare lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may als omalfunction.
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 additiona ldisplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisitaq ualified specialist workshopi mmediately.
192Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
÷åNThe yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamp sare lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may als obeunavailable.
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 on asuitable stretch of road ,making gentle steering movements
at speeds of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the warning lamp goes
out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additionald isplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop.
åNThe yellow ESP®OFF warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The differential lock is engaged. ABS, ESP®,4 ETS and BAS have been deactivated.
XDisengage the differential lock.
ESP®,4 ETS and BAS are subsequently reactivated.
XObserve the additionald isplay messages in the multifunction display.
FJNF (USA only), J(Canada only): the red parking brake indicator lamp is lit
while the vehicleisinm otion.
You are driving with the parking brake applied.
XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.
6N The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
The air bagsorE mergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggeredu ninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XObserve the additionald isplay messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XContactaqualified specialist workshopa nd have the restraint system checked.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage3 8).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster193
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
?NThe red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
The coolant levelist oo low.
If the coolant levelisc orrect, the airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked or
the electric engine radiator fan may be defective.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooleds ufficiently.
XObserve the additionaldisplay messages in the multifunction display.
XPullover and stop the vehicles afelyand switch off the engine, paying attention
to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehiclea gainst rolling away(Ypage120).
XLeave the vehiclea nd keepasafe distance from the vehicleu ntil the engine has
cooledd own.
XCheck the coolant levela nd add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Ypage2 29).
XIf you have to add coolant frequently, have the engine cooling system checked.
XMake sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked,e .g. by snow,
slush or ice.
XDo not start the engine again until the coolant temperature gauge is below the H
marking (Ypage1 58). Otherwise, the engine coul dbedamaged.
XDrive to the neares tqualified specialist workshop.
XAvoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in mountainous terrain
and stop-and-go traffic.
?N The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
The coolant temperature gauge has exceededt heHmarking (
Ypag e158) .The
airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant levelm ay be too low.
GWARNING
The engine is not being cooleds ufficiently and may be damaged.
Do not drive when you rengine is overheated. This can caus esome fluids which
may have leaked into the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can als ocaus eserious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood.
There is arisk of injury.
XObserve the additiona ldisplay messages in the multifunction display.
XPul lover and stop the vehicles afelyand switch off the engine, paying attention
to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehiclea gainst rolling away(Ypage120).
XLeave the vehiclea nd keepasafe distance from the vehicleu ntil the engine has
cooledd own.
XCheck the coolant levela nd add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Ypage2 29).
XIf you have to add coolant frequently, have the engine cooling system checked.
XMake sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked,e .g. by snow,
slush or ice.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster195
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
XIf the coolant temperature gauge is below the Hmarking (Ypag e158) ,drive on
to the next qualified specialist workshop.
XAvoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in mountainous terrain
and stop-and-go traffic.
Driving systems
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possiblec auses/consequences and M
Solutions
·NThe red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicleisinm otion.Awarning
tone als osounds.
You are approaching avehicleoras tationary obstacl einyourline of travel at too
high aspeed.
XBe prepared to brake immediately.
XPay carefu lattention to the traffic situation. You may have to brake or take
evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (
Ypag e132).
196Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Tires
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequence sand M
Solutions
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction) is lit.
The tire pressure monitor hasd etecte dalossofp ressure in at leas tone of the tires.
GWARNING
Tire pressures thata retoo lo wposet he following hazards:
Rtheym ayburst, especially as the load and vehicl espeed increase.
Rtheym aywear excessivel yand/or unevenly, which mayg reatlyimpai rtire trac-
tion.
Rthe drivin gcharacteristics, as well as steerin gand braking ,maybe greatly
impaired
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop the vehicl ewithou tmaking any sudden steerin gorbraking maneuvers. Pay
attentio ntothe trafficc onditions as yo udoso.
XSecure the vehicl eagain st rolling away (Ypage 120).
XObserve the additional displa ymessage sinthe multifunctio ndisplay .
XCheck the tire sand,ifn ecessary,f ollowthe instructions for aflatt ire
(Ypage 240).
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 257).
XIf necessary,c orrect the tire pressure.
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction)
flashe sfor approximately one minute and thenr emains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
GWARNING
The system is possibl yunabl etor ecognize or register lo wtire pressure.
There is ariskofana ccident.
XObserve the additional displa ymessage sinthe multifunctio ndisplay .
XVisitaq ualified specialis tworkshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster197
On-board computer and displays
Z

If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
Rswitch off the ignition
Rnever reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
Rremove jewelry and watches
Rkeep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, awayfrom moving parts
GWARNING
The cooling system is pressurized, particularly
when the motor is warm. If you open the cap,
you could be scaldedifh ot coolant spraysout.
There is arisk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before you open the
cap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Slowly
open the cap to relieve pressure.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is afire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is arisk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is afire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
Checking coolant level
Checking the coolant level (example)
XPark the vehicle on alevel surface. Only check the coolant level when the vehicle
is on alevel surface and the engine has cooled
down.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 104).
XCheck the coolant temperature display in the
instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡(70 †).
XSlowlyt urn cap :half aturn counter-clock-
wise and allow excess pressure to escape.
XTurn cap :further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar =
in the fillern eck when cold, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar =in the fillern eck
when warm, there is enough coolant in cool-
ant expansion tank ;.
XIf necessary,add coolant that has been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
XReplace cap :and turn it clockwise as far as
it willg o.
For further information on coolant, see
(
Ypage 279).
Adding washe rfluid to the windshield
washe rsystem/headlamp cleaning
system
GWARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is arisk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the fillern eck.
Engine compartment229
Maintenanceand care
Z