2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS warning

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be unavailable.
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 on a suitable 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 additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
!N 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.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster195
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
$J
÷!N$ (USA only): the red brake system warning lamp and the yellow ESP®and
ABS warning lamps are on while the engine is running.
J (Canada only): the yellow brake system, ESP
®and ABS warning lamps are on
while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP
®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 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 additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
÷N 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®.
In rare cases (
Ypage 59), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 59).
196Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/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 (
Ypage 59), it may be best to deactivate ESP®.
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 59).
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP
®cannot be activated:
XDrive on carefully.
XHave ESP®checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
÷åN The yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
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 display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster197
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
÷åNThe yellow ESP®and ESP®OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is temporarily unavailable.
Other driving and driving safety systems may also be unavailable.
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 a suitable 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 additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
åN 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 display.
6N The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XContact a qualified specialist workshop and have the restraint system checked.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage 38).
198Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Engine
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
;NThe yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
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.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
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 require-
ments in effect in these states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations
apply in the state in which you are currently driving.
8N The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
8N 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 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.
?NThe red coolant warning lamp lights up while the engine is running and the
coolant temperature gauge is at the start of the scale.
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is malfunctioning.
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, paying attention
to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster199
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
?NThe 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 defective.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, paying attention
to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XLeave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
XCheck the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Ypage 234).
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 (Ypage 161). Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
XDrive to the nearest qualified 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 exceeded the Hmarking (
Ypage 161). The
airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too low.
GWARNING
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.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, paying attention
to road and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XLeave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until the engine has
cooled down.
XCheck the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Ypage 234).
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.
200Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
XIf the coolant temperature gauge is below the Hmarking (Ypage 161), 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
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
·NThe 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 134).
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster201
On-board computer and displays
Z

Tires
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction) is lit.
The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at least one of the tires.
GWARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose the following hazards:
Rthey may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed increase.
Rthey may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly impair tire trac-
tion.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired
There is a risk of an accident.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking maneuvers. Pay
attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 122).
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XCheck the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat tire
(Ypage 246).
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 263).
XIf necessary, correct the tire pressure.
hN The yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction)
flashes for approximately one minute and then remains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
GWARNING
The system is possibly unable to recognize or register low tire pressure.
There is a risk of an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
202Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays