Safety systems

Problem Possible causes/consequences and ► Solutions

(USA only)

(Canada only)
The red brake system warning lamp comes on while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

Risk of accident
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be affected.

•► 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.

•► Engage the parking brake.

•► Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

(USA only)

(Canada only)
The red brake system warning lamp comes on while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.

•► 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.

•► Engage the parking brake.

•► Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.

WARNING
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system.

Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned.

Problem Possible causes/consequences and ► Solutions

lamp is lit while the The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.

Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE® Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.

The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for example.

ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

•► Drive on carefully.

•► Visit a qualified specialist workshop.

lamp is lit while the The yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

Risk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), is malfunctioning.

Therefore, ABS, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP®, PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE® Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are also unavailable, for example.

The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for example.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

•► Drive on carefully.

•► Visit a qualified specialist workshop.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

lamp, the yellow ESP® The red brake warning lamp, the yellow ESP® and ESP® OFF warning lamps and the yellow ABS warning lamp are lit while the engine is running.

Risk of accident
ABS and ESP® are faulty. Other systems, e.g. BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD, PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE® Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist, are also not available due to a malfunction.

The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for example.

ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

•► Drive on carefully.

•► Visit a qualified specialist workshop.

warning lamp flashes The yellow ESP® warning lamp flashes while the vehicle is in motion.

Risk of accident
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.

•► Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when pulling away.

•► Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.

•► Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.

•► Do not deactivate ESP®.

Exceptions:

warning lamp is lit while The yellow ESP® OFF warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.

Risk of accident
ESP® is deactivated. ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.

•► Reactivate ESP®.

Exceptions:

•► Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.

If ESP® cannot be activated:

•► Have ESP® checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

The yellow SPORT AMG vehicles only:

The yellow SPORT handling mode warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.

Risk of accident
SPORT handling mode is activated. ESP® only stabilizes the vehicle in extreme situations. ESP® intervention may not be able to provide sufficient assistance in such situations and the vehicle may start to skid.

•► Reactivate ESP®.

Exceptions:

If ESP® cannot be activated:

•► Have ESP® checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

ESP® OFF warning The yellow ESP® and ESP® OFF warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.

Risk of accident
ESP®, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE® Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are not available due to a malfunction.

ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.

The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed above.

ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

•► Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.

•► Drive on carefully.

•► Visit a qualified specialist workshop.

(USA only)

(Canada only)
The red brake system warning lamp comes on while the vehicle is moving. A warning tone also sounds.

You are driving with the parking brake applied.

•► Release the parking brake The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.

lamp is lit while the The red SRS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.

Risk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The air bags or ETDs may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, not be triggered at all.

•► Drive on carefully.

•► Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.

WARNING
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be operational.

For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also result in injury.

    See also:

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    Important safety notes
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