warning MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2011 Owners Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Park Assist
inoperative You have just carried out a large number of turning or parking
manoeuvres.
Active Parking Assis
twill become available again after approx-
imately ten minutes (Y page 166).
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Switch off and restart the engine.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PARKTRONIC is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS
off DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated (Y
page 154). If it was
deactivated automatically, a warning tone also sounds. DISTRONIC PLUS
available again DISTRONIC PLUS is operational again after having been tempo-
rarily unavailable. You can now reactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y
page 154). Display messages
225On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
DISTRONIC PLUS
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual DISTRONIC is deactivated and temporarily inoperative. Possible
causes:
R
the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R the rada rsensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
If the display message does no tdisappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille
(Y page 270).
X Clean the bumpers (Y page 270).
X Restar tthe engine.
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
DISTRONIC is operational again. DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is faulty. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) may
also have failed.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS
inactive You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS
--- km/h An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X
Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 156). DISTRONIC PLUS and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are faulty. A warning tone
also sounds.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 226
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Tyres
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Tyre pressure
Check tyres The tyre pressure loss warning system has detected a significant
loss in pressure.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tyres pose the following risks:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, whic hmay greatly
impair tyre traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a ris kofaccident.
X Stop the vehicle withou tmaking any sudde nsteering or braking
manoeuvres .Pay attentio nto the traffic conditions as you do
so.
X If there is a flat tyre, inspect the tyres (Y page 276).
X Check the tyre pressures and, if necessary, set to the correct
tyre pressure.
X Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system when the tyre
pressure is correc t(Ypage 297).
For further information on tyre pressure, see (Y page 295).Check tyre pres‐
sures
then restart Run
Flat Indicator The tyre pressure loss warning system generated a display mes-
sage and has not been restarted since.
X
Set the correct tyre pressure in all four tyres.
X Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system (Y page 297).Run Flat Indicator
inoperative The tyre pressure loss warning system is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 228
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
A The tailgate is open.
G WARNING
Whe nthe engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. ? The bonnet is open.
G WARNING
The open bonnet may block your view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Close the bonnet. C At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. j
Check trailer
hitch lock The trailer tow hitch is no
tcorrectly engaged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Allow the trailer tow hitch ball coupling to engage in the end
position (Y page 183).
Otherwise, the trailer may detach itself. D
Power
steering mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual The power steering assistance is faulty. You will need to use more
force to steer.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kwhether you are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. 230
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Telephone No
service Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/
receiver range.
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in the multifunction display. ¥
Top
up washer fluid The washer fluid level in th
ewasher fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X Top up the washe rfluid (Y page 265). Key
Displa
ymessages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
+
Key does not
belong to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignitio
nlock.
X Use the correct key. +
Replace key The key needs to be replaced.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Seat belts
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
ü
Only for certain coun-
tries: the red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
for six seconds after
the engine starts. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).ü
Only for certain coun-
tries: the red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts.
In addition, a warning
tone sounds for up to
six seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning tone ceases. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
231On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up after
the engine starts, as
soon as the driver's or
the front-passenger
door is closed. The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning lamp goes out. There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. ü
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp flashes and an
intermittenta udible
warning sounds. The driver or fron
tpassenger has no tfastened their seat belt .At
the same time, you are driving faste rthan 25 km/h or have briefly
driven faster than 25 km/h.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. There are objects on the front-passenger seat. At the same time,
you are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster
than 25 km/h.
X
Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. 232
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds. There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of 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 Engage the electric parking brake.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. Topping up will not remedy the
fault.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) has been deactivated due to a fault.
For this reason, BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic
Stability Program), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist,
the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are also
deactivated, for example.
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.
This limits the steerability of the vehicle when braking and may
increase the braking distance.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational, the vehicle's stability
during standard driving manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
233On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP
®
,
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation, for example, are also deactivated.
Possible causes:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
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.
This limits the steerability of the vehicle when braking and may
increase the braking distance.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational, the vehicle's stability
during standard driving manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 234
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS,B
AS, BAS PLUS, ESP®
, PRE-SAFE ®
,
the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are not available either.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continue sto function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
This limits the steerability of the vehicle when braking and may
increase the braking distance.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational, the vehicle's stability
during standard driving manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J֌!
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. ABS and ESP
®
are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS,
EBD,P RE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function ,hill start assist, the adaptive
brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are not
available either.
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.
This limits the steerability of the vehicle when braking and may
increase the braking distance.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational, the vehicle's stability
during standard driving manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
235On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing 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.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Accelerate more gently while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 66).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are deactivated. ESP ®
will not
stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if awheel starts to spin.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is deactivated, the vehicle's stability during standard driv-
ing manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 66).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start
assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are
not available due to a malfunction.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
ESP ®
will not stabilise 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.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational, the vehicle's stability
during standard driving manoeuvres is reduced.
There is a risk of accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 236
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays