light MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Owners Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Left daytime driv‐
ing lamp or
Right daytime driving
lamp The left-hand or right-hand daytime driving lamp is faulty.
X
Chec kwhether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 135).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Intell. Light Sys‐
tem inoperative The Intelligent Light System is faulty. The lights remain available
without the Intelligent Light System.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Malfunction See
Owner's Manual The exterior lighting is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with trailer tow hitch: a fuse may have blown.
X
Check the fuses (Y page 375).
X If necessary, replace the blown fuse. Observe the warning notes
as you do so.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
AUTO
lights inoper‐
ative The light sensor is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Switch off lights The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.
X
Turn the light switch to Ã.Adaptive Main-beam
Assist inoperative Adaptive Highbeam Assist is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Adaptive Main-beam
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual Adaptive Highbeam Assist is deactivated and temporarily inoper-
ative. Possible causes:
R
the windscreen is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
X Cleant he windscreen.
If the system detects that the camera is fully operational again,
the Adaptive Main-beam Assist available again message
is displayed.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is operational again. 278
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Radar sensor deac‐
tivated autom. See
Owner's Manual Vehicles with a navigation system: the vehicle is close to a radio
telescope facility and is therefore prohibited from transmitting any
rada
rsignals .The radar sensor system has switched off automat-
ically (Y page 451).
If DISTRONIC PLUS was activated, it is no longer available. A
warning tone also sounds.
If Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist was activated, it is
no longer available. The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up
in the exterior mirrors.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are then also
unavailable.
X Drive on.
Once you have moved far enough away from the radio telescope,
the above functions are available again. Vehicles with Becker
®
MAP PILOT: if the Becker ®
MAP PILOT is
not connected, the radar sensor system is deactivated automati-
cally.
BAS PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS, Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind
Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are unavailable.
X Connect the Becker ®
MAP PILOT; see the separate operating
instructions. Lane Keeping
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual or
Active Lane Keep‐ ing Assist cur‐
rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated
and temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R
the windscreen is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R there are no lane markings for a longer period.
R the lane markings are worn, dark or covered, e.g. by dirt or snow.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is operational
again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Cleant he windscreen. 284
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Lane Keeping
Assist inopera‐
tive or
Active Lane Keeping
Assist inoperative Lane Keeping Assis
torActive Lane Keeping Assist is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Lane Keeping
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual or
Active Lane Keep‐ ing Assist cur‐
rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inop-
erative.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer
and your vehicle.
X Press aon the steering wheel to confirm the display mes-
sage.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while
towing a trailer. Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inop-
erative .Possible causes:
R the sensors are dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Clean the sensors (Y page 354).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist
inoperative or
Active Blind Spot Assist inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
285On-board computer and displays Z

Safety
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 52).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 52).
The warning tone ceases. 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 52).
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 passenger has no
tfastened their seat belt .Atthe
same time, the car is being driven faster than 25 km/h or has been
briefly driven faster than 25 km/h.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 52).
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. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
299On-board computer and displays Z

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
The yellow brake sys-
tem warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running. G
WARNING
The brake system is malfunctioning and the braking characteris-
tics may be affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
X If the multifunction display shows a display message, please
observe this.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
G
WARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking char-
acteristics may be affected.
There is a risk of an 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 Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 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 efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an 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 Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Do not top up the brake fluid. Topping up will not rectify the
fault.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. 300
Indicator and warning 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. 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 ®
,P RE-SAFE ®
Brake ,the HOLD func-
tion, 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.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
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. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
301On-board computer and displays Z

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 not available due to a malfunction. Therefore, ABS, BAS,
BAS PLUS, ESP
®
, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD func-
tion, 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 front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Jäå!
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 not available due to a fault. Therefore, BAS, BAS
PLUS, EBD,P RE-SAFE®
,P RE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill
start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisa-
tion, for example, are no tavailable either.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
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 affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The dange rofskidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. 302
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
äå
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, 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
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 stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J
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.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem).
G WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Drive on carefully.
X Have SRS checked at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
For further information about the Supplemental Restraint System,
see (Y page 43). 304
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.
There may be a fault, for example:
R in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engin emay
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tan
khas been run dry
(Y page 182).
X Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
If the yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp goes out, emer-
gency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need no tbe
checked. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated if the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the
star toft he scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
305On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 348).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw
arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 195).
Further information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 76). Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
307On-board computer and displays Z