MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Owners Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Â
Remove starting
button, then
insert key The KEYLESS-GO key is no
tcontinually detected.
KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective. Awarn-
ing tone also sounds.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired
position.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. Â
Close doors to
lock vehicle At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors and loc kthe vehicle again. Indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster
Warning and indicator lamps over-
view
L Dipped-beam headlamps
(Ypage 126)
T Side lamps (Y page 127)
K Main-beam headlamps
(Ypage 129)
#! Turn signals (Y page 128)
R Rear foglamp (Y page 127)
ü Seat belts (Y page 299)
J Brakes (Ypage 300)
! ABS (Ypage 301)
ä ESP®
(Y page 302)
å ESP®
OFF (Y page 302)
M SPORT handling mode in AMG
vehicles (Ypage 303)
6 SRS (Ypage 304)
; Engine diagnostics
(Ypage 305)
8 Reserve fuel (Y page 305)
? Coolant (Ypage 305)
· Distance warning signal
(Ypage 307) %
Diesel engine: preglow
(Ypage 163)
h Tyre pressure monitor
(Ypage 308) 298
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

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
ä
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 72).å
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 72).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. M
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Only switch to SPORT handling mode in accordance with the
conditions written in the "Activating/deactivating SPORT han-
dling mode" section (Y page 74). Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
303On-board computer and displays Z

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
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
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 mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
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 Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
under 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive 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. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns, which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
This poses a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).306
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

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