ECU MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2007 Repair Manual

559 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Apply brake
to shift
from ’P’
You have tried to Shift the automatic trans-
mission to D, R or N without stepping on
the brake.

Step on brake.
USA only:
Cruise control
- - - mph
Canada only:
Cruise control
- - - km/h
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).

Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save the speed.
ESP
® is deactivated.

Activate ESP
® (page 72).
The automatic transmission is in position P,
R or N.

Shift the automatic transmission toD (
page 367).
The system is overheated.

Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tric parking brake.

Release electric parking brake (
page 364).
Cruise control
inoperative
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

561 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative
DISTRONIC Plus* is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
DISTRONIC PLUS
passive
You have depressed the accelerator pedal,
DISTRONIC Plus* is no longer controlling
the speed of the vehicle.

Release the accelerator pedal.
USA only:
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - mph
Canada only:
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - km/h
You have attempted to activate DISTRONIC
Plus* at a speed below 20 mph (30 km / h)
without the vehicle in front being displayed
in the multifunction display (
page 385).

Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km / h) and activate DISTRONIC
Plus* again.
ESP
® is deactivated.

Activate ESP
® (page 72).
The automatic transmission is in position P,
R or N.

Shift the automatic transmission toD (
page 367).
The system is overheated.

Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tric parking brake.

Release electric parking brake (
page 364).
The driver’s door is open and the drivers
seat belt is unbuckled.

Close the driver’s door and fasten your seat belt.
The hood is open.

Close the hood (
page 493).

564 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag enabled
See Oper. Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual,
or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the front
passenger seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty. Objects
on the seat or forces acting on
the seat may make the system
sense supplemental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (
page 315).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly
secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat and
make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat is emp-
ty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g.
objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the seat,
head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize such
forces as supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the front
passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch on
the ignition (
page 315).
Monitor the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster
(
page 53) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(page 241) for the following:
(Continued on next page)

574 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Brake immediately
A malfunction has occurred while DISTRON-
IC Plus* was switched on.

While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.

Secure vehicle from rolling away before get-
ting out of it (
page 363).
(USA only)(Canada only)
EBV, ABS, ESP
inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
(USA only)(Canada only)

613 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor.
1Minispare wheel with spare wheel bolts
in container on wheel rim
2Luggage bowl
3Vehicle tool kit, jack and collapsible
wheel chock
Removing the Minispare wheel
Turn luggage bowl2 counterclock-
wise.

Remove Minispare wheel1.Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate

Tilt both plates upward1.

Fold the lower plate outward2.

Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.

616 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyMechanically releasing the electric parking brake
The mechanical release device for the
electric parking brake is underneath the
fuel filler flap next to the fuel cap.
1Fuel filler flap
2Release tool
3Protective cap

Shift the automatic transmission to P
(page 367).

Place chock from vehicle tool kit
(page 611) under a rear wheel.

Open fuel filler flap1.

Remove protective cap3.

Screw release tool2 from vehicle tool
kit clockwise 2 to 3 rotations onto re-
lease lever.

Pull release tool2 in direction of ar-
row.
The electric parking brake is released.
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster for the electric parking
brake flashes. The message “Parking
brake See Oper. Manual” appears on
the driver’s display.
After it has been unlocked, you can engage
the electric parking brake again from the
driver’s seat.

Press the electric parking brake handle
(page 364).
Warning!
G
If you mechanically release the electric
parking brake, the vehicle may start to move
on its own. Make sure that no one is in front
of or behind the vehicle. Otherwise, an acci-
dent could occur resulting in injury or fatali-
ty. Shift the automatic transmission to P and
secure your vehicle in place using the chock
from the vehicle tool kit.
i
You must pull the release tool with more
force if the electric parking brake cannot be re-
leased.
!
Reattach protective cap
3
after you have
mechanically released the electric parking
brake.

635 Practical hints
Batteries
!
The consumer battery located in the trunk is
a valve-r
egulated l
ead a
cid (VRLA) battery, also
referred to as “fleece” battery. Such batteries do
not require topping-up of the electrolyte level.
VRLA batteries therefore do not have cell caps
and the battery cover is non-removable. Do not
attempt to open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect the con-
sumer battery if you do not intend to operate
your vehicle for an extended period of time to
prevent battery discharge or connect an acces-
sory battery charge unit expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to main-
tain the battery charge. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
!
The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the facto-
ry-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the later-
al plug must always be securely installed when
the vehicle is in operation.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing
or rubbing against textiles. For this reason,
you also should not pull or push the battery
over carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to re-
lease any possible electrostatic charges.


638 Practical hintsBatteriesStarter battery
Connect the switched-off charging de-
vice to the terminals of the starter bat-
tery. Observe the operating
instructions in the manual for the
charging device while doing so.
Reinstalling starter battery
Install starter battery in engine com-
partment.

Swing retaining bar down.
Reconnecting starter battery

Make sure that the consumer battery in
the trunk is correctly installed and con-
nected.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0 and remove.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2 (
page 636).

Connect negative lead1
(page 636).

Attach ventilation tube.

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).

Start the engine (
page 359).

Check vehicle functions.
!
Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
Warning!
G
During the charge procedure, there is a risk
of acid burns due to gases escaping from
the battery. Do not bend over the battery
during the charge procedure.
!
The battery and the battery ventilation hose
must always be securely installed when the vehi-
cle is in operation.
!
Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not drive without a properly installed and
connected consumer battery.
Have any work on the consumer battery car-
ried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.
!
Make sure that the battery has a plug where
the ventilation tube is attached to it.

640 Practical hintsJump startingJump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery. The starter battery is
located in the engine compartment on the
passenger side (
page 634).

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Secure vehicle in place with electric
parking brake.

Shift the automatic transmission toP.

Turn off all electrical consumers, ex-
cept hazard warning flashers or work
lights.

Open the hood (
page 492).

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.1Positive terminal of your vehicle’s
battery
2Positive terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
3Negative terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
4Negative clamp
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 634).
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 316) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.

645 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the component(s) and
systems secured by that fuse will stop op-
erating.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses (
page 646):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Special fuse extractorThe electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


In the dashboard on the passenger side
(page 647)


In the dashboard on the driver’s side
(page 647)


Behind the rear center armrest
(page 647)


In the engine compartment on the driv-
er’s side (
page 646)


In the engine compartment on the pas-
senger side (
page 647)
i
Blown fuses must be replaced by like fuses
(recognizable by the color and amperage) with
the amperage recommended in the fuse alloca-
tion chart. A Mercedes-Benz Center will be hap-
py to advise you.
Only change fuses while the vehicle is parked.
First switch off all electrical consumers and turn
off the ignition.
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Using other fuses may cause an
overload leading to a fire, and/or cause
damage to electrical components and/or
systems.!
Keep the fuse boxes free by contamination
and wetness. Otherwise, electrical parts or sys-
tems could be damaged.
!
Never attempt to repair or bridge a blown
fuse. Have the cause determined and remedied
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions (
page 637) when you are working on
the fuses.