MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2008, Model line: S-Class, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221Pages: 801, PDF Size: 10.23 MB
Page 661 of 801
660 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Malfunction
Stop Vehicle!
You have started driving although the vehi-
cle level is still too low.
The vehicle is raised. The ABC* message
goes out after a few seconds.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
The vehicle is losing oil.
The ABC* message is continuously shown.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
Call Roadside Assistance.
Or
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Page 662 of 801
661 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Malfunction
Stop Vehicle!
ABC* is malfunctioning.
The ABC* message is continuously shown.
Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Page 663 of 801
662 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Malfunction
The capability of the ABC* system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Vehicle rising
Please wait a moment
The vehicle’s level is too low while at a
standstill. The vehicle will be raised.
Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
ABS and ESP
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ABS, ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are
switched off due to a malfunction. BAS is
also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.
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.
Page 664 of 801
663 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS and ESP
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
ABS, ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are not
available due to a malfunction. BAS is also
switched off. It is possible that the self-diag-
nostics have not yet been completed.
The brake system still functions normally.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Drive a short distance with gentle turns
above a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
The message disappears when ABS and ESP
®
are again available.
The ABS, ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® were
deactivated because of insufficient power
supply. The charging voltage has fallen be-
low 10 volts.
The brake system still functions normally
but without the ABS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
®
available.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are operational again
and the message in the multifunction display
should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the bat-
tery checked.
Page 665 of 801
664 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Brake Fluid Level
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
(USA only)(Canada only)Warning!
G
Driving with the message “Check Brake Fluid
Level ” displayed can result in an accident.
Have your brake system checked immedi-
ately. Do not add brake fluid before check-
ing the brake system. Overfilling the brake
fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake flu-
id on hot engine parts and the brake fluid
catching fire. You can be seriously burned.
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.
Page 666 of 801
665 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Brake Immediately
A malfunction has occurred while
DISTRONIC 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.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).
(USA only)(Canada only)
EBR, ABS and 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.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
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)
Page 667 of 801
666 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Check
Brake Pad Wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Page 668 of 801
667 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake is either on or off and the yel-
low warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake comes on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
To release:
Pull handle of electronic parking brake
(page 422).
or
Carefully drive off (
page 422).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
To engage:
Switch off ignition and press handle for elec-
tronic parking brake until the warning mes-
sage on the multifunction display disappears.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Page 669 of 801
668 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes.
The power supply for the electronic parking
brake was malfunctioning or the electronic
parking brake was previously mechanically
released.
Pull handle for electronic parking brake
(page 422).
or
Carefully drive off (
page 422).
or
Press handle for electronic parking brake un-
til the warning message disappears from the
multifunction display.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Page 670 of 801
669 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and the yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake
(page 422).
or
Carefully drive off (
page 422).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)