MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Radar
Sensors .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.Menus and submenus379On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messages
Hides display messages
GWarning
All categories of messages contain important information which should be taken note of and,
where a malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property damage or personal injury.
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
XPress the a or % button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
The multifunction display shows high-priority display messages in red.
Display messages with a low priority are shown in either yellow or white.
You cannot hide display messages of the highest priority. The multifunction display shows
these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been remedied.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in
this Operator's Manual.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on HOLD ( Y page 335) and
parking ( Y page 316).
Message memory
The on-board computer saves certain display messages. You can call up the display messages
in the message memory .
XPress the = or ; button on the steering wheel to select the Service menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows, for example, 2 messages.XPress the 9 or : button to select the entry, e.g. 2 messages.XConfirm with a.XPress the 9 or : button to scroll through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
380Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist),
PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
may be inoperative as well. In addition, the ÷ and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XOn a suitable road, carefully drive the vehicle making slight
steering movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.24 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.Display messages381On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The on-board voltage may be insufficient, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
If the display message is shown and the ÷ warning lamp flashes
at the same time, ETS (Electronic Traction System) is deactivated.
The brakes on the drive wheels could otherwise overheat.
XLet the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the ÷ warning lamp goes out.
ETS is active again.å
System InoperativeGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are unavailable
due to a malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also
have failed. In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up
in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.24 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.382Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsG
Tele Aid
InoperativeUSA only: one or more main functions in the mbrace system are
malfunctioning.
Canada only: one or more of the main functions of the TELEAID
system is malfunctioning.XUSA only: have the mbrace system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.XCanada only: have the TELEAID system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.PRE-SAFE
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of injury
Important functions of PRE-SAFE ®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. air bags, remain available.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.PRE-SAFE
Functions
Currently Limited
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is insufficient.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again and the display message
disappears when:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XClean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill
( Y page 456).XClean the bumpers ( Y page 456).XRestart the engine.XWait until the battery is sufficiently charged.Display messages383On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsPRE-SAFE
Function Limited
See Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is faulty. BAS PLUS or the distance warning
signal may also have failed.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Front Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Front Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Rear Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Rear Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Rear Center SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear center. The 6 warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Left Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service Required
or
Right Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window
curtain air bag. The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the
instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.384Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

GWarning
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.
Display messages385On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. ManualThe front-passenger air bag is enabled during the journey,
although:
R there is a child, a small adult or an object weighing less than the
system's weight threshold is on the front-passenger seat.
R the front-passenger seat is unoccupied
The system may detect the additional weight of objects on the
seat or forces acting on the seat.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XOpen the front-passenger door.XRemove the child and the child restraint system from the front-
passenger seat.XIf necessary, secure the child in a child restraint system on a
suitable rear seat.XMake sure that there are no objects adding to the weight applied
to the seat. The system may otherwise detect the additional
weight and interpret the seat occupant's weight as greater than
it actually is.XMake sure that the seat is unoccupied and has no objects placed
on it, close the front-passenger door, and switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42 (Y page 48) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 42 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit.
When the indicator lamp is on, OCS ( Y page 48) has disabled
the front-passenger air bag.
R the display messages: Front Passenger Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled
See Oper. Manual must not appear in the multifunction
display. Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the
necessary system checks have been completed and to make
sure that the display messages do not appear in the
multifunction display.
If the conditions are not met, the system is not operating correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.386Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp remains off even after performing the above corrective
steps, do not have any children 12 years old and under and other small individuals use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsFront Passenger
Airbag Disabled
See Oper. ManualThe front-passenger air bag is disabled during the journey even
though an adult or a person larger than a certain size is occupying
the front-passenger seat. If additional forces are applied to the
seat, the weight the system detects may be too low.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.XApply the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XHave the occupant get out of the vehicle.XMake sure that the seat is unoccupied and has no objects placed
on it, close the front-passenger door, and switch on the ignition.
Observe the 42 (Y page 48) indicator lamp and the
multifunction display and check the following:
Seat unoccupied and ignition switched on:
R the 42 indicator lamp must light up and remain lit.
When the indicator lamp is on, OCS ( Y page 48) has disabled
the front-passenger air bag.
R the display messages: Front Passenger Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual or Front Passenger Airbag Disabled
See Oper. Manual must not appear in the multifunction
display. Wait for a period of at least 60 seconds until the
necessary system checks have been completed and to make
sure that the display messages do not appear in the
multifunction display.
If these conditions are met, the front-passenger seat can be
occupied again. Whether the 42 indicator lamp
remains lit or goes out depends on how OCS classifies the
occupant.
If the conditions are not met, the system is not operating correctly.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp remains lit with an adult occupant on the front-passenger
seat even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use the front-
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messages387On-board computer and displaysZ

BrakesDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start
assist are temporarily unavailable. The self-diagnosis function
might not be complete, for example. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist
PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may be inoperative as well. In
addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 25
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XOn a suitable road, carefully drive the vehicle making slight
steering movements at a speed above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are
temporarily unavailable. The on-board voltage may be insufficient,
for example. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have
failed. In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light
up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 25
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.25 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.388Display messagesOn-board computer and displays