2012-2017 Mercedes A Class 4 Door On-board computer/Displays -> Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster User Manual
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On-board computer/Displays -> Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2017)

Display messages  
289  
Display messages  
Active bonnet mal‐‐ The active bonnet (pedestrian protection) is not active due to a  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
functionn See Own‐‐  
er's Manual  
malfunction or because it has already been triggered.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
At least one door is open. A warning tone also sounds.  
C
X
Close all doors.  
The trailer tow hitch is not correctly engaged.  
A warning tone also sounds.  
j
Check trrailerr  
hitch lock  
WARNING  
G
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer may come loose.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
X
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-  
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.  
X
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Engage the trailer coupling's ball coupling in the end position  
(Y page 232).  
The on-board voltage is too low. The auxiliary heating has switched  
itself off or cannot be switched on (Y page 148).  
&
inoperatiivvee BBaatt‐‐  
tery Low  
X
Drive for a considerable distance.  
Thebatterycharges. Theauxiliaryheating isoperationalagainas  
soon as the on-board electrical system voltage is sufficient.  
There is too little fuel in the fuel tank. The auxiliary heating cannot  
be switched on (Y page 148).  
&
inoperatiivvee Refuel  
vehicle  
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station.  
The auxiliary heating is temporarily malfunctioning or faulty.  
If the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has cooled down:  
&
inoperattivvee SSeeee  
Owner's MManual  
X
Make up to four attempts to switch on the auxiliary heating,  
waiting several minutes between each attempt (Y page 148).  
If the auxiliary heating does not switch on:  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Z
Display messages  
290  
Display messages  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
The power steering assistance is faulty.  
A warning tone also sounds.  
Ð
Power steerring mal‐  
functionn See Own‐‐  
er's MManual  
WARNING  
G
You will need to use more force to steer.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
X
Check whether you are able to apply the extra force required.  
If you are able to steer safely:  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
If you are unable to steer safely:  
X
Do not drive on.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The electric steering lock is malfunctioning.  
Ð
Steering mmalffuunncc‐‐  
tion Seee Owner's  
Manual  
WARNING  
G
The steering may be locked by the electric steering lock.  
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.  
X
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Do not drive on.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The electric steering lock was unable to unlock the steering.  
_
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.  
Before sttartinngg  
X
To unlock the steering, move the steering wheel slightly.  
the engiine, turn  
the steerinng wheel.  
X
Insert the key into the ignition lock again.  
Telephonee No ser‐‐  
vice  
Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/  
receiver range.  
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol  
appears in the multifunction display.  
The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped  
below the minimum.  
¥
Top up washeer fluid  
X
Top up the washer fluid (Y page 327).  
Display messages  
291  
Display messages  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
Wiper malfunccttiioonn‐‐ The windscreen wipers are defective.  
ing  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Hazard waarningg  
lampss malffunccttiioonn‐‐  
ing  
The hazard warning lamps are faulty.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Key  
Display messages  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
You have put the wrong key in the ignition lock.  
Â
Key does not  
X
Use the correct key.  
belong to vvehiclee  
The key needs to be replaced.  
Â
Replacce key  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The key battery is discharged.  
Â
Change keyy batter‐‐  
ies  
X
Replace the battery (Y page 86).  
The key is not in the vehicle.  
A warning tone also sounds.  
If the engine is switched off, you can no longer lock the vehicle  
centrally or start the engine.  
Â
Key not deteected  
(red display message)  
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying  
attention to road and traffic conditions.  
X
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Locate the key.  
Because there is interference from a strong source of radio waves,  
the key is not detected whilst the engine is running.  
A warning tone also sounds.  
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying  
attention to road and traffic conditions.  
X
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Insert the key into the ignition lock and bring into key mode.  
Z
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
292  
Display messages  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
The key is currently undetected.  
Â
Key not dettected  
(white display mes-  
sage)  
X
Change the location of the key in the vehicle.  
If the key still cannot be detected:  
X
Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary.  
The key is continually undetected.  
KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective. A warn-  
ing tone also sounds.  
Â
Remove sttartinngg  
buttonn, then  
inserrt key  
X
Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired  
position.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
General notes  
Some systems perform a selftest when the ignition is switched on. Some warning and indicator  
lamps may temporarily switch on or flash during the test. This behaviour is nothing to be  
concerned about.  
The warning and indicator lamps will alert you to a malfunction if they switch on or flash after  
the engine is started or while driving.  
Safety  
Seat belts  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
ü
The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger  
to fasten their seat belts.  
Only for certain coun-  
tries: the red seat belt  
warning lamp lights up  
for 6 seconds after the  
engine starts.  
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).  
ü
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.  
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  
6 seconds.  
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).  
The warning tone ceases.  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
293  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
ü
The driver or passenger has not fastened their seat belt.  
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.  
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).  
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 driver or passenger has not fastened their seat belt. At the  
same time, you are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly  
driven faster than 25 km/h.  
The red seat belt warn-  
ing lamp flashes and an  
intermittent audible  
warning sounds.  
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 44).  
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.  
Z
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
294  
Safety systems  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
WARNING  
J
G
The red brake system  
warning lamp is lit while  
the engine is running. A  
warning tone also  
sounds.  
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
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
J
There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.  
The red brake system  
warning lamp is lit while  
the engine is running. A  
warning tone also  
sounds.  
WARNING  
G
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
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
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.  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
295  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
!
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) has been deactivated due to a  
fault. Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist System), COLLISION PREVEN-  
TION ASSIST PLUS, ESP® (Electronic Stability Program), ESP®  
trailer stabilisation, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adap-  
tive brake lights and PRE‑SAFE®, for example, are also deactiva-  
ted.  
The yellow ABS warning  
lamp is lit while the  
engine is running.  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
WARNING  
G
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 may increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
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 be unavailable.  
Z
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
296  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
!
ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, COLLISION PRE-  
VENTION ASSIST PLUS, ESP®, ESP® trailer stabilisation, EBD  
(electronic brake force distribution), the HOLD function, hill start  
assist, the adaptive brake lights and PRE‑SAFE®, for example, are  
also deactivated.  
The yellow ABS warning  
lamp is lit while the  
engine is running.  
Possible causes:  
R
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete  
R
The on-board voltage may be insufficient.  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
WARNING  
G
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the  
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore  
lock, for example, if you brake hard.  
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-  
ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
X
Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-  
ing movements at a speed above 20 km/h.  
The functions mentioned above are available again when the  
warning lamp goes out.  
If the warning lamp is still on:  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
297  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
!
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, COLLISION PREVENTION  
ASSIST PLUS, ESP®, ESP® trailer stabilisation, the HOLD function,  
The yellow ABS warning  
lamp is lit while the  
engine is running. A  
warning tone also  
sounds.  
hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and PRE‑SAFE®, for  
example, are also not available.  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
WARNING  
G
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the  
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore  
lock, for example, if you brake hard.  
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-  
ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
ABS and ESP® are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, COLLISION  
! ÷ å J  
The red brake system PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, EBD, PRE‑SAFE®, the HOLD function,  
hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP® trailer stabili-  
warning lamp and the  
yellow ABS, ESP® and sation, for example, are also not available.  
ESP® OFF warning  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
lamps are lit while the  
drive system is running.  
WARNING  
G
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the  
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore  
lock, for example, if you brake hard.  
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-  
ted. The braking distance may increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
Z
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
298  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
ESP® or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of  
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.  
÷
The yellow ESP® warn-  
ing lamp flashes while Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.  
the vehicle is in motion.  
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 .  
In rare cases (Y page 75) it may be best to deactivate ESP®.  
Observe the important safety notes on ESP® (Y page 73).  
ESP® is deactivated. ESP® will not stabilise the vehicle if it starts  
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.  
å
The yellow ESP® OFF  
warning lamp is lit while  
the engine is running.  
WARNING  
G
If ESP® is deactivated, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restric-  
ted.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
®
X
Reactivate ESP .  
In rare cases (Y page 75) it may be best to deactivate ESP®.  
Observe the important safety notes on ESP® (Y page 73).  
Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.  
X
If ESP® cannot be activated:  
X
Drive on carefully.  
®
X
Contact a qualified specialist workshop and have ESP  
checked.  
M
SPORT handling mode is activated.  
Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles only:  
The yellow SPORT han-  
dling mode warning  
lamp is lit while the  
engine is running.  
WARNING  
G
When SPORT handling mode is activated, ESP® is unable to sta-  
bilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Only switch to SPORT handling mode in accordance with the  
conditions described in the "Activating/deactivating ESP®" sec-  
tion (Y page 75).  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
299  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
ESP®,ESP® trailer stabilisation, BAS, COLLISION PREVENTION  
÷ å  
The yellow ESP® and  
ESP® OFF warning  
lamps are lit while the  
engine is running.  
ASSIST PLUS, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive  
brake lights and PRE‑SAFE® are not available due to a malfunction.  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
WARNING  
G
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the  
functions listed above.  
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
ESP®, ESP® trailer stabilisation, BAS, the HOLD function, hill start  
assist and PRE-SAFE® are temporarily unavailable.  
The adaptive brake lights and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST  
÷ å  
The yellow ESP® and  
ESP® OFF warning  
lamps are lit while the PLUS may also have failed.  
engine is running.  
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.  
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete  
WARNING  
G
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the  
functions listed above.  
The braking distance may thus increase in an emergency braking  
situation.  
If ESP® is not operational, ESP® is unable to stabilise the vehicle.  
There is an increased danger of skidding and risk of an accident.  
X
Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-  
ing movements at a speed above 20 km/h.  
The functions mentioned above are available again when the  
warning lamp goes out.  
If the warning lamp is still on:  
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
Z
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
300  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
X
!
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
The red indicator lamp  
for the electric parking  
brake flashes or is lit  
and/or the yellow  
warning lamp for the  
electric parking brake  
is lit.  
6
The restraint system is faulty.  
The red restraint sys-  
tem warning lamp is lit  
while the engine is run-  
ning.  
WARNING  
G
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
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Drive on carefully.  
X
Contact a qualified specialist workshop and have the restraint  
system checked.  
For further information about the restraint system, see  
(Y page 40).  
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster  
301  
Engine  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
;
There may be a fault, for example:  
The yellow engine diag-  
nostics warning lamp  
lights up while the  
R
R
R
R
R
in the engine management  
in the fuel injection system  
in the exhaust system  
in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)  
in the fuel system  
engine is running.  
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be  
running in emergency mode.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.  
Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run dry  
(Y page 183).  
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 not be  
checked.  
æ
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.  
The yellow reserve fuel Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated if the fuel level  
warning lamp is on  
while the engine is run-  
ning.  
drops into the reserve range.  
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station.  
?
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is  
faulty.  
The red coolant warn-  
ing lamp lights up while The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a  
the engine is running  
and the coolant tem-  
perature gauge is at the  
start of the scale.  
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
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 184).  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Z

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On-board computer/Displays
Useful information Important safety notes Displays and operation Menus and submenus Display messages

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