Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
On-board computer and displays

Safety

In this manual: On-board computer and displays
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~7min read

The safety section of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) describes warning messages for seat belts, airbags and other restraint systems. The section gives clear instructions on how drivers and passengers should secure themselves correctly and how to respond to safety-related malfunctions in order to avoid injury.

Seat belt

Problem Possible causes/consequences and solutions

Only for certain countries: The red seat belt warning lamp lights up for 6 seconds after engine start.

 The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger to fasten their seat belts.

Fasten seat belt.

Only for certain countries: The red seat belt warning lamp lights up after engine start. In addition, a warning tone sounds for up to 6 seconds.

 The driver is not wearing a seat belt.

Fasten seat belt.

  • The warning tone stops.
    		•

    The red seat belt warning lamp lights up after engine start as soon as the driver or front passenger door is closed.

    		 The driver or front passenger is not wearing a seat belt.

    Fasten seat belt.

  • The warning lamp goes out. Objects are on the front passenger seat.

    Remove the objects from the front passenger seat and store them in a secure place.

  • The warning lamp goes out.
    		•

    The red seat belt warning lamp flashes and an intermittent warning tone sounds.

    		 The driver or front passenger is not wearing a seat belt. You are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster than 25 km/h.

    Fasten seat belt.

  • The warning lamp and intermittent warning tone go out. Objects are on the front passenger seat. You are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster than 25 km/h.

    Remove the objects from the front passenger seat and store them in a secure place.

  • The warning lamp and intermittent warning tone go out.
    		•

    Safety systems

    Problem Possible causes/consequences and solutions

    The yellow brake warning lamp is on while the engine is running.

    		 WARNING

    The brake system is malfunctioning and braking behavior may change.

    There is a risk of accidents!

    If the multifunction display shows a message, observe it.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    The red brake warning lamp is on while driving. A warning tone also sounds.

    You are driving with the parking brake applied.

    Release the parking brake.
  • The warning lamp and warning tone go out.
    		•

    The red brake warning lamp is on while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

    		 WARNING

    The brake booster is malfunctioning and braking behavior may change.

    There is a risk of accidents!

    Stop safely as soon as possible. Do not continue driving!

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Contact a qualified workshop.

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    The red brake warning lamp is on while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

    		 WARNING

    There is too little brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.

    Braking effect may be impaired.

    There is a risk of accidents!

    Stop safely as soon as possible. Do not continue driving!

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Do not top up brake fluid. Topping up does not correct the fault.

    Contact a qualified workshop.

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    The yellow ABS warning lamp is on while the engine is running.

    		 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunction. This also deactivates, e.g., BAS (Brake Assist System), BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), PRE-SAFE, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Brake, HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP trailer stabilization and adaptive brake lights.

    ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

    WARNING

    The brake system continues to work with normal effect, but without the functions listed above. The wheels may therefore lock, for example during full braking.

    This significantly impairs steering ability and braking performance. Braking distance may increase in emergency braking situations.

    If ESP is not ready for operation, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    If the ABS control unit is defective, other systems may also be unavailable, e.g. the navigation system or the automatic transmission.

    The yellow ABS warning lamp is on while the engine is running. A warning tone also sounds.

    		 EBD is unavailable due to a malfunction. This also makes ABS, BAS, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, ESP, PRE-SAFE, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Brake, HOLD function, hill start assist, ESP trailer stabilization and adaptive brake lights unavailable.

    ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

    WARNING

    The brake system continues to operate with normal effect, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels may therefore lock, for example during full braking.

    This significantly impairs steering ability and braking performance. Braking distance may increase in emergency braking situations.

    If ESP is not ready for operation, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    The red brake warning lamp and the yellow ESP and ESP OFF warning lamps and the yellow ABS warning lamp are on while the engine is running.

    		 ABS and ESP are not available due to a malfunction. This also means that BAS, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, EBD, PRE-SAFE, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Brake, HOLD function, Hill-start Assist, ESP Trailer Stabilisation and Adaptive Brake Lights are not available.

    ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

    WARNING

    The brake system continues to operate with normal effect, but without the functions listed above. The front and rear wheels may therefore lock, for example during full braking.

    This significantly impairs steering ability and braking performance. Braking distance may increase in emergency braking situations.

    If ESP is not ready for operation, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    The yellow ESP warning lamp flashes while driving.

    		 ESP or traction control intervenes because there is a risk of skidding or at least one wheel is spinning.

    CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS is switched off.

    When pulling away, apply only as much accelerator as necessary.

    Reduce accelerator pedal input while driving.

    Adapt your driving style to the weather and road conditions.

    Do not switch off ESP.

    In exceptional cases, it may be better to switch off ESP.

    Observe the important safety notes on ESP .

    The yellow ESP OFF warning lamp is on while the engine is running.

    ESP is switched off.

    WARNING

    When ESP is switched off, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    As a result, other driving systems or driving safety systems are only partially available, e.g. Active Blind Spot Assist. The system does not intervene in braking.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Switch ESP back on.

    In exceptional cases, it may be better to switch off ESP.

    Observe the important safety notes on ESP .

    Adapt your driving style to the weather and road conditions.

    If ESP cannot be switched on:

    Continue driving carefully.

    Have ESP checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

    AMG vehicles only:

    The yellow SPORT handling mode warning lamp is on while the engine is running.    		 SPORT handling mode is switched on.

    WARNING

    When SPORT handling mode is switched on, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Only switch on SPORT handling mode under the circumstances described in the section "Switching SPORT handling mode on or off" .

    The yellow ESP and ESP OFF warning lamps are on while the engine is running.

    		 ESP, BAS, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, PRE-SAFE, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Brake, HOLD function, Hill-start Assist, ESP Trailer Stabilisation and Adaptive Brake Lights are not available due to a malfunction.

    ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.

    WARNING

    The brake system continues to operate with normal effect, but without the functions listed above.

    As a result, braking distance may increase in emergency braking situations.

    If ESP is not ready for operation, ESP does not stabilise the vehicle.

    There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents!

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    The red restraint system warning lamp is on while the engine is running.

    		 The restraint system is malfunctioning.

    WARNING

    The airbags or belt tensioners may either trigger unintentionally or fail to trigger in an accident.

    There is an increased risk of injury!

    Observe the additional messages in the multifunction display.

    Continue driving carefully.

    Have the restraint system checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.

    Observe further information on the restraint system.

    The safety systems of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016), such as belt systems, airbags and ESP, provide a high level of protection. The warning systems help ensure that these systems are in proper condition.

    Clear displays and messages enable the driver to take action in good time. In this way, the E-Class remains a benchmark for safety on the road.

    Test yourself

    A quick Mercedes-Benz E-Class quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.