What Your Mercedes Dash Lights Mean, and When to Worry About Them

Many of us find our dashboard lights something of a mystery, but they should never be ignored. Mercedes vehicles are designed to be user friendly, with no unnecessary clutter, so everything your car communicates to you will be significant and will require attention – if not for your own safety, then for the machine’s basic upkeep and performance.

Whether you’re simply curious as to what your Mercedes dash lights mean, or an indicator in your vehicle is currently alight and you’re not sure what to do, read on for a basic guide. The following information could be vital to your vehicle’s ongoing safety.

Anti-Lock Braking System

Your anti-lock braking system is invaluable whenever you need to brake heavily to avoid a collision or any other immediate issue, as it prevents the braking mechanism from “seizing up” under force. This light will come on whenever this system malfunctions, but it’s unlikely that you’ll notice the issue itself until you find yourself in trouble – which is why many people fail to report to their local Mercedes maintenance centre as soon as they see it. Don’t take the risk – drive carefully to your nearest garage as soon as this light makes an appearance.

ESP / Electronic Stability Program

This is one of a very few brand-specific Mercedes problems; ESP is a system that was designed and launched by this particular manufacturer after all. It’s a form of traction control that helps to prevent wheelspin or skidding that may result in an accident, and should always be turned on. If this Mercedes-Benz dash light is on, your Mercedes is letting you know that the system has been engaged, so you should use this as a prompt to reduce your speed and drive carefully as conditions may be dangerous. If the light doesn’t disappear after a while, the system may be malfunctioning and you should visit your nearest maintenance centre as soon as you can to avoid any problems.

Brake Failure

This is one of the simplest and most vital Mercedes warning lights of all. If you see it, there is a serious problem with your brakes. Call for roadside assistance immediately from wherever you are – it’s definitely not a good idea to drive anywhere.
Note: It’s possible for the ABS, ESP and Brake Failure lights to all engage simultaneously. If this happens, it’s likely that you’ll have severe issues with braking and steering, and other problems may arise as a result. If this happens, specialist Mercedes troubleshooting may be in order. Don’t attempt to drive your vehicle – just call for roadside assistance.

Worn Brake Pads

Mercedes manufactures highly intelligent vehicles that will inform you as soon as your brake pads or lining need replacing. Don’t delay if you see this light – it’s extremely important that your brakes are in top condition. Head to your local specialist as soon as you can, driving carefully.

Mercedes manufactures highly intelligent vehicles that will inform you as soon as your brake pads or lining need replacing. Don’t delay if you see this light – it’s extremely important that your brakes are in top condition. Head to your local specialist as soon as you can, driving carefully.

Airbag Malfunction

If you see this light, you should first check to see if there is an error by stopping safely, getting everyone out of the vehicle, closing the doors and turning the ignition off and on again. If the light remains on, or comes back on when passengers are inside again, there is a problem with one or more of your airbags which may either mean that they could go off unexpectedly at any time, or will not engage at all even when needed. Your car will not be covered by insurance if you’re driving with a faulty airbag – plus, your protection in the event of a crash will be highly diminished. In this situation, you’re strongly advised to see a specialist as soon as possible.

 

Lights

This indicator could mean one of many things; the specific problem will be detailed in a message on the dash. It could be that a bulb has blown or one or more of your lights has a fault – in which case you should get new ones fitted as soon as possible. It could also mean that you’ve forgotten to put your lights on when you should, or that you’ve left your lights on when you don’t need to and your battery is likely to drain more quickly.

Engine Coolant

This light simply means that you need to top up your engine coolant as soon as possible, or risk badly damaging your engine. If this light comes on regularly and you find yourself topping up more than you should, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle’s coolant system checked by a specialist.

We hope this clears up any questions you have about what your Mercedes dash lights mean. If you’re currently having trouble with your Mercedes vehicle, just contact Dronsfields today on 0333 240 1020 and the team will be happy to assist you.