Mercedes-Benz battery care during the summer
Photo Credit: Michael R
From the sickest Mercedes-Benz model you drive on the weekends to your everyday, reliable ride, dashboard warning lights are essential indicators that provide information about the health and safety of your Mercedes-Benz, no matter the make or model. With a flash or illumination, these lights alert you to potential issues from minor to major.
Whether it’s routine maintenance or a serious mechanical problem, understanding what these lights mean can help you to respond accordingly. Two main colors are your first indication as to the severity of the issue. Red indicates a more serious issue, while amber/yellow means caution and to get it checked out soon. Each symbol serves a specific purpose.
Amber/Yellow Light
Check Engine: Resembles an engine outline and generally can mean a wide range of things from engine and emission issues. Sometimes it can be a loose gas cap (so check that first!) It needs diagnostics, so take your ride to the nearest Mercedes-Benz service center soon.
ABS Warning: You will see “ABS” in a circle. It has to do with a problem within the anti-lock braking system.
TMPS: This stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The symbol looks like a flat tire with an exclamation mark. This happens often and usually just means a tire is under-inflated. At your next stop it would be wise to check the tire air pressure, add air and reset the system.
Traction Control: If you see a car with squiggly lines behind it, you have a traction control or stability system malfunction. It could also mean it is activated.
Low Fuel Warning: If you see a fuel pump illuminated, you better get to a gas station soon, as this means you are low on fuel!
Red Light
Engine Temperature Warning: A thermometer in water is a sign that your engine is overheating. Immediately turn your A/C off (if on), put the heat on full blast and turn off the radio and remove any phone chargers. Next, find a safe place to pull off the road and let your vehicle cool down.
Battery: The battery symbol looks exactly like what it is, a battery. This can be due to a charging system or wiring problem, alternator issue or a battery malfunction.
Oil Pressure Warning: If you see an oil can with a drop of oil coming out, this means you have low oil pressure. Low oil can damage your engine, so be sure to check the oil level and top off if necessary. If that doesn’t do the trick, a trip to a qualified Mercedes-Benz repair mechanic should be scheduled.
Brake System Warning: This symbol is an exclamation mark inside a circle (or sometimes you may see the word “Brake” depending on your vehicle). This can mean a few things, such as the parking brake is engaged, there is low brake fluid or there is an issue within the brake system.
Airbag Warning: The airbag warning symbol looks like a person with a large circle in front of it. It is normal for this to come on as you start your vehicle, but if it stays on it means there is an airbag system fault, which could result in an airbag not being deployed in an accident.
Familiarizing yourself with these common warning lights not only helps to maintain the performance of your Mercedes-Benz, but also ensures your safety on the road. Refer to your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s specific model as it generally will have a list of these (and more), what they mean and how severe the issue is.
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