Mercedes-Benz dashboard warning lights
19 lights that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan handbook (2017) shows, each in our own drawing, with Mercedes-Benz's name for it next to ours, the colour the handbook gives it and what the handbook says to do. Tap a light for its full page.
Check your own handbook — models differ. This page is one handbook for one model. Another Mercedes-Benz model or year can have lamps this one lacks, or draw the same lamp differently; only your car's own handbook is sure.
Read this first
Mercedes calls them warning and indicator lamps and names each by its colour — 'the red brake system warning lamp', 'the yellow ESP® warning lamp' — then gives possible causes and what to do. Its stability control is ESP®. Two lamps differ by market even in this one handbook: the red brake lamp and the red parking brake lamp are drawn one way for the USA and another for Canada. Most lamps come with a message in the multifunction display; the handbook says to read it.
The 19 lights in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan handbook
Brake system warning light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Brake warning lamp (USA) / Brakes warning lamp (Canada)”.
Red with the engine running: brake boosting has failed or brake fluid is low. Pull over and stop; do not continue driving; do not add brake fluid.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Parking brake light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Red indicator lamp, electric parking brake applied”.
Red: the electric parking brake is applied. With the yellow lamp as well, it has a fault.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
ABS warning light (anti-lock brakes)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “ABS warning lamp”.
Yellow: ABS has a fault; with a warning tone, EBD too. Drive on carefully and have the brakes checked immediately.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Stability control light (ESC)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “ESP® warning lamp”.
Yellow, flashing: ESP® is intervening — adapt your driving. Lit: ESP® has a fault — drive on carefully and have it checked.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Stability control off light (ESC OFF)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “ESP® OFF warning lamp”.
Yellow: ESP® is switched off. Only switch it off for as long as the situation requires.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Airbag warning light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Restraint system warning lamp”.
Red: the restraint system has a fault; airbags or belt tensioners may fire unintentionally or not at all. Have it repaired immediately.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Seat belt warning light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Seat belt warning lamp”.
Red for 6 seconds after starting as a reminder; flashing with a tone if a front belt is not fastened while moving.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Forward collision warning light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Distance warning lamp”.
Red: you are too close to the vehicle in front for your speed. Be prepared to brake immediately.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Power steering warning light (EPS)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Power steering system warning lamp”.
Red: power assistance or the steering itself has a fault. Pull over and stop; do not continue driving.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Check engine light (engine malfunction)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Engine diagnosis warning lamp”.
Yellow: a fault in the engine, exhaust or fuel system; the engine may be in emergency mode. Have it checked as soon as possible.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Engine coolant temperature warning light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Coolant warning lamp”.
Red: coolant too hot (a tone above 120 °C) or a sensor, level, air-flow or fan fault. Stop, switch off, let it cool before opening the hood.
Colour in this handbook: Red
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Low fuel light
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Fuel reserve warning lamp”.
Yellow: the fuel level is in the reserve range — refuel. Lit suddenly while driving: the filler cap may not be closed.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Low tyre pressure light (TPMS)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Tire pressure monitoring system warning lamp”.
Yellow, lit: pressure loss in at least one tyre. Stop and check the tyres.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
TPMS light (tyre pressure monitor fault)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Tire pressure monitoring system warning lamp (flashing)”.
Yellow, flashing for about a minute then lit: the tyre pressure monitor has a fault and cannot warn you.
Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Glow plug light (diesel pre-heat)
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Diesel engine: preglow”.
Diesel models: the engine is pre-glowing.
Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Turn signal indicator
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Turn signal light”.
The turn signals are on.
Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: green)
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
High beam (main beam) indicator
Mercedes-Benz calls it “High beam”.
The high beams are on.
Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: blue or green)
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Dipped beam (low beam) indicator
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Low beam”.
The low beams are on.
Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: green)
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Rear fog light indicator
Mercedes-Benz calls it “Rear fog light”.
The rear fog light is on.
Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)
Confirmed by: Mercedes-Benz handbook — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Check your own handbook — models differ.
Not in this handbook
44 lights on this site are not shown by this handbook, so they are left off this page — among them brake pad wear warning light, oil pressure warning light, battery / charging warning light, side airbag warning light, passenger airbag off light, hazard warning light. That does not mean no Mercedes-Benz has them — only that this handbook does not. If your car shows one, find it by colour and shape.
Other makes
Source: the handbook
- Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Operator's Manual (US, edition C1-2017 H, PDF) — Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, 2017. Section: Display messages and warning/indicator lamps (pages 396–411). Checked 2026-09-28.
A light is listed only when this handbook shows it. The names in quotes are Mercedes-Benz's wording; the rest is ours, written from the handbook.