A Guide to Mercedes-Benz Dashboard Symbols

This is likely the most recognisable symbol on this list and one which highlights any issues with the engine. This warning isn’t specific to any one fault and it could be a range of issues which are affecting engine functionality.

While not immediately serious, it’s a good idea to get this looked at as soon as you can, otherwise, the problem could worsen the more your car is driven.

Warning Level: Yellow

If your engine becomes overheated, this is a serious problem and means you should stop driving immediately. It’s likely that your engine coolant levels are extremely low and your engine is therefore running at unsafe temperatures.

In your driveway, or once you’ve pulled over, it’s best to check your engine coolant levels to see if this issue can be solved quickly. To check, just pop your bonnet and take a look at the gauge on the side of the coolant tank. If you’re not sure how to check this on your Mercedes-Benz, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Warning Level: Red

If you see this light, the engine levels in your engine are too low for your car to be driven safely, meaning you must stop as soon as possible. There’s also a chance that the temperature of the oil is too high or the pressure is too low.

This warning light could have come on as a result of a leak, causing your engine oil levels to rapidly deplete. Check underneath your car and on your driveway to see if there are any obvious signs of a leak before attempting to refill your engine oil.

Warning Level: Red

This symbol relates directly to your brakes and will warn you if the fluid level is low. Your brake fluid is crucial to the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), so it’s possible this warning light could also be on if the system is affected.

As the brakes are essential to safe driving, if this symbol appears before you head out on the road you must not begin your journey. If you’re already mid-travel when the symbol lights up, pull over immediately, braking steady to prevent your brakes from locking.

Warning Level: Red

As mentioned above, there’s a possibility this issue could be due to low brake fluid levels, however, your ABS isn’t as crucial as your primary braking method, which should still be functional if this is your only warning.

The ABS is simply an ‘assist’ feature to your brake system, so it isn’t a red-warning issue. That being said, this could be a sign that your brake system is deteriorating, so the longer you wait, the more you put your safety at risk.

Warning Level: Yellow

This symbol will warn you of any excessive wear to your brake pads, meaning that you’ll have enough notice to have them changed before they become a direct threat to your safety. It’s important that you change your brake pads as a priority once this symbol appears as any additional wear could hinder your car’s ability to brake.

Warning Level: Yellow

Your BAS improves your braking distance when close to another vehicle or object ahead - the closer you are, the more brake force is applied. If this symbol appears, it signifies that there is a fault with this system, however, the issue could be as simple as the sensor being covered with dirt.

Warning Level: Yellow

Whilst this symbol is extremely important, you’ll be able to tell as soon as you begin to drive your car whether or not the power steering has failed. This symbol could indicate that has not yet caused your power steering to fail but it will very soon.

If the power steering has failed, you’ll feel as though you’ve been teleported back to the 60s, as power steering didn’t become standard in the UK until the 1970s.

Warning Level: Red

The exhaust particulate filter is in place to remove harmful soot and gases expelled from the exhaust, which also helps reduce the vehicle's overall emissions. If you see this symbol, it’s likely that the filter has become blocked with dirt and debris. It’s important that you get this fixed quickly and drive as little as possible in the meantime as the issue could be releasing toxic fumes into your vehicle.

This one is only relevant to Mercedes-Benz with a diesel engine so if you’re driving a petrol model, don’t worry about this issue.

Warning Level: Yellow

This warning is letting you know that your exhaust fluid level has become so low that it could prevent your engine from starting. If the levels deplete any further, it’s most likely that you won’t be able to start your car.

You should make sure that you check these fluid levels and top them up accordingly - especially before heading out on any long journeys.

Warning Level: Yellow

The coolant in your car is crucial for keeping components operating at safe temperatures, which means if this light pops up, it’s important to top up your coolant levels as soon as possible. This issue won’t pose an instant danger to you but it’s recommended you avoid any long journeys before resolving this issue.

Warning Level: Yellow

If your tyres have become punctured or simply not re-inflated for a while, it’s possible that their pressure has become too low to be driven. This light will signal if this is the case, alerting you that you need to add more air to your tyres and that you should drive extremely cautiously whilst heading to a point to do so.

Warning Level: Yellow

This symbol indicates that your battery is low and while your car will still drive for a short while, you’ll forfeit this luxury once the battery is completely dead. This drained battery could be a result of damaged cables, a bad connection or an issue with the battery itself.

We’d advise sorting this out as soon as possible to make sure you avoid any breakdowns mid-journey!

Warning Level: Red

The Mercedes-Benz ESP is a driving assist feature which helps in driving situations which are seen as ‘erratic’. This covers manoeuvres such as taking a corner too quickly or swerving to avoid an obstacle. The ESP system will support in these situations by automatically applying the brakes when necessary, which can help with wheel spin and prevent skidding on the road.

This issue won’t hinder your ability to take a steady drive from A to B but it’s important to have a fully working ESP system as you never know when you might need to rely on it.

Warning Level: Yellow

If you’ve had a diesel Mercedes-Benz for a while, you’ll be pretty used to seeing this symbol by now as it lights up every time your engine is warming up. However, the light should go off before starting your car and if you see it flashing, then there is an issue with your glow plug light. It’s likely that your glow plugs need replacing, so it’s best to get this sorted as soon as you can.

Warning Level: Yellow

The airbags are one of the most crucial safety features in every car and it’s imperative that these systems are always working properly. If this symbol appears, it could be any one of your airbags which has a fault, meaning that it may not deploy in the event of a crash or potentially deploy at a random time!

This is a serious warning that you should get checked out ASAP.

Warning Level: Red

It’s important that all of the lights on your car are working as you can be pulled over even if just one of them isn’t working properly. Not to mention your Mercedes-Benz won’t pass its MOT if this is an issue, so if you see this symbol, you should get your bulbs checked as a matter of priority.

Warning Level: Yellow

This light relates directly to the hybrid systems which shuts down the standard combustion engine and allows the electric battery to power the vehicle. If this symbol lights up, it indicates that there is a fault with the hybrid system, however, you’ll still be able to drive using the combustion system.

This could be a sign of a larger issue however as the hybrid system is a large component in the vehicle, so you should get this checked out by a specialist.

Warning Level: Yellow

This is an extremely clever feature in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which is able to detect any dwindling in the driver's attention span. Signs of drowsiness or loss of concentration that are affecting your ability to drive safely will be flagged, lighting up this symbol and indicating you should take a break.

Warning Level: Yellow

This warning light is a generic notifier that there is an issue which needs your attention and could relate to a range of issues. Often, this symbol will appear as well as the symbol which relates more directly to the problem.

Warning Level: Yellow