Can a Mercedes-Benz Still Be Driven When It Shows the Body Is Too Low?
4 Answers
Mercedes-Benz vehicles can still be driven when they display a 'body too low' message, but for safety reasons, it is best to raise the body to the selected height level and wait until the message disappears before starting to drive. Below is an introduction to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E260L: 1. Powertrain: Equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 9-speed automatic manual transmission. 2. Body Dimensions: The length, width, and height are 5078mm, 1860mm, and 1480mm respectively. The wheelbase is 3079mm. 3. Chassis: The drivetrain is front-engine, rear-wheel drive, with a multi-link independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, featuring a unibody structure.
Last time I saw the 'Vehicle Too Low' warning on my Mercedes, to be honest, it was completely undriveable. When the ride height is too low, the chassis can easily scrape against road potholes or speed bumps, leading to severe suspension deformation or oil pan rupture – even the tires may get damaged. That's precisely why Mercedes' air suspension system exists – it maintains height via air pressure. If there's an air leak or sensor malfunction, the car will sag. Driving a vehicle this low is gambling with your life, especially at night or on highways – a momentary lapse could cause loss of control and result in a major accident. I strongly recommend shutting off the engine, parking immediately, and calling a tow truck to an authorized Mercedes dealership for inspection. Don't cut corners by pushing your luck. During routine maintenance, always check suspension air pressure and sensor status to prevent sudden failures.
As a seasoned Mercedes driver, I believe the issue of the car being too low is mostly due to a failure in the air suspension system, such as an airbag leak or a faulty pressure sensor. You can try restarting the system by turning off the engine for a few minutes and then restarting it to see if it returns to normal, or check for obvious leaks near the tires. However, continuing to drive is absolutely not advisable. A car that's too low will accelerate component wear and even cause the suspension brackets to break, leading to expensive repairs in the end. I've seen cases where owners insisted on driving a short distance, only to end up with repair costs doubling. It's best to find a flat spot to stop, avoid forcing the drive, and then contact a professional to diagnose the issue. During regular maintenance, don't forget to clean the sensors, as this can prevent many unexpected problems.
My Mercedes recently showed that the body was too low, so I asked a friend, and he strongly advised against driving it. When the body is so low that the warning light comes on, it means the suspension may have failed. Driving in this condition could cause the wheels to rub against the undercarriage components, not only increasing noise but also potentially leading to steering issues. In an emergency, if you absolutely must drive, do so at an extremely slow speed on flat roads, avoiding any bumps—but the risk remains very high, as even a single jolt could damage the underbody fuel lines. I later learned that this is likely caused by an air pressure issue. Mercedes' suspension is highly precise, and delaying repairs could even affect the braking system.
