1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS check engine light

Cruise Control



Cruise Control
Any given speed above approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) can be maintained with the cruise control by operating the
lever.
1. Accelerate and set:
Lift lever briefly to set speed. Hold lever up to accelerate.
2. Decelerate and set:
Depress lever briefly to set sp eed. Hold lever down to decelerate.
Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired speed with the accelerator. Speed is set by briefly pushing
the lever to position 1 or 2. The accelerator can be released. The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing)
by using the accelerator. As soon as the accelerator is released, the previously set speed will be resumed
automatically. If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e.g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in
position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or br iefly tip the control lever in the appropriate direction for
increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increment s. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
3. Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to position 3.
When you step on the brake or the vehicle speed drops below approx. 22 rnph (35 km/h), for example when driving
upgrade, the cruise control will be canceled. If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains inoperative until the
engine is restarted, have the syst em checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.
4. Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when drivi ng at a speed exceeding approx. 22 mph (35 km/h), the vehicle
resumes the speed which was set prior to the cancella tion of the cruise control. The last memorized speed is
canceled when the key in the steering lock is turned to position 1 or 0.



Note:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently while dr iving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the cruise
control may be exceeded and you may have to step on the brake pedal to slow down.
As soon as the grade eases, the cruise controlled speed w ill again be maintained as long as the brakes were not
previously applied, or the lever may be used to resume the previously set speed if the brakes were applied.


Caution !
Moving gear selector lever to position "N" switches the cruise control off.

Warning !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on winding roads or in heavy traffic because conditions do not
allow safe driving at a steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion can result
in wheel spin and loss of control.
The "Resume" function should only be operated if the driv er is fully aware of the previously set speed and
wishes to resume this particular preset speed.


ProCarManuals.com

Charge Indicator Lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp fail to come on prior to starting when the electronic key is in steering lock position 2
or should it fail to go out after starting or during operati on, this indicates a fault which must be repaired at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer immediately.
If the charge indicator lamp comes on while the engine is ru nning, this may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken.
Should this condition occur, the poly-V-bel t must be replaced before continuing to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the engine.
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with the charge indicator lamp illuminated. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the o il level warning lamp comes on. It should go out immediately
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the engi ne, or comes on with the engine running and at operating
temperature, the engine oil level has dropped to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest service station where the engine oil should be topped to the
"full" mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered by the Mercedes -Benz Limited Warranty. In addition to the warning lamp,
the engine oil level should be periodically checked with the di pstick (or via the odometer display - Model 280 only), for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip (see Index)


ProCarManuals.com

Low Engine Coolant Level Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the warning lamp comes on.
It should go out when the engine is running. If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the coolant level has dropped below the required level. If
no leaks are noticeable and the engine temperature does not increase, continue to drive to the
nearest service station and have coolant added to the coolant system (see Index).
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be ignored. Extended driving with the light
illuminated may cause serious engine damage not co vered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant lo ss, have the cooling system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.

Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling sy stem. The engine will overheat causing major engine
damage. Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.

Warning !

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You can be seriously burned.


Low Windshield and Headlamp Washer System Fluid Level Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the warning lamp comes on. It should go out when
the engine is running. If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine, or if it comes on
while driving, the level of the reservoir has droppe d to approx.1/4 of the total volume. The reservoir
should be refilled with MB Windshield Washer Concentrate "S" and water (or commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - see Index) at
the next opportunity. The reservoir for the windshie ld and headlamp washer systems is located in
the engine compartment.


ProCarManuals.com

Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, an indicator lamp comes on. It should go out when the engine is
running. If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine, or if it comes on while driving, this lamp
indicates a failure in the parking lamp, taillamp, stop lamp, or low beam headlamp. If an exterior lamp fails, the
indicator lamp will come on only when that lamp is switched on. If a brake lamp fails, the lamp failure indicator will
come on when applying the brake and st ay on until the engine is turned off.

Note:
If additional lighting equipment is installed (e.g. auxiliary headl amps etc.) be certain to connect into the fuse before
the failure indicator monitoring unit in order to avoid damaging the system.


Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on for approximately 30
seconds. It goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this indica tes that the brake pads are worn down. Have the brake
system checked at your authorized Mercedes- Benz dealer as soon as possible.


Brake Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the brake warning lamp will come on. It should go out when the
engine is running. The brake warning lamp will come on:

• when there is insufficient brake fluid in the rese rvoir (engine running and parking brake released), or
• when the parking brake is set (engine running).

Warning !
Driving with the brake warning lamp on can result in an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Don't add brake fluid before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid
catching fire. You can be seriously burned.

If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid reserv oir is reached, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks. To test the brake warning lamp, turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2. The brake
warning lamp comes on, and should go out when the engine is running.


ProCarManuals.com

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

Important !
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during braking maneuvers. Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use
firm, steady brake pedal pressure. Pu mping the brake pedal defeats the pur pose for ABS and significantly reduces
braking effectiveness.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a vehicl e speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent of
road surface conditions.
At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal, indicating that the
ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while experiencing the pulsation.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re spond even with light brake pedal pressure because of the increased
likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.


ABS Control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cl uster comes on with the electronic key in steering lock
position 2 and should go out when the engine is running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is switched off.
When the voltage is above this value again, the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the ABS is operational.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ASR or ESP, if vehicl e so equipped, are also switched off. Both malfunction
indicator lamps come on with the engine running. If the ABS malfunction indicator lamp does not go out or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the ABS has detected a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without antilock assistance.
Have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.

Warning !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
made available by the road conditions. The ABS ca nnot prevent accidents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too cl osely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped car must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.

Note:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.


ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle

Warning !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the particular container. Always open your car's doors or
windows when cleaning the inside. Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed for
cleaning your car.

In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying external influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying climatic conditions, but also by air
pollution, road salt, tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, bird
droppings, insects, tree resins etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint damage. Frequent
washing reduces and/or eliminates the aggr essiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to deal with unfavorable conditions; for example, near the
ocean, in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for stone chipping or other damage. Any damage
should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of corrosion. In doing so, do not neglect
the underside of the car. A prerequisite for a t horough check is a washing of the underbody followed
by a thorough inspection. Damage d areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the body cavities which
will last for the lifetime of t he vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither necessary nor
recommended by Mercedes-Be nz because of the possibility of incompatibility between materials
used in the production proc ess and others applied later.
We have selected car care products and compiled recommendations which are specially matched to
our vehicles and which always reflect the late st technology. You can obtain Mercedes- Benz
approved car care products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due to negligent or incorrect care cannot always
be removed or repaired with the car care products recommended here. In such cases it is best to
seek aid at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. The following topics deal with the cleaning and
care of your vehicle and give important "how-to" in formation as well as references to Mercedes-Benz
approved car care products. Additional information can be found in the booklet titled "Car Care".


Engine Cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to protect electrical components and
connectors from the intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to the engine compartment
after every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any wax.


Car Washing
Do not use hot water or wash your car in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such
as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the car with a diffused jet of wa ter. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water an d rinse the sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry
on the finish. If the vehicle has been run through an automatic car wash - in particular one of the
older installations - rewipe the recessed sections in the taillamps (designed to prevent soiling) if
necessary. No solvents (fuels, thi nners etc.) must be used. In the winter, thoroughly remove all
traces of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.


Tar Stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and beco me more difficult to remove. A tar remover is
recommended.


Window Cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass surfac es. An automotive glass cleaner is recommended.


ProCarManuals.com

Check Regularly and Before a Long Trip

The engine compartment of model C 230 is illustrated.
1. Fuel Supply
Open flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in tank
has been released, then remove cap.
Failure to remove slowly could result in personal injury.

2. Tire Inflation Pressure
Check at least every two weeks.
For details see Index.

3. Coolant Level

See Adding coolant in Index.
4. Windshield Washer System,
Headlamp Cleaning System


For refilling reservoir see Index.
5. Engine Oil Level
See Index.

6. Brake Fluid
See Index.


Vehicle Lighting: Check function and cleanliness.
For replacement of light bulbs, see Index.


ProCarManuals.com