2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Owner's Manual

128 Engine oil level indicator
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Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
The message “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” (perform service
[engine oil level check] on time) will be displayed if the
required waiting period has not been observed after
stopping the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature
approximately 5 minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel until the display appears. See page 96.
Press button j or k on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the “MEASUREMENT
CORRECT – ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL” engine oil level
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder.
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing button j
or k if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An
incorrect reading will be recorded if you do not cancel
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and
measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION”
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW”
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
P54.30-3607-26

129 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index One of the following messages will subseq uently appear
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 300 for
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.The “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” message will be displayed
if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short
while.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 300.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 274
and page 283 if an engine oil level indicator appears on
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.

130 Exterior lamp switch
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Exterior lamp switch
MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode, see below.
CParking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
licence plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
BParking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops)
‡Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Green
indicator in lamp switch comes on.
†Rear fog lamp (pull out to second detent) in
addition to the front fog lamps. Yellow indicator in
lamp switch comes on.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps
(except standing lamps) are not switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position M or U.

131 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Headlamp mode (HEADLAMPS)
(USA only)
The headlamps can be switched on and off manually or
automatically, or switched to daytime running lamp
mode.
Manual operation:
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps can be switched on and of f wit h t he exterior
lamp switch. For exterior lamp switch, see page 130.Autom ati c operation:
With electronic key in starter switch in position 1 turn
exterior lamp switch to positionU.
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
With the engine running and exterior lamp switch in
positionU:
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps are switched on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps can still be switched on and off manually
using the exterior lamp switch.
Note:
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver.
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving
or traffic conditions require you to do so.

132 Exterior lamp switch
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Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
(includes parking lamps and license plate lamps) are
automatically switched on.
Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated when
driving with the daytime running lamp mode activated
and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
See page 130 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see
“Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 117.Night security illumination
When turning off the engine, the exterior lamps switch
on for added illumination, if they were previously
switched on (except in daytime running mode). After
the last door has been closed the lamp-on time period
commences.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds, see “Individual settings” - “LIGHTING” on
page 117.
Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
See “Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 117 for
instructions on how to activate the function.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.

133 Exterior lamp switch
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locator lighting
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic main key
during darkness, the fog lamps, parking lamps,
taillamps and license plate lamps switch on for
approximately 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
See “Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 117 for
instructions on how to activate the function. Headlamp cleaning system
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 302 for instructions on filling up the
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir.

134 Combination switch
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Combination switch
1Low beam
(exterior lamp switch position B)
2High beam
(exterior lamp switch position B)3High beam flasher (high beam available
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4Turn signals, right
5Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing
lanes on a highway, move combination switch briefly to
the point of resistance only and release. The turn
signals blink three times.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the
combination switch past the point of resistance (up or
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.
Turn signal failure
If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator
system flashes and sounds at a faster than normal rate.

135 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
Single wipe without washer fluid
(select only if windshield is wet).
Push switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer system, windshield wipers.
See page 302 for instructions on filling the
windshield washer reservoir.
7Windshield wipers0Off
I Intermittent wiping
Vehicles with optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This
will not occur with a front door open.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the electronic key in starter switch
from position 0. This will not occur with a front
door open.
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and
wipers may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed