
4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
center console  ...........................233
AIRBAG OFF 
indicator lamp .............................233
Roll bar warning lamp  ...............233
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM  ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............238
BRAKE FLUID  .............................238PARKING BRAKE ....................... 239
ENGINE FAN ............................... 239
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 240
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ................... 242
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  .......... 243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ..................................... 245
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 245
WASHER FLUID  ......................... 246
TELE AID ..................................... 247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................250
Shelf below rear window  ..............250
Stowing things in 
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover  .................................250
Fuses  ................................................252
Hood  .................................................254
Checking engine oil level  .............256
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................257
Coolant level  ...................................257
Adding coolant  ...........................258
Windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system  ........................259
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........259 

27 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the steering lock 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the steering lock 
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is 
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the steering lock, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic main 
key, see page 288, or synchronize the remote 
control, see page 290.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. 
To start th e engine, insert t he el ectronic main key in 
the steering lock. There could be a slight delay until 
the electronic main key can be turned in the 
steering lock.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical 
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will 
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the 
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
electronic main key. 

226 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Engine oil level, checking” on page 112 and 
page 256.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 257.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 319.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 259.
Opening hood, see page 254.
Ve h i c l e   l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For 
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on 
page 280.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 114. 

227 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................228
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................228
Brake warning lamp  ..................229
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS) 
indicator lamp .............................230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................230
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 231
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 231Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp  ............................ 232
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 232
Malfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
center console  ........................... 233
AIRBAG OFF 
indicator lamp  ............................ 233
Roll bar warning lamp  .............. 233
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  .......... 236
ABS-SYSTEM  .............................. 237
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 237BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238
PARKING BRAKE  .......................239
ENGINE FAN  ...............................239
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................240
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................242
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ......................................245
REMOVE KEY  .............................245
WASHER FLUID  .........................246
TELE AID  .....................................247 

228 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up 
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic 
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and 
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator 
lamp comes on when the engine is running, 
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management 
system, emission control system, systems which impact 
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the 
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated 
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you 
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we 
recommend that you have the system checked at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously 
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g. 
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission 
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control 
module monitors emission control components that 
either provide input signals to or receive output signals 
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from 
interruptions or failure of any of these components are 
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are 
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp 
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off 
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the 
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists 
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 230 for 
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the 
passenger compartment near to the parking brake 
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system 
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble 
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE 

231 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the 
speedometer dial comes on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. 
It should go out with engine running.
See page 220 if the warning lamp lights up or flashes 
when the vehicle is moving.
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP 
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator 
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. It should go 
out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains 
illuminated with the engine running, see page 216 for 
notes on the brake assist (BAS) and page 220 for notes 
on the electronic stability program (ESP).ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster comes on with the 
e l e c tr o n ic  key  i n  ste e ri n g  l oc k  p os i ti o n 2  a n d  
should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp symbol and 
warning in the instrument cluster remains illuminated 
while the engine is running, 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.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also 
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on 
with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is 
sw itched  of f. Wh en t he voltage is a bove th is value a gain, 
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the 
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 218 for notes on the antilock brake system 
(ABS).
BAS
ESP
ABS 

233 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and indicator lamps in the 
center console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approx. 
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in steering 
lock to position 1 or 2.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a 
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is properly installed 
on the front passenger seat. It indicates that the front 
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 64 for BabySmart
TM deactivation system.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Roll bar warning lamp
The roll bar warning lamp is located in the roll bar 
switch in the center console. Roll bar switch see 
page 52.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the 
roll bar warning lamp comes on and should go out with 
the engine running.
With the engine running and the roll bar lowered, the 
warning lamp in the roll bar switch will blink for 
approx. 15 seconds. The blinking is reminding you to 
raise the roll bar if the rear passenger seats are 
occupied.
Note:
Have the roll bar system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Wa r n i n g !
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting 
the engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the 
roll bar system is not operating properly and may 
not activate in an accident. In this case, raise the 
roll bar manually (see page 53) before continuing 
to drive. 

242 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEMWhen the message appears after starting the engine, or 
if it comes on while driving, this indicates a failure in 
the parking lamp, taillamp, stop lamp, or low beam 
headlamp. See page 280 for instructions on replacing 
bulbs.
If an exterior lamp fails, the message will appear only 
when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the message will appear when 
applying the brake and stays on until the engine is 
turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting is installed (e.g. auxiliary 
headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the fuse 
before the failure indicator monitoring unit order to 
avoid damaging the system.
Line 1 Line 2
LAMP DEFECTIVE CHECK LAMPS!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!