2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class warning light

301 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 starter switch position 2. It
should go out with engine running.
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the system. Pressing the accelerator
pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
See electronic stability program (ESP) on page 274 if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.Distronic (DTR) – warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the distance warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on and goes out
with the engine running.
See Distronic (DTR) system on page 326 for possible
malfunction messages.
Note:
The distance warning lamp is without warning function
on vehicles without Distronic (DTR).

302 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a
short time if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.
See page 91 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
Baby Smart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.

312 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Line 1Line 2C*
LOW BEAM,L CHECK LAMP! 2
LOW BEAM,R CHECK LAMP! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL, L CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL, R CHECK LAMP! 2
L. TU RN SIG. RF LECTR CHECK LAMP! 2
R. TURN SIG. RF LECTR CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, L CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, R CHECK LAMP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, L
3
CHECK LAMP ! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, R
3
CHECK LAMP ! 2
3RD STOP LAMP
3
CHECK LAMP ! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMP! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMP! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, L CHECK LAMP! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, R CHECK LAMP! 2
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMP! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMP! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMP! 2
REVERSE LIGHT, L CHECK LAMP! 2 Line 1Line 2C*

313 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexIn t he ca se of bul b failures in certa in la mps, oth er lamps
will substitute. See page 356 for instructions on
replacing bulbs.
* C = Category, see page 303
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 The brake lamps are switching on after a delay or are permanently
on – visit workshop immediately.
3 The brake lamps comprise several light emitting diodes. The
warning message will only appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopp ed working .
4 Other bulbs will be brought into use as replacements when certain
lamps blow. REVERSE LIGHT, R CHECK LAMP! 2
TAIL LIGHT, L CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
TAIL LIGHT, R CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
SIDELIGHT, L CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
SIDELIGHT, R CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2 Line 1Line 2C*

314 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHT SENSOR
* C = Category, see page 303The headlamps will be switched on automatically if the
light sensor malfunctions.
The “LIGHT CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” setting menu
can be set to “MANUAL” in the individual setting. See
page 138. It will then be possible to switch the
headlamps on and off using the exterior lamp switch.
See page 156 for notes on the exterior lamp switch. ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC)
* C = Category, see page 303
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning. Line 1Line 2C*
LIGHT SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1Line 2C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DRIVE CAREFULLY!
2
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
3
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2

319 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index CRUISE CONTROL
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 Cruise control is malfunctioning.
KEY* C = Category, see page 303.
1 Key needs possibly to be replaced. Line 1Line 2C*
CRUISE CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
Line 1Line 2C*
REPLACE KEY
1
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
AUTOM. LIGHT ON REMOVE KEY! 1
P54.30-2245-21

352 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to the negative (–)
under hood terminal of the disabled vehicle.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.

403 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .................................... 175
Rear window defroster ............................................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 174
Special settings ......................................................... 169
Switching on and off ................................................ 175
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 178
Basic setting .............................................................. 178
Automatic transmission ...............................................233
Emergency operation ............................................... 241
Fluid level ...................................................................335
Program mode selector switch ...............................240
Selector lever position ..............................................236
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 91
Self-test ......................................................................... 91
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 271
Battery .............................................................................349
Battery recycling .......................................................350
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................305
Block heater .................................................................... 251BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 306
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 271
Brake fluid ..................................244, 293, 298, 394, 396
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 307
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 298
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 298
Brakes ........................................... 242, 244, 271, 272, 274
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 394
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Center console lighting ................................................. 189
Central locking switch .................................................... 50
Central locking system .................................................... 34
Automatic central locking .........................................52
Choosing global or selective mode .....................37, 43
Electronic main key .................................................... 29