2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Owner's Manual

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.

303 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display
Malfunction and warning messages for the following
systems will be displayed immediately in the
multifunction display.
They are divided into three categories.
Category C1:
Messages of most immediate priority.
These cannot be cleared from the instrument cluster
using theJbutton.
Categories C2 and C3:
Messages of less immediate priority.
These can be cleared from the instrument cluster using
theJbutton and are then stored in the malfunction
message memory. See page 136 Note:
Certain malfunction and warning messages are
accompanied by an audible signal.
Malfunction and warning messages in red are always
accompanied by an audible signal.
Temporary messages such as “TRUNK OPEN!” will not
be stored in the malfunction message memory.
Wa r n i n g !
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of and,
where malfunction indicated, addressed as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty, or result in property damage or personal
injury.

304 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
* C = Category, see page 303This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The display for coolant temperature
gauge, tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
* C = Category, see page 303The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1Line 2C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
Line 1Line 2C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

305 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BATTERY / ALTERNATOR
* C = Category, see page 303
This message indicates a malfunction which must be
repaired immediately.
It may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should
this condition occur, the poly-V-belt 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 this message
displayed.
Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1Line 2C*
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

306 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENTRANCE POSITION
* C = Category, see page 303Wait until the seat and steering wheel have moved to
their driving positions. The display will clear when they
have done so.
See also page 66 for easy-entry / exit feature.BRAKE ASSIST
* C = Category, see page 303A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without brake assist system (BAS).
See page 271 for notes on the brake assist system (BAS).
Line 1Line 2C*
ENTRANCE POSITION DO NOT DRIVE! 1
Line 1Line 2C*
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

307 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BRAKE LINING WEAR
* C = Category, see page 303When this message appears during braking, it indicates
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 303 Line 1Line 2C*
BRAKE LINING WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1Line 2C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. 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.

308 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
PA R K I N G B R A K E
* C = Category, see page 303
TRUNK OPEN* C = Category, see page 303 Line 1Line 2C*
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BRAKE! 1Line 1Line 2C*
TRUNK OPEN! 2

309 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 3031 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 A malfunction has been detected in the system. Pressing the
accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
3 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
4 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP. See
page 275
Line 1Line 2C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
2, 3, 4
2