2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class check engine

298 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
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.

299 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out, the
system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 94 for notes on airbags, see page 92 for belt
tensioners and page 84 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve warning
1Fuel reserve indicator
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.9 gal (11 liters).
See page 290 for notes on refueling the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.

300 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2
and 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.
A malfunctioning ABS control unit can possibly affect
the operation of other systems (e.g. Parktronic,
Navigation, Automatic transmission). Be guided
accordingly with respect to the use of those systems and
have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. The malfunction indicator lamps and
malfunction messages in the multifunction display
come on with the engine 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.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 272 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
ABS

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.

310 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 303When this message appears while driving, 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.The low engine coolant level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving,
see page 117.
See page 336 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1Line 2C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
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.

316 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
TIRE PRESSURE
Line 1Line 2C*
TIRE PRESSURE CAUTION TIRE DEFECT!
1
1
TIRE PRESSURE CHECK TIRES!
2, 3
1
TIRE PRESSURE CHECK TIRES!
4
2
TIRE PRESS. CONTROL ACTIVATED!
3
2
TIRE PRESS. CONTROL ACTIVATION – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON
5
2
TIRE PRESS. CONTROL REACTIVATE!
3, 6
3
TIRE PRESS. CONTROL CURRENTLY INACTIVE!
7
2
TIRE PRESS. CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
8
2
TIRE PRESSURE, FL CAUTION TIRE DEFECT!
1
1
TIRE PRESSURE, FR CAUTION TIRE DEFECT!
1
1
TIRE PRESSURE, RL CAUTION TIRE DEFECT!
1
1
TIRE PRESSURE, RR CAUTION TIRE DEFECT!
1
1
TIRE PRESSURE, FL CHECK TIRES!
2
1
TIRE PRESSURE, FL CHECK TIRES!
4
2
TIRE PRESSURE, FR CHECK TIRES!
2
1
TIRE PRESSURE, FR CHECK TIRES!
4
2
TIRE PRESSURE, RL CHECK TIRES!
2
1
TIRE PRESSURE, RL CHECK TIRES!
4
2
TIRE PRESSURE, RR CHECK TIRES!
2
1
TIRE PRESSURE, RR CHECK TIRES!
4
2 Line 1Line 2C*

317 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
* C = Category, see page 303.
RL: rear left; FL: front left;
RR: rear right; FR: front right;
1 One or more tires def late rapidly or tire pressure is already below
minimum value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 340.
2 The tire pressure on one or more tires is already below minimum
value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 343.
3 For tire inflation pressure monitor, see page 150.4 Tire pressure in one or more tires is low. Check and correct tire
pressure, see page 348.
5 The tire pressure monitor cannot be activated with the engine
running. Turn off the engine and repeat activation, see page 150.
6 When the message appears after starting the engine, the tire
inflation pressure on all road wheels should be checked and
corrected according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 348.
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 150.
7 The tire inflation pressure monitor system is unable to monitor the
tire pressure due to the presence of several wheel electronics in
the vehicle (e.g. a deflated road wheel in the trunk), or nearby
radio interference source, or excessive wheel sensor temperatures,
or unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
8 The tire inflation pressure monitor is defective or a wheel without
proper sensor was installed. Visit your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire will cause excessive heat build-up and possibly
a fire.

318 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 154.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 154.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 154 and check the engine for visible leakage
(loss of oil).
Possibility of water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil checked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL!”
message appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning 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 engine oil level warnings should not be ignored.
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1Line 2C*
ENG INE OIL LEVE L CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2