Page 145 of 406

142 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 “Adding engine oil level”, on page 321 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 “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” 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.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 293
and page 303 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.
OM_203.book Seite 142 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 173 of 406

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear window defroster
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To select:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To c a nc el:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster. The rear wind ow de fr oster us es a large amount of power.
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after
approximately 6–17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature and vehicle speed.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.
OM_203.book Seite 170 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 250 of 406

247 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for a extended period of time, it can no longer
be turn ed in t he lock . In t his cas e, rem ove electron ic key
from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key is in starter switch position 1
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently
charged. See battery on page 342 or jump starting on
page 344.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
OM_203.book Seite 247 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 324 of 406

321 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Adding engine oil
1Oil filler cap
2Plug of dipstick guide tube
The engine oil level can only be checked via the
multifunction display in the instrument cluster.
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil. Follow the message appearing on
the engine oil level indicator display (page 141) as to
quantity to be added. Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 293 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
indicator when the engine is running.
Notes:
See page 141 for engine oil level indicator display.
The dipstick tube allows for draining of oil by using a
suction device.
1
P 01.00-2219-26
2
OM_203.book Seite 321 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11