Page 305 of 406

302 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 293
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
con dition o ccur, the poly-V-belt must be repla ced befo re co ntin uin g
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.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant
temperature gauge. See page 137
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
OM_203.book Seite 302 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 310 of 406
307 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index TRUNK OPEN
* C = Category, see page 293
HOOD* C = Category, see page 293.See page 318 for hood.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
TRUNK OPEN! 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
HOOD OPEN! 2
OM_203.book Seite 307 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 316 of 406

313 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 314
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 314
Fuses ................................................ 315
Hood ................................................. 318
Adding engine oil .......................... 321
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................322
Coolant level ...................................322
Adding coolant ...........................323
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........323
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................325TIREFIT, vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(C 32 AMG only) ....................... 326
Vehicle jack .................................... 327
Wheels ............................................ 328
Tire replacement ....................... 328
Rotating wheels ......................... 329
Spare wheel .................................... 330
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 330
Changing wheels ........................... 331
TIREFIT ........................................... 337
Tire inflation pressure ................. 341
Battery ............................................. 342
Jump starting ................................. 344Towing the vehicle .........................347
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................350
Exterior lamps ................................ 351
Replacing bulbs .......................... 351
Standby bulb function ...................356
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................357
Synchronizing
remote control ............................359
Emergency engine shut-down .....359
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...360
Replacing wiper blade insert .......362
Roof rack .........................................363
OM_203.book Seite 313 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 321 of 406

318 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine
compartment, or if the coolant temperature gauge
indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open
the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not open
the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call a fire department.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.
OM_203.book Seite 318 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 322 of 406
319 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index To o pen :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the
driver´s side of the instrument panel. At the same time
a handle will extend out of the radiator grill.Pull handle (2) to its stop out of radiator grill and open
hood (do not pull up on the handle).
Note:
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or hood, open
the hood only with the wipers in the parked position.
OM_203.book Seite 319 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 323 of 406
320 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To c l o s e :
Lower the hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
ap pr oxim ately 1 f t. (3 0 cm ), as si stin g wi th hand s p lac ed
flat on edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.
OM_203.book Seite 320 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 326 of 406

323 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
Wa r n i n g !
• In order to avoid possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194
°F
(90
°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.
OM_203.book Seite 323 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 348 of 406

345 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Important!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14
°F
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the engine compartment on the
right hand side.1Negative (–) under hood terminal
2Positive (+) under hood terminal
OM_203.book Seite 345 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11