4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260
Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals ........................................... 261
Power assistance ........................262
Brakes ..........................................262
Driving off ...................................263
Parking ........................................264Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271
Cruise control ................................ 272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 278
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 284
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system ........ 286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 286Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................292
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....297
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE .......................299
OM_203.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
11 IntroductionOperating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
•Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
•unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage
the catalysts,
•gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For details,
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
OM_203.book Seite 11 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
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
231 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 261
Drinking and driving ................ 261
Pedals .......................................... 261
Power assistance ........................ 262
Brakes .......................................... 262
Driving off ................................... 263
Parking ........................................ 264
Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271Cruise control .................................272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
What you should know
at the gas station .......................282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................284
OM_203.book Seite 231 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
244 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type
catalytic converters, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
OM_203.book Seite 244 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
256 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is highlighted in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next lower gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The selector lever position display will switch to the
gear range currently selected by the automatic
transmission.
Shifting into another gear range that allows for quicker
acceleration or to slow the vehicle down is possible.
Downshifts can also be performed.
Note:
To avoid overevving the engine when the selector lever
is moved in “D –” direction, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded.Briefly press selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range “D”, an additional upshift of one
gear is possible.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
Wa r n i n g !
O n sl i ppery roa d s urfac es , never d ow ns hif t in ord er
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.
OM_203.book Seite 256 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
303 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 293.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 141.
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 141.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
ind icator on page 141 and check the en gine fo r visibl e leakage (los s
of oil).
It may be that there is 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 1 Line 2 C*
ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL1
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2
OM_203.book Seite 303 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
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
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