Page 293 of 390
290 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 285When 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 285 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
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 f luid 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.
S203.book Seite 290 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 294 of 390
291 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a 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 285
SEAT BELT SYSTEM* C = Category, see page 285 Line 1 Line 2 C*
PARKING BRAKE ENGAGE BRAKE! 1
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BRAKE! 1Line 1 Line 2 C*
SEAT BELT SYSTEM VISIT WORKSHOP! 1
PASSENGER SEAT BELT FASTEN SEAT BELT! 2
DRIVER SEAT BELT FASTEN SEAT BELT! 2
S203.book Seite 291 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 295 of 390
292 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 2851 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP, see
page 271
3 The system is temporarily unavailable. The reason could be that
the self-diagnosis has not been completed. The display will clear
itself after driving a short distance at more than 12 mph
(2o km/h).
4 The system is unavailable due to low voltage, e.g. battery not being
charged.
5 A malfunction has been detected in the system. In case of ESP
malfunction the ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster
illuminates and the ESP switch in the center console does not
function. If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning, only partial
engine output will be available.
6 The display or the system is malfunctioning. Line 1 Line 2 C*
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. NOT AVAILABLE!
1, 2, 3, 4
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1, 5
2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
6
2
S203.book Seite 292 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 296 of 390
293 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 285When 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 131.
See page 316 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
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.
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Page 297 of 390
294 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 285
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 131
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.
S203.book Seite 294 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 298 of 390
295 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 285.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 135.
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 135.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 135 and check the engine for visible leakage
(loss 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
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Page 299 of 390
296 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
STEERING GEAR OIL
System without or with insufficient steering gear oil
level. Danger of damage to steering gear exists.
When this message appears, the steering gear oil level
has dropped below the required level. Have the system
checked by the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Line 1 Line 2
STEERING GEAR OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
P54.30-4682-21
Wa r n i n g !
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is too
low, the steering power assistance could fail. Much
greater effort will then be needed to turn the
steering wheel.Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system checked
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
S203.book Seite 296 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 300 of 390
297 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LIGHTING SYSTEM
Line 1 Line 2 C*
LOW BEAM,L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LOW BEAM,R CHECK LAMPS! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
L. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMPS! 2
R. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LIGHT
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, L
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, R
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
3RD STOP LAMP
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LIGHTS SWITCH OFF LIGHTS! 1
AUTOM. LIGHT ON REMOVE KEY! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMPS! 2 Line 1 Line 2 C*
S203.book Seite 297 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
