
4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................296
On-board 
diagnostic system  .......................296
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp  ..................298
Supplemental 
restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stabilityprogram 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ............... 301
Distronic (DTR) —
warning lamp  .............................. 301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  ..............................302
Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the center console  ......302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....302Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 304
BATTERY /ALTERNATOR  ......... 305
ENTRY POSITION  ...................... 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 307
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN  ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)  . 309
COOLANT (coolant level)  .......... 310
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 311
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ....................312
LAMP SENSOR ............................ 314
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  ................... 314
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  ........ 315
CRUISE CONTROL ...................... 315ACTIVE BODY  CONTROL 
(ABC)  ............................................ 316
TIRE PRESSURE  ......................... 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................320
SEAT BACKREST  ........................ 321
KEY ...............................................322
DOOR  ...........................................322
HOOD  ...........................................323
TELE AID  .....................................323
WASHER FLUID  .........................326
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................327
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................330
Fuses ................................................ 331
Shelf below rear window  ..............333
Hood  .................................................334
Checking engine oil level  .............337
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................338
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................338
Coolant level  ...................................339
Adding coolant  ...........................339
J_OM_215.book Seite 4 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

62 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center console
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed 
wit h t he re mote con tr ol or t he KEYL ESS- GO - fun ction , by  
locking or unlocking the vehicle.The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately 
15 seconds after locking the vehicle with the remote 
control or the lock button at each door handle (vehicles 
with KEYLESS-GO).
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior 
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when 
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk or
•opens the hood.
The alarm will last approximately 2
1/2minutes in form 
of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm 
will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if 
the activating element (a door for example) is 
immediately closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 
20 seconds, an emergency call is initiated automatically. 
See Tele Aid on page 216.
J_OM_215.book Seite 62 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

117 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge (5)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red 
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause 
serious engine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (6)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper 
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by 
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This 
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature 
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer 
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external 
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.). 
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps 
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of 
temperature change.
Note:
The unit for the temperature indicator display can be set 
in the individual setting menu “INST. CLUSTER” –
“TEMP. INDICATOR”, see page 142.
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.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed 
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore 
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated 
temperatures just above the freezing point do not 
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
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294 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and 
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 340.
2Coolant level, 
see “Coolant level” on page 339
3Engine oil level,
see “Engine oil level, checking” on page 157 
and 337
4Brake fluid, 
see “Brake fluid” on page 401
Opening hood, see page 334.
Ve h i c l e   l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For 
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on 
page 360.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 159.
P20.00-2057-26
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295 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................296
On-board 
diagnostic system  .......................296
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp  ..................298
Supplemental 
restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stabilityprogram 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ............... 301
Distronic (DTR) —
warning lamp  .............................. 301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  ..............................302Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the center console ...... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 302
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 304
BATTERY /ALTERNATOR  ......... 305
ENTRY POSITION  ...................... 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 307
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN  ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)  . 309COOLANT (coolant level)  .......... 310
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  .................311
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LAMP SENSOR  ........................... 314
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ................... 314
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  ....... 315
CRUISE CONTROL  ..................... 315
ACTIVE BODY  CONTROL 
(ABC)  ............................................ 316
TIRE PRESSURE  ......................... 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................320
SEAT BACKREST  ........................ 321
KEY ...............................................322
DOOR  ...........................................322
HOOD  ...........................................323
TELE AID  .....................................323
WASHER FLUID  .........................326
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................327
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311 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 303
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 117
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traf f ic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red 
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature in the red zone. 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.
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323 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index HOOD
* C = Category, see page 303.See page 334 for hood.TELE AID
1 The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response; automatic 
and manual emergency, roadside assistance and information. With 
this message displayed, one or more functions may not be 
avai lable.
See page 216 for notes on the Tele Aid.If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the 
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
 HOOD OPEN! 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
TELE AID VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
1
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334 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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 334 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14