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
6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................390
Warranty coverage .........................390
Identification labels ....................... 391
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............393
Technical data ................................394
Fuels, coolants,
lubricants etc. - capacities .......399
Engine oils ...................................... 401
Engine oil additives ....................... 401
Air conditioner refrigerant ........... 401
Brake fluid ...................................... 401
Premium unleaded gasoline ........402
Fuel requirements .........................402
Gasoline additives .........................403
Coolants ...........................................403
Consumer information ..................405
IndexIndex ............................................... 407
J_OM_215.book Seite 6 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
115 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage116
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 296
3Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage307
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 299
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 117
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 117
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 299
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 164
9Speedometer, see page 118
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 301
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient,
see page 270 and page 301.
Vehicles without Distronic: It illuminates with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It should
go out when the engine is running.12Multifunction display, see page 120
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 303
13Trip odometer, see page 119 and 124
14Main odometer, see page 124
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 164
16Tachometer, see page 119
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions on page 238
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 300
20High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch, page 159, and
combination switch, page 164
21Fasten seat belts, see page 302
22Reset buttonJ, s e e p a g e s 116 , 119
J_OM_215.book Seite 115 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
246 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking
components. This build up or residue could cause light
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up
and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 275.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
J_OM_215.book Seite 246 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
247 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of the vehic l e c an be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.
J_OM_215.book Seite 247 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
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
J_OM_215.book Seite 294 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
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
J_OM_215.book Seite 295 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
298 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid 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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 298 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14