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227 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2.
It should go out with engine running.
See page 216 if the warning lamp lights up or flashes
when the vehicle is moving.
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. It should go
out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, see page 212 for
notes on the brake assist (BAS) and page 216 for notes
on the electronic stability program (ESP).ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2 and
should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the
malfunction message in the instrument cluster remains
illuminated while the engine is running, it indicates
that the ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. In this case, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps and the
ABS malfunction message in the multifunction display
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 214 for notes on the antilock brake system
(ABS).
BAS
ESP
ABS
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229 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexRoll bar warning lamp
The roll bar warning lamp is located in the roll bar
switch in the center console. Roll bar switch see
page 47.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
roll bar warning lamp comes on and should go out with
the engine running.
With the engine running and the roll bar lowered, the
warning lamp in the roll bar switch will blink for
approx. 15 seconds. The blinking is reminding you to
raise the roll bar if the rear passenger seats are
occupied.
Note:
Have the roll bar system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.When using a BabySmart
TM compatible child seat
on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbag will not deploy only if the 7 indicator
lamp remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat.Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the light
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.
Wa r n i n g !
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting
the engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the
roll bar system is not operating properly and may
not activate in an accident. In this case, raise the
roll bar manually (see page 48) before continuing
to drive.
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Page 237 of 341
234 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE LINING WEAR
When 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 pad thickness must be visually checked by a
qualified technician at the intervals specified in the
service booklet. BRAKE FLUID
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BRAKE LINING WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP!
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BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP!Wa 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 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.
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236 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)
When 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.
Notes:
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the
cooling system. The engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
See page 253 for instructions on adding coolant.
Line 1 Line 2
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL!
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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237 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature)
1 Observe coolant temperature gauge, see page 82.
Check coolant level, see page 253.
This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced before continuing
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.
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.
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COOLANT TEMP. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
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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Page 241 of 341
238 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEMWhen the message appears after starting the engine, or
if it comes on while driving, this indicates a failure in
the parking lamp, taillamp, stop lamp, or low beam
headlamp. See page 277 for instructions on replacing
bulbs.
If an exterior lamp fails, the message will appear only
when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the message will appear when
applying the brake and stays on until the engine is
turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting is installed (e.g. auxiliary
headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the fuse
before the failure indicator monitoring unit order to
avoid damaging the system.
Line 1 Line 2
LAMP DEFECTIVE CHECK LAMPS!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
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240 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
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 108
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 108.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 108 and check the engine for visible leakage
(loss of oil).
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
6 It may be that there is water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil
checked.
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.
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ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL!
3
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
ENGINE OIL SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
6
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242 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WA S H E R F L U I DWhen this message appears while the engine is
running, the level of the reservoir has dropped to
approx.
1/3 of the total volume. The reservoir should be
refilled with the prescribed mixture of MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water or the Concentrate
and commercially available premixed windshield
washer solvent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperature, at the next opportunity. The reservoir for
the windshield and headlamp washer systems is located
in the engine compartment.
See windshield washer system on page 255 for
instructions on adding washer fluid.
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WASHER FLUID CHECK LEVEL!
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