
227 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
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.
BRAKE
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_C208_II.book Seite 227 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

237 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index PA R K I N G   B R A K E
Parking brake, see page 202.ENGINE FAN
1 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe coolant 
temperature gauge while driving, see page 88. Line 1 Line 2
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BRAKE!Line 1 Line 2
ENGINE FAN VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
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240 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
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 275 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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258 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Ve h i c l e   j a c k
1Jack arm
2Jack base
See illustration for proper storage of jack.Before storing the jack on the felt in the spare wheel 
well, the jack arm must be lowered almost to the base of 
the jack.
1
2
P40.10-2027-26
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the 
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the 
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack 
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. 
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by  the ja ck. Keep ha nd s an d feet away  from  the area  
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking 
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with 
jack.Do not d i sen ga ge park in g b ra ke whi l e the vehic l e is  
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical 
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use 
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm 
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the 
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before 
working under the vehicle.
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262 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance 
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning 
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off 
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking 
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with 
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When 
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the 
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other 
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and 
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to 
the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the 
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the 
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack 
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. 
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by t he j ack . Keep han ds  a nd  feet away from t he a rea 
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking 
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with 
jack.Do n ot d is engage parki n g brake w hil e t he vehi c le i s 
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical 
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use 
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm 
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the 
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before 
working under the vehicle.
J_C208_II.book Seite 262 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

271 Jump starting
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that 
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the 
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories, 
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to 
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the 
positive (+) under hood terminal of the discharged 
battery and the other end to the positive (+) terminal 
of the charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps 
do not touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the 
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged 
battery and the final connection to the negative (–) 
terminal (2) of the discharged battery.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery 
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not 
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move 
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged 
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of 
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables 
by exactly reversing the above installation 
sequence, starting with the last connection made 
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it 
does not touch any other metal while the other end 
is still attached.
Notes:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful 
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic 
converter.
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319 Index
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
KKeys, changing battery  ................................................. 283
Keys, vehicle  ..................................................................... 24LLamps, exterior  .............................................................. 275
Fog lamps  ....................................................................116
Headlamp, adjusting  ................................................280
Headlamps  ...................... 116, 240, 241, 276, 280, 294
Low and high beam  .......................................... 119, 277
Parking lamp  ..................................................... 116, 277
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 275
Side marker lamp, front  ........................................... 279
Standing lamp  ................................................... 116, 277
Taillamp assemblies  ......................................... 116, 278
Turn signal lamp  ............................................... 119, 277
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 300
LIGHT SENSOR - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 241
Lighter  ............................................................................. 159
LIGHTING SYSTEM - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 240
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission)  ............. 201
Loading instructions  ..................................................... 162Locking and unlocking .................................................... 29
Low engine coolant level warning  .............................. 238
MMaintenance  ................................................................... 177
Malfunction and indicator lamps 
in the instrument cluster  ........................................ 226
Malfunction and warning messages  .......................... 232
ABS-SYSTEM  ............................................................. 235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ......................................... 234
BRAKE ASSIST  ......................................................... 235
BRAKE FLUID  ........................................................... 236
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ............................................ 236
COOLANT (coolant level)  ........................................ 238
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ......................................... 239
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ........................................... 233
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ................................................. 233
ELEC. STABIL. PROGR.  ............................................ 243
ENGINE FAN  ............................................................. 237
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................................................. 242
LIGHT SENSOR .......................................................... 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM  .................................................. 240
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320 Index
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
PARKING BRAKE  ......................................................237
REMOVE KEY  ............................................................243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  ......................................... 241
TELE AID  .................................................................... 245
WASHER FLUID  ........................................................ 244
Malfunction message memory  .................................... 106
Manual operation of sliding/pop-up roof ................... 286
Mechanical keys ........................................................ 25, 32
Memory  ............................................................................. 48
Recalling ....................................................................... 49
Storing  ................................................................... 48, 82
Mirror, exterior, adjusting  .............................................. 81
Mirror, exterior, rear view  .............................................. 81
Mirror, inside, rear view  ................................................. 80
Multicontour seat  ............................................................ 55
Multifunction display  ...................................................... 90
Engine oil level indicator  ........................................... 94
FSS (Flexible service system)  ................................... 94
Setting the audio volume ..........................................110
Trip and main odometer  ............................................ 94
Vehicle speed ............................................................... 94
Multifunction steering wheel  ........................................ 90
NNavigation system - Multifunction display  ................ 103
Night security illumination  .......................................... 117OOn-board diagnostic system  ........................................ 226
Operator’s Manual  ............................................................. 8
Outside temperature indicator ....................................... 88
Overhead control panel  ................................................... 21PPanic button  ......................................................................32
Parcel net in front passenger footwell  ........................ 164
Parking  ........................................................................... 206
Parking brake  ......................157, 192, 202, 206, 227, 262
PA R K I N G   B R A K E   -   m a l f u n c t i o n  
and warning messages  ............................................ 237
Power assistance  ........................................................... 204
Power seats, front ............................................................. 45
Backrest  ........................................................................ 54
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