
243 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 .........244
On-board diagnostic system .....244
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................244
Brake warning lamp ..................245
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................246
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................246
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............247
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................247ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 248
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 248
Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .................... 249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 249
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 250
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 251
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 252
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 253
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 253
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 254BRAKE FLUID .............................254
PARKING BRAKE .......................255
ENGINE FAN ...............................255
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........256
COOLANT TEMP. ........................257
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................258
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................259
REMOVE KEY .............................259
STEERING GEAR OIL .................260
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 261
WASHER FLUID .........................262
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..263
TELE AID .....................................263

244 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally, serious
damage can occur to the emission system. Please
contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 246 for
fuel cap placement warning.
CHECK
ENGINE

246 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the electronic key in steering lock to position 1
or 2. If no malfunction is detected, the lamp will go out
after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out,
the system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 68 for notes on airbags, see page 67 for belt
tensioners and page 57 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.6 gal (10 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
also page 244.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be activated
when needed in an accident, which could result in
serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.SRS
1
P54.30-4557-21

247 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 229 and 230 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 225 for
notes on brake assist system (BAS) and page 230 for
notes on electronic stability program (ESP).

248 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 symbol and
warning 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 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 227 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
Seat belt warning lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock
position 2, the seat belt warning lamp comes
on and a warning sounds for approximately
6 seconds if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
ABS

249 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in steering
lock to position 1 or 2.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is properly installed
on the front passenger seat. It indicates that the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 65 for BabySmart
TM deactivation system.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
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
TMcompatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation systems.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the7 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 systems has
been repaired.

259 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LIGHT SENSOR
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds and the message “SWITCH OFF
LIGHTS!” appears in the multifunction indicator if the
vehicle’s exterior lamps (except standing lamps) are not
switched off.REMOVE KEY
This message plus an audible alarm indicate that the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0 or 1, and the
driver’s door is open.
Line 1 Line 2
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS!
Line 1 Line 2
REMOVE KEY!
P54.30-3573-21

265 Contents – Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................266
Fuses ................................................267
Electrical outlet ..............................269
Hood .................................................270
Checking engine oil level .............273
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 274
Coolant level ................................... 274
Adding coolant ...........................275
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 276
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ......... 276Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 277
Vehicle jack .................................... 278
Wheels ............................................ 279
Tire replacement ....................... 279
Rotating wheels ......................... 280
Spare wheel .................................... 281
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 281
Changing wheels ........................... 282
Tire inflation pressure ................. 287
Battery ............................................. 289
Jump starting ................................. 291
Towing the vehicle ........................ 294
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 296Exterior lamps ................................297
Headlamp assembly ...................298
Taillamp assemblies .................. 301
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......304
Synchronizing
remote control ............................306
Emergency engine shut-down .....306
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................307
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................308
Replacing wiper blade insert .......308
Roof rack ..........................................311