Page 252 of 350
249 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
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
W210.book Seite 249 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 253 of 350
250 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
STEERING GEAR OIL
System without or with insufficient steering gear oil
level. Danger of damage to steering gear exists.
When this message appears, the steering gear oil level
has dropped below the required level. Have the system
checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Line 1 Line 2
STEERING GEAR OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
Wa r n i n g !
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is too
low, the steering power assistance could fail. Much
greater effort will then be needed to turn the
steering wheel.Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system checked
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
W210.book Seite 250 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 254 of 350

251 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
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 117.
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 117.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
ind icator on page 117 an d check the en gin e for visible leaka ge (los s
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.
Line 1 Line 2
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
W210.book Seite 251 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 255 of 350
252 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
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
approximately
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 265 for
instructions on topping up the washer fluid.
Line 1 Line 2
WASHER FLUID CHECK LEVEL!
W210.book Seite 252 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 256 of 350

253 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)
1 A malfunction has been detected in the system. Pressing the
accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty).
3 Synchronize ESP. See page 221.
TELE AID1 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 178 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
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1, 2, 3
Line 1 Line 2
TELE AID VISIT WORKSHOP!
W210.book Seite 253 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 265 of 350

262 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Checking engine oil level
E 320 shown
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster.
Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 251 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
display when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 117 for engine oil level indicator.
2
1
W210.book Seite 262 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 276 of 350

273 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.
W210.book Seite 273 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 286 of 350

283 Jump starting
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Jump start the vehicle by using the battery terminals
located under hood.
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. Lift cover (1) and clamp one end of the first jumper
cable to the positive (+) under hood terminal (2) 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 (–)
under hood terminal (3) of the disabled vehicle.
W210.book Seite 283 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11