2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON Owner's Manual

271 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEV-
EL!
message appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to approxi-
mately 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 se-
rious engine damage that is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
A
RESERVE FUEL
VISIT FILLING STATION!
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 232).
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 234).
I
REPLACE KEY
VISIT WORKSHOP!
No additional code available for Smart-
Key.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!

Remove the key from the starter
switch.
.
LAMP SENSOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp op-
eration to manual (
page 99).

Switch on headlamps using the ex-
terior lamp switch.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 271 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL, LR
CHECK LAMP!

The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIGNAL, RR
CHECK LAMP!

The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 272 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

273 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TURN SIGNAL LF
CHECK LAMP!
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIGNAL RF
CHECK LAMP!
The right front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
BRAKE LAMP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
3RD BRAKE LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
HIGH BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 273 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
FRONT FOGLAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
FRONT FOGLAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right front fog lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REAR FOGLAMP
CHECK LAMP!

The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REVERSE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REVERSE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TAIL LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 274 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

275 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TAIL LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, LF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left parking lamps are malfunctioning.
A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, RF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LAMPS!
This display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
key in the starter switch.

Insert key in the starter switch.

Switch off lights.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
Key in the starter switch position1 or2.

Remove key from the starter switch.
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).
<
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 275 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

276 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
<
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your pas-
sengers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
_
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST
LOCK!
The steering column is not properly
locked.

Lock the steering column properly
(page 37).
POWER STEERING FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.

Have the system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
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.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 276 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

277 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
L
TELE AID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid* system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid* system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì
or
í
on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not
equipped with a telephone.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
tailgate is open.

Close the tailgate.
1
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated 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.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 277 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
can no longer supply the convenience
functions such as seat heater*.

Start the engine (
page 44).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
The instrument cluster display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
(page 258).
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 240).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 278 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM