214 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
222 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Engine oil level, checking” on page 108 and
page 252.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 253.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 318.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 255.
Opening hood, see page 250.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 277.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 110.
223
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 .............224
On-board diagnostic system Check
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................224
Brake warning lamp ..................225
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................226
Electronic stability program (ESP)
— warning lamp ..........................227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................228
Seat belt warning lamp .............228Malfunction and indicator lamps in
the center console .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp .............. 229
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine
control unit) ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several
systems) ...................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 232
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 233
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 233
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 234
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 234
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 235
ENGINE FAN ............................... 235
COOLANT (coolant level) ......... 236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant
temperature) ............................... 237LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID .........................242
TELE AID .....................................243
224 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 (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), 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 226 for
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE
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
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!
272 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Important!
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14
°F
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx.
2AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.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 (+) 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.
330 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ....................................................................110
Headlamp, adjusting ................................................282
Headlamps ..................... 110, 238, 239, 278, 282, 303
Low and high beam .......................................... 113, 279
Parking lamps ...................................................110, 279
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 277
Side marker lamp, front ........................................... 281
Standing lamps ..................................................110, 279
Taillamp assemblies ......................................... 110, 280
Turn signal lamps ............................................. 113, 279
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 310
LIGHT SENSOR - malfunction and
warning messages ......................................................... 239
Lighter ............................................................................. 151
LIGHTING SYSTEM - malfunction and
warning messages ......................................................... 238
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission) ............. 199
Locking and unlocking ................................................... 27
Low beams
See Exterior lamps .................................................... 277
Low engine coolant level warning............................... 236
Luggage cover .................................................................246
MMaintenance ................................................................... 175
Malfunction and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................................................... 224
Malfunction and warning messages .......................... 230
ABS-SYSTEM ............................................................. 233
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ......................................... 232
BRAKE ASSIST ......................................................... 233
BRAKE FLUID ........................................................... 234
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............................................ 234
COOLANT (coolant level) ........................................ 236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature) .............. 237
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) .........231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) ................231
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. ............................................... 241
ENGINE FAN ............................................................. 235
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................................................. 240
LIGHT SENSOR ......................................................... 239
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................................................. 238
PARKING BRAKE ..................................................... 235
REMOVE KEY ............................................................ 241
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ......................................... 239
TELE AID ................................................................... 243
WASHER FLUID ........................................................ 242
Malfunction/warning message memory .................... 100