Page 294 of 394
294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS may still be operational.
With the vehicle stationary and the en-
gine running, turn the steering wheel
completely to the left and then to the
right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
:
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil.
Page 295 of 394

295 Practical hints
What to do if …?
When the
Engine oil – Visit workshop!
message appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine 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.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal re-
quirements with respect to its dispos-
al.
Engine oil
Visit workshop!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.
Check the engine oil level
(page 254) and add oil as required.
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
There is water in the oil.
Have the oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.!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.
Page 302 of 394
302 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be oper-
ating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is in-
creased.
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
Page 303 of 394

303 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 43).
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
Cruise Control
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
1
Restraint system
defective
Visit workshop!
The system is malfunctioning.
Drive with added caution to the near-
est 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.
Page 326 of 394

326 Practical hintsFlat tire
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while vehi-
cle is raised.Removing the wheel
4Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and re-
move.
Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt4 supplied in the tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.Mounting the new wheel
5Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
6Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehi-
cle briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited
for performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
!Wheel bolts6 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel. The use
of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts 6 for the Minispare will physically
damage the vehicle's brakes.
Page 329 of 394

329 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side.
Removal of filter box:
Release the three clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with the three clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Page 332 of 394

332 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle's electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.
Page 333 of 394

333 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. For jump
starting use the terminals in front of the
battery.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift selector lever to positionP.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect the positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with the under hood
terminal 2 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cable. Clamp
cable to charged battery1 first.
Let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run at idle speed.
Connect the negative terminal4 of the
charged battery with the under hood
terminal 3 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cable. Clamp
cable to charged battery4 first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and4 and
then from the positive terminals1
and2.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 258).
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.