2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE display

264 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 117) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 22) and are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 117). On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pe ar i n the di spl ay . High pr iori ty m es sa ge s
appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in starter switch
to position
2, causes all lamps as well
as the multifunction display to come
on. Ensure that they are all in working
order before starting your journey.

265
Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
BAS
BRAKE ASSIST
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The BAS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
BRAKE ASSIST
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off. The brake system is still
functioning normally but without the BAS
available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS or the BAS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

266 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.

Synchronize the ESP. With vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn
the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right.
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
increases the risk of an accident.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go
without the wheels hitting any objects,
e.g. a road curb.

267
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ESP has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is deactivated because of a
malfunction.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
-
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS
are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

269
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
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

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
inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 service
station.
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
PARK. BRAKE
RELEASE BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technican at the
intervals specified in the Service
booklet.

271
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 241).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may ignite and burn if it comes into contact
with hot engine parts. You can be seriously
burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.