2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE warning

362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
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 vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 145) 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 (
page 134) or but-
ton k,j, è, orÿ on the
steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 134) or but-
ton k,j, è, orÿ on the
steering wheel. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(
page 145). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
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.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 364)


Symbol messages (
page 373)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps
and the multifunction display are in
working order before starting your jour-
ney.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag
activated
see Oper.’s Man.
If performing any of the above corrective
steps is successful, the message
Front
passenger airbag deactivated see
Oper.’s Man.
will appear in the
multifunction display, confirming the situ-
ation has been remedied. Note that after
performing the corrective steps, it may
take up to 60 seconds for the message
Front passenger airbag deactivated
see Oper.’s Man.
to appear.
If the message
Front passenger airbag
activated see Oper.’s Man.
remains on
in the multifunction display and/or the
56
indicator lamp remains out even
after performing the above corrective
steps, have the system checked as soon
as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the message
Front passenger airbag
activated see Oper.’s Man.
remains
on in the multifunction display and/or the
56 indicator lamp remains out even
after performing the above corrective steps,
do not have any children12 years old and
under and other small individuals use the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag
deactivated
see Oper.’s Man.
Note that after performing the corrective
steps, it may take up to 60 seconds for
the message
Front passenger airbag
activated see Oper.’s Man.
to appear.
If the message
Front passenger airbag
deactivated see Oper.’s Man.
remains
on in the multifunction display and/or the
56
indicator lamp remains on even
after performing the above corrective
steps, have the system checked as soon
as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not have any passenger use the front
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
Warning!
G
If the message
Front passenger airbag
deactivated see Oper.’s Man.
re-
mains on in the multifunction display and/or
the 56 indicator lamp remains illumi-
nated even after performing the above cor-
rective steps, do not have any passenger
use the front passenger seat until the sys-
tem has been repaired.

374 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.
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Parking brake
Release brake!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 49).
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

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 re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system. Over-
filling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously 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 technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
Visit workshop!
There may be a malfunction in the

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 313).

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 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 en-
gine damage.

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the en-
gine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?When the message
Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refueling (Canada:
1 liter
) ap-
pears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the
minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an
approved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
Engine oil
Visit workshop!
It may be that there is water in the engine
oil.

Have the engine oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 310) and add oil as required
(page 312).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!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.