Page 377 of 506
376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ú
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 310).
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.
Page 378 of 506

377 Practical hints
What 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.
Page 379 of 506
378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
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:
Do not continue to drive the vehicle
with this message displayed. Doing so
could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Coolant
Visit workshop
!
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play.
Have the fan replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
Page 380 of 506
379 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems have
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
±
Display defective
Visit workshop!
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 Cen-
ter.
J
Doors open!
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
Page 381 of 506
380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 309) and check
the engine oil level (
page 307).
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 or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.
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 309) and check
the engine oil level (
page 307).
Page 382 of 506

381 Practical hints
What 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 307) and add oil as required
(page 309).
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.
Page 383 of 506

382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 302).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 306).
I
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.
Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
Replace key
No additional code available for SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Key
Check battery!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.
Change the batteries (
page 412).
Key
not recognized!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not
recognized while the engine is running be-
cause
the SmartKey is not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started
again after the engine has been stopped.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey
in the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey
in the starter switch if necessary.
Keyless Go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Page 384 of 506

383 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
I
Key recognized
in vehicle!
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.
Take the SmartKey out of the vehicle.
Key
do not forget key
This display appears (for a maximum of
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened
with the engine shut off and no SmartKey
in the starter switch.
Message is only a reminder.
Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.
Take the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you when leaving
the vehicle.
.
3rd brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Drive to workshop
Stop lamp illumination is delayed or lamp
is permanently on.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, left
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, right
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.