Page 369 of 506
367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the multi-function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear 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 mul-
tifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 24) or
buttonj, k, è orÿ on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button or buttonj, k,
è orÿ on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel. They are then stored in the vehi-
cle status message memory (
page 153).
Remember that clearing a message will
only make the message disappear. Clear-
ing a message will not correct the condi-
tion that caused the message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 373 of 506
371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
DISTRONIC* is switched off if:
the DISTRONIC cover in the area
of the radiator grille is dirty
the functionality is impaired by
heavy rain or thick fog
If necessary, clean the DISTRONIC cover in
the area of the radiator grille.
Restart the vehicle.
or
DISTRONIC* becomes operational again with-
out the engine being restarted when:
dirt on the grille falls off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
the system recognizes full sensor availabili-
ty (due to lessening rain or the road surface
drying)
the message in the multifunction display
disappears
the speed last stored flashes in the display
for five seconds.
You can operate DISTRONIC* as usual again.
Page 385 of 506
383 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
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 308).
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 386 of 506
384 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operation conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.
Stop the vehicle.
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 engine 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
damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 387 of 506
385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
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 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 390 of 506
388 Practical hintsWhat 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 level.
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 required
level with an approved oil specified in the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet.
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
Engine oil
Visit workshop
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.
Check the engine oil level
(page 305) and add oil as required
(page 306).
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
It may be that there is water in the engine
oil.
Have the engine oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop
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 409 of 506
407 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is in the storage compart-
ment at the front edge of the front passen-
ger seat.
1Tab
Pull tab1 upward.
Fold the covering forward.
Remove the first aid kit.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift the trunk floor and engage the han-
dle in the upper edge of trunk.
Remove the luggage box (
page 408).
1Vehicle tool kit
Wheel bolt wrench and Jack
2Spare wheel
3Luggage bowlRemoving the spare wheel
Turn luggage bowl counterclockwise.
Remove spare wheel2.
Storing the spare wheel
Place spare wheel2 in wheel well.
Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop
to secure the spare wheel.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
!Always lower trunk floor before closing
trunk lid.iVehicles with collapsible tire:
The electrical air pump is located under
luggage bowl 3.
Page 411 of 506
409 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Install luggage box
Insert luggage box into trunk so that
fastening clips are in line with fastening
bolts.
Push front edge of luggage box in direc-
tion of arrow under cover of trunk sill.
Press fastening clips onto fastening
bolts until they lock into place.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor
(page 407).
The vehicle tool kit includes:
One pair of universal pliers
One towing eye bolt
One wheel wrench
One alignment bolt
One fuse extractor
Spare fuses
