
Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights
26
Three  successive warning signals will sound if a red symbol appears.
If several operational faults of priority 1 exist, the symbols appear one after 
the other and are each illuminated for about 5 seconds.
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol signals a warning.
The meaning of the yellow symbols: One
 warning signal will sound if a yellow symbol appears.
If several operational faults of priority 2 exist, the symbols appear one after 
the other and are each illuminated for about 10 seconds.
Check the relevant function as soon as possible.
Navigation system*
The controls for the navigation system, radio, CD player are located in the 
centre console on both sides of the monitor screen. Navigation data is 
also shown in the information display of the instrument cluster.
Information and warning texts are displayed preferentially when the navi-
gation system is switched on.
Operation of the navigation system is described in separate operating 
instructions to be found in the on-board literature.
Fig. 14  Information 
display: Fuel level low
Fuel level low⇒ page 32
Check engine oil level, engine oil sensor 
faulty⇒page 32
Brake pad worn⇒page 33
Washer fluid level low⇒page 33
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 26  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM 

Instruments and Indicator/Warning Lights33
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist 
garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP! (OIL SENSOR WORKSHOP!)
WARNING
•If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at 
a safe distance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch 
on the hazard warning light system  ⇒page 59.
•The red oil pressure light  is not an oil level indicator! One 
should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably 
after every refueling stop.
•Pay attention to the following instructions  ⇒page 210, 
“Working in the engine compartmen t” before checking the coolant 
fluid level and opening the bonnet.
Thickness of the brake pads* 
If the warning light  comes on, contact a specialist garage immediately 
and have the brake pads on  all of the wheels inspected.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: CHECK BRAKE PAD
Open door* 
The warning light  comes on if one or several doors, the bonnet or tail-
gate is opened.
The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The 
warning light goes out 5 minutes after switching off the ignition if one or 
several doors, the bonnet or tailgate is opened. The warning light goes out 
after closing the doors.
Windshield washer fluid level*
The warning light  comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is 
insufficient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid 
⇒ page 224.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*: REFILL WASHER LIQUID
Control system for exhaust 
The warning light  comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up 
or flashes when driving, a fault exists in an exhaust relevant component. 
The engine management system selects an emergency programme 
which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a 
gentle style of driving.
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 33  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM 

Intelligent Technology177
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in border-
line driving situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk 
of skidding is reduced and your car thus offers greater driving stability 
depending on the conditions of the road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability 
programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•Traction control system (TCS),
•Antilock brake system (ABS),
•Brake Assist.
Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then 
conducts a self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the indi-
vidual systems. It also processes additional measurement data which are 
supplied by highly sensitive sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehicle 
about its vertical axis, the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the braking 
pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to take is determined based on the 
steering angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared 
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exist, such as the 
car beginning to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate 
wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel 
is braked. Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the 
outer front wheel of a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the 
rear of the vehicle to break away) while occurs this is on the inner rear 
wheel of a vehicle which tends to understeer (tendency to shift out of the 
curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS  ⇒page 181, “Antilock 
brake system (ABS)*”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also 
does not operate.
Fig. 145  ESP switch
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 177  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM 

Intelligent Technology
178
The ESP warning light  ⇒page 35 lights up in the instrument cluster when 
there is a fault on the ESP.
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the 
button  ⇒page 177, fig. 145 . The ESP warning light  ⇒page 35 lights up 
in the instrument cluster when the ESP is switched off.
The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice 
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, 
to switch off the system.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
Then you should switch on the ESP again.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the E SP to overcome the physical limits 
of the vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still 
always adapt your style of driving to the condition of the road 
surface and the traffic situation. This particularly applies when 
driving on slippery and wet roads. The increased safety offered 
must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an 
accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve 
problem-free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the 
tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other 
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP 
⇒ page 232, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels 
from spinning when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, 
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface 
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when the engine is started and then 
conducts a self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels 
with the aid of the ABS sensors. If the wheels are spinning, the force trans-
Fig. 146  TCS switch
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 178  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM 

Intelligent Technology179
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
mitted to the road surface is automatically adapted by reducing the engine 
speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS 
⇒page 181, “Antilock 
brake system (ABS)*”. The TCS will not f unction if a fault exists in the ABS 
system.
The TCS warning light  ⇒page 34 lights up in the instrument cluster when 
there is a fault on the TCS.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the 
button  ⇒page 178, fig. 146 . The TCS warning light  ⇒page 34 lights up 
in the instrument cluster when the TCS is switched off.
The TCS should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice 
in certain exceptional cases, such as when you wish to have wheel slip, 
to switch off the system.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the TCS again.
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of 
the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety 
offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise - 
risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve 
problem-free operation of the TCS. Differing rolling circumferences of the 
tyres can lead to an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other 
assignment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS 
⇒ page 232, “Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock prevents an individual 
wheel from slipping.
Models fitted with ESP are equipped with electronic differential lock (EDL).
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, 
accelerate and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface 
are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part 
of the driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the 
ABS sensors. Should only  one drive wheel begin spinning on a slippery 
surface there will be an appreciable difference in the speed of the driven 
wheels. The EDL function brakes the slipping wheel and the differential 
transmits a greater driving force to the other driven wheel. This control 
process is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unusually severe stresses exist in 
order to avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel 
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 179  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM 

Intelligent Technology183
Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
•The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt 
you to take a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Power steering*
The power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical 
force.
The steering characteristics can be changed by a specialist garage.
You will place great stresses on the power steering system if the steering 
is turned to full lock when the vehicle is stationary. Turning the steering to 
full lock in such a situation will be accompanied by noises.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the 
engine is not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that 
greater physical effort is required.
It is possible that the hydraulic pump of the power steering will not run due 
to the low vehicle network voltage if the battery has gone flat and the 
engine must started with the help off jump leads. This condition will be 
indicated by lighting up of the warning light.
The power steering operates again if the battery is charged to a specific 
range when engine is running. It also operates again, if the engine can be 
started with its own battery.
Caution
Do not leave the steering at full lock for more than 15 seconds when the 
engine is running - risk of damaging the power steering!
Note
Have the steering inspected as soon as possible by a specialist garage if 
there is a leak or fault in the system.
Tyre inflation pressure-control system*
The tyre inflation pressure-control system compares with the aid of the 
ABS sensors the speed and also the roll ing circumference of the individual 
wheels. If the inflation pressure and therefore the rolling circumference of 
a wheel has changed significantly, the warning light 
 lights up in the 
dash panel  ⇒page 34. The tyre inflation pressure-control system func-
tions late or too sensitively if:
•the structure of the tyre is damaged,
•the vehicle is loaded to one side or with a load on the roof,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 147  Button for 
setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control 
value
NKO 20 A05.book  Page 183  Wednesday, June 21, 2006  1:42 PM