Page 387 of 522
386 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on when
the engine is running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.
Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 330).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below
248°F (120°C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
driving and you hear a warning
sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).
Stop as soon as possible in a safe lo-
cation and allow the engine and cool-
ant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated 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 which can occur just by open-
ing the engine hood. Stay away from the en-
gine 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.
Page 412 of 522
411 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be oper-
ating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is in-
creased.
Stop immediately in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so 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:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
There is a malfunction in the electronic
system.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Page 415 of 522
414 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ú
(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 Center.
H
Top up coolant
See Operator’s Manual
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 330).
If you have to add coolant frequent-
ly, 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 could 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.
Page 416 of 522
415 Practical hints
What 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 message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, turn engine off
The coolant is too hot.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so and immediate-
ly turn off the engine.
Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
Apply the parking brake (
page 62).
Observe the coolant temperature indica-
tor in the instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated 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 which can occur just by
opening the engine hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. 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). Do-
ing so may cause serious damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Page 417 of 522
416 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, turn engine off
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location and im-
mediately turn off the engine.
Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the en-
gine will overheat due to an inoperative wa-
ter pump which may result 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 re-
sult in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature indicator
in the instrument cluster (
page 27).
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
