DIN 51628 German standard can lead to
increased wear, engine damage and dam-
age to the exhaust system.
Do not use the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel
R vegetable oil
R petrol
R paraffin
R kerosene
Do not add such fuels to diesel fuel and do
not use any special additives (exception:
flow improvers – see "Low outside temper-
atures").
Damage caused by the use of unapproved
fuels or additives is not covered by the
implied warranty.
Further information on "Fuel" (Y page 287).
Low outside temperatures The flow properties of diesel may be inade-
quate at low ambient temperatures.
Diesel fuel with improved cold flow qualities
is available during the winter months. In
Europe, various climate-dependent low-tem-
perature classes are defined in EN 590. Using
diesel fuels which meet the climatic require-
ments set out in EN 590 can help avoid oper-
ating problems. The flow properties of diesel
fuel may be inadequate at unusually low out-
side temperatures or when using fuel which
has not been adjusted to climatic conditions
(e.g. diesel fuels from Mediterranean
regions).
Flow improver
Flow improvers may be added to improve low-
temperature resistance. The effectiveness of
a flow improver is not guaranteed with every
fuel.
Correct dosage and mixing are decisive fac-
tors in ensuring improvement in low-temper- ature resistance. Under certain circumstan-
ces, an excessive dosage may actually
decrease low-temperature resistance, and
should therefore be avoided (follow the man-
ufacturer's dosing instructions).
Mix the additive with the diesel in good time,
before the flow properties of the diesel
become inadequate. Otherwise, malfunctions
can only be rectified by heating the entire fuel
system, e.g. by parking the vehicle in a heated
garage.
Observe the information provided by the man-
ufacturer when using a flow improver. Only
use flow improvers that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. You can obtain
further information from any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Engine compartment
Bonnet
G
Risk of accident
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. If you do so, the bonnet may open
up and block your view.
Opening G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Owner’s Manual
and observe the relevant safety notes. G
Risk of injury
The radiator fan between the radiator and the
engine can start automatically, even if the key
has been removed from the ignition lock. For
this reason, you must not reach into the fan
rotation area. Otherwise, you could be
injured. 174
Engine compartmentOperation
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Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The electronic ignition system uses high volt-
age. For this reason, you must never touch
ignition system components (ignition coil,
ignition cable, spark plug connector or test
socket) while:
R the engine is running.
R the engine is being started.
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand.
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
The electronic injection control uses high volt-
age. For this reason, you must never touch
injection system components while:
R the engine is running.
R the engine is being started.
R the ignition is switched on.
You could otherwise suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off. G
Risk of injury
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others could
be injured by the wiper linkage.
Make sure that the windscreen wiper is
switched off. Remove the key or make sure
that no ignition level has been selected on
KEYLESS GO *. Inthe instrument cluster, all of
the indicator lamps must be out. The bonnet release lever is located in the
driver's footwell. X
Pull bonnet release lever :.
The bonnet is released.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers
are not folded away from the windscreen.
Otherwise, you could damage the wind-
screen wipers or the bonnet.
The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille. X
Reach into the gap, pull bonnet catch han-
dle ;up and lift the bonnet.
Closing G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close the bonnet.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly. Engine compartment
175Operation
* optional
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions DISTRONIC - - - km/h
An activation condition for Distronic* is not fulfilled.
X
If conditions permit, drive faster than 30 km/h and store
the speed (Y page 119).
or
X Check the activation conditions for Dis-
tronic* (Y page 119). DISTRONIC Override
Distronic* is no longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC inopera‐
tive
Distronic* is faulty or the display has failed.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC currently
unavaila‐
ble See
Owner's
Manual
Distronic* is deactivated and is temporarily inoperative if:
R
the Distronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due
to electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the radar sensor system has not detected any vehicles or
stationary objects, e.g. traffic signs, for a long time.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
Distronic* becomes available again and the display message
disappears when:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while you are driving.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available
again.
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be shown:
X Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator grille
(Y page 203).
X Restart the engine. 214
Display
messagesPractical advice
* optional
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ? Coolant
Stop car,
turn
engine off The coolant is too hot.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked,
e.g. by slush.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display
(Y page 100).
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified special-
ist workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise over-
heat.
X Switch off the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display
(Y page 100).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. + Top up
coolant
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual The coolant level is too low.
X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before
doing so (Y page 177).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often
than usual. 224
Display
messagesPractical advice
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical
component of the engine control unit.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 120 †.
You also hear a warning
tone. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 177). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently.
X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop/start driving. The engine does not
switch off. The ignition lock is faulty.
X
Open the fuse box in the engine compartment (Y page 281).
X Remove fuse 120 using the fuse extractor.
The engine stops.
If you wish to start the engine again:
X Replace the fuse. Troubleshooting
243Practical advice
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