Instruments and warning lights
27
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
If you do not pay attention to the warning lights coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in severe body inju- ries or major vehicle damage.
The engine compartment of your car is
a hazardous area. There is a risk of
injuries, scalding, accidents and fire wh
en working in the engine compartment,
e.g. inspecting and replenishing oil and
other fluids. It is also essential to
observe all warnings
page 166, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Note
Arrangement of the indicator lights depends on the model and model version.
Operational faults are shown in the instrument cluster as red symbols (priority 1 -
danger) or yellow symbol
s (priority 2 - warning).
Turn signal system
Either the left
or right
indicator light flashes depending on the position of the turn
signal lever. The indicator light flashes at twice its normal rate if a turn signal light fails.Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of the turn signal lights as well as both indicator lights to flash. Further information about the turn signal system
page 52.
Main beam
The indicator light
comes on when the main beam is selected or also when the
headlight flasher is operated. Further information about the main beam
page 52.
Low beam
The warning light
comes on when low beam is selected
page 48.
Engine oil
page 29
Open door
page 30
Fluid level in windshield washer system*
page 30
Control system for exhaust
page 30
Traction control system (TCS)*
page 31
Tyre pressure monitoring system*
page 31
Selector lever lock*
page 31
Traction control system (TCS)*
page 31
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
page 31
Antilock brake system (ABS)
page 32
Brake system
page 32
Cruise control system*
page 33
Airbag system
page 33
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)
page 33
Seat belt warning light
page 34
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Instruments and warning lights
28Rear fog light
The warning light
comes on when the rear fog lights are operating
page 50.
Bulb failure
The warning light
comes on if a bulb is faulty:
up to 2 seconds after the ignition is switched on;
when switching on the defective light bulb.
The following text e.g will be disp
layed in the information display*:
Check front right dipped beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate li
ghting require several light bulbs. The indi-
cator light
only lights up if all light bulbs of
the licence plate lighting or the parking
light (in one rear light unit) are defective. Check regularly the function of the light bulbs.Alternator
The warning light
comes on after the ignition has
been switched on. It should go
out after the engine has started. If the warning light does not go out after
the engine has started, or comes on when
driving, drive to the nearest specialist garage. The vehicle battery will be discharged in this case so switch off all non-
essential electrical components.
Caution
If the warning light
comes on when driving and in addition the warning light
(cooling system fault) also comes on in di
splay, you must then stop the car immedi-
ately and switch the engine off - risk of engine damage!Fog lights*
The warning light
comes on when the fog lights are operating
page 50.
Electrohydraulic power steering
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the warning light after switching on the ignition or when driving lights up continu- ously, a fault exists in the electrohydraulic power steering. The power steering operates with reduced steering assist or is completely without function. Further information
page 141.
WARNING
Contact your specialist
garage if the power steering is defective.
Note
If the yellow warning light
goes out after starting the engine again and a short
drive, it is not necessary to visit a specialist garage.
If the battery has been di
sconnected and reconnected, the yellow warning light
comes on after switching on the ignition. Th
e warning light must go out after driving a
short distance.
There is no power-assisted steering su
pport when the vehicle is being towed
without the engine running or when the power-assisted steering is defect. The vehicle is fully steerable however. There is however increased force required to turn the steering wheel.EPC fault light
(petrol engine)
The
(Electronic Power Control) warning light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition is switched on. If the warning light
flashes after starting the engine
or flashes while driving, a fault
exists in the engine control system. The en
gine management system selects an emer-
gency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
s3j8.a.book Page 28 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:10 PM
Instruments and warning lights
29
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Glow plug system
(diesel engine)
The warning light
lights up for a
cold
engine when switching on the ignition (pre-
heat position)
page 89. Start the engine after the indicator light goes out.
The glow plug indicato
r light will come on for about 1
second if the engine is at a
normal operating temperature
or if the outside temperature is above +5°C. This
means that you can start the engine
right away
.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the
warning light
does not come on
or
lights up continuously
; contact a specialist garage as soon as possible to obtain
assistance. If the
warning light
begins
to flash
while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. 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. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Engine fault: Workshop!
Coolant temperature/coolant quantity
The warning light
lights up until the engine reaches operating temperature
3). Avoid
running at high engine speeds, at full
throttle and at se
vere engine loads.
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the
coolant level too low if the warning light
lights up or flashes while driving. An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.In this case stop and switch the engine off
and check the coolant level; top up the
coolant as necessary
page 170, “Replenishing the coolant”.
Do not continue your journey
if for some reason it is not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with coolant.
Keep the engine switched off
and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan.
Check the fuse for the coolant fan, replace
it if necessary
page 199, “Fuse assignment at th
e battery (automatic gearbox)”.
If the warning light
does not go out although the coolant is at the correct level and
also the fuse of the fan is in proper order,
do not continue driving
. Contact a specialist
garage to obtain assistance. Please refer to the following guidelines
page 169, “Cooling system”.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check coolant! Owner's manual
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 51, “Switch for hazard warning lights
”.
Fuel reserve
The warning light
comes on, if the fuel level is less than 7 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Please refuel! Range...km
Engine oil
The warning light
lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds
4) when the ignition is switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off
if the warning light does not go off after
the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up with oil as necessary
page 167.
3)Not valid for vehicles with information display.
A2
4)The warning light
on vehicles fitted with information
display does not come on after switch-
ing the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low.
s3j8.a.book Page 29 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:10 PM
Instruments and warning lights
303 peeps sound as an additional warning signal. Do not continue your journey
if for some reason it is
not possible under the condi-
tions prevailing to top up with oil.
Keep the engine switched off
and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage. Do not drive any further
if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine
not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest specialist
garage to obtain professional assistance. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Oil Pressure: Engine off! Owner's manual!
The warning light
lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably too low. Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up
page 167 with engine oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Check oil level!
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is le
ft open for more than 30 seconds. If no
engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after driving about 100 km. The warning light
flashes yellow* (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switched on. 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!
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 51.
The red oil pressure light
is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular interval
s, preferably after every refueling stop.
Pay attention to the following instructions
page 166, “Working in the
engine compartment” before checking
the coolant fluid level and opening the
bonnet.Open door
The warning light
comes on if one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid is
opened. If one of the doors opens whil
e driving, the warning light lights
up and an
audible signal sounds. The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes. On vehicles with information display* this wa
rning light is replaced by a vehicle symbol
page 23.Windshield washer fluid level*
The warning light
comes on when the ignition is swit
ched on if there is insufficient
fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid
page 176.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
To p u p w a s h f l u i d !
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 starti
ng the engine or it li
ghts up when driving,
a fault exists in an exhaust relevant co
mponent. The engine management system
selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a ge
ntle style of driving.
WARNING (continued)
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Instruments and warning lights
31
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Traction control system (TCS)*
The warning light
lights up if the TCS
system is switched off.
Further information about the TCS
page 138.
Tyre pressure monitoring system*
The warning light
lights up, if there is a substantia
l drop in inflation pressure in one
of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or
correct as soon as possible the inflation
pressure in the tyres
page 178.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.If the warning light flashes
, there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist garage
and have the fault rectified. Further information about the tyre pressure monitoring system
page 142.
WARNING
When the warning light
lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvr
es. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and in
spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light
can be delayed or does not light up at all.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected, the warning light
comes on after switching on
the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.Selector lever lock*
(automatic gearbox)
If the
green
warning light
lights up, operate the brake pedal. This is necessary, in
order to be able to move the selector lever out of the position
P or N.
Further information about the selector lever lock
page 100.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The warning light flashes when a control cycle is activated while driving.The warning light
lights up permanently if there is a fault in the TCS system.
The fact that the TCS system operates together with the ABS means that the TCS warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly. If the warning light
comes on immediately after starting the engine, the TCS system
can be switched off for techni
cal reasons. In this case, the TCS system can be switched
on again by switching the igni
tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the TCS
system is fully functional again. Further information about the TCS
page 138, “Traction control system (TCS)*”.
Note
If the battery has been disconnected
and reconnected, the warning light
comes on
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
If the ESP helps to stabilise the vehicle (f
or example when applying and releasing a
braking force to an individual wheel), then the indicator light
flashes.
The warning light
lights up permanently if there is a fault in the ESP system.
The fact that the ESP system operates together with the ABS means that the ESP warning light will also come on if the ABS system is not operating properly. If the warning light
comes on immediately after starting the engine, the ESP system
can be switched off for technical reasons. In
this case, the ESP system can be switched
on again by switching the igni
tion on and off. If the warning light goes out, the ESP
system is fully functional again. Further information on the ESP
page 137, “Electronic stab
ility programme (ESP)*”.
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Instruments and warning lights
32
Note
If the battery has been disconnected
and reconnected, the warning light
comes on
after switching on the ignition. The warning light must go out after driving a short distance.Antilock brake system (ABS)
The warning light
shows the functionality of the ABS.
The warning light comes on for a few seconds after the ignition has been switched on or when starting the engine. The warning light goes out after an automatic check sequence has been completed. A fault in the ABS The system is not functioning properly if the ABS warning light
does not go out
within a few seconds after switching on the ignition, does not light up at all or lights up while driving. The vehicle will only be br
aked by the normal brake system. Visit a
specialist garage immediately and adjust your
style of driving appropriately as you will
not know how grea
t the damage is.
Further information about ABS
page 140, “Antilock brake system (ABS)”.
A fault in the entire brake system If the ABS warning light
comes on together with the brake system warning light
(handbrake must be released), there is a fa
ult not only in the ABS but also in another
part of the brake system
.
WARNING
If the brake system warning light
comes on together with the ABS
warning light
stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid level in
the reservoir
page 171, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has dropped below the
MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Obtain professional assistance.
Pay attention to the following instruct
ions before checking the brake fluid
level and opening the bonnet
page 166, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
If the brake fluid is at the correct leve
l, the ABS control function has failed.
The rear wheels may then block very rapi
dly when braking. In certain circum-
stances, this can result in the rear end of the car breaking away - risk of skid-ding! Drive carefully to the nearest sp
ecialist garage and have the fault
rectified.Brake system
The warning light
flashes or comes on if the brake fluid level is too low, if there is a
fault in the ABS or if
the handbrake is applied.
If the warning light
flashes and an audible signal so
unds three times (handbrake is
not applied),
stop
and check the brake fluid level
.
The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Brake fluid: Owner's manual
If there is a fault in the ABS which also infl
uences the function of the brake system (e.g.
distribution of brake pressure), the ABS warning light
comes on and at the same
time the brake system warning light starts flashing
. Be aware that not only the ABS
but also another part of th brake system is defective
.
An audible signal sounds three times as an additional warning signal.One should get used to high pedal forces, an extended free play of the brake pedal and long braking distances when carefully driving to the specialist garage. For further information on the brake system
page 139, “Brakes”.
Handbrake applied The warning light
also comes on if the handbrake is applied. An audible warning is
also given if you drive the vehicle for at least 3 seconds at a speed of more than 6 km/h. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Release parking brake!WARNING (continued)
s3j8.a.book Page 32 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:10 PM
Instruments and warning lights
33
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
Pay attention to the following instruct
ions before checking the brake fluid
level and opening the bonnet
page 166, “Working in the engine compart-
ment”.
If the brake system warning light
does not go out a few seconds after
switching on the ignition or comes on when driving, stop immediately and check the brake fluid in the reservoir
page 171, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level
has dropped below the MIN marking, do no
t drive any further - risk of accident!
Obtain professional assistance.Cruise control system*
The warning light
lights up, when operating the speed regulating system.
Airbag system
Monitoring the airbag system The warning light
comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
There is a fault in the system if the warning
light does not go out or comes on or flashes
while driving
. This also applies if the warning
light does not come on after the
ignition is switched on. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag fault!
The functionality of the airbag system is also monitored electronically when one airbag has been switched off. The following situation applies if the fr
ont, side and head airbags or belt
tensioner have been switched off
using the vehicle system tester:
The warning light
lights up for 3 seconds after switching on the ignition and then
flashes for 12 seconds afterwards in 2 second intervals. The following text will be displayed in the information display*:
Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated!
If the passenger front airbag has been
switched off using the switch (for
switching off airbags)* in the end face of
the dash panel on the front passenger
side:
The warning light
comes on for 4 seconds after the ignition has been switched
on.
switching off the airbag is indicated in the middle of the dash panel by the lighting
up of the yellow indicator light in display
page 129.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked immediat
ely by a specialist
garage if a fault
exists. Otherwise, there is a
risk of the airbag not bein
g activated in the event of
an accident.
Note
Further information about switching off airbags
page 128, “Deactivating airbags”.
Diesel particle filter*
(diesel engine)
If the warning light
comes on, this means that soot
has accumulated in the diesel
particle filter because of the frequent short distances. In order to clean the diesel particle filter, the vehicle should be driven at an even speed of at least 60 km/h at engine speeds of 1
800 - 2 500 rpm for at least 15 minutes or until
the warning light goes out with the 4th or
5th gear engaged (automatic gearbox: posi-
tion S) when the traffic situation permits it. This increases the exhaust temperature and the soot deposited in the diesel particle filter is burnt. Always pay attention to the valid speed limits
.
The warning light
goes out after the successful cleaning of the diesel particle filter.
If the filter is not properly
cleaned, the warning light
does not go out and the
warning light
begins to flash. In the in
formation display* appears
Diesel-particle
filter! Owner's manual
. Afterwards the engine control unit shifts the engine into the
emergency mode, which only has a reduced po
wer output. After switching the ignition
off and on again the warning light
comes on.
Have the vehicle inspected without
delay by your specialist garage.
s3j8.a.book Page 33 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:10 PM
Instruments and warning lights
34
WARNING
If you do not pay attention to the warning light coming on and the corre-
sponding descriptions and warning notes, this may result in injuries or major vehicle damage.
Always adjust your speed to suit weather, road, region and traffic condi-
tions. The route indicated by the warning light must not tempt you to disregard the national regulations for road traffic.
Caution
As long as the warning light
lig hts up, one m us t ta ke i nto acco unt an i ncrea se d fue l
consumption and in certain circumstan
ces a power reduction of the engine.
Note
Further information about
diesel particle filter
page 143, “Diesel particle filter*
(diesel engine)”.Seat belt warning light*
The warning light
comes on after the ignition is sw
itched on as a reminder for the
driver and front passenger to fasten the seat
belt. The warning light only goes out if the
driver or front passenger has fastened his seat belt. If the seat belt has not been fastened by
the driver or front passenger, a permanent
warning signal sounds at vehicle speeds greater than 20 km/h and simultaneously the warning light
flashes.
If the seat belt is not fastened by the dr
iver or front passenger during the next 90
seconds, the warning signal is deactivated and the warning light
lights up perma-
nently. In case of a load on the front passenger se
at e.g. a bag (this is not recommended for
safety reasons) the warning light
indicates that the seat belt is not fastened.
Further information on the seat belts
page 117, “Why seat belts?”.
s3j8.a.book Page 34 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:10 PM