R
Washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 181)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 182) Engine compartment
Hood
G
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening G
Warning!
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant
temperature indicator indicates that the
engine is overheated, do not open the hood.
Move away from vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department. G
Warning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions. G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades. G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
R with the engine running
R while starting the engine
R when the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually X
Pull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged. X
Push handle ; under the hood upwards.
X Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically. 178
Engine compartmentOperation
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsDISTRONIC Currently
Unavailabl
e
See
Operator’s
Manual Distronic is deactivated because:
R
The Distronic cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
R The functionality is impaired by heavy precipitation or fog.
R The system is overheated.
X If necessary, clean the Distronic cover in the area of the
radiator grille
(Y page 219).
X If necessary, wait until the system has cooled down.
X Restart the vehicle.
Distronic becomes operational again without the engine being
restarted when
R dirt on the radiator grille has fallen off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
R the system recognizes full sensor availability (due to
lessening rain or the road surface drying)
R the message in the multifunction display disappears
R the speed last stored flashes in the display for 5 seconds
You can then operate Distronic as usual again. DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailabl
e
See
Operator’s
Manual Distronic is deactivated because the functionality is impaired
by external interferences, e.g. high-frequency sources such
as toll stations, speed measuring systems etc.
X
Leave the area of the external interference.
X Activate Distronic again (Y
page 133) when the message in
the multifunction display disappears. Distronic is deactivated because the Distronic sensor has not
sensed any other vehicles or objects, e.g. road sign or such,
for a long time.
X
Activate Distronic again (Y
page 133) when the message in
the multifunction display disappears. G
Warning!
Distronic cannot take weather conditions into
account.
Switch off Distronic or do not turn it
on if the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished as a result of snow, rain or fog. The
distance control may be impaired even before the system is able to detect a dirty sensor. The
message
DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable
See Operator’s Manual will
be displayed in the multifunction display and
Distronic will be turned off. 234
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions? Coolant
Stop
Vehicle,
turn
engine
off. The poly-V-belt could be broken.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X 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 Limited
Warranty.
X Observe the coolant temperature indicator in the
instrument cluster.
X Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. ? The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.
X
Observe the coolant temperature indicator in the
instrument cluster.
If
the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.
X Have the fan replaced as soon as possible. # The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R
alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic system
X Stop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.
X If it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X If it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
245
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Engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions= (USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow engine
malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when
the engine is running. There may be a malfunction in
R
the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the emission control system
R systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive emissions values and
may
switch the engine to limp-home (emergency operation) mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as
soon
as the engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements. = (USA only)
; (Canada only)
The yellow engine
malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when
the engine is running. A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaky.
X
Check the fuel cap ( Y page 176).
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. ?
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 radiator fan may be
broken.
X
Immediately add coolant to prevent engine from overheating
(Y page 180).
X Have the cooling system checked.
X If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you can
continue driving to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
X Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving uphill) and stop-and-go
driving. What to do if …
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using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
!
To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or one axle raised only so far as necessary to
have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods
can be employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
R Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts. G
Warning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane. i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 278) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 280).
For information on manually unlocking the
gear selector lever, see ( Y page 263). Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing eye
bolt can be screwed into threaded holes
which are located behind covers on each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located underneath the trunk
floor ( Y page 224).
X Take the vehicle tool kit out of the trunk.
Removing cover in front bumper X
Press mark on cover : as indicated by the
arrow.
X Lift cover : off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt. 282
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