
60Cockpit
CHECK button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Call-up button for service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Reset button for trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Coolant temperature gauge
Fig. 38 Engine coolant
temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge ⇒ fig. 38 only works when the ignition is
switched on. In order to avoid engine damage, please read the following
notes for the different temperature ranges.
Cold temperature A
If the needle is still on the left of the dial, this indicates that the engine has
not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high revs and heavy accelera-
tion and do not make the engine work hard.
Normal temperature B
In normal operations, the needle will settle somewhere in the centre of the
dial once the engine has reached running temperature. The temperature
may also rise when the engine is working hard, especially at high outside8
910
temperatures. This is no cause for concern, provided the warning lamp
does not light up in the instrument panel.
Warning temperature C
If the symbol
flashes in the display, this means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low ⇒ page 78.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the coolant level, observe
the warning information ⇒ page 226.
● Never open the bonnet when steam or coolant is being released from
it. This could lead to burns. Wait until you can no longer see or hear es-
caping steam or coolant.
CAUTION
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant.
At high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.

69
Cockpit
then on again. After this the warning lamp should go out to show that the
system is fully functional.
The warning lamp will light up when the ignition is switched on if the bat-
tery has been disconnected and then reconnected. It should go out again
after driving a short distance if the steering wheel is turned slightly.
For further information on the ESP, see ⇒ page 192.
Alternator
The warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator or in the
vehicle's electrical system.
The warning lamp lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should switch off after the engine has started.
If the warning lamp lights up when you are driving, you can normally
continue as far as the nearest qualified workshop. However, given that the
battery will be running down, any electrical consumption not absolutely vi-
tal should be switched off.
CAUTION
If the coolant warning lamp in the instrument panel lights up as well as
the alternator waning lamp while driving ⇒ page 78, stop the vehicle im-
mediately and switch off the engine. In this case the coolant pump is no
longer working, and there is a risk of engine damage.
Main beam headlights
The indicator lamp
lights up when the main beams are on or when the
headlight flasher is operated. For further information on the main beam headlights, see ⇒
page 122.
Engine management
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp (Electronic Power Control) lights up while the function
is being checked.
Note
If the warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is moving, this indicates a
fault in the engine management system. The vehicle must be taken immedi-
ately to a qualified workshop to have the engine serviced.
Glow plug system
The indicator lamp lights up while the glow plugs are pre-
heating.
The indicator lamp lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When
the indicator lamp goes out the engine should be started straight away.
When the engine is warm, or at outside temperatures above +8 °C, the
warning lamp will only light up very briefly.
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70Cockpit
Note
● If the glow plug indicator lamp should start flashing while the vehicle is
moving, this indicates a fault in the engine management system. The en-
gine should be serviced without delay.
● If the indicator lamp fails to light up when the ignition is switched on,
this can mean that the glow plug system is defective. The engine should be
serviced.
Brake system
The warning lamp flashes when the handbrake is applied, or
if the brake fluid level is too low or if there is a fault in the
ABS system. If the warning lamp flashes (and the handbrake is not applied), stop the
vehicle and check the brake fluid level ⇒
⇒ page 236.
If a failure should occur in the ABS, the ABS warning lamp will light up
together with the brake warning lamp ⇒
.
Handbrake on
The warning lamp also lights up when the handbrake is applied. In addi-
tion to this, the handbrake warning ⇒ page 76 switches on after driving
for 3 seconds at a speed above 5 km/h.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, ob-
serve the warning information in ⇒ page 226, Work in the engine com-
partment.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low and this may cause an
increased accident risk. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain
technical assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp, this can mean that there is a fault in the ABS control function. As a
result, the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under cer-
tain circumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side
to side, with the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the
nearest specialised workshop and have the fault repaired.

71
Cockpit
Driver information system
General notes
The driver information system in the instrument panel
shows the status of various on-board systems at a glance.
Fig. 47 Cockpit: Digital
instrument panel display
The display for the driver information system is in the centre of the instru-
ment panel.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. The DIS system gives
an audible warning if a fault should occur or if servicing is required, and a
red or yellow warning symbol (in some cases with a corresponding driver
message) appears in the instrument panel display.
The driver is informed on the audio system.
The driver information system includes the following functions:
CD player, radio and telephone display*⇒ page 72Outside temperature display⇒ page 72Gear indicator*⇒ page 73Selector lever positions for the 7-speed automatic
gearbox*⇒ page 188
Selector lever positions with multitronic ®
*⇒ page 184Distance to empty⇒ page 73Door and tailgate warning⇒ page 74Service indicator⇒ page 74auto-check control⇒ page 75Driving tips⇒ page 76Handbrake warning⇒ page 76Bulb monitor*⇒ page 82Onboard computer*⇒ page 85Tyre pressure monitoring*⇒ page 89Navigation information*Separate Instruc-
tion Manual
Note
● If a fault should occur, the display will show a red or yellow warning
symbol. A red warning symbol indicates a serious malfunction ⇒ page 77.
A yellow warning symbol indicates a less serious malfunction ⇒ page 79.
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73
Cockpit
Note
When the display shows route guidance instructions from the navigation
system, the outside temperature appears in the second line of the radio dis-
play.
Gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.
Fig. 50 Gear display
Use the gear display to save fuel. The indication ⇒ fig. 50 on the instrument
panel display recommends that you select the gear indicated by the arrow.
It may also skip a gear, and recommend changing up from 4th gear to 6th
gear, for example.
Note
● The display may not recommend any gear-change while you are acceler-
ating.
● The gear change indication should not be taken into account the accel-
eration is required (for example when overtaking).
● If desired, you can have the gear-change display deactivated by an Au-
thorised Service Centre.
Distance to empty
The distance to empty display can help you to plan your trip.
The estimated distance to empty is displayed in km. It shows how far the
vehicle can be driven with the amount of fuel left in the tank, assuming the
same style of driving. The distance to empty is displayed in increments of
10 km.
The distance to empty is calculated on the basis of the fuel consumption
over the last 30 kilometres. The distance to empty will increase if you drive
in a more economical manner.
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74Cockpit
Door and tailgate warning
Fig. 51 Display: Door
and tailgate warning
The door and tailgate warning symbol lights up if one or more of the doors,
or the bonnet or tailgate are not properly closed when the ignition is on. The
symbol also indicates which of these is not properly closed. The display in
the illustration ⇒ fig. 51 shows that the driver door is open.
The corresponding part of the pictogram will flash if either the bonnet or
tailgate are open. The warning symbol goes out when the bonnet, tailgate
and all the doors are closed.
In vehicles with a driver information system and an onboard computer* the
door catches/tailgate warning symbol can be switched off by briefly press-
ing one of the control switches for the onboard computer ⇒ page 86. How-
ever, the warning symbol will appear again if any of the doors or the bonnet
or tailgate is opened or closed. Service indicator
This display reminds the driver when the next routine serv-
ice is due.
Fig. 52 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Service indicator
Displaying distance to next service
When you press the service button 1
briefly with the ignition switched on,
the display will show how far the vehicle can be driven before the next serv-
ice is due. This check can be carried out with the engine stopped or running
up to 5 km/h. Before the first 500 km and after the ignition cycle, the kilo-
metres and days before the service inspection are not displayed.
If the service button 1
is pressed before the first 500 km the following indi-
cation appears on screen:
Service in ----- km --- days
This is only valid for vehicles with “LongLife Service Intervals”*.

75
Cockpit
Service reminder
The instrument panel controls the distance travelled every day. It calculates
the average of these distances travelled and activates the service reminder
sufficiently in advance.
The display reverts back to the standard display after about 5 seconds. The
remaining distance to the next service is updated every time the ignition is
switched on, until the service becomes due.
Service due
When a service is due, SERVICE! will appear in the display immediately after
you switch on the ignition. The display reverts back to the standard display
after about 5 seconds.
Resetting the display
The display is reset by the workshop after the service has been carried out.
The service interval will be set to a LongLife Service (flexible service inter-
val) or Inspection Service (fixed service interval), depending on which en-
gine oil is used. It is only possible to reset the display via the instrument
panel when an oil change is performed; in this case the display can only be
reset to a fixed service interval of 15 000 km. Proceed as follows:
● Switch the ignition off.
● Press the service button ⇒ fig. 52 1
and hold while switching on the
ignition. The display will show one of these messages: Service in ----- km or
Service!
● Now press and hold the reset button 2
until the display shows
Service
in ----- km --- days or Service!
The display switches out of the reset mode if you do not press the reset but-
ton within 5 seconds.
CAUTION
The system cannot calculate the figures for the service interval display if the
battery is disconnected from the vehicle, so no service reminder can be dis-
played during this time. Please remember that it is essential to service the
vehicle within the established time limits to prevent its deterioration and to
extend its useful life (particularly that of the engine). The period between
two services must never be longer than the time specified in the Mainte-
nance Programme, even if you only cover a low mileage during this time.
Note
● Do not reset the service indicator between services, otherwise the dis-
play will be incorrect.
● The information in the service indicator remains intact if the battery is
disconnected.
● The distance to the next service cannot be called up if the system has
detected a Priority 1 fault (red symbol).
Auto-check system Introduction
The auto-check system checks important components and vehicle systems.
These background checks are run constantly, as long as the ignition is
switched on.
A message is displayed on the instrument panel if a fault should occur or if
any maintenance or repairs are urgently required. This is accompanied by
an audible warning signal. Depending on the priority of the fault, a red or
yellow warning symbol lights up on the display.
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88Cockpit
Menu display
Introduction
Fig. 61 Windscreen wip-
er lever: Menu selection
button
Fig. 62 Display: Main
menu Some of your vehicle's functions can be adjusted, activated and controlled
by
menus. With the aid of the menus you can then also select the informa-
tion you wish to see displayed on the DIS display. This is only possible
when the ignition is on. The menu is enabled using the Reset
button on the
windscreen wiper lever ⇒ fig. 61.
The main menu lists the different display types (or basic commands):
Programming
Check
Menu off
Help
The main menu options have the following submenus:
ProgrammingClock⇒ page 89Computer⇒ page 89Speed warning⇒ page 82Radio info (on/off) Units (measuring distance,
fuel consumption, tempera-
ture)⇒ page 89
Language: you can select
one of 6 languages.⇒ page 89
CheckService⇒ page 74Menu offWhen the menu is switched off, the display shows the
same information as in vehicles without the menu func-
tion.
HelpThe help function may be used to understand the mean-
ing of symbols that can appear on different menus.