
Warning/
indicator
lamp 0051 0051
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and 0050
0050Solutions 00AC
0051
The red coolant warning lamp lights up while the engine is running and the
coolant temperature gauge is at the start of the bar display.
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is defective.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk of engine
damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any
circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 190).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
309On-board computer and displays Z

Warning/
indicator
lamp 0051
0051 Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and 0050
0050 Solutions 00AC
0051
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator may be blocked
or the electric engine radiator fan may be malfunctioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 190).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until the engine
has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Y page 351).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the engine coolant
system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked, e.g. by
snow, slush or ice.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is below
248 ‡ (120 †). Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in mountainous
terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. 00AC
0051
The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running. A
warning tone also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 248 ‡ (120 †). The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can also cause serious burns which can
occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 190).310
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp 0051 0051
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and 0050
0050Solutions X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until the engine
has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Y page 351).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the engine coolant
system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked, e.g. by
snow, slush or ice.
X At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡(120 †), drive to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in mountainous
terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. Driving systems
Warning/
indicator
lamp 0051 0051
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and 0050
0050Solutions 00BA
0051
The red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion.
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed selected.
X Increase the distance. 00BA
0051
The red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion. A
warning tone also sounds.
You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line of travel at
too high a speed.
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to brake or take
evasive action.
Further information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 78).
For further information on the distance warning function of COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST: (Y page 73). Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
311On-board computer and displays Z

Additional service products
Checking coolant level G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine
compartment, such as the engine, radiator
and parts of the exhaust system, can become
very hot. Working in the engine compartment
poses a risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and
touch only the components described in the
following. G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized,
particularly when the engine is warm. When
opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape. X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level when the
vehicle is on a level surface and the engine
has cooled down.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 171).
or
X Press Start/Stop button twice
(Y page 171). X
Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †).
X Turn the SmartKey to position
0(Y page 171) in the ignition lock.
or
X Remove Start/Stop button from ignition
lock (Y page 171).
X Slowly turn cap 0043half a turn counter-
clockwise to allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn cap 0043further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
0087 in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank 0044.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar 0087in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in expansion tank 0044.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap 0043and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 426).
Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine
compartment, such as the engine, radiator
and parts of the exhaust system, can become
very hot. Working in the engine compartment
poses a risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and
touch only the components described in the
following. G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot Engine compartment
351Maintenance and care
Z

VIN
X
Open the front right-hand door.
X Fold cover 0043down and remove it.
You will see the VIN.
The VIN can also be found in the following
locations:
R on the lower edge of the windshield
(Y page 423)
R on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 422) Engine number
0043
Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase)
0044 VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
0087 Emission control information plate,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions standards Service products and filling
capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing and disposing of service
fluids. Otherwise, you could endanger
persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R Fuels
R Lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Windshield washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. You should therefore only use
products that have been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
You can recognize service products approved
by Mercedes-Benz by the following
inscription on the containers:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations
indicate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet number (e.g. Service products and filling capacities
423Technical data Z

Missing values were not available at time of
going to print. Model Engine
model MB
Approval AMG vehicles
157 229.5
All other models
278 229.5
i
MB approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Filling capacities The following values refer to an oil change
including the oil filter.
Model Capacity
AMG vehicles
Without external oil
cooler: 9.0 US qt (8.5 l) All other models
8.5 qt (8.0 l)
Additives
!
Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE classification
(viscosity) suitable for the prevailing outside
temperatures. The table shows you which SAE classifications are to be used. The low-
temperature characteristics of engine oils
can deteriorate significantly, e.g. as a result
of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It is therefore
strongly recommended that you carry out
regular oil changes using an approved engine
oil with the appropriate SAE classification.
Brake fluid
G
WARNING
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air; this lowers its boiling
point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
intervals can be found in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz according to MB Approval 331.0.
Information about approved brake fluid can
be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
i Have the brake fluid renewed regularly at
a qualified specialist workshop. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
components in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add
antifreeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not
spilled next to the filler neck. Thoroughly 426
Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

clean the antifreeze from components before
starting the engine.
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the
Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Or
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
i Have the coolant regularly replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop and the
replacement confirmed in the Maintenance
Booklet.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 †),the boiling point of the
coolant during operation is approximately
266 ‡ (130 †).
The an tifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the engine cooling system
should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 †).
R no t exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -49 ‡ [-45 †]). Otherwise, heat
will no t be dissipated as effectively.
Mercedes-Benz recommends an antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor concentrate in accordance with
MB Specifications for Service Products 310.1.
i
When the vehicle is first delivered, it is
filled with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion
protection.
i The coolant is checked with every
maintenance interval at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Filling capacities Missing values were not available at time of
going to print.
Model Capacity
AMG vehicles
12.6 US qt (11.5 l)
All other models
12.8 US qt (12.1 l)
i
Use MB 325.0 or MB 326.0 corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze. Washer fluid
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not add distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only MB SummerFit and MB WinterFit
washer fluid should be mixed together. The Service products and filling capacities
427Technical data Z