MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON 2003 S203 Owner's Manual

267 Practical hints
What to do if …
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Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The poly-V-belt could be broken.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
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. No-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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.
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The cooling fan for the coolant is mal-
functioning.

Observe the coolant temperature
display.

Have the fan replaced as soon as
possible.
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268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
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Suggested solution
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.

Close the doors.
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS might not be operational.

With vehicle stationary and the en-
gine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize the
ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear itself after driving
a short distance at more than 12 mph
(20 km/h).
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269 Practical hints
What to do if …
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ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.

When the voltage is above this val-
ue again, the ESP is operational
again.

If necessary, have the generator
and battery checked.
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 269 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
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:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK LEVEL!
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.

Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its
disposal.
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.

If you must add engine oil frequent-
ly, have the engine checked for
possible leaks.
There is water in the oil.

Have the oil checked.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 270 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

271 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEV-
EL!
message appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to approxi-
mately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive
to the nearest service station where the
engine oil should be topped to the “full”
mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in se-
rious engine damage that is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
A
RESERVE FUEL
VISIT FILLING STATION!
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 232).
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 234).
I
REPLACE KEY
VISIT WORKSHOP!
No additional code available for Smart-
Key.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!

Remove the key from the starter
switch.
.
LAMP SENSOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp op-
eration to manual (
page 99).

Switch on headlamps using the ex-
terior lamp switch.
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272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
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Suggested solution
.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL, LR
CHECK LAMP!

The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIGNAL, RR
CHECK LAMP!

The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
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273 Practical hints
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Suggested solution
.
TURN SIGNAL LF
CHECK LAMP!
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIGNAL RF
CHECK LAMP!
The right front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
BRAKE LAMP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
3RD BRAKE LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
HIGH BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 273 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
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.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
FRONT FOGLAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
FRONT FOGLAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right front fog lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REAR FOGLAMP
CHECK LAMP!

The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REVERSE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
REVERSE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TAIL LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
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275 Practical hints
What to do if …
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Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TAIL LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, LF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left parking lamps are malfunctioning.
A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, RF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LAMPS!
This display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
key in the starter switch.

Insert key in the starter switch.

Switch off lights.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
Key in the starter switch position1 or2.

Remove key from the starter switch.
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).
<
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 275 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

276 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
<
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your pas-
sengers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
_
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST
LOCK!
The steering column is not properly
locked.

Lock the steering column properly
(page 37).
POWER STEERING FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.

Have the system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 276 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM