warning MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2002 Owner's Guide

277
Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
• During take-off, apply as little throttle as possible.
• While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.

281
Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 282
On-board diagnostic system ......... 283 Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp............................. 283
Brake warning lamp .................. 284
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 285
Fuel reserve warning................. 286
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp.............................................. 287
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 288
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp ............................................288 Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console...... 289
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 289
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 290
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE................ 291
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ....... 292
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .... 293
BRAKE ASSIST........................... 293
BRAKE PAD WEAR.................... 294
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 294
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 295
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 295
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program).. 296
COOLANT (coolant level).......... 297 COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 298
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 299
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 300
LIGHT SENSOR........................... 302
DOOR............................................ 302
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 303
HOOD ........................................... 303
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 304
TELE AID ..................................... 304
WASHER FLUID.......................... 305
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 306
KEY............................................... 306
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 307
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 307
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST. ..... 308

284
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means: • there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
• the parking brake is set (engine running). Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

286
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Fuel reserve warning
1 Fuel reserve indicator When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.1 US gal (8 liters). In addition to the
warning lamp, the message “RESERVE FUEL” –“VISIT
FUEL STATION” appears in the multifunction display.
See page 278 for notes on refueling the vehicle.
After refueling the vehicle, the message
“1 MALFUNCTION” appears in the multifunction
display when turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2. This malfunction message has to be
cleared, see page 119 for notes on the malfunction /
warning message memory.
P54.30-4541-26

287
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2
and should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp symbol and
warning in the instrument cluster remains illuminated
while the engine is running, it indicates that the ABS
has detected a malfunction and has switched off. In this
case, the brake system functions in the usual manner,
but without antilock assistance.
A malfunctioning ABS control unit can possibly affect
the operation of other systems (e.g. Navigation,
Automatic transmission). Be guided accordingly with
respect to the use of those systems and have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible. With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. The malfunction indicator lamps and
malfunction messages in the multifunction display
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 272 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
ABS

288
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2.
It should go out with engine running.
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the system. Pressing the accelerator
pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
See electronic stability program (ESP) on page 274 if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving. Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a
short time if the drivers seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.

290
Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display
Malfunction and warning messages for the following
systems will be displayed immediately in the
multifunction display.
They are divided into three categories.
Category C1:
Messages of most immediate priority.
These cannot be cleared from the instrument cluster
using the reset knob on the instrument cluster (see
page 99).
Categories C2 and C3:
Messages of less immediate priority.
These can be cleared from the instrument cluster using
the reset knob on the instrument cluster (see page 99)
and are then stored in the malfunction message
memory. See page 119. Note:
Certain malfunction and warning messages are
accompanied by an audible signal.
Malfunction and warning messages in red are always
accompanied by an audible signal.
Temporary messages such as “TRUNK OPEN!” will not
be stored in the malfunction message memory.
Wa r n i n g !
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of and,
where malfunction indicated, addressed as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty, or result in property damage or personal
injury.

291
Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
* C = Category, see page 290This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The display for coolant temperature
gauge, tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
* C = Category, see page 290The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1
Line 2C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY2
Line 1Line 2C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY2

292
Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR
* C = Category, see page 290
This message indicates a malfunction which must be
repaired immediately.
It may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should
this condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced
before continuing to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine.
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.
Line 1 Line 2C*
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

293
Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
* C = Category, see page 290See page 272 for notes on the antilock brake system
(ABS).1 The display or the system is malfunctioning
BRAKE ASSIST* C = Category, see page 290A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without brake assist system (BAS).
See page 271 for notes on the brake assist system (BAS).
Line 1
Line 2C*
ABS SYSTEM VISIT WORKSHOP!2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
Line 1 Line 2C*
BRAKE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE! 2
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP!2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2