check engine MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE 2005 CL203 Owner's Guide

358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
Parking brake
Release brake.
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop.
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately. Do not 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.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

359 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 296).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
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. Notify 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.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge
(page 24).

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Coolant
Visit workshop.
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge.

Have the fan replaced as soon as
possible.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:At next gas station
add 1.0 qt engine oilCanada only:At next gas station
add 1.0 l engine oil
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 294) and check
the engine oil level (
page 293).
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 (
page 294) and check
the engine oil level (
page 293).
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 or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with
respect to its disposal.
Change engine oil
Visit workshop.
It may be that there is water in the engine
oil.

Have the engine oil checked.

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message
At next gas station
add 1.0 qt engine oil
(Canada:
1.0 l
)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
Engine oil level
Visit workshop.
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 294) and add oil as required
(page 293).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
Oil sensor malfunction
Visit workshop.
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

401 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box
Release clamps1.

Remove filter box.
Installing filter box

Insert filter box properly.

Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 297).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.


404 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

405 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off the engine.
On both vehicles:

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper ca-
bles. Clamp cable to charged
battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal4 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
Now you can turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals4 and3 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 297).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

433 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approximately - 49°F [-45°C]), the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a
significantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 Anticorrosion/Anti-
freeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

446 IndexBolts
For spare wheel 376
Brake
Indicator lamp 25
Brake assist system (BAS) 437
Brake fluid 290, 428
Checking 290
Message in display 358
Brake lamp bulbs 385
Brake pads
Message in display 358
Brakes 278
Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 276
Bulbs, replacing 384
Additional turn signals 385
Brake lamps 385
Fog lamps 385
Front lamps 385
High beam 385
High beam flasher 385
License plate lamps 385, 392
Low beam 385
Parking lamps 385, 388, 390
Rear fog lamp 385, 390
Rear lamps 385Side marker lamp 391
Side marker lamps 385, 390
Standing lamps 385, 388, 390
Tail lamp assemblies 385
Tail lamp unit 390
Turn signal lamps 385
Button
Audio system 198
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 437
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 152
Service indicator 331
CAN system 437
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 426
Cargo compartment
Lighting 118
Tie-down rings 253
Cargo tie-down rings 253
Catalytic converter 285
CD changer* 213
CD changer* operation 215
CD player
Operating 131
CD* operation 213Center console 27
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 27, 76, 345
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 137
Central locking
Automatic 97
From inside 98
Switch 98
Switching on/off (control
system) 148
Unlocking from inside 98
Central locking switch 98
Changing
CDs 213
Key setting 148
Charcoal filter 191
Activating 191
Deactivating 192
Charging
Vehicle battery 402
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 342