Symbol message MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2007 W203 Owner's Manual

178 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls3 andd for
the left side or6 andb for the right side
(
page 175) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The automatic climate control will adjust
to the set temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing
Press temperature button3
and/or6 (
page 175) until the de-
sired temperature appears in the
display4 (
page 175).
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.Decreasing
Press temperature buttonb
and/ord (
page 175) until the de-
sired temperature appears in the
display4 (
page 175).
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controls1 and8
(
page 175) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls:
Turn air distribution control1 or8
(
page 175) to the desired symbol.
The indicator lamp on the buttonU
(
page 175) goes out.
iIf you increase the temperature for one side
of the vehicle to the highest adjustable value
then you will see the message
HI in the display.
This also increases the temperature for the other
side of the vehicle.
iIf you decrease the temperature for one side
of the vehicle to the lowest adjustable value then
you will see the message
LO in the display. This
also decreases the temperature for the other
side of the vehicle.
SymbolFunction
aDirects air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
ZDirects air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
bDirects air into the entire
vehicle interior
YDirects air to the footwells

312 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term, you will see the
following message in the multifunction
display:
Service A exceeded by XXXX miles(km)
Service A exceeded by XXX Days
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 121).
Press buttonk orj until the
maintenance service indicator display
with the service symbol9 or½
and the service deadline appears in the
multifunction display.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator
reset. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the
maintenance service indicator in the
maintenance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days of
disconnection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator. To
arrive at the true maintenance service deadline,
you will need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service indicator
message or maintenance service indicator dis-
play.
Do not confuse the maintenance service indica-
tor with the engine oil level indicatorN.
iIf the maintenance service indicator was in-
advertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing the proper service as called for by
the maintenance service indicator will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.

334 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (page 335)

Symbol messages (page 343)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the
failure of any systems. Driving
characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low beam
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and multi-
function display are in working order before
starting your journey.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

broken poly-V-belt

alternator malfunctioning
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
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:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low voltage
Charge batteryThe battery has insufficient voltage.Start the engine (page 46).
Low voltage
Switch off ConsumersThe battery has insufficient voltage.Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.

344 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release
parking brakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake
(
page 48).
2Brake
wearThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check brake
fluid levelThere 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 the message Check brake
fluid level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. 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 could be seri-
ously 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 in-
spected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

345 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
BTop up
coolant
See
Operator’s
ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 278).
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 could 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 Lim-
ited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.

346 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant
Stop, turn
engine offThe coolant is too hot.
Among other possible causes, the
poly-V-belt could be broken.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Turn off the engine.
Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Wait for the message to disappear be-
fore restarting the engine.
Doing otherwise could result in seri-
ous engine damage that is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
(Continued on next page)

347 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 24).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is mal-
functioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the in-
strument cluster (
page 24).
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Do-
ing so may cause serious engine damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

348 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Check oil level at
next gas station
appears while the en-
gine is running and at operating tempera-
ture, the engine oil level has dropped to
approximately the minimum 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 symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
±Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display

Tachometer

Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
:Check oil level
at next gas stationThe engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.Check the engine oil level
(
page 276) and add oil as required
(
page 277).
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limit-
ed Warranty.

349 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
4Gas cap
is openA loss of pressure has been detected in
the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 271).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
IRemove keyYou have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Get a new
keyNo additional code available for
SmartKey.Change the SmartKey.
.3rd brake
lampThe high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTO-Light
inoperativeThe light sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automatically.In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual mode (
page 139).
Switch on the headlamps using the
exterior lamp switch.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.