MESSAGE MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE 2002 CL203 Owner's Guide

286 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuel reserve warning
1Fuel reserve indicatorWhen 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 controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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

290 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 2 C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY 2

292 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 2 C*
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

293 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 2 C*
ABS SYSTEM VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE! 2
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

294 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 290When this message appears during braking, it indicates
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 290 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. 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.

295 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index PA R K I N G B R A K E
* C = Category, see page 290
SEAT BELT SYSTEM* C = Category, see page 290 Line 1 Line 2 C*
PARKING BRAKE ENGAGE BRAKE! 1
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BRAKE! 1Line 1 Line 2 C*
SEAT BELT SYSTEM VISIT WORKSHOP! 1
PASSENGER SEAT BELT FASTEN SEAT BELT! 2
DRIVER SEAT BELT FASTEN SEAT BELT! 2

296 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 2901 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP, see
page 275
3 The system is temporarily unavailable. The reason could be that
the self-diagnosis has not been completed. The display will clear
itself after driving a short distance at more than 12 mph (2o km/h).
4 The system is unavailable due to low voltage, e.g. battery not being
charged.
5 A malfunction has been detected in the system. In case of ESP
malfunction the ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster
illuminates and the ESP switch in the center console does not
function. If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning, only partial
engine output will be available.
6 The display or the system is malfunctioning. Line 1 Line 2 C*
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. NOT AVAILABLE!
1, 2, 3, 4
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1, 5
2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
6
2

297 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 290When this message appears while driving, the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving,
see page 137.
See page 319 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n 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.