MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC 2010 W204 Owner's Manual

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle!
Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XEngage the parking brake.XOnly start the engine again after the message disappears.
You could otherwise damage the engine.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XIf the temperature rises again: Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
During severe operation conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡
(120†).
GWarning!
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 which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. 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‡ (120†).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle!
Turn
Engine OffThe poly-V-belt could be broken.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf 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. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf 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.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XDrive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.?The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.XHave the fan replaced as soon as possible.#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic systemXStop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.XIf 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. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.290Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions4Check
Engine
Oil At
Next
RefuelingThe engine oil has dropped to a critical level.XCheck the engine oil level ( Y page 225) and add engine oil
as required ( Y page 226).XIf you must add engine oil frequently, have the engine
checked for possible leaks.If the message Check Engine Oil At Next
Refueling appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
The message will be stored in the vehicle
status message memory after you have
cleared it from the multifunction display.
Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no
obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest service
station to refill your engine oil to the required
level.For information on approved engine oils
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! 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.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions8Fuel
Level LowThe fuel level has dropped below the reserve mark.XRefuel at the next gas station.8Gas Cap
LooseA loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaking.XCheck the fuel cap ( Y page 222).XIf it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.XIf it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display291Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 291Z

LampsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbActive
Headlamps
Inoperativ
eThe active Bi-Xenon headlamp system is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Left
Reverse
Lamp
or
Check
Right
Reverse
LampThe left or right backup lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Left
Brake Lamp
or
Check
Right
Brake LampThe left or right brake lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Center
Brake LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all LEDs have stopped working.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Left Fog
Lamp
or
Check
Right Fog
LampThe left or right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.292Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbCheck
Front
Left
Sidemarker
Lamp
or
Check
Front
Right
Sidemarker
LampThe front left side or right side marker lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Rear Left
Sidemarker
Lamp
or
Check
Rear
Right
Sidemarker
LampThe rear left side or right side marker lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Front
Left
Parking
Lamp
or
Check
Front
Right
Parking
LampThe left or right front parking lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Left High
Beam
or
Check
Right
High BeamThe left or right high-beam lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbCheck
Left
License
Plate Lamp
or
Check
Right
License
Plate LampThe left or right license plate lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bAuto Lamp
Function
Inoperativ
eThe light sensor is malfunctioning. The headlamps come on
automatically.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
To switch off the headlamps (U.S. vehicles only):
XSwitch off the daytime running lamp mode in the control
system ( Y page 133).XSwitch off the headlamps using the exterior lamp switch
( Y page 90).bCheck
Left Low
Beam
or
Check
Right Low
BeamThe left or right low-beam lamp is malfunctioning.XHalogen headlamp: Replace the bulb as soon as possible
( Y page 313).XBi-Xenon headlamp: Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.bCheck
Rear Left
Fog LampThe rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bSwitch
Off LightsYou have removed the SmartKey from the starter switch,
opened the driver’s door and left the headlamps on or
removed the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle
and left the headlamps on.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to $ or c
( Y page 90).
or
XWith the rear fog lamp switched on: Push in the exterior
lamp switch to its stop.294Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbCheck
Left Tail
Lamp
or
Check
Right
Tail LampThe left or right tail lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Left Tail
and Brake
Lamps
or
Check
Right
Tail and
Brake
LampsThe left or right tail lamp/brake lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Left
Cornering
Light
or
Check
Right
Cornering
LightThe left or right corner-illuminating front fog lamp is
malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Rear Left
Turn
Signal
or
Check
Rear
Right
Turn
SignalThe left or right rear turn signal lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display295Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 295Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbCheck
Front
Left Turn
Signal
or
Check
Front
Right
Turn
SignalThe left or right front turn signal lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 313).bCheck
Left
Mirror
Turn
Signal
or
Check
Right
Mirror
Turn
SignalThe turn signal in the left or right exterior rear view mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only appear if all LEDs have
stopped working.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Tires
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionshTire
Press.
Warning
Caution
Tire
Malfunctio
nAt least one tire is deflating.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 317).hCheck
Tire
PressureThe tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is significantly
below the reference value.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.XCheck and adjust tire inflation pressure as required.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 317).296Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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GWarning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire.
GWarning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument cluster
Notes
If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-
check when switching on the ignition, have
the respective bulb checked and replaced if
necessary.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, turn signal
indicator lamps, and the indicator lamps for
the fog lamps will only come on if activated.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster fails to
come on when the ignition is switched on,
have it checked and replaced if necessary.What to do if …297Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 297Z

BrakeProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and switched off. The BAS,
the ESP ®
, and the EBP are also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
systems specified above available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other systems such as
the navigation system or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 270).XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
!The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running.The ABS has switched off due to insufficient power supply.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS is
operational again. The ABS indicator lamp should go out.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 270).XIf the ABS indicator lamp does not go out: Have the alternator
and the battery checked.298What to do if …Practical hints
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