MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2005 W203 Owner's Manual

309 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 130) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 117).Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 117). They
are then stored in the vehicle status mes-
sage memory (
page 130). Remember
that clearing a message will only make the
message disappear. Clearing a message
will not correct the condition that caused
the message to appear.
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. High
priority messages appear in red color.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
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.
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.iSwitching on ignition, causes all lamps
as well as the multifunction display to
come on. Make sure that they are all in
working order before starting your jour-
ney.

310 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS
are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The ABS or the ABS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

311 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
BAS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The BAS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the BAS available.

Continue driving with added caution.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.
malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The BAS or the BAS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

312 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
If the yellow ESP warning lampv
flashes while driving and this message
appears, the electronic traction system
has switched off to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on
again.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed yet.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP available.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ESP has switched off.
The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.

Continue driving with added caution.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

313 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The ESP is deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction.
Visit workshop.
The ESP or the ESP display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
SRS
Restraint system
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the SRS may
not be activated when needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery Alternator
Visit workshop.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

broken poly-V-belt


alternator malfunctioning

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:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low voltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 46).
Low voltage
Switch off consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.

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

Release the parking brake
(page 48).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop.
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
3
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.

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

Add coolant (
page 283).

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.

317 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 symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could
otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated 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). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

318 Practical hintsWhat 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 in
the instrument cluster (
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 in
the instrument cluster (
page 24).

Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.