check engine MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class 2008 C216 Comand Manual

557 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (CL 550 and CL 63 AMG)
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 553).
Example illustration from CL 5501Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately 3 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark3 (min.) and upper mark2
(max.) mark of the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 557).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 733) and
(
page 736).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 622).Adding engine oil
i
CL 550 only:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
i
AMG vehicles only:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt. (1.5 l).
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

558 OperationEngine compartmentExample illustration from CL 550
CL 63 AMG1Filler cap

Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 733) and
(
page 736).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Active Body Control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC-system.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It will cause damage to the engine and emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

559 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the coolant temperature must be
below 158°F (70°C)
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
Example illustration from CL 5501Cap
2Coolant expansion tank

Using a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: reaches the white
marking (plastic bridge) inside the cool-
ant expansion tank


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap1.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 738).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

590 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB Summerfit”
to a premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze which is formulated for
below freezing temperatures
(page 739).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, EBP
and ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

608 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS, ESP
®, EBP and
PRE-SAFE
® are also switched off (see mes-
sages in multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*,
DISTRONIC Plus*, navigation system, Park
Assist* and the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.

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

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 622).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

609 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again and the ABS in-
dicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)-
v
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. In addi-
tion, the yellow ABS mal-
function indicator lamp,
and the yellow ESP
®
warning lamp come on
and an acoustic warning
sounds.
A malfunction in the Electronic Brake Pro-
portioning (EBP) was detected. The ABS,
BAS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are also
switched off (see messages in multifunction
display).
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without electronic support.

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

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 622).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

610 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
v
The yellow ABS malfunc-
tion indicator lamp and
the yellow ESP
® warning
lamp come on while the
engine is running and an
acoustic warning sounds.
ABS and ESP
® are switched off due to a
malfunction.
The BAS, EBP and PRE-SAFE
® are also
switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

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

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 622).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
0(USA only)!(Canada only)
The red indicator lamp
for the electronic parking
brake flashes and/or the
yellow warning lamp for
the electronic parking
brake is on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing or defective.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 622).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

611 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running and an
acoustic warning sounds.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe loca-
tion or as soon as it is safe to do so.

Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 412).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine 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.

612 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
±
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to Limp-Home Mode (emergency oper-
ation).

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics system.
It allows the accurate identification of
system malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is lo-
cated in the front left area of the
footwell.
i
Some states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

613 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
±
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
A 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.
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refueling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The Limp-Home Mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.