coolant temperature MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

3 ContentsParking brake .................................200
Driving instructions ...................... 201
Drive sensibly – save fuel ......... 201
Drinking and driving ................. 201
Pedals ........................................... 201
Power assistance ........................202
Brakes ..........................................202
Driving off ...................................203
Parking ........................................204
Tires .............................................204
Snow chains ................................207
Winter driving instructions ......207
Standing water ...........................209
Passenger compartment ...........209
Traveling abroad ........................209
Cruise control ................................. 210
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 212
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 214
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 216
What you should know at the gas
station .........................................220
Check regularly and before a long
trip ...............................................222
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............. 224
On-board diagnostic system Check
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ............................................. 224
Brake warning lamp .................. 225
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ................. 226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 226
Electronic stability program (ESP)
— warning lamp .......................... 227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp ............................................. 227
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ............................................. 227
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp ............................ 228
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 228
Malfunction and indicator lamps in
the center console .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp .............. 229Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ...230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine
control unit) ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several
systems) ....................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........232
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................233
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................233
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............234
BRAKE FLUID .............................234
PARKING BRAKE .......................235
ENGINE FAN ...............................235
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant
temperature) ...............................237
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID .........................242

79 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Push buttonsVandWfor intensity of instrument
lamps, see page 81
2Push buttonJ for resetting trip odometer, see
page 83, or to acknowledge a malfunction or
warning message, see page 100.
3Coolant temperature gauge, see page 82
4Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 226
5Outside temperature indicator, see page 82
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 113
7ESP warning lamp, see page 2278Speedometer
9Trip odometer, see page 83
10Main odometer, see page 88
11Multifunction indicator, see page 84
or FSS indicator, see page 105
or engine oil level indicator, see page 108
12Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 113
13Tachometer, see page 83
14Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions on page 194
15Clock, see page 102

82 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly 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 engine 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 it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

208 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures
see page 255.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or of the electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

223
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............224
On-board diagnostic system Check
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................224
Brake warning lamp ..................225
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................226
Electronic stability program (ESP)
— warning lamp ..........................227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................228
Seat belt warning lamp .............228Malfunction and indicator lamps in
the center console .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp .............. 229
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine
control unit) ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several
systems) ...................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 232
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 233
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 233
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 234
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 234
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 235
ENGINE FAN ............................... 235
COOLANT (coolant level) ......... 236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant
temperature) ............................... 237LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID .........................242
TELE AID .....................................243

231 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)
This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The coolant temperature gauge,
tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!

235 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
Parking brake, see page 200.ENGINE FAN
1 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe coolant
temperature gauge while driving, see page 82. Line 1 Line 2
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BRAKE!Line 1 Line 2
ENGINE FAN VISIT WORKSHOP!
1

236 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)
When 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.
Notes:
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the
cooling system. The engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
See page 253 for instructions on adding coolant.
Line 1 Line 2
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL!
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.

237 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT TEMP. (coolant temperature)
1 Observe coolant temperature gauge, see page 82.
Check coolant level, see page 253.
This 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.
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2
COOLANT TEMP. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly 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 engine
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 it cools down.

250 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do
not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If
necessary, call a fire department.