fluid MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class 2001 W210 User Guide

307 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BRAKE LINING WEAR
* C = Category, see page 303When 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 303 Line 1Line 2C*
BRAKE LINING WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1Line 2C*
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.

311 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 303
1 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.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant
temperature gauge. See page 117
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 1Line 2C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
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.

315 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
2 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – DRIVE
CAREFULLY!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). The vehicle driving characteristics are
changed due to a noticeably softer suspension.
In this case visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Do not continue to drive if loss of hydraulic fluid or
leaks are noticed. Doing so could result in subsequent
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
3 The ABC is defective. Stop the vehicle.
Press upper half of level control switch, see page 280
- system selects raised level mode.
The vehicle chassis is raised depending on the kind of defect.Important!
The wheels may not have sufficient clearance when the
steering wheel is turned beyond a certain angle if the
“ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – STOP, CAR TOO LOW!”
message appears. The front fenders will be damaged if
the steering wheel is turned too far. Watch and listen for
scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.4 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – VISIT
WORKSHOP!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

324 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WA S H E R F L U I D
* C = Category, see page 303.
When this message appears while the engine is
running, the level of the reservoir has dropped to
approximately
1/3 of the total volume. The reservoir
should be refilled with the prescribed mixture of MB
Windshield washer concentrate and water or the
concentrate and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperature, at the next opportunity. The
reservoir for the windshield and headlamp washer
systems is located in the engine compartment.
See windshield and headlamp washer system on
page 337 for instructions on topping up the washer
fluid.
Line 1Line 2C*
WASHER FLUID CHECK LEVEL! 3

327 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................328
Stowing things in the vehicle ......328
Fuses ................................................329
Hood ................................................. 331
Checking engine oil level .............334
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................335
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................335
Coolant level ...................................336
Adding coolant ...........................336
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........337Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................ 337
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 338
Vehicle jack .................................... 339
Wheels ............................................ 340
Tire Replacement ....................... 340
Rotating wheels ......................... 341
Spare wheel .................................... 341
Changing wheels ........................... 343
Tire inflation pressure ................. 348
Battery ............................................. 349
Jump starting ................................. 351
Towing the vehicle ........................ 353Exterior lamps ................................356
Headlamp assembly ...................357
Taillamp assemblies ..................360
Trunk lamp .....................................362
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................363
Synchronizing
remote control ............................365
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................366
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................368
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................369
Replacing wiper blades .................370
Roof rack ......................................... 371

335 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster, see page 154.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
S 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level
indicator display (page 154) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.See Malfunction and warning messages on page 303 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
indicator when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
ABC-system.

336 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Coolant level
1Coolant expansion tank
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the
reservoir.
See page 398 for antifreeze / anticorrosion mixture.Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.
P82.35-2001-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
• In order to avoid possibly 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 indicates that the coolant is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2
turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.

337 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
Capacity approximately 7.1 US qt (6.7 l).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperatures below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
P82.35-2002-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flammable. Do
not spill washer solvent/antifreeze on hot engine
parts, because it may burn. You can be seriously
burned.

349 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
under the right-hand wheel well cover panel.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc.. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

351 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Jump startingImportant!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14°F
(–10°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk under the right-hand
wheel well cover panel.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc..Read all instructions before proceeding.