check engine MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2008 User Guide

Engine compartment
223
The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille. 2
Bonnet catch handle
X Pull handle 2of the bonnet catch out-
wards from the radiator grille and lift the
bonnet from underneath by the radiator
grille.
Closing G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped as you close the bonnet. X
Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly.
i If the bonnet can be raised slightly, it is
not properly engaged. Open it again and
close it with a little more force. Engine oil
Depending on driving style, the vehicle con-
sumes a maximum of 0.8 l oil per 1,000 km.
The oil consumption may be higher than this
when the vehicle is new or if you frequently
drive at high engine speeds. You can only
estimate the oil consumption after you have
driven a considerable distance.
You will find further information about engine
oil in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 385).
Checking the engine oil level To do so:R
the vehicle should be parked on level
ground.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least five minutes if the engine was at nor-
mal operating temperature.
R the engine should be switched off for at
least 30 minutes if the engine was not at
operating temperature (i.e. if you only star-
ted the engine briefly).
Via the on-board computer*
i Only possible on the E 420 CDI. On all
other models a dipstick is used to check
the engine oil level (Y page 224).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock (Y page 76).
X Press the jork button to select the
message: Engine oil level Measuring
now
The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
display:
R Engine oil level OK
R Add 1.0 litre to reach maximum oil
level Operation
* optional
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Engine compartment
224
R
Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil
level
R Add 2.0 litres to reach maximum oil
level
X Top up the oil if necessary ( Ypage 225).
Other messages in the multi-function dis-
play
If the engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture and there is too much oil, you will see the
following message:
Eng. oil level
Reduce oil level
X Have excess oil siphoned off.
! There is a risk of damage to the engine or
the catalytic converter if there is excess oil
in the engine.
If the Switch ignition on to check
engine oil level message appears:
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 76).
You will see the following message if you did
not observe the required waiting time:
Observe waiting period X
Repeat the measurement after about five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
X Repeat the measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is not at normal
operating temperature (if the engine was
only started briefly).
The following message appears if the engine
is running:
Engine oil level Not when engine on
X Switch off the engine and wait for five
minutes if the engine is at normal operating
temperature, or for about 30 minutes if the
engine is not at normal operating temper-
ature (if the engine was only started
briefly), before measuring.
i If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the korj button on the multi-
function steering wheel. Using the oil dipstick Illustration: vehicle with a petrol engine (E 350)
1
Oil dipstick
2 Maximum mark
3 Minimum mark
X Pull oil dipstick 1out of the oil dipstick
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick 1.
X Insert oil dipstick 1into the oil dipstick
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
minimum mark 3and maximum mark
2.
X Top up the oil if necessary. Operation
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Engine compartment
225
i
The difference in quantity between mini-
mum mark 3and maximum mark 2is
approximately 2 litres.
i On vehicles with a 4-cylinder petrol
engine and vehicles with an 8-cylinder pet-
rol engine, the difference between MIN
mark 3and MAX mark 2is approxi-
mately 1.5 litres.
Topping up the engine oil Illustration: vehicle with a petrol engine (E 500)
1
Cover Example of a vehicle with a diesel engine (E 220
CDI)
1 Cover
X Unscrew cap 1and remove it.
X Top up with the amount of oil required.
! Do not add too much oil. If too much oil
is added and the oil level is above the max-
imum mark on the dipstick, the engine or
catalytic converter could be damaged.
Have excess oil siphoned off.
X Screw cap 1onto the filler neck. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to
spill any. Oil must not be allowed to escape
into the soil or waterways. You would oth-
erwise be damaging the environment. Coolant
G
Risk of injury
The cooling system is pressurised. There-
fore, only unscrew the cap once the engine
has cooled down. The coolant temperature
gauge must display less than 70°C. You
could otherwise be scalded by escaping hot
coolant.
Coolant consists of water and antifreeze/cor-
rosion inhibitor. Only check the coolant level
when the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. Operation
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Engine compartment
226
Checking the coolant level The expansion tank is located in the engine
compartment on the left when viewed in the
direction of travel. 1
Cover
2 Expansion tank
3 Marker bar
X Slowly turn cap 1by half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap 1further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
There is sufficient coolant in expansion
tank 2if the coolant is level with the
marker bar 3in the filler neck when cold
or approximately 1.5 cm higher when hot. X
Top up the coolant if necessary.
X Replace cap 1and tighten all the way to
the stop.
You will find further information about coolant
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 388). Windscreen washer system/head-
lamp cleaning system*
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment on the right when
viewed in the direction of travel. The head-
lamp cleaning system is also supplied from
the washer fluid reservoir. 1
Cover X
Add windscreen washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. G
Risk of fire
Windscreen washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when windscreen washer
concentrate is being handled.
Use
R a windscreen washer fluid additive
such as MB Summerwash to prevent
smearing (for temperatures above freez-
ing).
R a windscreen washer fluid additive with
antifreeze properties such as MB Winter-
wash (if there is a risk of frost).
X Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a con-
tainer beforehand. Adapt the mixing ratio
to the outside temperatures.
! Only use windscreen washer fluid which
is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuit-
able windscreen washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lamp lenses of the head-
lamps. Operation
* optional
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Display
messages 265Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
HOLD cannot be activa-
ted See Owner's
Manual A condition for activating HOLD has not
been met. Check the conditions for activating HOLD
(Y
page 155).
X Close the bonnet.
X Close the driver's door.
X Start the engine.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch off all consumers that are not required.
HOLD can be reactivated as soon as the on-
board voltage is sufficient. HOLD inoperative See
Owner's Manual A malfunction has occurred. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Cruise control
and SPEEDTRONIC inoperative Speedtronic and cruise control or Dis-
tronic* are not operational. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. SRS Restraint system
malfunction Con-
sult workshop G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. Cruise control - - - A condition for activating cruise control
has not been met. X
Activate ESP ®
(Y page 60)
X If conditions permit, drive faster than
30 km/h and store the speed (Y page 143). Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 271Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
D Coolant Stop vehi-
cle, turn engine
off The coolant is too hot. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait until the display message disappears
before restarting the engine. There is other-
wise a risk of engine damage.
X Observe the coolant temperature gauge.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately. D Coolant Stop vehi-
cle, turn engine
off The poly-V-belt may have torn. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Switch off the engine.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If it is not damaged: do not start the engine
again until the display message goes out. There
is otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X If it has torn: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 277Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
N Check engine oil
level when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to a crit-
ical level. X
Check the engine oil level (Y page 223) and top
up the engine oil if necessary.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Add 1 litre engine
oil when next refu-
elling The engine oil level is too low. X
Check the engine oil level (Y page 223) and top
up the engine oil if necessary.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Engine oil level
Stop vehicle, turn
engine off There is insufficient oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine damage. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil and check the level
(Y page 223). N Engine oil level
Reduce oil level You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
catalytic converter. X
Siphon off excess engine oil until it is at the
specified level. Observe the legal require-
ments. N Cannot measure
engine oil level The measuring system is faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 279Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
H Tyre pressure
Check tyres The pressure in one or more tyres has
dropped significantly. The affected wheel
is highlighted in the tyre pressure display
of the tyre pressure monitor*. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden
steering or braking manoeuvres. Pay attention
to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Check the tyres.
X Repair or change the faulty tyre if necessary
(Y page 317).
X Check the tyre pressure and correct it if nec-
essary (Y page 229).
The warning will disappear automatically after
you have been driving for a few minutes with
the corrected tyre pressure. I Change key batter-
ies The batteries of the KEYLESS GO key* are
discharged. X
Change the batteries (Y page 310).I Key not detected
The KEYLESS GO key* is not in the vehicle.
It will no longer be possible to centrally
lock the vehicle and start the engine if the
engine is switched off. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Look for the KEYLESS GO key *.I Key not detected
The
KEYLESS GO* key is not detected
while the engine is running, because there
is interference from a strong source of
radio waves. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Operate the vehicle using the key in the ignition
lock if necessary. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
287Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
l
The red distance warning
lamp* lights up while the
vehicle is in motion. You
will also hear a warning
tone. G
Risk of accident
You are approaching a vehicle in
front at too great a speed or Dis-
tronic* has detected a stationary
obstacle in your line of travel. X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to brake
or take evasive action. D
The red coolant warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. There is insufficient coolant in the
expansion tank.
The coolant is too hot and the
engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently. X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool.
X Check the coolant level. Observe the warning notes
(Y page 225). Top up the coolant if necessary.
X Have the coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual. D
The red coolant warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. If the coolant level is correct, the
radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the
engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently. X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, youcan continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X In doing so, avoid heavy loads on the engine (e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain) and stop-and-go driving. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
288 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
D
The red coolant warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. You will
also hear a warning tone. The coolant level is too low.
The coolant temperature has
exceeded 120 †. The engine is
not being cooled sufficiently and
may be damaged. X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool.
X Check the coolant level. Observe the warning notes
(Y page 225). Top up the coolant if necessary.
X Have the coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual. D
The red coolant warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. You will
also hear a warning tone. If the coolant level is correct, the
radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant temperature has
exceeded 120 †. The engine is
not being cooled sufficiently and
may be damaged. X
Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp comes
on while the engine is run-
ning. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the
fuel tank has run dry. X
Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
Emergency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. Practical advice
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