check engine light MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2009 User Guide

i
On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
trailer drawbar.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
Driving tips G
Risk of accident
If the Check trailer hitch locking
mechanism message appears in the multi-
function display while the vehicle is in motion,
pull over immediately and check whether the
ball coupling is correctly engaged.
i Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 60).
In Germany, the maximum permissible speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations depends on
the type of trailer and is either 80 km/h or
100 km/h. Before beginning the journey,
check the trailer's documents to see what the
maximum permitted speed is. G
Risk of accident
Always observe the maximum speed permit-
ted in Germany for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions, even in countries where higher speeds are permitted. This lowers the risk of an acci-
dent.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients you
must select a lower gear in good time, or on
vehicles with automatic transmission*, select
shift range 1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, Speedtronic or Distronic
Plus*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brakes to rub by applying constant slight
pedal pressure. This causes the brake system
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely. 236
Trailer towingOperation
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions J Brake
immedi‐
ately A malfunction has occurred while the HOLD function or Dis-
tronic Plus* is active.
or
Vehicles with manual transmission: with the HOLD function
activated, you have either:
R
opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
A tone may also sound at regular intervals. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately
depress the brake pedal firmly and hold until the display
message disappears.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away before you leave it
(Y page 107).
You can restart the engine. ? Coolant
Stop vehi‐
cle
Switch
engine off The coolant is too hot. In addition, the
?warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up and a warning tone sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked,
e.g. by slush.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Observe the coolant temperature gauge.
X If the coolant temperature increases again, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If the poly-V-belt is not damaged: do not start the engine
again until the display message goes out. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage.
X If the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue driving. Consult
a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ? The engine fan is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can
continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads (e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain) and stop-and-go driving. + Top up
coolant
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual The coolant level is too low.
X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before
doing so (Y page 221).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often
than usual. ¨ Vehicle
rising
Vehicles with AIRMATIC*: your vehicle is adjusting to the level
you have selected.
¨ Vehicle
rising
Please
wait
Vehicles with AIRMATIC*: the vehicle level is too low when
stationary. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Remain stationary.
X Wait until the display message disappears.
The vehicle has reached the level required for driving. ¨ STOP vehi‐
cle Vehi‐
cle too
low
G
Risk of accident
AIRMATIC* is faulty. A warning tone also sounds.
X Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Make only slight steering movements. Otherwise, the front
wing or the tyres could be damaged when you drive on.
X Listen for scraping sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions, and select a higher vehicle level.
The vehicle may be raised, depending on the type of mal-
function.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¨ Malfunc‐
tion
G
Risk of accident
The AIRMATIC* function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.
X Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 268
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions b Malfunc‐
tion See
Owner's
Manual The exterior lighting is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with trailer coupling*: a fuse may have blown.
X
Check the fuses (Y page 328).
X If necessary, replace the blown fuse. Observe the warning
notes.
If the display message continues to be shown:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¸ Replace
air
cleaner
The engine air filter is dirty and must be replaced
42
.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4 Check
eng. oil
lev. when
next refu‐
elling The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level. A warning
tone also sounds.
X
Check the engine oil level ( Ypage 220).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine oil needs
topping up more often than usual. + Change
key bat‐
teries The key batteries are discharged.
X
Change the batteries ( Ypage 304). + Key not
detected
(red display
message)
The KEYLESS GO key* is not in the vehicle. A warning tone
also sounds.
If you switch off the engine, you can no longer centrally lock
the vehicle and no longer start the engine.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Locate the KEYLESS GO key*. The KEYLESS GO key* is not detected while driving because
a powerful radio transmitter is causing interference. A warn-
ing tone also sounds.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Remove the Start/Stop button* from the ignition
lock (Y page 75).
X Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired
position. 42
Only for certain vehicles. 274
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ?
The red coolant
warning lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. A warn-
ing tone also
sounds. The coolant temperature has exceeded 130 †. The airflow to the
radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too low.
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked, e.g.
by slush.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 221). Observe the warning
notes.
X If necessary, top up the coolant.
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric radiator fan may be
faulty.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. ;
The yellow
engine diagnos-
tics warning
lamp lights up
while the engine
is running. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tank has been run dry.
X
Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
Emergency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. ;
The yellow
engine diagnos-
tics warning
lamp lights up
while the engine
is running. There may be a fault, for example:
R
in the engine management
R in the ignition system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine can
run in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical
component of the engine control unit.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 120 †.
The coolant warning
lamp may also light up
and a warning tone may
sound (Y
page 117). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 221). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. 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 suffi-
ciently.
X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop/start driving. 292
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Automatic transmission*
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Move the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key in the ignition to position 0(Y page 75) or press
the Start/Stop button* repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Move the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. PARKTRONIC*
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning display are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in
the PARKTRONIC but-
ton lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched itself off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning display are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 243).
X Switch the ignition back on. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions You have lost a key.
X
Have the key cancelled at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. You have lost the emer-
gency key element.
X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. The engine cannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating* or inte-
rior lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 319).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 323).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started using the key.
The steering lock is mechanically blocked.
44
X Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While doing
this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. The engine cannot be
started using KEYLESS
GO*. The key is in the
vehicle. A door is open. Therefore, the key cannot be detected as easily.
X
Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X
Start your vehicle using the key in the ignition lock. 44
Not vehicles with DIRECT SELECT selector lever. Troubleshooting
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