check engine MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON 2005 S211 Owner's Guide

382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 Qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 Liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 302) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 301).
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 302) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 301).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging:

the engine


the catalytic converter

Have oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.

383 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the
Engine oil - Visit workshop

message appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive
to the nearest service station where the
engine oil should be topped to the required
level with an approved oil specified in the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet.
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
Engine oil
Visit workshop
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 301) and add oil as required
(page 302).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
It may be that there is water in the engine
oil.

Have the engine oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

384 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
%
Hood open
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 299).
F
Key
Check battery
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.

Change the batteries (
page 408).
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not
recognized while the engine is running
because

the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.

Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be cen-
trally locked nor can the engine be
started again after the engine is
stopped.
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey
in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the
SmartKey in the starter switch if nec-
essary.
Key
still in vehicle
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.

Take the SmartKey out of the vehicle.
Keyless Go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
Do not
forget key
This display appears (for a maximum of
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened
with the engine shut off and no SmartKey
in the starter switch.
This message is only a reminder.

Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.

Take the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you when leaving
the vehicle.
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
Replace key
There is no additional code available for
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 296).
Check gas cap
See Operator’s Manual
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 (
page 297).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

425 Practical hints
Batteries
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 305).
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.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
The SBC brake system requires electrical
power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes may only be applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to “SBC brake
system” (
page 92).

428 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!
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.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting of the main battery must
only be done using the designated
jump start terminals located in the
engine compartment (
page 429).
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

429 Practical hints
Jump starting
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.1Negative (-) terminal
2Cover of Positive (+) terminal

Open cover 2 of the positive terminal
of both vehicles.

Connect positive terminal 2 and the
positive terminal of the charged battery
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal1 and the
negative terminal of the charged
battery with the jumper cable. Clamp
cable to charged battery first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals1 and then from
the positive terminals2.
Now you can turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 305).!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe message
Malfunction - electric
consumers switched off
may appear
in the instrument cluster. It will disap-
pear as soon as the battery is suffi-
ciently charged.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

456 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion / antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approximately - 22°F
(-30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion / antifreeze [freeze
protection to approximately - 49°F
(-45°C)], the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-
bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of
anticorrosion / antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and MB
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze should be used
to bring it up to the proper level (have cool-
ing system checked for signs of leakage).
Please make sure the mixture is in accor-
dance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that
anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used in
such engines be specifically formulated to
protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use
such anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service
life).Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

467 Index
Automatic transmission 183
Comfort program mode 188
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 190
Gear ranges 186
Gear selector lever position 187
Gear shifting malfunctions 190
Manual shifting 185
One-touch gearshifting 185
Program mode selector switch 188
Selector lever position 183
Starting the engine 47
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position 189
Kickdown 189
B
Backrest
Folding forward 247
Folding rearward 248
Bar 333
BAS 89, 459
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 408, 409
Check lamp 105, 111
Checking 106, 112Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 408, 409
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 427
Disconnecting 426
Reconnecting 427
Removing 426
Service 424
Battery discharged
Jump starting 428
Bead 333
Belt reel 254
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 459
Block heater* 338
Blocking
Rear window operation 84
Brake assist system (BAS) 459
Brake fluid 297, 377
Brake pads
Message in display 375
Brakes
Brake fluid 298
Warning lamp 354
Break-in period 284Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 410
Fog lamps 410
Front lamps 410, 413
High beam 411
High mounted brake lamp 411
License plate lamps 411, 415
Low beam 411
Parking lamps 411
Side marker lamps 410, 415
Standing lamps 411
Tail lamp 411
Tail lamp assemblies 415
Turn signal lamp 410
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 459
Calling up
Distronic* settings 160
Maintenance service indicator 341
Range (distance to empty) 179
CAN system 459
Cargo compartment
Fuse box 435
Cargo compartment cover 257
Cargo management system* 252
Cargo net 256

468 IndexCargo tie-down rings 251
CD player
Operating 159
Center console
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 360
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 165
Central locking
From inside 122
Switch 122
Switching on/off (control
system) 174
Unlocking from inside 122
Central locking switch 122
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 408, 409
Batteries (SmartKey) 408, 409
SmartKey setting 175
Vehicle level 246
Charging
Vehicle batteries 427CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 355
Checking
Coolant level 303
Oil level 297, 300
Tire inflation pressure 297
Vehicle lighting 297
Child safety 73
Airbags 64
Infant and child restraint systems 69,
73
LATCH child seat anchors 83
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 84
Cigarette lighter 266
Cleaning
Headlamps 191
Windshield 53
Wood trims 350
Cleaning tires 309
Clock 168Closing
Glove box 259
Power tilt /sliding sunroof* 225
Side windows 222
Tailgate
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 119,
121
Windows 221
Closing the tailgate 117, 119, 121
Closing the tailgate from the outside (vehi-
cles without KEYLESS-GO*) 118
Cockpit 22, 459
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 460
Cold tire inflation pressure 333
Collapsible wheel chock 403
COMAND 460
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 145
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 52
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode 188