warning MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WAGON 2003 S210 User Guide

78 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories
and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt that complies with U.S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.

87 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, seepage89
2Push buttonJ for resetting trip odometer, see
page 91, or to acknowledge a malfunction or
warning message, see page 108
3Coolant temperature gauge, see page 90
4Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 246
5Outside temperature indicator, see page 90
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 122
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
see page 2478Speedometer
9Trip odometer, see page 91 and 96
10Main odometer, see page 96
11Multifunction display, see page 92,
or FSS indicator, see page 114,
or engine oil level indicator, see page 117
12Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 122
13Tachometer, see page 91
14Gear range indicator display, see page 206
15Clock
To set the time, see page 110

90 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.

108 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction message memory 1There are no messages stored in the system.
2Number of messages stored in the system.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
message memory (1 or 2) is displayed.
Press the j or k button if display (2) appears.
The stored malfunction messages will now be displayed
in order. See page 250 for malfunction and warning
messages.
Display (2) will reappear after you have scanned all the
fault messages.

109 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Should any malfunctions be stored while driving, they
will reappear in the display (2) when the electronic key
is in steering lock position 0 or removed from the
steering lock.
Specific malfunctions can be recalled by pressing
buttonJ. Each malfunction or warning message must
be acknowledged by pressing buttonJ. Once all
messages are cancelled the odometer display should
reappear.
Pressing theJbutton in the instrument cluster
immediately switches to the next malfunction message.
The malfunction message memory will be cleared when
the electronic key is turned in the steering lock to
position 1 or 2. Should subsequent malfunctions occur,
they will be displayed in the malfunction message
memory.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.Important!
Malfunctions and warning messages are only indicated
for certain systems and displayed to a low level of detail.
The malfunction and warning messages are simply a
reminder with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the driver’s responsibility to
maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages. See page 250.

114 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Flexible service system (FSS)
(Service indicator)
The FSS permits a flexible service schedule that is
directly related to the operating conditions of the
vehicle.
The symbol 9 or ½ appears together with a
message in the multifunction indicator prior to the next
suggested service.
Depending on operating conditions throughout the year,
the next service is calculated and displayed in days or
distance remaining.The message is displayed for approximately 10 seconds
when turning the electronic key in steering lock to
position 2, or while driving when reaching the service
warning threshold.
The symbols and messages indicate the type of service
to be performed:
9Service A
½Service B
One of the following messages will appear in the display
(e.g. Service A):
“SERVICE A – IN xx DAYS”
“SERVICE A – IN xx MILES” (Canada: KM)
“SERVICE A – EXCEEDED BY xx DAYS”
“SERVICE A – EXCEEDED BY xx MILES” (Canada: KM)
“SERVICE A – DUE NOW”
The next service due date is displayed either in days or
in miles, depending on your driving style.
Once the suggested service term has passed, the symbol
and message appear for approximately 30 seconds and
a signal sounds every time when turning the electronic
key in steering lock to position 2.
10
0
406080
60
40
mph
20km/h
20100
120
140160
80
100
180
200
220
240 160 120 140

118 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
One of the following messages will subsequently appear
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See page 273 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The message “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” will be
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated
after a short time.Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See page 273.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Note:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 250
and page 261 if an engine oil level indicator appears on
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.

120 Exterior lamp switch
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds and the message “SWITCH OFF
LIGHTS” in the multifunction indicator appears if the
vehicle’s exterior lamps (except standing lamps) are not
switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position D.Daytime running lamps
(Canada only)
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in
a driving position, the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps and
license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
Night security Illumination
When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior
lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination
for approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door.

125 Hazard warning flasher
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Hazard warning flasher switchThe hazard warning flasher can be activated either
manually via the switch located in the dashboard, or it
is activated automatically at the time an airbag is
deployed.
To activate hazard warning flasher, press switch once.
To deactivate, press switch again.
Note:
With the hazard warning flasher activated, the
combination switch in position for either left or right
turn, and the electronic key in steering lock position 2,
only the respective left or right side turn signals will
operate. After turn signal cancellation, the hazard
warning f lasher is activated.

201 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock position 1
or 0.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected. See battery on
page 289 or jump starting on page 291.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in
stop-and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid
draining of the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.