check engine MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2003 W463 Owner's Guide

223 Operation
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in front of the rear
seat bench and below the cup holder. Jump
starting terminals are located in the left
side of the engine compartment
(page 298).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life.
If you use your vehicle less than approxi-
mately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not
used for long periods of time, you will need
to have the battery charge checked more
frequently and corrected if necessary.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center about steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
More information on battery can be found
in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 295).
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.
iIf the battery is discharged

you will no longer be able to turn
the key in the starter switch


the selector lever will remain
locked in positionP

228 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 321).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB and
4-ETS in winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

241 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 44).

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on.
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

242 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
-
The red brake warning lamp and
the yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp come on when the
engine is running and you hear a
warning sound for approximately
five seconds.
The EBB has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. You should be prepared for your
vehicle to perform differently than normal
when braking.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp lights
up while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint sys-
tems. The airbags or emergency tensioning
device (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to activate in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the SRS may not
be activated when needed in an accident.
This could result in serious or fatal injury, or
it might deploy unexpectedly and unneces-
sarily which could also result in an accident
and/or injury to you or others.

243 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction of:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode. Serious damage can occur to the
emission system.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
c o d e s . I t i s l o c a t e d n e a r t h e h o o d l o c k
release on the upper left of footwell.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession. The
limp-home mode is canceled.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
illuminates while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station.

Also note the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 246).

249 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a bat-
tery charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a
service station.
2
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check
the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Oth-
erwise the engine will overheat
due to an inoperative water
pump which may result in seri-
ous engine damage not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:

Turn off unnecessary electric
consumers.

Drive immediately to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.

250 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced
as soon as possible.
2
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehi-
cle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Do not add brake fluid!
This will not solve the problem.
2
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks. !Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

251 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 220).

If you have to add coolant fre-
quently, have the cooling sys-
tem checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
2
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing serious
engine damage.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 108).

253 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
B
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The poly-V-belt could be broken.

Stop immediately and check
the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Oth-
erwise the engine will overheat
due to an inoperative water
pump which may result in
damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If it is in order:

Do not continue to drive the
vehicle with this message dis-
played. Doing so could result
in serious engine damage that
is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
1
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant tempera-
ture display (
page 108).

Have the fan replaced as soon
as possible.
2

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
Ñ
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
2
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one
or more doors open.

Close the doors.
1
e
ENGINE AIR FILTER
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine filter is clogged and must
be replaced.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
2
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is
a danger of engine damage.
See also comments on the following
page.

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

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil and check the
engine oil level (
page 218).
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK LEVEL!
The engine oil level is too low.
See also comments on the following
page.

Check the engine oil level
(page 218) and add oil as re-
quired.
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the en-
gine or the catalytic converter.
See also comments on the following
page.

Have oil siphoned. Observe all
legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.
2