check engine MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV 2008 User Guide

Engine compartment
221Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The electronic ignition system uses high
voltage. For this reason, you must never
touch components of the ignition system
(ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug con-
nector or test socket) when:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
The electronic injection control uses high
voltage. Therefore, never touch fuel injec-
tion system components when:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off. G
Risk of injury
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others
could be injured by the wiper rods. Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off and that the key has been
pulled out of the ignition lock before open-
ing the bonnet.
The bonnet release lever is located in the
driver's footwell. 1
Bonnet release lever
X Pull bonnet release lever 1.
The bonnet is released.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers
are not folded out away from the wind-
screen. You can otherwise damage the
windscreen wipers or the bonnet. The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille.
2
Bonnet catch handle
X Reach into the gap, pull bonnet catch han-
dle 2up and lift the bonnet.
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. Operation
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Engine compartment
222
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 358).
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).
Example
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. i
The difference in quantity between mini-
mum mark 3and maximum mark 2is
approximately 2 litres.
Topping up the engine oil Example
1
Cap
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. Operation
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Engine compartment
223H
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. Checking the coolant level The expansion tank is located in the engine
compartment on the right-hand side of the
vehicle when viewed in the direction of travel.
1
Cap
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 360). 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
Cap
2 Washer fluid reservoir Operation
* optional
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Display
messages 261Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
P To start the
engine, shift to
either P or N You attempted to start the engine while
transmission position
Ror Dwas selec-
ted. X
Shift the automatic transmission to Por N. Depress brake
to shift out of position P X
Depress the brake pedal. PRE-SAFE inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of injury
Important functions of PRE-SAFE ®
have
failed. All other occupant safety systems,
e.g. airbags, remain available. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Tyre pressure
monitor inoperative
The tyre pressure monitor* is malfunc-
tioning. X
Have the tyre pressure monitor* and wheels
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Tyre pressure
monitor inoperative No
wheel sensors The tyre pressure monitor* is deactivated
because the vehicle is fitted with wheels
that do not have suitable wheel sensors. X
Have wheels with suitable wheel sensors fitted
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Once wheels with the correct wheel sensors
have been fitted, the tyre pressure monitor*
reactivates automatically after a few minutes
of driving. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 265Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
$ At least one door is open. X
Close the doors. D The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †,
you can continue driving to the nearest quali-
fied specialist workshop.
X In doing so, avoid heavy loads on the engine
(e.g. driving in mountainous terrain) and stop-
and-go driving. # The battery is not being charged. Possible
causes are:
R
a faulty alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics X
Stop immediately and safely when traffic con-
ditions allow and check the poly-V-belt.
X If it has torn: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X If it is not damaged: have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist workshop. # Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle The battery is faulty. X
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Consult the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop. 2 Brake wear The brake pads/linings have reached
their wear limit. X
Have the brake pads/linings replaced as soon
as possible at a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 269Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
D Coolant Stop car,
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 Make sure that the airflow to the radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X Wait until the message disappears before
restarting the engine. There is otherwise a risk
of engine damage.
X Observe the coolant temperature gauge
(Y page 125).
X If the temperature increases again, visit a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately. D Coolant Stop car,
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 has torn: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X If it is not damaged: do not start the engine
again until the message disappears. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 274 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
ò Replace air
cleaner element The engine air filter must be replaced. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 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 222) 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
Consult workshop The engine oil level has dropped to a crit-
ical level or the measuring system is mal-
functioning.
33 X
Check the engine oil level (Y page 222).
If the engine oil level is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the engine oil level is not OK:
X Top up the engine oil.
X If the warning message disappears: consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
X If the warning message does not disappear: do
not drive on. Consult the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop. H Tyre pressure Cau-
tion, tyre defect
G
Risk of accident
At least one tyre is rapidly deflating. The
affected wheel is highlighted in the tyre
pressure display of the tyre pressure mon-
itor*. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden
steering or braking manoeuvres. Pay attention
to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Repair or change the tyre (Y page 313).33
Only for certain vehicles. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 275Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
H Tyre pressure
Check tyres G
Risk of accident
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 313).
X Check the tyre pressure and correct it if nec-
essary (Y page 226).
The warning will disappear automatically after
you have been driving for a few minutes with
the corrected tyre pressure. H Please correct
tyre pressure(s) Vehicles with a tyre pressure monitor*:
the pressure of at least one tyre is too low
or there is a significant discrepancy
between the tyre pressures of the individ-
ual wheels. X
Check the tyre pressure at the next opportunity
and correct it if necessary ( Ypage 226). I Change key batter-
ies The KEYLESS GO* key batteries are dis-
charged. X
Change the batteries (Y page 305).I Key does not belong
to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignition
lock. X
Use the correct key. I Key not detected
The KEYLESS GO* key is not in the vehicle.
If the engine is switched off, the vehicle
can no longer be locked centrally and the
engine cannot be started. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Look for the KEYLESS GO *key. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
284 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
±
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. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp comes
on while the engine is run-
ning. There may be a malfunction:
R
in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (on vehi-
cles with a petrol engine)
The emission limit values may be
exceeded and the engine may be
running in emergency mode. X
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. H
The yellow tyre pressure
monitor* warning lamp is
on. G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure monitor* has
detected a sudden or significant
pressure loss in at least one of
the tyres. X
Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
manoeuvres. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 255).
The warning light will go out after the flat tyre has been changed
and you have been driving for a few minutes. <
The red seat belt warning
lamp lights up for 6 sec-
onds after the engine
starts up 34
. The seat belt warning lamp
reminds the driver and front
passenger to fasten their seat
belts. X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 94).34
Only for certain vehicles. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
291Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the
engine electronics or a mechani-
cal component of the engine con-
trol unit. X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. A coolant temperature of over
120 °C is displayed. You also
hear a warning signal. The coolant level is too low. The
coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 223). 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 °C, 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. The engine does not switch off. The ignition lock is faulty. X
Open the fuse box in the engine compartment ( Ypage 334).
X Remove fuse 120 using the fuse extractor.
The engine stops.
If you wish to start the engine again:
X Replace the fuse. Practical advice
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