check engine MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2000 Owner's Guide

317 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
* C = Category, see page 303.
RL: rear left; FL: front left;
RR: rear right; FR: front right;
1 One or more tires def late rapidly or tire pressure is already below
minimum value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 340.
2 The tire pressure on one or more tires is already below minimum
value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 343.
3 For tire inflation pressure monitor, see page 150.4 Tire pressure in one or more tires is low. Check and correct tire
pressure, see page 348.
5 The tire pressure monitor cannot be activated with the engine
running. Turn off the engine and repeat activation, see page 150.
6 When the message appears after starting the engine, the tire
inflation pressure on all road wheels should be checked and
corrected according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 348.
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 150.
7 The tire inflation pressure monitor system is unable to monitor the
tire pressure due to the presence of several wheel electronics in
the vehicle (e.g. a deflated road wheel in the trunk), or nearby
radio interference source, or excessive wheel sensor temperatures,
or unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
8 The tire inflation pressure monitor is defective or a wheel without
proper sensor was installed. Visit your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire will cause excessive heat build-up and possibly
a fire.

318 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 154.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 154.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 154 and check the engine for visible leakage
(loss of oil).
Possibility of water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil checked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL!”
message appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
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 “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
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.
Line 1Line 2C*
ENG INE OIL LEVE L CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2

321 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index TELE AID
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response; automatic
and manual emergency, roadside assistance and information. With
this message displayed, one or more functions may not be
availa ble.
See page 214 for notes on the Tele Aid.If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.OIL TEMP. (engine oil temperature)
* C = Category, see page 303.There is a danger of engine damage – change to a higher
gear or reduce road speed.
Check the engine oil level as soon as the vehicle returns
to operating temperature. See Engine oil level indicator
on page 154.
Line 1Line 2C*
TELE AID VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
1
Line 1Line 2C*
OIL TEMP TOO HIGH! LOWER REVS! 2

322 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO)
* C = Category, see page 303.1 Check battery of KEYLESS-GO-card, see page 366.
2 The KEYLESS-GO-card cannot be recognized by the running
engine (e.g. strong radio-frequency interference) or the card is not
in the vehicle.
Stop immediately and search for the KEYLESS-GO-card or continue
to operate the vehicle with the electronic main key, otherwise the
vehicle cannot be centrally locked or the engine started again after
the engine stops automatically. See page 38.
3 The KEYLESS-GO-card was momentarily not recognized. If
message repeats, place card in a different position or continue to
operate the vehicle with the electronic main key, see page 38.
4 A KEYLESS-GO-card left inside the vehicle has been recognized
while locking the vehicle from the outside, see page 38.
5 The message appears for maximum of 60 seconds each time the
driver’s door is opened, as long as no electronic main key is in the
starter switch. The message appears regardless of the past
operation method (electronic main key or KEYLESS-GO-card), see
page 38. Line 1Line 2C*
CHIP-CARD CHECK BATTERY!
1
2
CHIP-CARD NOT RECOGNIZED!
2
1
CHIP-CARD NOT RECOGNIZED!
3
2
CHIP-CARD STILL IN VEHICLE!
4
1
CHIP-CARD DO NOT FORGET!
5
1

324 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WA S H E R F L U I D
* C = Category, see page 303.
When this message appears while the engine is
running, the level of the reservoir has dropped to
approximately
1/3 of the total volume. The reservoir
should be refilled with the prescribed mixture of MB
Windshield washer concentrate and water or the
concentrate and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperature, at the next opportunity. The
reservoir for the windshield and headlamp washer
systems is located in the engine compartment.
See windshield and headlamp washer system on
page 337 for instructions on topping up the washer
fluid.
Line 1Line 2C*
WASHER FLUID CHECK LEVEL! 3

327 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................328
Stowing things in the vehicle ......328
Fuses ................................................329
Hood ................................................. 331
Checking engine oil level .............334
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................335
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................335
Coolant level ...................................336
Adding coolant ...........................336
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........337Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................ 337
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 338
Vehicle jack .................................... 339
Wheels ............................................ 340
Tire Replacement ....................... 340
Rotating wheels ......................... 341
Spare wheel .................................... 341
Changing wheels ........................... 343
Tire inflation pressure ................. 348
Battery ............................................. 349
Jump starting ................................. 351
Towing the vehicle ........................ 353Exterior lamps ................................356
Headlamp assembly ...................357
Taillamp assemblies ..................360
Trunk lamp .....................................362
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................363
Synchronizing
remote control ............................365
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................366
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................368
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................369
Replacing wiper blades .................370
Roof rack ......................................... 371

334 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Checking engine oil level
S 500
1Dipstick
Model S 600:
The dipstick is omitted. Engine oil level can be
checked via the engine oil level indicator, see
page 154.
2Oil filler capS 600
Model S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.
1
P18.40-0287-262
P18.40-2066-26
2

335 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster, see page 154.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
S 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level
indicator display (page 154) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.See Malfunction and warning messages on page 303 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
indicator when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
ABC-system.

336 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Coolant level
1Coolant expansion tank
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the
reservoir.
See page 398 for antifreeze / anticorrosion mixture.Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.
P82.35-2001-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
• In order to avoid possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2
turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.

350 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite
plu g must always b e securely installed w hen the veh icle
is in operation.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.Note:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock (see
COMAND operator’s manual) resynchronize the front
seat head restraints, the express feature of the power
windows, the sliding / pop-up roof, and the electronic
stability program (see head restraints on page 72, power
windows on page 181, and electronic stability program
on page 274).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.