Engine compartment

Bonnet

Risk of accident

Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle is in motion. The bonnet could otherwise open.

Opening

Risk of injury

There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open, even if the engine is not running.

Parts of the engine can become very hot.

To avoid burning yourself, only touch those components described in the Operating Instructions and observe the relevant safety notes.

Risk of injury

The radiator fan between the radiator and the engine can start automatically, even if the key has been removed from the ignition lock. For this reason you must not reach into the turning area of the fan. You could otherwise sustain an injury.

Vehicles 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 connector, test socket) when:

  • the engine is running

  • the engine is being started

  • the ignition is switched on and the engine is being cranked by hand

Bonnet release lever
  

Pull release lever .

Make sure that the windscreen wipers are not folded away from the windscreen. You could otherwise damage the windscreen wipers or the bonnet.

Bonnet catch handle
  

Reach into the gap, pull bonnet catch handle up and lift the bonnet.

Closing

Risk of injury

Make sure that nobody can become trapped as you close the bonnet.

  

Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a height of approximately 20 cm.

 

The bonnet engages into place.

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 how it is driven, the vehicle consumes 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 more.

Lubricant additives may not be used since they lead to increased wear and damage to the mechanical assemblies. The use of fuel additives limits warranty claims. You can obtain further information from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Checking the engine oil level

Before checking the engine oil level the following conditions for the vehicle should be met:

  • It should be parked on level ground

  • The engine should be switched off for at least five minutes if the engine was at normal operating temperature

  • The engine should be switched off for at least 30 minutes if the engine was not at operating temperature (if you only started the engine briefly)

Via the on-board computer

Checking the engine oil level on vehicles with an oil dipstick more.

  

Make sure that the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock more.

  

Press the or to select the following message:

The measurement takes a few seconds. You will see one of the following messages in the display:

  • Engine oil level OK

  • Add 1.0 litre to reach maximum oil level

  • Add 1.5 litres to reach maximum oil level

  • Add 2.0 litres to reach maximum oil level

  

Top up the oil if necessary.

Other messages in the multi-function display

If the engine is at normal operating temperature and there is too much oil, you will see the following message:

Engine oil level
Reduce oil level

  

Have excess oil siphoned off.

There is a risk of damage to the engine or the catalytic converter if there is excess oil in the engine.

If the message Switch ignition on to check engine oil level appears:

  

Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock more.

If the required waiting period was not observed, the following message appears: Observe waiting period

  

Repeat the measurement after about five minutes if the engine is at normal operating temperature.

  

Repeat the measurement after about 30 minutes if the engine is not at normal operating temperature (if the engine was only started briefly).

The following message appears if the engine is running:

Cannot check engine oil level with the engine on

  

Switch off the engine and wait for five minutes if the engine is at normal operating temperature, or for about 30 minutes if the engine is not at normal operating temperature (if the engine was only started briefly), before measuring.

If you wish to cancel the measurement, press the or button on the multi-function steering wheel.

Using the oil dipstick

On vehicles without an oil dipstick the on-board computer checks the engine oil level more.

Example of a vehicle with a petrol engine (CLK 350)

Oil dipstick
Upper marking
Lower marking
  

Pull oil dipstick out of the oil dipstick tube.

  

Wipe the oil dipstick.

  

Insert the oil dipstick into the oil dipstick tube to the stop, and take it out again.

 

The oil level is correct if the level is between lower mark and upper mark .

  

Top up the oil if necessary more.

Topping up the engine oil

Example of a vehicle with a petrol engine (CLK 500)

Cap

Example of a vehicle with a petrol engine (CLK 350)

Cap
  

Unscrew cap and remove it.

  

Top up by the amount of oil required.

Have excess oil siphoned off. There is a risk of damage to the engine or the catalytic converter if there is excess oil in the engine.

  

Screw cap onto the filler neck.

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 otherwise be damaging the environment.

Oil level in the automatic transmission*

There is no need for you to check the oil level in the automatic transmission. In the event of oil loss or problems with gear shifts, have the automatic transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Coolant

Risk of injury

The cooling system is pressurised. Therefore, only unscrew the cap once the engine has cooled down. This means 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/corrosion inhibitor. Only check the coolant level when the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has cooled down.

Checking the coolant level

Expansion tank
  

Slowly turn cap by half a turn anti-clockwise to allow excess pressure to escape.

  

Turn the cap further anti-clockwise and remove it.

 

There is sufficient coolant in expansion tank if the coolant is level with the marking in the filler neck when cold or approximately 1.5 cm higher when hot.

  

Top up the coolant if necessary.

  

Replace the cap and tighten it until it clicks into place.

You will find further information about coolant in the "Technical data" section more.

Windscreen washer system/headlamp cleaning system*

Cap
  

Add windscreen washer concentrate to the washer fluid all year round.

Risk of fire

Windscreen washer concentrate is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking are prohibited when windscreen washer concentrate is being handled.

Use:

  • a windscreen washer fluid additive, for temperatures above freezing, for example MB Summerwash to prevent smearing.

  • a windscreen washer fluid additive with antifreeze properties if there is a risk of frost, for example MB Winterwash.

  

Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a container beforehand. Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside temperatures.

Only use windscreen washer fluid which is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuitable windscreen washer fluid could damage the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps.

  

To open: pull cap upwards by the tab.

  

To close: press cap onto the filler neck until it clicks into place.

Battery

Your vehicle is equipped with a battery. It is located in the engine compartment on the right-hand side of the vehicle when viewed in the direction of travel.

You will find further information about the battery in the "Practical advice" section more.