Relatively new MB owner (C280 w/82,000 miles, great shape).

Car is running perfectly, had oil and brakes recently serviced at independent MB shop. Yesterday, climbed in, started and immediately got a "check engine" light...

Now, I've had BMW's in past and that light usually meant to get car in shop sometime in next several weeks - nothing about to explode. I have a relatively short trip planned for 2 days from now - 200 miles each way.

Am I okay driving this car? As I said, didn't come on when driving and engine running great.

As always, I appreciate the responses.

It is very hard for a professional to give the go ahead to drive with a "check engine" light on. So let me tell you what the dealer told my wife when her 18 mo. old ML320 had a light on: "You can bring it in Wednesday" (10 days from phone call).

They didn't consider it an emergency and I verified for myself what was wrong. It was an O2 performance code. One that occurs after an OBDII monitor test is performed. They replaced the sensor under warrantee and all is well.

Thanks - Not sure that gives me much comfort...As you can tell, I don't want to drop this car off until next week. I'v checked all fluid levels, no temperature changes, etc. - so I'll probably drive unless somebody tells me there's an automatic implosion device about to fire. Thanks!

Most but *not* all CHECK ENGINE flags are emission-related.

A failing/old gas-cap, or even screwing it on cock-eyed can cause a CHECK ENGINE light on these cars.

A failing fuel-filter was causing a lean-condition on mine (C36), so at 80K miles, if you don't know when the fuel-filter or gas-cap was replaced, I'd change them out now and use this as your baseline. O2-sensors (you have two of them) should IMHO also be changed out every 100K miles.

Best of luck,

:-) neil

Thanks - IF the gas cap is not secure or fuel filter is needed and I correct problem will light go off or would that indicator have to be reset by my MB shop?

Thanks for your replies...

On my ML, I had hastily screwed the gas cap on after a fillup and got the check engine light on. I was dumbfounded until my wife (who listened to the "new car" audition) told me that I probably did the cap wrong (needs 3 turns until you hear that awful ratchet-like sound). So I went outside and re-did the cap properly. Check engine light was gone after that...no resetting necessary.

On other cars I've owned, the "check engine" light was always a bad O2 (or lambda) sensor...the only immediate problem would be if your car is up for an annual inspection, in which case, it probably wouldn't pass.

At least on my 1995 C36, if I remove the Diagnostic module (engine off) for at least 10-seconds, then it is cleared, and the CHECK ENGINE light goes off.

If you have a good relationship with a shop with a MB code reader, I would retrieve the code before having it erased.

Good luck,

:-) neil

regarding the check engin light
 

On the ML if you have check engin light on (I don't right now).

Is there anyway you could read the code with out taking it into the shop. On my Murker XR4TI I could hook it up to a volt meter and read the error coads. And I could do the same on my 92 honda accord by jumping a wire under the glove compartment and the check engin light will blink any error code. Can I do something simuliar on the ML.

I like to know this for future references.

thansk guys.

Your CE light will not turn off until you have the code reset. I'm not sure which year this was changed (I think 98), after that, the CE light will turn itself off.
As for your C280, it won't turn off, you can unplug the battery for a short while and that will do it... just be sure you know your radio code!
Good luck.