2000 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Engine

257 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.
If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine
compartment, or if the coolant temperature gauge
indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open
the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not open
the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call a fire department.The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.

258 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To o p e n :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the
driver’s sid e of t he instru ment pa ne l. At the sam e time a
handle will extend out of the radiator grill (it may be
necessary to lift the hood up slightly).
Caution!
To avoid damage to the windshield wiper or hood, open
the hood only with wiper in the parked position.
P68.00-2431-26

259 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Pull handle (2) to its stop out of radiator grill and open
hood (do not pull up on handle).To c l o s e :
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
approximately 1 ft. (30 cm), assisting with hands placed
flat on edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.

260 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Checking engine oil level
E 320 shown
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
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.The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster.
Wipe 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.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
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 250 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
display when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 117 for engine oil level indicator.
2
1

261 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 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.Coolant level
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.

262 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.
The drain plugs for the cooling system are located on
the right side of the engine block and at the bottom of
the radiator.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze, see page 322.
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.

263 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer system
E 320 shown
1Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Capacity approximately 5.8 US qt (5.5 l)
2Headlamp washer fluid reservoir
Auxiliary tank connected to windshield washer
reservoir. Open filler caps on both reservoirs during
refilling.
Capacity approximately 1.9 US qt (1.8 l)Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
1
2

271 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.