2000 MERCEDES-BENZ E55AMG ABS

3 ContentsShelf below rear window .............. 170
Garage door opener ....................... 171
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 176
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 177
Maintenance ................................... 177
Tele Aid ........................................... 178
Catalytic converter ........................ 188
Emission control ............................ 189
Steering lock ................................... 190
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 192
Automatic transmission ............... 193
Parking brake .................................202
Driving instructions ......................203
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .........203
Drinking and driving .................203
Pedals ...........................................203
Power assistance ........................204
Brakes ..........................................204
Driving off ...................................205Parking ........................................ 205
Tires ............................................. 206
Snow chains ............................... 208
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 209
Block heater .................................210
Deep water ................................... 211
Passenger compartment ............ 211
Traveling abroad ......................... 211
Cruise control .................................212
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................215
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................217
Four Wheel Electronic Traction
System (4MATIC) .......................219
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 220
Parking assist
(Parktronic) .............................. 224
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 229
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 231
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................234
On-board
diagnostic system .......................234
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................234
Brake warning lamp ..................235
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................236
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................236
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............237
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................237
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................237
Seat belt warning lamp .............238
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................238

4 Contents
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................238
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............239
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................240
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ......... 241
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................242
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................242
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............243
BRAKE FLUID .............................243
PARKING BRAKE .......................244
ENGINE FAN ...............................244
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........245
COOLANT TEMP. ........................246
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................247
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................248
REMOVE KEY .............................248
TELE AID .....................................249
STEERING GEAR OIL .................249
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................250
WASHER FLUID .......................... 251
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..252
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 254
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 254
Fuses ............................................... 255
Hood ................................................ 257
Checking engine oil level ............. 260
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 261
Coolant level ................................... 261
Adding coolant ........................... 262
Windshield and headlamp
washer system .......................... 263
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 263
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 264
Vehicle jack .................................... 265
Wheels ............................................ 266
Tire replacement ....................... 266
Rotating wheels ......................... 267
Spare wheel .................................... 268
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 268
Spare wheel .................................... 269Changing wheels ........................... 271
Tire inflation pressure .................. 276
Battery .............................................277
Jump starting ..................................279
Towing the vehicle .........................282
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................284
Exterior lamps ................................285
Headlamp assembly ...................286
Taillamp assemblies ..................289
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 291
Synchronizing
remote control ............................293
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................293
Rear seat cushion ..........................294
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................295
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................296
Replacing wiper blade insert .......296
Trunk lamp .....................................298
Roof rack .........................................298

24
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ve h i c l e k ey s
Included with your vehicle are:
•2 electronic main keys with integrated radio
frequency and infrared remote controls plus
removable mechanical key.
•1 electronic reserve key without remote control
functions, plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two electronic main keys are a different color to help
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.

88 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 237
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 202
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 202
BAS malfunction, see page 237
ESP malfunction, see page 237
Fasten seat belts, see page 60
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition,
see page , see page 237Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel
management system, emission control
system, systems which impact emissions, or
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases,
we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible, see
page 234
SRS malfunction, see page 236
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 238
ABSBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINESRS

175 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 176
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 177
Maintenance ................................... 177
Tele Aid ........................................... 178
Catalytic converter ........................ 188
Emission control ............................ 189
Steering lock ................................... 190
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 192
Automatic transmission ............... 193
Parking brake .................................202Driving instructions ...................... 203
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ........ 203
Drinking and driving ................ 203
Pedals .......................................... 203
Power assistance ........................ 204
Brakes .......................................... 204
Driving off ................................... 205
Parking ........................................ 205
Tires ............................................. 206
Snow chains ............................... 208
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 209
Block heater .................................210
Deep water ................................... 211
Passenger compartment ............ 211
Traveling abroad ......................... 211Cruise control ................................. 212
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 215
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 217
Four Wheel Electronic Traction
System (4MATIC) ...................... 219
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................220
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ..............................224
What you should know
at the gas station .......................229
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 231

195 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 202 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

198 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is moved to a lower gear range, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
the engine’s RPM limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the
service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.

210 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 318.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 263.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.