2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class lock

229 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index “On” position (starter switch position 1, see page 226).
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed
information see respective subjects.
Operation / driving position (starter switch position 2,
see page 226).
All electrical consumers can be operated. Gear selector
is unlocked.
“Off” position (electronic key removable from starter
switch).
Most electrical consumers cannot be operated.
The selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Notes:
For improved recognition of the KEYLESS-GO-card the
doors should be closed when pressing the start- / stop
button.
The gear selector lever can only be moved with the
vehicle battery charged and connected, and the starter
switch in the Operation position. With the gear selector
lever in position “P”, the brake pedal must also be
depressed.Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or briefcase),
the vehicle cannot be locked (see page 40) or started
with the start-/stop button (see page 231).
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 195), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly while driving in the
multifunction display, see page 322.

231 Starting and turning off the enginge
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before Starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Starting
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below
-4°F(-20°C) we recommend that an engine block heater
be installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 251.
Starting the engine with electronic key:
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
Starting the engine with KEYLESS-GO:
Note:
For improved recognition of the chip card the doors
should be closed when pressing the start- / stop button.
Depress brake pedal during the starting procedure.
Briefly press start- / stop button on gear selector lever.
The starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
press start- / stop button on gear selector lever and
repeat starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

234 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
acceleration. Once the desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator — the transmission shifts up again.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward on in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

235 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 242 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
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you 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.

236 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Note:
The electronic key can only be removed from the
starter switch with the selector lever in
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical
system the selector lever could remain locked in
position “P”. To unlock the selector lever
manually, see page 368.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
sto p ped .

242 Parking brake
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When
the electronic key is in starter switch position 2, the
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should
come on brightly.
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster should go out.
A warning sounds and the parking brake warning
message (see page 308) appears in the multifunction
display, if you start to drive without having released the
parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 298.
P42.20-2001-27
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident or serious injury.

246 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of
vehicle m ovement, before
turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to starter switch
position 0 and remove, or press start- / stop
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO).
7. Take the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-
card (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) and lock
vehicle when leaving.

251 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 396.
•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 337.
•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
ABS and 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.