2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Owner's Manual

398 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

399 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminium parts. The
use of aluminium components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminium parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
S 430, S 500,
S 55 AMG6.1 US qt
(5.75 l)6.7 US qt
(6.3 l)
S 600 6.3 US qt
(6.0 l)7. 0 U S q t
(6.6 l)

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Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

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The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire‘s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

402 Index
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Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................272
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................300
Active body control (ABC) ............................................278
Fluid level ...................................................................335
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................283
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 105
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................396
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 169
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................325
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 169
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 91
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................302
Airbags .............................................................................. 94
Airmatic system .............................................................279
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................280
Alarm system ............................................................. 62, 64
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................... 251, 336, 394, 398Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 272
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 300
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................62
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 248
Armrest, rear seat .......................................................... 198
Ashtrays ...........................................................................201
Center console ...........................................................201
Rear doors ................................................................. 202
Audio systems .................................................................125
Cassette player ..........................................................127
CD Player ....................................................................126
Radio ...........................................................................125
Automatic central locking ..............................................52
Automatic climate control ............................................ 164
Activated charcoal filter ...........................................172
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 176
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 169
Air volume, manual .................................................. 169
Basic setting ............................................................... 168
Defogging windows ...........................................170, 171
Defrosting ...................................................................170
Display and controls ................................................. 166
Dust filter ................................................................... 167
Economy mode ..........................................................173

403 Index
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compartment ventilation .................................... 175
Rear window defroster ............................................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 174
Special settings ......................................................... 169
Switching on and off ................................................ 175
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 178
Basic setting .............................................................. 178
Automatic transmission ...............................................233
Emergency operation ............................................... 241
Fluid level ...................................................................335
Program mode selector switch ...............................240
Selector lever position ..............................................236
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 91
Self-test ......................................................................... 91
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 271
Battery .............................................................................349
Battery recycling .......................................................350
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................305
Block heater .................................................................... 251BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 306
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 271
Brake fluid ..................................244, 293, 298, 394, 396
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 307
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 298
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 298
Brakes ........................................... 242, 244, 271, 272, 274
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 394
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Center console lighting ................................................. 189
Central locking switch .................................................... 50
Central locking system .................................................... 34
Automatic central locking .........................................52
Choosing global or selective mode .....................37, 43
Electronic main key .................................................... 29

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Electronic reserve key ................................................ 30
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 31
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 36
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 40
Mechanical keys ................................................... 30, 47
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 34
Simultaneous use of
electronic main key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 44
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 45
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................................................366
Changing wheels ...........................................................343
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp .....................................296
Check regulary and before a long trip .......................293
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 154
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................334
Child restraint ...........................................84, 91, 102, 104
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................322
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 374
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 212
Combination switch ...................................................... 160Consumer information ................................................. 400
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ................................................. 212
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 336
Checking .................................................................... 336
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 117
Coolants .......................................................................... 398
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 399
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 189
Cruise control ................................................................ 253
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 319
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................. 199
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 200
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Daytime running lamp .................................................. 158

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Driving instructions .................................................252
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................304
Display illumination .......................................................116
Distronic (DTR) ...................................................... 134, 256
Activation of Distronic .............................................259
Additional driving hints ..........................................264
Cleaning sensor ........................................................378
Deactivation of Distronic ......................................... 261
Displays in the speedometer dial ...........................270
Distance warning function ......................................267
Distronic settings ......................................................268
Driving with Distronic activated ............................262
Invalid attempts to activate .....................................260
Multifunction display ...............................................269
Warning lamp ............................................................ 301
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................326
DOOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Door control panel ........................................................... 20
Door entry lamps ........................................................... 189Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 50
Drinking and driving .................................................... 243
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 243
Driving instructions ..................................................... 243
Driving off ...................................................................... 245
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................66
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 309
Electronic main key .........................................................29
Changing batteries .................................................. 363
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 365
Electronic stability program (ESP) ..............................274
ESP control switch .................................................... 276
Malfunction and warning messages ..................... 309
Synchronizing .......................................................... 275
Warning lamp ............................................................301
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 214
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................................................. 369