2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class check engine

3 ContentsParcel net in trunk ........................204
Telephone, general ........................205
Garage door opener .......................206
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 210
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 212
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 213
Maintenance ................................... 213
Tele Aid ........................................... 214
Catalytic converter ........................224
Emission control ............................225
Starter switch .................................226
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................228
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 231Automatic transmission ............... 233
Parking brake ................................ 242
Driving instructions ...................... 243
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 243
Drinking and driving ................ 243
Pedals .......................................... 243
Power assistance ........................ 244
Brakes .......................................... 244
Driving off ................................... 245
Parking ........................................ 246
Tires ............................................. 247
Snow chains ............................... 249
Winter driving instructions ..... 250
Block heater ................................ 251
Deep water .................................. 252
Passenger compartment ........... 252
Traveling abroad ........................ 252
Cruise control ................................ 253
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 256Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 271
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 274
Active body control (ABC) ............278
Level control system
for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............279
Level control system
for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................280
Ad aptive da mping system
(ADS) ...........................................283
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........285
What you should know
at the gas station .......................290
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................293

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................296
On-board diagnostic system .....296
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp ..................298
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stability
program (ESP) —
warning lamp ..............................301
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................302Malfunction and
indicator lamp in the
center console ........................... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 302
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 304
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 305
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 307
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 309
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 310
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 311LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 314
ACTIV E BO DY CO NTROL
(ABC) ............................................ 314
TIRE PRESSURE ......................... 316
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 318
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 319
KEY ............................................... 319
DOOR ...........................................320
HOOD ...........................................320
TELE AID .....................................321
OIL TEMP.
(engine oil temperature) ...........321
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) ......322
SELECTOR LEVER ......................323
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......323
WASHER FLUID .........................324
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) .............325
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................326

5 Contents
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................328
Stowing things in the vehicle ......328
Fuses ................................................329
Hood ................................................. 331
Checking engine oil level .............334
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................335
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................335
Coolant level ...................................336
Adding coolant ...........................336
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........337
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................337
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................338
Vehicle jack .....................................339
Wheels .............................................340
Tire Replacement .......................340
Rotating wheels .......................... 341
Spare wheel .................................... 341Changing wheels ........................... 343
Tire inflation pressure ................. 348
Battery ............................................. 349
Jump starting ................................. 351
Towing the vehicle ........................ 353
Exterior lamps ............................... 356
Headlamp assembly .................. 357
Taillamp assemblies .................. 360
Trunk lamp ..................................... 362
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 363
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 365
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .................... 366
Emergency engine
shut-down .................................. 368
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ......................... 368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 369
Replacing wiper blades ................ 370
Roof rack ..........................................371
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 374
Power washer ..............................375
Tar stains ..................................... 376
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................. 376
Engine cleaning .......................... 376
Vehicle washing ......................... 376
Ornamental moldings ................377
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................377
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................378
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ...........................378
Wiper blades ...............................379
Light alloy wheels ......................380
Instrument cluster .....................380
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................380
Cup holder ...................................380
Seat belts ..................................... 381

31 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index KEYLESS-GO-card
The KEYLESS-GO-card (1) does not have a removable
mechanical key.
The functions of the KEYLESS-GO-card (1) are identical
to those of the electronic main key. Carrying the card
with you permits the use of the vehicle.The validity of the KEYLESS-GO-card is checked every
time when grasping a door handle or pushing the trunk
lid release. Once the KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized
outside the vehicle, the doors, trunk lid and fuel filler
flap are unlocked, depending on the selected mode
(global or selective unlocking mode, see page 43).
Starter switch KEYLESS-GO, see page 228.
Starting and turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO,
see page 231 and page 232.
Note:
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
so that they are always handy. Never leave the electronic
key or a KEYLESS-GO-card in the vehicle.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
P80.30-2029-26
1

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver on either front
door handle. Check the batteries of the electronic
main key, see page 363, or synchronize the remote
control, see page 365.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter
switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
•Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO only:
A KEYLESS-GO-card must be recognized by the
system as being outside the vehicle to enable the
vehicle to be locked or unlocked (maximum distance
between card and doors or trunk is approx. 3 ft.
(1 m). Check the location of the KEYLESS-GO-card,
see page 38. Check the batteries of the KEYLESS-
GO-card, see page 366. The trunk lid will open
automatically if a KEYLESS-GO card is detected in
the trunk, see page 38.Note:
If neither the remote control nor KEYLESS-GO system
functions, use the mechanical key to unlock or lock the
vehicle. To start engine, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch, or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key; or with the optional KEYLESS-GO-
system, when carrying a KEYLESS-GO-card, by grasping
a door handle or pressing the start- / stop button on the
gear selector lever.

151 Tire inflation pressure monitor
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Following a tire inflation pressure reactivation process
the real tire inflation pressures are displayed only after
a few minutes travel time.
Possible differences between readings of a tire pressure
gauge of an air hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and the
vehicle’s multifunction display can occur. The vehicle’s
multifunction display of the tire inflation pressure
monitor is a more precise reading.Activation of tire inflation pressure monitor
Activation of tire inflation pressure monitor is
necessary if tire inf lation pressure is being changed,
wheels or tires are replaced, or new wheels are installed
on the vehicle.
Tire inf lation pressure should be checked and corrected
according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For a detailed description, refer to page 348.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (the
engine must not be running).
Notes:
When checking the tire inflation pressure of the road
wheels, also check the spare tire.
The tire inflation pressure of the spare wheel, mounted
or not mounted, is not monitored by the tire inflation
pressure monitor.
See page 338 for location of the spare wheel, and
page 348 for tire inflation pressure.

154 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
The message “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” (perform service
[engine oil level check] on time) will be displayed if the
required waiting period has not been observed after
stopping the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature
approximately 5 minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel until the display appears. See page 124.
Press button j or k on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the “MEASUREMENT
CORRECT – ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL” engine oil level
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder.
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing button j
or k if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An
incorrect reading will be recorded if you do not cancel
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and
measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION”
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW”
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
MEASUREMENT CORRECT

155 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index One of the following messages will subsequently appear
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 334 for
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” message will be
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated
after a short while.S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG only:
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See “Checking engine oil level”, page 334.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 303
and page 318 if an engine oil level indicator appears in
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.