2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class fluid

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

6 Contents
Headliner and shelf below
rear window ................................ 381
Leather upholstery ..................... 381
Hard plastic trim items ............. 381
Plastic and rubber parts ............ 381
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 384
Warranty coverage ........................ 384
Identification labels ...................... 385
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 387
Technical data ................................ 388
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 394
Engine oils ...................................... 396
Engine oil additives ...................... 396Air conditioner refrigerant ...........396
Brake fluid ......................................396
Premium unleaded gasoline ........397
Fuel requirements .........................397
Gasoline additives .........................398
Coolants ...........................................398
Consumer information ..................400
IndexIndex ................................................402

117 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge (5)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (6)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Note:
The temperature indicator display can be set to read out
in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. See page 138.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it. Turn off
the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not
stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

161 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
Single wipe without washer fluid
(select only if windshield is wet).
Push switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer system, windshield wipers.
See page 337 for instructions on filling the
windshield washer reservoir.
7Windshield wipers0Off
I Intermittent wiping
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This
will not occur with a front door open.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the electronic key in starter switch
from position 0. This will not occur with a front
door open.
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and
wipers may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
P54.25-2389-26
6
7

162 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
electronic key from starter switch. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in
starter switch position 1).
Emergency operation of windshield wipers
In case of windshield wiper malfunction in switch
positions I or III, turn combination switch to wiper
setting II. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.
See page 337 for instructions on filling up the
windshield washer reservoir.
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).

244 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

293 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 337.
2Coolant level,
see “Adding coolant” on page 336
3Engine oil level,
see “Engine oil level checking” on page 154 and 334
4Brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” on page 396
Opening hood, see page 331.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 356.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 156.