2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON key battery

199 Steering lock
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock position 1
or 0.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in
stop-and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid
draining of the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected.

229 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is combined
with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.

241 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 242
On-board
diagnostic system .......................242
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................242
Brake warning lamp ..................243
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................244
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................244
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............245BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 245
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 245
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 246
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in the
center console ........................... 246
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp ............................ 246
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 247
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 248
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 249
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 250
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 250
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 251BRAKE FLUID ............................. 251
PARKING BRAKE .......................252
ENGINE FAN ...............................252
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................253
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ................254
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................255
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................256
REMOVE KEY .............................256
TELE AID .....................................257
STEERING GEAR OIL .................257
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................258
WASHER FLUID .........................259
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ......................................260

261 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit...................................... 262
Fuses ................................................ 263
Electrical outlet .............................. 265
Hood ................................................. 266
Checking engine oil level ............. 268
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 269
Coolant level ................................... 269
Adding coolant ...........................270
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 271
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ......... 271Spare wheel, vehicle tools............ 272
Vehicle jack .................................... 273
Wheels ............................................ 274
Tire replacement ........................274
Rotating wheels ......................... 275
Spare wheel..................................... 276
Spare wheel bolts .......................276
Changing wheels........................... 277
Tire inflation pressure ................. 282
Battery............................................. 283
Jump starting.................................. 285
Towing the vehicle ........................ 288
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 290Exterior lamps ................................ 291
Headlamp assembly ...................292
Taillamp assemblies ..................295
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 298
Synchronizing
remote control ............................300
Emergency engine
shut-down................................... 300
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof ................. 301
Manual release for
fuel filler flap ............................. 302
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 302
Roof rack ......................................... 305

284 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
must not leak acid when upside down for at least
15 minutes. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center can
provide such a special battery.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0. The battery,
its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite plug must
always be securely installed when the vehicle in operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.
Note:
After reconnecting the battery also resynchronize the
front seat head restraints, the express feature of the
power windows, and the electronic stability program
(ESP), see page 46, 156 and 229.
Battery recycling
Batteries contain material that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

298 Electronic main key
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Changing batteries in the electronic main key
1Transmit buttons
2Lamp for battery check and function control
Checking batteries
If one of the transmit buttons (1) is pressed, the battery
check lamp (2) lights up briefly – indicating that the
batteries are in order.
Change batteries if the battery check lamp (2) does not
light up briefly.Changing batteries
Move locking tab (3) in direction of right arrow and
remove mechanical key (4, left arrow).
P80.20-2200-26
1
2
P80.35-2028-26
4
3

299 Electronic main key
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Insert mechanical key (4) in side opening (5) to open
latch. Press briefly (do not use mechanical key as lever)
to release battery compartment.
Remove mechanical key from side opening.
Carefully remove battery compartment in direction of
arrow (6).Change batteries (7), inserting new ones under contact
spring (8) with plus (+) side facing up.
Return battery compartment into housing until locked
in place and slide mechanical key back into electronic
main key.
P80.35-2026-26
5
4
6
P80.35-2027-26
78

300 Electronic main key
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Important!
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment if disposed of improperly. Recycling of
batteries is the preferred method of disposal. For
disposal, please follow manufacturer’s recommendation
on battery package.
Replacement Battery:
Lithium, type CR 2025 or equivalent.
Synchronizing remote control
The remote control may have to be resynchronized, if
the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked.
To synchronize insert electronic key in starter switch.
The remote control should once again be operational.Emergency engine shut-down
If the engine can no longer be stopped using the
electronic key, the engine can be turned off by removing
two fuses.
For easy removal of fuses use the fuse extractor
(supplied with vehicle tool kit) to pull out the fuses
marked on the fuse chart as “ENGINE EMERGENCY
OFF”.
The fuse chart is also located in the vehicle tool kit,
seepage272.
For fuses see page 263.