2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON wheel

122 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Combination switch
1Low beam (exterior lamp switch position B)
2High beam (exterior lamp switch position B)3High beam flasher (high beam available
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4Turn signals, right
5Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing
lanes on a highway, move combination switch to the
point of resistance only and hold it there.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the
combination switch past the point of resistance (up or
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.
Turn signal failure
If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator
system f lashes and sounds at a faster than normal rate.
4
4
2
5
5
3
1

127 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Air volume control for center air outlets, turn wheel
up to open.
2Air volume control for side air outlet and side
window defroster outlet.
To open side air outlets:
Turn wheel to position i.
To open defroster outlets:
Turn wheel to position l.
3Center air outlets, adjustable
4Side air outlet, adjustable
5Side defroster outlet
6Display and ControlsThe system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off.
The automatic climate control only operates with the
engine running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired
temperature setting. The temperature selected is
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a
higher or lower temperature.
The automatic climate control removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
The desired interior temperature can be selected
separately for the left and right side of the passenger
compartment.

129 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting - Automatic mode
Press left and right U button for automatic mode.
Simultaneously press both f and g buttons for
temperature setting of 72°F.
QAir volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
This setting can be used all year around.
Economy
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not
possible to air condition in this setting.
Press S button to activate.
Press S button once again to return to previous
setting.Special settings
(use only for short duration)
Defogging windows
Switch off O button.
Press left and right U buttons.
Press b button repeatedly until air is directed
upward.
STurn wheels (2) to position to open left and right
defroster outlets (5).
Defrosting
Turn wheels (2) to position l to open left and right
defroster outlets (5).
Press P button. Maximum heated and automatically
controlled amount of air is directed to the windshield
and side windows.PPress P button once again to return to previous
setting.

134 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear passenger compartment adjustable air outlet
To open air outlet, rotate wheel (1) upward.
The air outlet is adjustable.Important
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system
that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
P68.00-2136-26
1

183 Contents - Driving
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 184
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 185
Maintenance ................................... 185
Tele Aid............................................ 186
Catalytic converter......................... 196
Emission control ............................ 197
Steering lock ................................... 198
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 200
Automatic transmission................ 201
Parking brake ................................. 210Driving instructions....................... 211
Drive sensibly -
Save Fuel ...................................... 211
Drinking and Driving ................ 211
Pedals ........................................... 211
Power assistance .........................212
Brakes ...........................................212
Driving off ....................................213
Parking .........................................213
Tires ..............................................214
Snow chains ................................ 216
Winter driving instructions ......217
Block heater .................................218
Deep water ...................................219
Passenger compartment ............219
Traveling abroad ......................... 219Cruise control ................................. 220
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 223
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 225
Four wheel electronic
traction system
(4MATIC) .................................... 227
Electronic stability
program
(ESP) ........................................... 228
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 232
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 237
Check regularly and
before a long trip....................... 239

186 Tele Aid
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button stays
on after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and the message “TELE AID – NOT
ACTIVATED” will be shown in the multifunction display
for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Telematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæand for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the “SOS” button, the Roadside
Assistance button• or the Information button¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting
“Tele Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, Info Services
* profile
and more.
* Optional – available only with COMAND System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the
multifunction display.

191 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is illuminated continuously and there was
no voice connection to the Response Center established,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone network
is not available). The message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL FAILED” appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated using the
ìbutton on the multifunction steering wheel.
Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the
Information button¡. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to
the Client Assistance Center. The button will flash while
the call is in progress. The message “INFO –
CONNECTING CALL” will appear in the multifunction
display. When the connection is established, the
message “INFO – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Client Assistance
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established. When a voice connection is
established the audio system mutes and the message
“TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multifunction display. Information regarding the
operation of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is
ava il ab l e to you .
For more details concerning Tele Aid, please visit
www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password, sent to
you separately, to learn more (USA only).
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Information button¡
remains illuminated in red for approximately
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together
with the “SOS” button and the Roadside Assistance
button•).
See system self-check on page 186 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.

192 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the indicator lamp in the Information button¡ is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established, then the
Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call
(e.g. the relevant cellular phone network is not
available). The message “INFO – CALL FAILED” appears
in the multifunction display.
Information calls can be terminated using the
ìbutton on the multifunction steering wheel.
Important!
If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after
pressing one of the buttons or remain illuminated (in
red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a fault
or the service is not currently active, and may not
initiate a call. Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center and
have the system checked or contact the Response Center
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada) as soon as possible.Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
•Automatic emergency – First priority
•Manual emergency – Second priority
•Roadside assistance – Third priority
•Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will flash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop
flashing. The COMAND system operation will resume
(only vehicles with COMAND).