2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON brake light

4 Contents
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 .............. 251
BRAKE 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 ..........................259ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 260
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 .........271
Spare wheel, vehicle tools............ 272
Vehicle jack .................................... 273
Wheels ............................................ 274
Tire replacement ........................274
Rotating wheels ......................... 275
Spare wheel..................................... 276
Spare wheel bolts .......................276Changing wheels ........................... 277
Tire inflation pressure .................. 282
Battery ............................................. 283
Jump starting .................................. 285
Towing the vehicle ......................... 288
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 290
Exterior 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

5 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle .................................. 308
Power washer ..............................309
Tar stains .....................................309
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................309
Engine cleaning .......................... 310
Vehicle washing ......................... 310
Ornamental moldings ................ 310
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 310
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ........................... 311
Window cleaning ........................ 311
Wiper blades ............................... 311
Light alloy wheels ...................... 312
Instrument cluster ..................... 312
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ...................... 312
Cup holder ................................... 312
Seat belts ..................................... 312
Headliner ..................................... 312Upholstery ...................................313
Hard plastic trim items ..............313
Plastic and rubber parts ............313
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................ 316
Warranty coverage ......................... 316
Identification labels ....................... 317
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 318
Technical data ................................. 319
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 322
Engine oils...................................... 324
Engine oil additives ...................... 324
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 324
Brake fluid ...................................... 324
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 325
Fuel requirements......................... 325
Gasoline additives ......................... 326
Coolants .......................................... 326
Consumer information ................. 328
IndexIndex ................................................ 330

45 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The slide switches are located in each front door.
We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up / down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
5Head restraint
The height of the head restraint is adjusted
automatically with the seat so that the back of the
head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust
the head restraint using the switch if the preset
position does not support the back of your head
approximately at ear level.
Adjust the head restraint angle by hand.
Note:
Your vehicle is equipped with power head restraints,
do not try to raise or lower them manually.
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P54.00-2074-26

165 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Ashtrays
Center console, front
By touching the bottom of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically. Prior to removing the ashtray
insert, move the gear selector lever to position “N”.To remove ashtray:
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the
insert.
To i n st a l l a s h t r ay :
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

203 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 210 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

217 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, th e bra king ef f iciency sh ou ld b e teste d as soon a s
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

225 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

239 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
E 320 shown1Windshield washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 271.
2Headlamp cleaning system
Auxiliary tank connected to windshield washer
reservoir. Open filler caps on both reservoirs during
refilling.
3Coolant level
See “Adding coolant”, page 270.
4Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level”, page 268.
5Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid”, page 324.
Opening hood, see page 266.
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 291.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 119.
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