2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON length

81 Steering wheel adjustment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Steering wheel adjustment
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or front passenger’s door open, the
steering wheel can also be operated with the electronic
key removed or in steering lock position 0).To lengthen or shorten the steering column, push switch
forward or backward.
To raise or lower steering wheel, push switch up or
down.
Note:
The steering wheel position can be stored in memory
together with the seat / head restraint / exterior rear
view mirror positions, see page 47.
P46.00-2010-26
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

207 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of
the engine’s braking power when descending
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km / h).

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.

276 Tires, Wheels
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restrictions:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.
For rim and tire specifications, see page 320.
Spare wheel bolts1Wheel bolt for light alloy wheel rim
2Wheel bolt for steel spare wheel rim
Note:
Wheel bolts (2) must be used when mounting steel
spare wheel rim.
Wa r n i n g !
Be sure to use the original length wheel bolts when
remounting the original light alloy wheel after it
has been repaired.
12

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.

285 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Jump startingImportant!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14°F
(–10°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Jump start the car by using the battery terminals located
under hood.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc..Read all instructions before proceeding.

306 Roof rack
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Long cargo items should not extend beyond the vehicle
length and should be securely fastened at the front and
rear.
Prior to and during an extended trip check the roof load,
and retighten the knurled-head screws if necessary.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
When driving without roof luggage, the cross bars may
be removed to reduce wind noise.
For load capacity see page 321.Note:
Use only roof racks approved by Mercedes-Benz. They
mount to the roof railings and do not require additional
supports (e.g. suction cups or legs). Such supports may
lead to marring of the paint or denting of the roof. For
further information inquire at your Mercedes-Benz
Center.

321 Technical data
Te ch n ica l
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index We i g h t s (see certification tag)Main dimensions
Roof load on roof
rails max. 220 lb (100 kg)
Roof load on protective strips
(distributed over total area) max. 175 lb (80 kg)Overall vehicle length 189.6 in (4816 mm)
Overall vehicle width 70.8 in (1799 mm)
Overall height 59.3 in (1505 mm)
Wheel base 111.5 in (2833 mm)
Track, front 60.2 in (1529 mm)
Track, rear 59.9 in (1521 mm)