2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON tow

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out..................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 29
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 32
Panic button .................................. 33Mechanical keys .......................... 33
Doors ................................................. 34
Central locking switch.................... 36
Automatic central locking.............. 37
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 37
Tailgate.............................................. 38
Antitheft alarm system.................... 41
Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats front ............................. 44
Front seat head restraints.............. 50
Rear seat head restraints ................ 51
Multicontour seat ............................ 53
Seat heater........................................ 54
Seat ventilation................................ 57
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 59
Seat belts .......................................... 59
Seat belt nonusage
warning system........................... 60
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system.................... 67Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special
child seat installed ....................... 67
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 68
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR)............................. 69
Airbags .............................................. 70
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 76
Infant and child
restraint systems......................... 78
Steering wheel adjustment............. 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer,
vehicle speed, FSS
and engine oil level display....... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98

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

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Parking assist warning indicators, see page 234
2Side defroster outlet
3Side air outlet, adjustable
4Air volume control for side air outlet
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 119
6Parking brake release, see page 210
7Hood lock release, see page 266
8Combination switch, see page 122
9Cruise control switch, see page 220
10Instrument cluster, see page 86
11Multifunction steering wheel, see page 92
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
Airbag, see page 70
12Steering lock with ignition / starter switch,
see page 198
13Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
14Center air outlets, adjustable15Air volume control for center air outlets
16Left front seat heater switch, see page 54
Left front seat ventilation switch, see page 57
17Headlamp washer switch, see page 121
18Rear w ind ow w iper a nd washer sw itch, se e page 124
19Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 125
20Central locking switch, see page 36
21Tow-away alarm switch, see page 43
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
seepage41
22Right front seat heater switch, see page 54
Right front seat ventilation switch, see page 57
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2)
24Automatic climate control, see page 126
Rear window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
25Audio system, see page 135
26Storage / eyeglasses compartment

22 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out..................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 29
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 32
Panic button .................................. 33
Mechanical keys ........................... 33
Doors .................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .............. 37
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 37
Tailgate .............................................. 38
Antitheft alarm system ................... 41
Tow-away alarm................................ 43
Power seats front ............................. 44
Front seat head restraints .............. 50Rear seat head restraints ................ 51
Multicontour seat ............................ 53
Seat heater........................................ 54
Seat ventilation................................ 57
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 59
Seat belts .......................................... 59
Seat belt nonusage
warning system........................... 60
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system.................... 67
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special
child seat installed ...................... 67
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)................................ 68
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 69
Airbags.............................................. 70
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 76
Infant and child
restraint systems ........................ 78Steering wheel adjustment............. 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer,
vehicle speed, FSS
and engine oil level display....... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100
Telephone book .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106
Malfunction
message memory ...................... 108
Individual settings......................... 110
Setting the audio volume............... 113
Flexible service system
(FSS)............................................ 114

37 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
With the automatic central locking system activated, the
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
To a ctiva te:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
upper portion of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To deactivate:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
lower portion of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
Driving on rough roads may cause the vehicle to unlock.
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
central locking switch, see page 36.

43 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tow - aw ay al a rm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the steering lock or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 186.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 0 or 1, or remove electronic key from steering
lock. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the remote control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic main key, at
which time it is automatically reactivated.

161 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior
Armrest, rear bench
Pull down the armrest by its top.Cup holder in rear bench armrest
Press button (1) and pull out drawer to its detent.
Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while traveling. Place only
containers that fit into the cup holder to prevent spills.
Do not fill containers to a height where the contents
could spill during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot
liquids.
Wa r n i n g
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
P91.27-2005-26

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.