2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Stand by

12 Introduction
We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make
changes in design and equipment. Therefore, information, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator’s Manual
might differ from your vehicle.
O ptiona l e quipment is al so d esc ribed in th is manua l, inclu ding opera ting instru ctions wh erever necessa ry. Sinc e th ey
are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your
vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator’s Manual, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

38 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
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 dea cti vate :
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
9 mph (15 km / 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
9 mph (15 km / 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).
Driv ing on rou gh road s m ay cau se t he vehicle to u nl ock.
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
central locking switch, see page 37.

41 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lid release switch
The switch is located on the center console.The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should
always make sure there is sufficient clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft. (1.8 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
To open the trunk, the vehicle must be at standstill.
Pull up on switch until trunk lid is open.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk
lid open.
Notes:
The trunk can also be opened by using the remote
control. Press Š button.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the switch or the
remote control when previously locked separately with
the mechanical key. To open, see page 39.
The trunk lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid
release switch when the vehicle was previously locked
with the remote control. To unlock vehicle with the
remote control, see page 29.

42 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and
the trunk lid opens.Note:
The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and
opens the trunk while the vehicle is standing.
Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not
open the trunk lid, if:
•the vehicle battery is discharged or disconnected,
•the trunk lid was previously locked separately with
the mechanical key, see page 39.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the
trunk.

50 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat / head restraint / steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirror position, push and hold
position button “1”, “2” or “3” until seat / head restraint /
steering wheel and exterior rear view mirror movement
has stopped. The seat / head restraint / steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirror movement stops when the
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to ensure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Stand ard 213.1.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

60 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

78 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 80 (installation of infant and
child restra int systems).Important!
The u se of infa nt or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
Wh en using any infant or ch il d restraint system, be su re
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.

90 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traf f ic, th e coola nt tempera ture may rise close to th e red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions
(stop-and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount
of temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.