2002 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON maintenance

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212
Driving instructions ...................... 213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ......... 213
Drinking and Driving ................ 213
Pedals ........................................... 213
Power assistance ........................ 214
Brakes .......................................... 214
Driving off ................................... 215Parking ......................................... 216
Tires .............................................. 216
Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Deep water .................................. 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221
Cruise control ................................ 222
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 225
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ...................... 229
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 230
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ............................... 234
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 239
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 241
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........244
On-board diagnostic system .....244
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................244
Brake warning lamp ..................245
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................246
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................246
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............247
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................247
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................248
Seat belt warning lamp .............248
Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....249

9 IntroductionImportant notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price or lease
price, if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and / or its authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix one ore more substantial
defects or malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered by its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair
attempts. During the period of 18 months from original delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles on
the odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for a retail
buyer or lessee if one or more of the following occurs: (1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a
condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect or malfunction has
been subject to repair two or more times, and you have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing of the
need for its repair and have given us a direct opportunity to perform a repair ourselves, (2) the same substantial defect
or malfunction of a less serious nature than category (1) has been subject to repair four or more times and you have
directly notified us of the need for its repair and given us the opportunity to repair ourselves, or (3) the vehicle is out
of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial defects or malfunctions for a cumulative total of
more than 30 calender days. Written notification should be sent to us, not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC,
Customer Assistance Center, One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.

109 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Should any malfunctions be stored while driving, they
will reappear in the display (2) when the electronic key
is in steering lock position 0 or removed from the
steering lock.
Specific malfunctions can be recalled by pressing
buttonJ. Each malfunction or warning message must
be acknowledged by pressing buttonJ. Once all
messages are cancelled the odometer display should
reappear.
Pressing theJbutton in the instrument cluster
immediately switches to the next malfunction message.
The malfunction message memory will be cleared when
the electronic key is turned in the steering lock to
position 1 or 2. Should subsequent malfunctions occur,
they will be displayed in the malfunction message
memory.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.Important!
Malfunctions and warning messages are only indicated
for certain systems and displayed to a low level of detail.
The malfunction and warning messages are simply a
reminder with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the driver’s responsibility to
maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages. See page 250.

185 Contents – Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212Driving instructions .......................213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .........213
Drinking and Driving ................213
Pedals ...........................................213
Power assistance .........................214
Brakes ...........................................214
Driving off ....................................215
Parking ......................................... 216
Tires .............................................. 216
Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Deep water .................................. 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221Cruise control .................................222
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................225
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ......................229
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................230
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ................................234
What you should know
at the gas station .......................239
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 241

187 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the times called
for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For information on the Flexible service system (FSS),
see page 114.

198 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type
catalytic converters, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

213 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•remove roof rack when not in use,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold
weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in hilly
country.Drinking and Driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.Please don‘t drink and driver take drugs or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver‘s foot area clear at all times. Objects
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.

214 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking
components. This build up or residue could cause light
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up
and dry the brake components.
Important
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 225.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.