2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS engine

204 Controls in detailDriving systemsDeactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow3 (
page 201).
or

Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.Distronic deactivates automatically when:


you set the parking brake


you drive slower than 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h)


the ESP is active (
page 75) or you de-
activate the ESP


you move the transmission selector le-
ver into positionN
A si gnal wi ll s ound. T he
Distronic off

message appears in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following dis-
tance for Distronic by varying the time set-
ting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using
this time setting and the current speed of
your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets
the required following distance to the vehi-
cle ahead. The set distance will be shown
in the multifunction display field.
The thumbwheel for making the time set-
ting is located on the lower section of the
center console.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately five seconds:
Distronic off
.
The last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.
Warning!
G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of approx. 25 mph
( 40 km / h) by operation of the system. At
that time the driver must apply the brakes in
order to reduce vehicle speed further or
bring it to a stop.
Warning!
G
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving recom-
mendations for safe following distance.
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210 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine is running:
The switch is located in the lower section
of the center console.
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lamp

Briefly press switch1 to change from
"Normal" level to "Raised" level. When
vehicle is at "Raised" level, pressing the
switch will return the vehicle to "Nor-
mal" level.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamp (
page 210)
Normal
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.6 in (15 mm)
Lamp off
Raised
Driving with snow
chains or very
rough road sur-
face conditions
Approx. 1 in (25 mm)
Max. approx. 1 in (25 mm)
Lamp on
iAt a speed of approx. above 75 mph
(120 km/h) or if the speed amounts to
between 50 mph (80 km/h) and
75 mph (120 km/h) for approx. five
minutes the setting "Raised" is can-
celed. The message
Level selec.
canceled
appears in the multifunction
display.
If you do not drive in this speed range,
the "Raised" level remains stored even
if the key is removed from the ignition.
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211 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Comfort-/Sport setting
The AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) consists
of two components:

Adaptive-Damping-System (ADS)


Suspension style
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion style is set to either sporty or regular.The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


your choice of suspension style,
"sporty I", "sporty II" or "regular", which
you select using the damping switch.
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the key is re-
moved from the starter switch.
1Damping button
2Indicator lamps

Start the engine.
iIn the sporty suspension style the vehi-
cle is lowered 0.6 in (15 mm).
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231 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly press the marking on the bot-
tom of cover1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the selec-
tor lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Push sliding button2 to the right and
hold.

Grip and remove insert from ashtray
frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing it back into
frame until it engages again.Rear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray

Briefly press the top of the ashtray.
The ashtray opens.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector
lever in positionN turn off the engine.
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233 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel*
The control lever for the steering wheel
heating is on the lower left-hand side of the
steering wheel.
1Indicator lamp
2Heated steering wheel off
3Heated steering wheel onSwitching on

Check that the ignition is switched on.
All lamps in the instrument cluster light
up.

Turn the control lever in direction of
arrow3.
The steering wheel gets warm. The indi-
cator lamp1 lights up.
Switching off

Turn the control lever in direction of
arrow2.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. The indicator lamp1 switched off.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
iThe heated steering wheel do not
switch off automatically.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and personal
injury.
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247 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care
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248 OperationThe first 1000 miles (1500 km)In the "Operation" section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.


During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than
2⁄3 of maxi-
mum rpm in each gear).


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Do not brake the vehicle by shifting to
a lower gear using the selector lever.


Select positions3, 2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may grad-
ually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
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249 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at regular intervals by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
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 ac-
cident is sharply increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or
allow anyone to drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.
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