2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS run flat

218 Controls in detailLoading
Connect snap hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in front
of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding

Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs together (arrows).

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.

Close ski sack compartment cover.
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250 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In
such a case, the red brake warning lamp
(page 291) and warning messages in the
instrument cluster (
page 303) light up
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal pres-
sure and depress the pedal much further to
obtain the expected braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes are only applied to the front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased! If there is a
malfunction in the SBC brake system, we
recommend that the vehicle be transported
with all wheels off the ground using flatbed
or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment. A
tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to "Towing the vehicle"
(page 348). For more information see
SBC brake system (
page 77).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. 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.
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260 OperationAt the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see the "Operation" section
(
page 267).
2Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the "Technical data" section
(page 368).
3Coolant level
More information on the coolant level
can be found in the "Operation" section
(page 264).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the "Operation" section
(
page 262).
See also "Opening hood" (
page 261).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the "Practical hints" section (page 332).
See also the section on the exterior lamp
switch (
page 112).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the "Operation" section
(
page 269).
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products Pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the ?lamp to
illuminate.
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325 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Minispare wheel
In the case of a flat tire, you may tempo-
rarily use the Minispare* wheel when ob-
serving the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or re-
placed as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.More information can be found in the
"Technical data" section (
page 362).
Luggage box
Remove luggage box
1Fastening clip
2Luggage box
Turn fastening clips1 to the left up-
wards from fastening bolts.

Lift luggage box in the area of the fas-
tening bolts and remove it from trunk.Install luggage box

Insert luggage box into trunk so that
fastening clips are in line with fastening
bolts.

Push front edge of luggage box in direc-
tion of arrow under cover of trunk sill.

Press fastening clips onto fastening
bolts until they lock into place.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare* wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare*
wheel mounted.
The spare wheel should only be used tempo-
rarily, and replaced with a regular road
wheel as quick as possible.
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338 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight-ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described under
"Preparing the vehicle" on this page.
Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
(page 324).
Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one chock in front of and one be-
hind the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.When changing wheel on a hill:

Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.

Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the trunk (
page 326).
Assemble wheel wrench.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into either side of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
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342 Practical hintsFlat tireLowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Remove the jack.
1-5 Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 96 ft lb
(130 Nm).

Before storing the jack in the trunk, it
should be fully collapsed.Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 ft lb (130 Nm).iWrap the faulty wheel in the protective
film that comes with the spare wheel
and put the wheel in the trunk.
You can also place the faulty wheel
down into the spare wheel well. In this
case, you must stow the holder from
the spare wheel well in the trunk.
Do not activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor until the depressurized
tire is no longer in the vehicle.
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394 Index
Easy entry/exit feature* 102
Heater* 107
Multicontour seat 104
Split rear bench seat 219
Ventilation 108
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 225
Selecting
Display 135
Selecting display 136
Selector lever
Lock 43
Position 151
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 68
Tele Aid* 235
Service
Batteries 343
Calling up the service indicator 276
Overdue 276
When due 275
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 275
Clearing 275
Service System see FSS 275Setting
Convenience functions 132, 143
Cruise control 195
Daytime running lamp mode 139
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 111
Higher speed in cruise control 196
Higher speed in Distronic* 202
Hours (clock) 137
Individual vehicle settings 130
Instrument lighting 118, 119
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 141
Key dependent memory 144
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 138
Language, multifunction display 135
Locator lighting 139
Lower speed in cruise control 196
Lower speed in Distronic* 203
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 134
Minutes (clock) 137, 138
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 144
Slower speed in cruise control 196Slower speed in Distronic* 203
Speed in cruise control 196
Speed in Distronic* 202
Speedometer display mode 134
Temperature (interior) 165, 176
Temperature indicator 134
Tire inflation pressure 136
Units
Speedometer 134
Temperature 134
Tire inflation pressure 136
Vehicle level control 209
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 128, 200
Convenience functions 143
Factory, KEYLESS-GO* 91
Factory, SmartKey 87
Individual (SmartKey) 144
Lighting (control system) 138
Menus and submenus 123
Resetting all (control system) 131
Resetting in the submenu 131
Selective 87
Settings menu
Functions in 130
Individual vehicle settings 130
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397 Index
Dialing a number from the phone
book 149
Ending a call 149
Loading phone book* 149
Messages in display 309
Operating 147
Redialing 149
Temperature
Display mode 134
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 165,
176
Setting units in display 134
Tie-down rings (trunk) 225
Tightening torque 342, 379
Time
Setting hours 137
Setting minutes 137, 138
Tire inflation pressure
Setting units 136
Tire speed rating 379
Tires 373
Tools 326
Tow-away alarm 82
Arming 82
Disarming 82Disarming for transport 82
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 350
Towing the vehicle 348
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 242
Traction 155, 379
Trip computer 145
Trip odometer
Resetting 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 96
Lamp 117
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 92
Message in display 310
Opening 88, 96
Opening from inside vehicle 94
Separately locking 98
Tie-down rings 225
Trunk lid emergency release 97
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Trunk lid
Closing 96
Turn signals 46
Additional in mirrors 332
Front bulbs 332Turning off
Engine 51
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 134
Setting temperature units 134
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 136
Unlocking 30, 86, 327
Centrally from inside 100
Driver’s door in an emergency 327
Fuel filler flap 259
Global 87
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Selective settings 87
Trunk lid with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Vehicle in an emergency 241
With KEYLESS-GO* 32
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 240
Uphill driving
Cruise control 195
Upshifting 152
Useful features 226
Ashtrays 231
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