2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON alarm

38 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
In case of danger, the closed tailgate can be opened with
the inside or outside handle.
Only drive with the tailgate closed as otherwise exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle interior.Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the tailgate can be locked and unlocked individually.
To unlock, turn mechanical key in lock to position 1, or
push lock button to position 1, see page 36.
To lock, turn mechanical key in lock to position 2, or
push lock button to position 2, see page 36.
The rear compartment lamp will be switched off by the
contact switch only if the tailgate is fully closed.
When opening the tailgate completely, always make sure
that there is sufficient overhead clearance.
When unlocking the tailgate with the mechanical key,
the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 308.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the tailgate opening
when closing the tailgate. Be especially careful
when small children are around.To prevent personal injury, never activate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
tailgate latch.In case the closing procedure causes potential
danger, the closing procedure can be immediately
halted by pulling the outside recessed handle.

39 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center consoleThe antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
15 s e c o n d s a f t e r l o c k i n g t h e v e h i c l e .
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the tailgate,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
1

40 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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
activating element (a door, for example) is immediately
closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds,
an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele
Aid on page 188.Notes:
When you unlock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.

41 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tow-away alarm
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 key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 188.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off t he tow-away alarm b efor e towin g the vehic le, 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 key, at which
time it is automatically reactivated.

188 Tele Aid
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Te l e A i d (optional for Canada)
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the SOS button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the SOS button stays on
after turning electronic key in steering lock to position 2
and the message “TELE AID – NOT ACTIVATED” will be
shown in the multifunction display for approx.
10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Te l ematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæ and for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the SOS button, the Roadside
Assistance button• or the Information button¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting
“Tele Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, profile and more.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not
function and if this occurs, assistance must be
summoned by other means.

189 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in steering lock
to position 2, malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the Roadside
Assistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the
multifunction display. Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 39 and 41.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled SOS, then briefly pressing the button located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the SOS button will begin to flash. The message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL” appears in
the multifunction display. When the connection is
established, the message “EMERGENCY CALL – CALL
CONNECTED” appears in the multifunction display. All
information relevant to the emergency, such as the
location of the vehicle (determined by the GPS satellite
location system), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in the
Roadside Assistance button and/or in the
Information button do not come on during the
system self-check or if any of these indicators
remain illuminated constantly in red and/or the
message "TELE AID - VISIT WORKSHOP!" is
displayed in the multifunction display after the
system self-check, a malfunction in the system has
been detected.If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, the
system may not operate as expected. Have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

259 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LIGHT SENSOR
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds and the message “SWITCH OFF
LIGHTS!” appears in the multifunction indicator if the
vehicle’s exterior lamps (except standing lamps) are not
switched off.REMOVE KEY
This message plus an audible alarm indicate that the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0 or 1, and the
driver’s door is open.
Line 1 Line 2
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS!
Line 1 Line 2
REMOVE KEY!
P54.30-3573-21

294 Towing the vehicle
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Tow i n g t h e ve h i c l e
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground using flatbed
or appropriate wheel lift/ dolly equipment. This method
is preferable to other types of towing.
Caution!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/ dolly equipment with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Do not tow with sling- type equipment. Towing with
sling- type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 41) as well as
the ESP (see page 232).
When circumstances do not permit the recommended
towing methods, the vehicle may be towed with all
wheels on the ground or front wheels raised only so far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods can be
employed.Caution!
Ve h i c l e s w i t h 4 M AT I C :
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so could damage
the transfer case, which is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (not
permissible for vehicles with 4MATIC), the engine must
be shut off (electronic key in steering lock in position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the EPS will immediately be engaged
and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
the selector lever must be in position “N” and the key
must be in steering lock po sition 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground
or the front axle raised, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not
to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
drivetrain, however, we recommend the drive shaft be
disconnected at the rear axle drive flange (vehicles with