2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON Owner's Manual

334 Consumer information
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

335 Consumer information
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are “AA”,
“A”, “B”, and “C”. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked “C” may
have poor traction performance.Te mp e r a t u r e
The temperature grades are “A” (the highest), “B”, and
“C”, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade “C” corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

336 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
ABS-SYSTEM - malfunction and warning
messages .................................................................... 253
Adjusting steering wheel ................................................ 81
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 330
Air distribution .............................................................. 130
Air volume ...................................................................... 130
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 65
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................249
Airbags .............................................................................. 68
Alarm system ..............................................................39, 41
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................... 220, 275, 328, 332
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 39
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 217
Armrest, rear bench ...................................................... 162
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 166
Center console, front ................................................ 166
Rear doors .................................................................. 167Audio system .................................................................. 135
Anti-theft system ....................................................... 137
Button and soft key operation ................................. 138
Cassette mode ............................................................ 143
CD changer ................................................................. 148
CD mode ..................................................................... 147
Operating and display elements ............................. 136
Operating safety ........................................................ 135
Operation – audio and telephone ........................... 135
Radio mode ................................................................ 141
Telephone operation ................................................. 151
Audio systems ................................................................... 97
Cassette player ............................................................ 99
CD player ......................................................................98
Radio .............................................................................97
Automatic central locking .............................................. 35
Automatic climate control ............................................ 126
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 132
Air distribution .......................................................... 130
Air recirculation ........................................................ 131
Air volume .................................................................. 130
Basic setting ............................................................... 129
Defogging windows ................................................... 129
Defrosting ...................................................................129
Display and controls .................................................128
Dust filter ................................................................... 131

337 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy ..................................................................... 129
Front center console compartment ventilation .... 133
Rear passenger compartment adjustable
air outlet ................................................................ 134
Rear window defroster ............................................. 130
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 132
Special settings ......................................................... 129
Automatic transmission ...............................................203
Emergency operation ............................................... 211
Fluid level ................................................................... 274
Program mode selector switch ............................... 210
Selector lever position ..............................................206
Transmission selector lever, manually
unlocking .............................................................. 296
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 65
Self-test ......................................................................... 65
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 225
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 247
Battery .............................................................................289
Battery recycling ....................................................... 290
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR - malfunction and
warning messages ....................................................252
Block heater .................................................................... 221BRAKE ASSIST - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 253
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 225
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 247
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 330
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 254
BRAKE LINING WEAR - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 254
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 254
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 245
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 245
Brakes .................................................... 214, 225, 227, 230
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 297
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 328
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 178
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 198
CD changer ...................................................................... 148
Audio systems ..............................................................97
Cellular telephone .......................................................... 179
Center console .................................................................. 20

338 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Central locking switch .................................................... 34
Central locking system ................................................... 27
Automatic central locking ......................................... 35
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 30
Electronic key .............................................................. 25
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 29
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 31
Remote control ............................................................ 25
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 30
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 244
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 241
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................117
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................273
Child restraint ..................................................... 57, 65, 77
Child seat
Infant and child restraint systems ........................... 77
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 314
Clock, setting ...................................................................110
Coin holder in glove box lid ......................................... 163
COMAND, radio, telephone and two-way radio ........ 186
Combination switch ...................................................... 122
Consumer information .................................................. 334
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 186
COOLANT (coolant level) - malfunction and
warning messages ....................................................256Coolant level ................................................................... 274
Adding coolant .......................................................... 275
Checking ..................................................................... 274
COOLANT TEMP. - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 257
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................90
Coolants .......................................................................... 332
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 333
Cruise control ................................................................ 222
Cup holder
In center console ....................................................... 165
In glove box lid .......................................................... 163
In rear bench armrest ............................................... 162
DDaytime running lamps ................................................120
Standing water
Driving instructions .................................................221
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................251
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................. 251
Display illumination ........................................................89
Doors ..................................................................................32
Drinking and Driving .................................................... 213

339 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 213
Driving instructions ...................................................... 213
Driving off ....................................................................... 215
EELEC. STABIL. PROG. - malfunction and warning
messages .................................................................... 263
Electrical outlet .............................................................. 269
Electronic key ................................................................... 25
Changing batteries ................................................... 304
Synchronizing remote control ................................ 306
Electronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 230
Control switch ...........................................................232
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 247
Synchronizing ........................................................... 231
Warning lamp ............................................................247
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 188
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 306
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) ............................. 67
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) ............................. 67
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 246
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 35
Emission control ............................................................ 199Emission control label .................................................. 324
Engine compartment .................................................... 270
ENGINE FAN - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 255
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ...... 244
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 330
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 118
Engine oil level
Checking ............................................................. 117, 273
Warning ...................................................................... 261
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - malfunction and warning
messages .................................................................... 261
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 117
Engine oils ..................................................................... 330
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) ............................ 230
Control switch .......................................................... 232
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 247
Synchronizing ........................................................... 231
Warning lamp ........................................................... 247
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) ............................. 67
ETD (Emergency tensioning device)
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 246
Express opening and closing
Power windows .......................................................... 154
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 119

340 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 297
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror .... 303
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 298
High mounted stop lamp .........................................303
License plate lamps .................................................. 302
Low and high beam .................................................. 299
Parking lamps .................................................. 300, 301
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 297
Side marker lamp, front ........................................... 303
Standing lamps ................................................. 300, 301
Taillamp assemblies ................................................. 301
Turn signal lamps ............................................ 300, 301
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 266
Flat tire
Changing wheels ......................................................282
Flexible service system (FSS) .......................................114
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with
electronic stability program (ESP) ......................... 229
Fuel .................................................................................. 239
Gasoline additives ....................................................332
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 239, 329, 331Fuel cap placement warning ....................................... 246
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 331
Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 246
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 328
Fuse box
Fuses .......................................................................... 267
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 267
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 180
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 332
Fuel requirements .................................................... 331
Premium unleaded ................................................... 331
General notes on the central locking system .............. 26
Global locking
Central locking ............................................................ 27
Glove box ......................................................................... 163

341 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 125
Head restraints
Front seat ..................................................................... 48
Rear seat ....................................................................... 49
Rear seat head restraint, storage .............................. 50
Synchronizing ............................................................. 44
Headlamp cleaning system .......................................... 121
Headlights ........................................................................119
Heated seats ..................................................................... 52
High beams
Combination switch .................................................. 122
Hood ................................................................................. 270IIdentification labels ....................................................... 323
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 161
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster .......... 88, 244
Individual settings ..........................................................110
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 77
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 188
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 86Activating .....................................................................89
Illumination ................................................................. 89
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 88
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 162
Interior lighting .............................................................. 159
JJump starting ..................................................................291KKeys, changing batteries .............................................. 304
Keys, vehicle .....................................................................24LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ........................................................... 119, 301
Headlamps ........................................ 119, 258, 298, 316
Parking lamps ........................................... 119, 300, 301
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 297