2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON engine

230 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over / understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 294), the engine must be shut off (electronic key in
steering lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

231 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is combined
with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.

232 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

234 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing, the front as well as the rear
areas are monitored.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 238 for parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 317 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

239 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
See page 308 for notes on fuel filler flap, manual
release.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully
insert filler nozzle unit. Only fill fuel tank until the filler
nozzle unit cuts out — do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
page 244 for notes on the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp.
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It
burns violently and can cause serious injury.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.

240 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuel tank capacity approximately 21.1 US gal (80.0 l).
This includes approximately 2.6 US gal (10.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 273.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion /antifreeze),
see page 332.
Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 326.Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the
fuel filler flap.
Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see
page 328.
Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front 1156 NA (26.9 / 5 W / 32 / 4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: H 6W (6 W)
side marker lamps, front: 5 W / 4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W / 24 cp,
stop, tail and parking lamp: 21 W / 4 cp,
tail, parking and side marker lamp: 5 W / 4 cp,
rear fog lamp, driver’s side: 21 W / 32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W / 32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W / 4 cp

241 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip
E 320 shown1Windshield washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 276.
2Headlamp cleaning system
Auxiliary tank connected to windshield washer
reservoir. Open filler caps on both reservoirs during
refilling.
3Coolant level
See “Adding coolant”, page 275.
4Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level”, page 273.
5Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid”, page 330.
Opening hood, see page 270.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 297.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 119.
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2
4
1
5

243 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 ..............................................247ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 248
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 248
Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .................... 249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 249
Malfunction and warning
messages in the multifunction
display ........................................ 250
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE................ 251
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 252
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 253
BRAKE ASSIST........................... 253
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 254
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 254PARKING BRAKE .......................255
ENGINE FAN ...............................255
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........256
COOLANT TEMP. ........................257
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................258
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................259
REMOVE KEY .............................259
STEERING GEAR OIL................. 260
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 261
WASHER FLUID .........................262
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ......................263
TELE AID ..................................... 263