2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON brake light

4 Contents
BRAKE FLUID .............................254
PARKING 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
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................266
Fuses ................................................267
Electrical outlet ..............................269
Hood .................................................270
Checking engine oil level .............273
Automatic transmission fluid
level ............................................. 274Coolant level ....................................274
Adding coolant ........................... 275
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .........................................276
Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................276
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 277
Vehicle jack .................................... 278
Wheels ............................................ 279
Tire replacement ....................... 279
Rotating wheels ......................... 280
Spare wheel .................................... 281
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 281
Changing wheels ........................... 282
Tire inflation pressure ................. 287
Battery ............................................. 289
Jump starting ................................. 291
Towing the vehicle ........................ 294
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 296
Exterior lamps ............................... 297
Headlamp assembly .................. 298
Taillamp assemblies .................. 301Changing batteries in the
electronic key ............................304
Synchronizing remote control .306
Emergency engine shut-down .....306
Emergency operation of sliding /
pop-up roof .................................307
Manual release for fuel
filler flap ....................................308
Replacing wiper blade insert .......308
Roof rack ..........................................311
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle . 314
Power washer .............................. 315
Tar stains ..................................... 315
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................. 315
Engine cleaning .......................... 316
Vehicle washing ......................... 316
Ornamental moldings ................ 316
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ........................................... 316
Cleaning the parktronic system
sensors ......................................... 317

5 ContentsWindow cleaning / glass
sunroof ......................................... 317
Wiper blades ............................... 317
Light alloy wheels ...................... 318
Instrument cluster ..................... 318
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever .............................................. 318
Cup holder ................................... 318
Seat belts ..................................... 318
Headliner ..................................... 318
Upholstery ................................... 319
Hard plastic trim items ............. 319
Plastic and rubber parts ............ 319
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 322
Warranty coverage ........................ 322
Identification labels ...................... 323
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 324
Technical data ................................ 325
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 328
Engine oils ...................................... 330
Engine oil additives ...................... 330
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 330
Brake fluid ...................................... 330
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 331
Fuel requirements ........................ 331
Gasoline additives ......................... 332
Coolants .......................................... 332
Consumer information ................. 334
IndexIndex ................................................336

43 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The slide switches are located in each front door.
We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up / down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
5Head restraint
The height of the head restraint is adjusted
automatically with the seat so that the back of the
head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust
the head restraint using the switch if the preset
position does not support the back of your head
approximately at ear level.
Adjust t he head restraint angle by hand.
Note:
Your vehicle is equipped with power head restraints,
do not try to raise or lower them manually.
2
5
4
3
2
1
P54.00-2074-26

166 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtrays
Center console, front
By touching the bottom of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.
Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.To remove ashtray:
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the
insert.
To install ashtray:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

200 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position
only. The steering is locked when the electronic key
is removed from the steering lock. If necessary,
move steering wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage. The electronic key can only
be removed with the selector lever in position “P”.
After removing the electronic key or with the
electronic key in steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked. (If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the electronic key to be
turned clockwise to position 1.)
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
Gear selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P”, firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
2Driving position.
3Starting position.
See page 202 for instructions on starting and
stopping the engine.
P82.00-2073-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

205 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 212 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident and/or serious injury.

214 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking
components. This build up or residue could cause light
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up
and dry the brake components.
Important
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 225.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. 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.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.

220 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 276.•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
O t h e rw i s e , d e a d ly c a r b o n m on ox i d e ( CO ) ga s e s m ay
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.