2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON catalytic converter

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212
Driving instructions ...................... 213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ......... 213
Drinking and Driving ................ 213
Pedals ........................................... 213
Power assistance ........................ 214
Brakes .......................................... 214
Driving off ................................... 215
Parking ........................................ 216
Tires ............................................. 216Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Standing water ........................... 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221
Cruise control ................................ 222
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 225
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ...................... 229
Electronic stability
program (ESP) ........................... 230
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 234
What you should know at the gas
station ......................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................. 241
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............. 244
On-board diagnostic system ..... 244Check 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 ..............................................247
ABS 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

11 IntroductionOperating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
•Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
•unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage
the catalysts,
•gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For details,
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

118 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
One of the following messages will subsequently appear
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See page 273 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The message “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” will be
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated
after a short time.Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See page 273.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Note:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 250
and page 261 if an engine oil level indicator appears on
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.

185 Contents – Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212Driving instructions .......................213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .........213
Drinking and Driving ................213
Pedals ...........................................213
Power assistance .........................214
Brakes ...........................................214
Driving off ....................................215
Parking ......................................... 216
Tires .............................................. 216
Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Standing water ........................... 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221Cruise control .................................222
Brake assist system (BAS) ............225
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ......................229
Electronic stability
program (ESP) ...........................230
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........234
What you should know at the
gas station ..................................239
Check regularly and before
a long trip ................................... 241

198 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type
catalytic converters, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

208 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95
°F (35
°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is m ove d to a lower gear range , t he tran smi ss ion will n ot
shift to a lower gear, if the engine's max. speed would be
exceeded. In this case there will be no downshift, even
when the vehicle speed reaches RPM limit of that gear,
e.g. by applying the service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.

261 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 117.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 117.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 117 and check the engine for visible leakage (loss
of oil).
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
6 It may be that there is water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil
checked.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL”
message appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The engine oil level warnings should not be ignored.
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
ENGINE OIL SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
6

273 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Checking engine oil level
E 320 shown
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster.
Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 261 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
display when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 117 for engine oil level indicator.
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