2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 4MATIC WAGON power steering

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 26
General notes on the central
locking system ............................. 26
Central locking system ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 27
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof from
outside ........................................... 30Panic button ..................................31
Mechanical keys ...........................31
Doors ................................................. 32
Central locking switch .................... 34
Automatic central locking .............. 35
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 35
Tailgate .............................................. 36
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ................................41
Power seats front ............................. 42
Front seat head restraints .............. 48
Rear seat head restraints ............... 49
Multicontour seat .............................51
Seat heater ........................................ 52
Seat ventilation ................................ 55
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 57
Seat belts .......................................... 57
Seat belt nonusage warning
system .......................................... 58
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 65Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 66
Emergency tensioning
device (ETD) ................................. 67
Airbags .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag ............................................ 75
Infant and child restraint
systems ......................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment ............ 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, vehicle
speed, FSS and engine oil level
display .......................................... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100

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

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

22 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 26
General notes on the central
locking system ............................. 26
Central locking system ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 27
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof from
outside ........................................... 30
Panic button .................................. 31
Mechanical keys ........................... 31
Doors .................................................. 32
Central locking switch .................... 34
Automatic central locking .............. 35
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 35
Tailgate .............................................. 36
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ................................ 41
Power seats front ............................. 42
Front seat head restraints .............. 48Rear seat head restraints ............... 49
Multicontour seat .............................51
Seat heater ........................................ 52
Seat ventilation ................................ 55
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 57
Seat belts .......................................... 57
Seat belt nonusage warning
system .......................................... 58
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 66
Emergency tensioning
device (ETD) ................................ 67
Airbags .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag ........................................... 75
Infant and child restraint
systems ........................................ 77
Steering wheel adjustment .............81
Rear view mirrors ........................... 82Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, vehicle
speed, FSS and engine oil level
display .......................................... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100
Telephone book .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106
Malfunction message memory .... 108
Individual settings ..........................110
Setting the audio volume ..............113
Flexible service system (FSS) .......114
Engine oil level indicator ...............117
Engine oil consumption .................118
Exterior lamp switch ......................119
Night security Illumination ......... 120

42 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seats front
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or front passenger’s door open, the
power seats can also be operated with the electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or front passenger door open. 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.

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

44 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Synchronizing head restraints
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the head restraints are no
longer adjusted automatically.
To resynchronize the adjustment feature, turn
electronic key in steering lock to position 2, move the
seat completely forward and the head restraint fully
down, and hold respective buttons for approximately
two seconds.Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting
seat covers. For removal refer to Head Restraints, Front,
see page 48. Whenever restraints have been removed be
sure to reinstall them before driving.

46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat / head restraint / steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirror position, push and hold
position button “1”, “2” or “3” until seat / head restraint /
steering wheel and exterior rear view mirror movement
has stopped. The seat / head restraint / steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirror movement stops when the
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to ensure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.