2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Sound

205 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Distance warning function on/off
switch
2Control lamp
3Thumbwheel for setting distance
Increasing distance
Increasing the distance setting tells Dis-
tronic to maintain a greater following dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead.
Turn thumbwheel3 towards¯.Decreasing distance
Decreasing the distance setting tells Dis-
tronic to maintain a shorter following dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead.

Turn thumbwheel3 towards®.
Distance warning function
When Distronic is deactivated, this func-
tion will continue to warn you when recog-
nizing a stationary obstacle or a slower
vehicle moving in the vehicle’s path and
the danger of a collision exists:


The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on.


An intermittent warning sounds.
If these warnings are issued, you must
brake manually to maintain a safe distance
and avoid a collision with the vehicle
ahead.
When pressing the brake pedal, the warn-
ing sound stops. The warning sound also
stops when the distance to the vehicle ahead is sufficient again without applying
the brake pedal. In this case the distance
warning lamp also extinguishes.
Warning!
G
If the DTR warning lamp
l
in the instru-
ment cluster lights up while driving and/or
an intermittent warning sounds, immediate
attention on the part of the driver is re-
quired.
As required by the traffic situation, apply the
brakes and navigate around a possible ob-
stacle. However, do not drive by relying on
the distance warning function, as this will re-
sult in an emergency braking application.
Especially depending on road surface condi-
tions and driver reaction, this will not always
enable you to avoid a collision.
iComplex driving situations are not al-
ways fully recognized by Distronic. This
could result in wrong or missing dis-
tance warnings.

214 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
outlets in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is integrated in the
rear trim.Front area warning indicator1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicleEach warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is ready when the border around the indi-
cator is illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will light up, depending
on the distance. When the eighth segment
lights up, you have reached the minimum
distance.


Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the seventh seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of three
seconds will sound for the eighth seg-
ment.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound when the first seg-
ment lights up. This signal quickens
with each additional segment lit. When
the eighth segment illuminates, the
acoustic warning becomes a constant
signal. The signal is canceled when the
selector lever is placed in position D
orP.
Selector lever po-
sition
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Rear area activated
P
Neither activated

289 Practical hints
What to do if …
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
l
The red DTR indicator lamp lights
up while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution

291 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.
or
There is a malfunction in the SBC brake sys-
tem.

Release the parking brake.

Read and observe the message in the
display.
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately if the brake warn-
ing lamp stays on.
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp lights up frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 264).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.

385 Index
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 113
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 81
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 141
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat 171
Tow-away alarm 83
Deceleration
With Distronic* 200
Defogging
Windshield 166, 177
Defrosting 167, 178
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 141
Dialing
A number (telephone) 149
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 48
With starting 44
Digital speedometer 126
Discharged battery
Jump starting 346Display
Selecting 135, 136
Displays
Digital speedometer 126
Distronic* 199
Messages 264
Selecting 135
Service indicator 275
Showing malfunctions 130
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 205
Increasing in Distronic* 205
Warning function 205
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 145
Distance warning function* 205
Activating 206
Deactivating 206
DTR* warning lamp 205
Intermittent warning sound 205
Symbol in multifunction display 129
Distronic* 197, 376
Activated 201
Activating 202
Calling up settings 128, 200
Cleaning sensors 283Cover 283
Cruise control lever 201
Deactivated 201
Deactivating 204
Deceleration 200
Decreasing distance 205
Displays in the speedometer dial 199
Distance warning function 205
Driving hints 206
Fine adjustment 203
Increasing distance 205
Intermittent signal tone 199
Menu 200
Messages in display 300
Resetting stored speed 203
Setting a higher speed 202
Setting a slower speed 203
Setting the current speed 202
Setting the following distance in
Distronic 204
Warning and indicator lamps 199
Door entry lamps 117
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 241

398 Index
Cigarette lighter 232
Garage door opener 243
Tele Aid* 234
Telephone* 233
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 130, 132
Proper use of 16
Towing 348
Vehicle care
Parktronic* system sensor 284
Vehicle level
Changing 210
Setting 210
Automatic 210
Manual 210
Vehicle level control system
AIRMATIC DC 209
Vehicle tool kit 326
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 380
Voice recognition system* 380W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 205
Distronic* 199
Drivers seat belts 61
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 357
Weights 365
Wheel change 338
Tightening torque 342
Window curtain airbags 61
Windshield
Defogging 166, 177
Windshield washer fluid
Message in display 311
Wiping with 48Windshield wipers 47
Fast wiper speed 47
Intermittent wiping 47
Replacing wiper blades 337
Single wipe 48
Switching on 47
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 48
Winter driving
Block heater 274
Snow chains 274
Tires 273
Transmission program mode 155
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 48
Interval 47
With windshield washer fluid 48
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon 375