2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Starting engine

156 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionAccelerator position
Your driving style influences the transmis-
sion’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshiftingKickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.

Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Emergency operation (Limp home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode, only 2nd gear and reverse gear can
be activated.
Stop the vehicle.

Move selector lever toP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least ten seconds before re-
starting.

Restart the engine.

Move selector lever to positionD (for
2nd gear) orR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

252 OperationDriving instructionsDriving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow one drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Parking
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1⁄16
in (1.5 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be re-
placed.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move selector lever to position P. In ad-
dition, when parking on hills, always set
the parking brake and turn front wheel
against curb.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible 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.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the key to starter switch position0
and remove, or press KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the key or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with you
and lock vehicle when leaving.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
ti o n t o an a r ea wh ic h is a s a fe d is ta n c e fr o m
the road.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer for re-
pairs.

262 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call a fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is "on" and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

293 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow "CHECK ENGINE"
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel injection system


The ignition system


The exhaust system


The fuel system
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
W
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights up while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Gas cap not closed tight.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 259).

Close gas cap

343 Practical hints
Batteries
Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

Auxiliary battery (back-up battery; en-
ables vehicle to shut down electrical
systems in a controlled manner should
the main battery fail; auxiliary battery is
located in the engine compartment)


The main battery (battery for starter
and electrical consumers; located in
the trunk).The main battery is in the trunk under the
luggage box. Remove the luggage box
(
page 325).
Main battery in trunk1Negative terminal
2Positive terminalWarning!
G
Jump starting must only be done using the
main battery in the trunk.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.

346 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section, insulated terminal
clamps and polarity reversal protec-
tion.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
iJumper cables with polarity reversal
protection are available at any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the main battery installed in the
trunk.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

347 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the trunk on the
right hand side underneath the luggage
box (
page 325). Only jump start the ve-
hicle from the battery in the trunk.

Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Vehicle ground
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and2 of
the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery and vehicle ground3
(lock ring of the trunk lid lock) in the
trunk with the jumper cable. Clamp ca-
ble to charged battery4 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
vehicle ground3 and negative
terminal4 and then from positive
terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the next
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 266).
iThe message
Malfunction - electric
consumers switched off
may appear
in the instrument cluster. It will disap-
pear as soon as the battery is suffi-
ciently charged.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

382 IndexAIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) 209
Alarm
Audible 72, 82
Canceling 82
Visual 82
Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 340, 375
Antiglare
Automatic 157
Antilock brake system (ABS) 375
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 82
Canceling alarm 82
Disarming 82
Anti-theft systems 81
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 81
Tow-away alarm 82
Ashtray 231
AUDIO menu 126
Selecting radio station 127
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 157Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 142
Automatic climate control
Temperature sensor 27
Automatic climate control* 172
Adjusting air distribution 177
Adjusting air volume 166, 177
Air recirculation mode 178
Defrosting 178
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat utilization 182
Residual ventilation 182
Setting the temperature 176
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Automatic lighting control
Activating 116
Deactivating 116
Automatic locking when driving 99
Automatic transmission 151
Accelerator position 156
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 156
Gear ranges 153Gear selector lever position 154
Gear shifting malfunctions 156
Kickdown 156
One-touch gearshifting 152
Program mode selector switch 155
Selector lever position 151
Starting the engine 43
Winter program mode 155
B
BabySmart
TM
Compatible child seats 375
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 67, 375
Backrest
Folding forward 220
Folding rearward 221
BAS 74, 375
Messages in display 297, 298
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 329
Check lamp 87
Checking 88