2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 service h

266 OperationEngine compartmentBattery
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

Auxiliary battery (located in the engine
compartment).


Main battery (starter and electrical
consumers; located in the trunk).
These batteries should always be suffi-
ciently charged in order to achieve their
rated service life.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.

268 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1⁄8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted

the wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


the correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

269 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better aquaplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.If the tires are warm you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, independently of the remaining
tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops:

Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
maximum values or inflate tires below
the minimum values listed in the fuel
filler flap.

273 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
"S" to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 371).


Battery test. 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.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and the ESP in win-
ter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.Warning!
G
Winter tires having a tread depth under
0.16 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are
no longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style to this.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

275 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS PLUS)
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS PLUS
(Flexible Service System PLUS).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS PLUS may result in vehicle dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
FSS PLUS will notify you when your next
service is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):Service A in XXXX miles (km)
Service A in XX days
Service A in X day Service A due now!
The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:
from
Service A(Minor service)
toService H(Major service)
Clearing the service indicator
You can clear the service indicator
Press the jbutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.iThe additional + after the type of ser-
vice indicates the degree of wear of the
brake pads.
The brake pads may reach their wear
limit in the time period up to the next
service interval.
Have the brake pads checked and, if
necessary, replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center during your
next service appointment.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

276 OperationMaintenance
The service indicator is cleared and the
standard display appears in the multi-
function display.
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the multifunction display:Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
Service A exceeded by X day An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the service indicator following a com-
pleted service.
Calling up the service indicator
Switch the ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 121).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
FSS PLUS indicator appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that a service on your vehicle
is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch the ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 121).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
FSS PLUS indicator appears in the mul-
tifunction display.

Press the reset knob (
page 22) for
about five seconds.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator :.

277 Operation
Maintenance
The
SERVICE MENU
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
CONFIRMATION
menu with the
+ or - button.

Press the ÿ button.
The service indicator now displays the CONFIRMATION
menu.
The selection marker is on
CONFIRM
.

Press the ÿbutton.
The service indicator now displays the CONFIRM
menu.The selection maker is on
STANDARD
OIL
.

Press the ÿ button.
The words
SERVICE CONFIRMED
appear
in the multifunction display.
The service indicator is reset.

Press buttonè on the multifunction
steering wheel until the standard dis-
play appears in the multifunction dis-
play.FSS PLUS now recalculates the values.
You cannot call up the service display or
the service menu during this time.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without proper service as called for by
the FSS PLUS will cause the FSS PLUS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

278 OperationMaintenanceSetting the date for special works
You can enter appointments for exhaust
gas analysis and general inspection over
FSS PLUS.
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 121).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
FSS PLUS indicator appears in the mul-
tifunction display.

Press the reset knob (
page 22) for
about five seconds.
The
SERVICE MENU
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
SPECIAL WORK
menu with the
+ or - button.

Press the ÿ button.The service indicator now displays the
SPECIAL WORK
menu.

Select the
EXH.-GAS ANALYSIS
or
GEN-
ERAL INSPECTION
menu with the +
or - button.

Press the ÿbutton.
The service indicator now displays the NEXT DUE DATE
menu.

Select the
MONTH a
nd
YEAR
with the
+ or - button.

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel to set the
month and year.

Select
DATE CONFIRMED
with the +
or - button.

Press the ÿbutton.
The new date is set.

Press buttonè on the multifunction
steering wheel until the standard dis-
play appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
FSS PLUS now recalculates the values.
You cannot call up the service display or
the service menu during this time.