2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 brake immediately

44 Getting startedDrivingStarting with the key
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).

Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the key, see “Turning off the engine”
(
page 51).
Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without a key
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
on the gear selector lever.1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure. Do not depress ac-
celerator.
The selector lever lock is released.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts automatically.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 53).Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:

If you are starting the engine with the
key, turn key in starter switch to
position0 and repeat starting proce-
dure.

If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Or:
Start the engine with the key as radio
signals from another source may be in-
terfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.

Repeat the starting procedure
(page 43). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
iYou can also use the "touch-start" func-
tion. Turn the key to position3 and re-
lease it again immediately. The engine
then starts automatically.
!Ensure that the brake pedal is de-
pressed when starting the engine.

199 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic displays in the speedometer
dial
1Set speed
If Distronic is activated, one or two seg-
ments light up around the set speed.1Segments
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the segments from the speed of the
vehicle ahead to the set speed light up.
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision:


The DTR warning lampl in the in-
strument cluster lights up red.


An intermittent warning sounds.

Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid
a collision.Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See warning
note on the next page.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the red DTR warning lampl
goes out when the necessary distance
to the vehicle ahead is again estab-
lished.
iThe vehicle speed displayed on the
speedometer can briefly vary from the
speed setting on the Distronic system.

200 Controls in detailDriving systems
Distronic menu in the control system
In the Distronic menu you can read the cur-
rent settings for Distronic. What appears in
the display depends on whether Distronic
and the distance warning function are
turned on or off.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see one of the following dis-
plays.
Warning!
G
An intermittent warning sounds and the
DTR warning lamp in the instrument cluster
is illuminated if the Distronic system calcu-
lates that the distance to the vehicle ahead
and your vehicle’s current speed indicate
that Distronic will not be capable of slowing
the vehicle sufficiently to maintain the pre-
set following distance, which creates a dan-
ger of a collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
the distance to the vehicle in front of you.
The warning sound is intended as a final cau-
tion that you have not interceded with your
own braking inputs to avoid a potentially
dangerous situation. Do not wait for the op-
eration of the warning signal to intercede
with your own braking, as that will result in
potentially dangerous emergency braking
which will not always result in an impact be-
ing avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
Warning!
G
Distronic brakes your vehicle with a maxi-
mum deceleration of 6.5 ft/s
2 (2 m/s
2).
This corresponds to about 20% of the maxi-
mum deceleration ability of your vehicle.
Distronic brakes the vehicle in an effort to
restore the preset distance or to maintain
the speed. The brake pedal is automatically
applied as this happens which results in the
brake pedal moving.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the Distronic system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.

251 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
SBC brake system (
page 77) or the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 74).
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 305).!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.

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.

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …#
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
–
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
The battery is no longer charging. Possible
causes:

Alternator malfunctioning


Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be operat-
ing with restricted capability. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is increased.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

307 Practical hints
What to do if …
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Brakes overheated!
Drive carefully!
The brake system is overheated due to an
excessive load on the brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake sys-
tem.

Drive more smoothly and think
ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.

When driving down slopes, shift into
a lower gear to use the engine’s brak-
ing power (
page 153).

Cautiously continue driving so that
the air stream will cool down the
brakes.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For
more information, refer to "Towing the vehi-
cle" (
page 348).
If the SBC brake system enters its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode,
the driver must apply significantly greater
brake pedal pressure and depress the pedal
much further than normal to obtain braking
effect. If necessary, apply full pressure to
the brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid