2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 change time

46 Getting startedDrivingAfter a cold start the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.More information on driving can be found
in the "Operation" section (
page 249).
Switching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch toB.
More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 112).
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch up1 or
down2.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofPorN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal blinks three times.

131 Controls in detail
Control system
Resetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of all sub-
menus to the factory settings.
Press the reset knob in the instrument
cluster (
page 22) for approximately
three seconds.
In the display you will see the request
to press the reset knob again to con-
firm.

Press the reset knob again.
The functions of all the submenus will
reset to factory settings.Submenus in the Settings menu

Press buttonk orj.
In the display you see the collection of
the submenus.

Press buttonç.
The selection marker moves to the next
submenu.
The submenus are arranged by hierarchy.
Scroll down with theç button, scroll up
with theæ button.
Move within the submenus with thek
orj button to the individual functions.
The settings themselves are made with
buttonæ orç.Resetting the functions of a submenu
For each submenu you can reset all the
functions to the factory settings.

Move to a function in the submenu.

Press the reset knob (
page 22) in the
instrument cluster for approximately
three seconds.
In the display you will see the request
to press the reset knob again to con-
firm.

Press the reset knob again.
All functions of the submenu will reset
to factory settings.
iThe settings you have changed will not
be reset unless you confirm the action
by pressing the reset knob a second
time.

132 Controls in detailControl systemThe table below shows what settings can
be changed within the various menus. De-
tailed instructions on making individual
settings can be found on the following pag-
es.INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TIME/DATE
LIGHTING
VEHICLE
Select temperature display
mode
Set time (hours)
Set daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
Set automatic locking
Select speedometer display
mode
Set time (minutes)
Set locator lighting
Select language
Set date (month)
Ambient lighting
Select display (speed display or
outside temperature) for status
line
Set date (day)
Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off
Tire pressure unit display*
Set date (year)
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off

136 Controls in detailControl systemSelecting display (speed display or out-
side temperature) for basic display
Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
Instr.
cluster
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
Basic display
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to select the dis-
play permanently shown in the multi-
function display.Tire pressure display*
Use this function to set the unit for the tire
pressure display.

Move the selection marker with the
æ or ç button to the
Instr,
cluster
submenu.

Press button jor k repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
Display unit Tire pressure
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press æ or ç to select the de-
sired tire pressure unit.Time/Date submenu
Access the
Time/Date
submenu via the
Settings
menu. Use the
Time/Date
sub-
menu to change the time and date display
settings. The following functions are avail-
able:
Function
Page
Set time (hours)
137
Set time (minutes)
137
Set date (month)
137
Set date (day)
138
Set date (year)
138

138 Controls in detailControl systemSet date (day)
Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the Time/Date
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
Set date day
.
The selection marker is on the day set-
ting.

Pressæ orç to set the day.Set date (year)

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the Time/Date
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
Set date year
.
The selection marker is on the year set-
ting.

Pressæ orç to set the year.Lighting submenu
Access the
Lighting
submenu via the
Set-
tings
menu. Use the
Lighting
submenu
to change the lamp and lighting settings on
your vehicle. The following functions are
available:
Function
Page
Set daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
see
below
Set locator lighting
139
Ambient light level
140
Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off
140
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off
141

194 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe following driving systems are ex-
plained on the following pages:

Cruise control


Distronic*


AIRMATIC DC*


Park assist (Parktronic*)
The BAS, ABS, ESP and SBC driving sys-
tems are described in the "Safety and Se-
curity" section (
page 73).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver must always remain
responsible for the vehicle speed and for
safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The "Resume" function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

198 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning!
G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the weather and traffic conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.Warning!
G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
distance conditions. Do not use Distronic
during conditions of fog and heavy rain,
snow or sleet.
Warning!
G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on wind-
ing roads or in heavy traffic because condi-
tions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:

when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane


when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp


in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.Warning!
G
The "Resume" function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

270 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.
Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
become worn over time even if never used,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.Checking tire pressure electronically*
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 121).The
present inflation pressures are displayed
only after a few minutes’ travel time.
You can select the unit of measurement
used for the tire inflation pressure by
changing the setting in the control system
(
page 136).

Switch on ignition.

Press the k button until the current
inflation pressures for each tire appear
in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc. Follow recommended inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.