2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 windshield

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* ......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts.................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47Problems while driving.................... 48
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off the engine ..................... 51
Safety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 61
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm .......................................... 72
Activating........................................ 72
Deactivating.................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73
ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
The SBC brake system .................... 77
Anti-theft systems ................................ 81
Immobilizer ..................................... 81
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Tow-away alarm .............................. 82

Contents
Adjusting air distribution .............. 177
Adjusting air volume .................... 177
Defrosting .................................... 178
Air recirculation mode.................. 178
Charcoal filter .............................. 180
Rear window defroster ................. 180
Air conditioner ............................. 181
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 182
Rear air conditioning .................... 182
Power windows.................................. 184
Opening and closing the windows 184
Synchronizing power windows ..... 186
Sliding/pop-up roof* ......................... 187
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof* ......................... 187
Synchronizing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 189
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof*......... 190
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* ... 190
Solar panel* ................................. 193
Driving systems ................................. 194
Cruise control .............................. 194
Distronic* .................................... 197
AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control)* ...... 209
PARKTRONIC system* ................. 212
Loading.............................................. 216Roof rack ...................................... 216
Ski sack* ...................................... 216
Split rear bench seat*................... 219
Folding front passenger seat* ...... 222
Expanding the cargo area* ........... 223
Loading instructions ..................... 224
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 225
Useful features ................................... 226
Interior storage spaces ................. 226
Ashtrays........................................ 231
Cigarette lighter ............................ 232
12-V socket* ................................ 232
Heated steering wheel* ................ 233
Telephone* ................................... 233
Tele Aid* ....................................... 234
Garage door opener ...................... 243
Operation.......................................... 247
The first 1000 miles (1500km) ........... 248
Driving instructions ............................ 249
Drive sensibly – save fuel.............. 249
Drinking and driving ...................... 249
Pedals ........................................... 249
Power assistance .......................... 250
Brakes........................................... 250Driving off ..................................... 252
Parking ......................................... 252
Tires.............................................. 252
Aquaplaning .................................. 253
Tire traction .................................. 253
Tire speed rating ........................... 254
Winter driving instructions ............ 254
Standing water ............................. 255
Passenger compartment............... 255
Traveling abroad ........................... 255
Control and operation of radio
transmitter.................................... 256
Catalytic converter ....................... 256
Emission control ........................... 257
Coolant temperature .................... 258
At the gas station ............................... 259
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 260
Engine compartment .......................... 261
Hood ............................................. 261
Engine oil ...................................... 262
Transmission fluid level ................ 264
Coolant level ................................. 264
Battery .......................................... 266
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 267

Contents
Technical data................................. 355
Spare parts service ............................ 356
Warranty coverage............................. 357
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 357
Identification labels ........................... 358
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 359
E 320 / E 500 ............................... 359
Engine................................................ 360
Rims and tires.................................... 361
Same-sized tires........................... 361
Minispare wheel ........................... 362
Sport package .............................. 362
Electrical system ............................... 363
Main dimensions ............................... 364
Weights.............................................. 365Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ........... 366
Capacities ..................................... 366
Engine oils .................................... 368
Engine oil additives ....................... 368
Air conditioner refrigerant............. 368
Brake fluid..................................... 368
Premium unleaded gasoline .......... 369
Fuel requirements ......................... 369
Gasoline additives......................... 369
Coolants ....................................... 370
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .......................................... 372
Consumer information ........................ 373
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 373
Technical terms............................... 375Index................................................. 381

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
45, 50
2
Hood lock release
261
3
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
38
Heated steering wheel*
233
4
Parking brake release
45
5
Combination switch

Turn signals
46


Windshield wipers
47


High beam
47
6
Door control panel
28
7
Exterior lamp switch
112
Item
Page
8
Headlamp washer button*
158
9
Cruise control lever

Cruise control
201


Distronic*
197
10
Instrument cluster
22,
118
11
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
122
12
Horn
13
Lever for voice recognition
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
14
Starter switch
31
15
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
212
16
Overhead control panel
27
17
Mobile phone/Glasses box
226
18
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
226
19
Glove box
226
20
Center console
25

47 Getting started
Driving
High beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam headlights are switched
on.
The high beam symbolA in the
tachometer lights up.
More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 115).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping (interval depen-
dent on wetness of windshield)
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iThe intermittent wiping interval is de-
pendent on wetness of windshield.
Wiping will not occur with a door open.
Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield.

48 Getting startedDrivingSingle wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of arrow1
past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
Information on filling up the washer reser-
voir can be found in the "Operation" sec-
tion (page 267).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If leaves, snow, etc. block the wind-
shield wipers, switch off the wipers.

For safety reasons, withdraw key
from starter switch. Remove block-
age.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


Set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.


Have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

157 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
Information on the windshield wipers
(page 47) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 38) is found in the "Get-
ting started" section.
Rear view mirror
Automatic antiglare rear view mirror
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the inside rear view mirror will respond au-
tomatically to glare when:

the ignition is switched on, and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the inside rear view mir-
rorThe rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned onWarning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the inside rear view mirror.
The inside rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.

164 Controls in detailClimate control
1
Temperature, left
2
Windshield defroster
3
Increase airflow
4
MAX COOL display
5
Air distribution rocker switch
6
Rear window defroster
7
Temperature, right
8
Residual heat
9
Economy mode (no cooling)
10
Air distribution display
11
On/off
12
Airflow display
13
Decrease airflow
14
Air recirculation button
15
Air distribution and air volume (au-
tomatic)