2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WAGON Owner's Manual

E-Class
Operator’s Manual

E320
E 320 4MATIC

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To help assure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 26
General notes on the central
locking system ............................. 26
Central locking system ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 27
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof from
outside ........................................... 30Panic button ..................................31
Mechanical keys ...........................31
Doors ................................................. 32
Central locking switch .................... 34
Automatic central locking .............. 35
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 35
Tailgate .............................................. 36
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ................................41
Power seats front ............................. 42
Front seat head restraints .............. 48
Rear seat head restraints ............... 49
Multicontour seat .............................51
Seat heater ........................................ 52
Seat ventilation ................................ 55
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 57
Seat belts .......................................... 57
Seat belt nonusage warning
system .......................................... 58
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 65Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 66
Emergency tensioning
device (ETD) ................................. 67
Airbags .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag ............................................ 75
Infant and child restraint
systems ......................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment ............ 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, vehicle
speed, FSS and engine oil level
display .......................................... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100

2 Contents
Telephone book .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106
Malfunction message memory .... 108
Individual settings ..........................110
Setting the audio volume ...............113
Flexible service system (FSS) .......114
Engine oil level indicator ...............117
Engine oil consumption .................118
Exterior lamp switch ......................119
Night security Illumination ......... 120
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 121
Combination switch ...................... 122
Rear window wiper / washer ....... 124
Hazard warning flasher switch ... 125
Automatic climate control ............ 126
Display and controls .................. 128
Basic setting ................................ 129
Special settings .......................... 129
Defogging windows .................... 129
Defrosting .................................... 129
Rear window defroster .............. 130Air distribution ...........................130
Air volume ...................................130
Air recirculation ......................... 131
Dust filter ..................................... 131
Activated charcoal filter ............132
Residual engine heat
utilization .....................................132
Front center console compartment
ventilation ....................................133
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlet ...................134
Audio and telephone, operation ..135
Power windows ...............................154
Sliding / pop-up roof ......................157
Interior lighting ..............................159
Entrance lamps, exit lamps
in doors .......................................159
Reading lamps rear
compartment ..............................160
Sun visors ........................................ 161
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 161
Interior .............................................162
Armrest, rear bench .......................162Cup holder in rear bench
armrest ....................................... 162
Glove box ......................................... 163
Cup holder and coin holder in
glove box lid ................................ 163
Storage compartment above ashtray
in center console ....................... 164
Storage compartments in center
console ........................................ 164
Cup holder in center console ....... 165
Ashtrays .......................................... 166
Lighter ............................................. 168
Split rear bench seat ..................... 169
Rear-facing bench seat .................. 175
Loading instructions ..................... 177
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 178
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell ....................................... 179
Cellular telephone ......................... 179
Garage door opener ....................... 180

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212
Driving instructions ...................... 213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ......... 213
Drinking and Driving ................ 213
Pedals ........................................... 213
Power assistance ........................ 214
Brakes .......................................... 214
Driving off ................................... 215
Parking ........................................ 216
Tires ............................................. 216Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Standing water ........................... 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221
Cruise control ................................ 222
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 225
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ...................... 229
Electronic stability
program (ESP) ........................... 230
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 234
What you should know at the gas
station ......................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................. 241
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............. 244
On-board diagnostic system ..... 244Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................244
Brake warning lamp ..................245
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................246
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................246
Electronic stability program (ESP)
— warning lamp ..........................247
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................247
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................248
Seat belt warning lamp .............248
Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .....................249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....249
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ...250
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 251
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR .........252
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................253
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................253
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............254

4 Contents
BRAKE FLUID .............................254
PARKING BRAKE .......................255
ENGINE FAN ...............................255
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........256
COOLANT TEMP. ........................257
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................258
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................259
REMOVE KEY .............................259
STEERING GEAR OIL .................260
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 261
WASHER FLUID ..........................262
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ......................263
TELE AID .....................................263
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................266
Fuses ................................................267
Electrical outlet ..............................269
Hood .................................................270
Checking engine oil level .............273
Automatic transmission fluid
level ............................................. 274Coolant level ....................................274
Adding coolant ........................... 275
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .........................................276
Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................276
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 277
Vehicle jack .................................... 278
Wheels ............................................ 279
Tire replacement ....................... 279
Rotating wheels ......................... 280
Spare wheel .................................... 281
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 281
Changing wheels ........................... 282
Tire inflation pressure ................. 287
Battery ............................................. 289
Jump starting ................................. 291
Towing the vehicle ........................ 294
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 296
Exterior lamps ............................... 297
Headlamp assembly .................. 298
Taillamp assemblies .................. 301Changing batteries in the
electronic key ............................304
Synchronizing remote control .306
Emergency engine shut-down .....306
Emergency operation of sliding /
pop-up roof .................................307
Manual release for fuel
filler flap ....................................308
Replacing wiper blade insert .......308
Roof rack ..........................................311
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle . 314
Power washer .............................. 315
Tar stains ..................................... 315
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................. 315
Engine cleaning .......................... 316
Vehicle washing ......................... 316
Ornamental moldings ................ 316
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ........................................... 316
Cleaning the parktronic system
sensors ......................................... 317

5 ContentsWindow cleaning / glass
sunroof ......................................... 317
Wiper blades ............................... 317
Light alloy wheels ...................... 318
Instrument cluster ..................... 318
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever .............................................. 318
Cup holder ................................... 318
Seat belts ..................................... 318
Headliner ..................................... 318
Upholstery ................................... 319
Hard plastic trim items ............. 319
Plastic and rubber parts ............ 319
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 322
Warranty coverage ........................ 322
Identification labels ...................... 323
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 324
Technical data ................................ 325
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 328
Engine oils ...................................... 330
Engine oil additives ...................... 330
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 330
Brake fluid ...................................... 330
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 331
Fuel requirements ........................ 331
Gasoline additives ......................... 332
Coolants .......................................... 332
Consumer information ................. 334
IndexIndex ................................................336