2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WAGON tailgate

37 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5Grip molding
6Lock
7Recessed handleTo close the tailgate, pull down on inside grip (8) and
press down on outside grip molding (5) until the tailgate
latch engages. It is not necessary to slam the tailgate
closed, a power-assisted mechanism will draw the
tailgate quietly and automatically.

38 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
In case of danger, the closed tailgate can be opened with
the inside or outside handle.
Only drive with the tailgate closed as otherwise exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle interior.Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the tailgate can be locked and unlocked individually.
To unlock, turn mechanical key in lock to position 1, or
push lock button to position 1, see page 36.
To lock, turn mechanical key in lock to position 2, or
push lock button to position 2, see page 36.
The rear compartment lamp will be switched off by the
contact switch only if the tailgate is fully closed.
When opening the tailgate completely, always make sure
that there is sufficient overhead clearance.
When unlocking the tailgate with the mechanical key,
the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 308.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the tailgate opening
when closing the tailgate. Be especially careful
when small children are around.To prevent personal injury, never activate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
tailgate latch.In case the closing procedure causes potential
danger, the closing procedure can be immediately
halted by pulling the outside recessed handle.

39 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center consoleThe antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
15 s e c o n d s a f t e r l o c k i n g t h e v e h i c l e .
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the tailgate,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
1

172 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Retractable luggage cover and partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a luggage cover and
a partition net. It is mounted on the backrest of the rear
seat and can also be used with the backrest folded
down.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.Always lock backrest in its upright position when
rear seat bench is occupied, or the extended cargo
area is not in use. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest.Never drive vehicle with tailgate open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

173 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexLuggage cover:
Pull out lower blind, draw it over the luggage and
engage into track on the D pillar. When the tailgate is
opened the blind is lifted up automatically so that it
need not be retracted for loading or unloading the
vehicle.
Lower the blind to its bottom stop before closing the
tailgate.
To retract the lower blind, press left and right lock
button (1). The luggage cover rail is raised. Now
disengage it from the track on the D pillar and slowly
guide it into its receptacle.
1

177 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Loading instructions
The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage / cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification label which can be
found on the left door pillar.
Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
P68.00-2153-26
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when transporting
cargo.Never drive vehicle with tailgate open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

196 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Remote door unlock
In the case you have your vehicle locked unintentionally
(e.g. key inside vehicle), and no other key is available,
contact the Mercedes-Benz Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada). You will be asked to provide your password
which you provided when you completed the subscriber
agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull tailgate recessed
handle for minimum of 20 seconds until the SOS button
is flashing. The message “EMERGENCY CALL -CALL
CONNECTED” appears in the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehicle via
Internet using the ID and password sent to you shortly
after the completion of your Acquaintance Call.
The Response Center will then unlock your vehicle with
the remote door unlocking feature.Notes:
The remote door unlock feature is available if the
relevant cellular phone network is available.
The SOS button will flash and the message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL CONNECTED” will appear
in the multifunction display to indicate receipt of the
door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center
specialist will attempt to establish voice contact with the
vehicle occupants.
If the tailgate recessed handle was pulled for more than
20 seconds before door unlock authorization was
received by the Response Center, you must wait
15 minutes before pulling the tailgate recessed handle
again.

302 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Open tailgate and left or right trim panel. Twist bulb
socket counterclockwise and pull out. Push bulb into
socket, turn counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket, and close trim panel.
Notes:
Bulbs (3) and (4) cannot be accessed without removal of
tailgate trim panel.
For exchange of bulbs (1) or (2) on left side of vehicle,
also remove spare wheel, see page 277.License plate lamps
License plate lamps (5 W / 4 cp bulb)
Loosen both screws, remove lamp and take out bulb.
P82.10-2206-26