Page 214 of 354

211 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.
Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With a malfunction in the vehicles electrical system the
selector lever my be locked in position “P”. To unlock
the selector lever manually, see page 296.
Page 232 of 354

229 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with electronic stability program (ESP)
(Model with 4MATIC All Wheel Drive)
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to use available
traction, e.g. during winter operation in mountains
under snowy conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.Caution!
Operational tests with the engine running can only be
conducted on a 2-axle dynamometer. Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the brakes
to the spinning wheels.
The engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering
lock position 0 or 1):
•if the the vehicle is towed with one axle raised (only
applicable to vehicles without 4MATIC, see also
page 294).
•when testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer (vehicles with 4MATIC should only be
tested on a two-axle dynamometer).
The warning lamp in the speedometer blinks at any
speed as soon as one tire loses traction.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
4MATIC is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz
recommended M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow
chains.
Page 282 of 354

279 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires
must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions,
see page 326.
We recommend that you break in new tires for
approximately 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.
It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, see page 326.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.Tires and spare wheel should be replaced after six
years, independently of the remaining tread.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Page 331 of 354

328 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Recommended engine oils
Automatic
transmission8.0 US qt (7.5 l) Automatic transmission fluid
1
Rear axle 1.4 US qt (1.3 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Front axleE 320 4MATIC0.5 US qt (0.46 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Transfer caseE 320 4MATIC0.9 US qt (0.9 l) Automatic transmission fluid
1
Power steering approx. 1.3 US qt (1.1 l) MB Power steering fluid or an
approved Dextron III ATF
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4) 1 MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10
Page 340 of 354

337 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy ..................................................................... 129
Front center console compartment ventilation .... 133
Rear passenger compartment adjustable
air outlet ................................................................ 134
Rear window defroster ............................................. 130
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 132
Special settings ......................................................... 129
Automatic transmission ...............................................203
Emergency operation ............................................... 211
Fluid level ................................................................... 274
Program mode selector switch ............................... 210
Selector lever position ..............................................206
Transmission selector lever, manually
unlocking .............................................................. 296
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 65
Self-test ......................................................................... 65
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 225
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 247
Battery .............................................................................289
Battery recycling ....................................................... 290
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR - malfunction and
warning messages ....................................................252
Block heater .................................................................... 221BRAKE ASSIST - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 253
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 225
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 247
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 330
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 254
BRAKE LINING WEAR - malfunction and warning
messages ................................................................... 254
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 254
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 245
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 245
Brakes .................................................... 214, 225, 227, 230
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 297
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 328
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 178
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 198
CD changer ...................................................................... 148
Audio systems ..............................................................97
Cellular telephone .......................................................... 179
Center console .................................................................. 20
Page:
< prev 1-8 9-16 17-24