2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WAGON airbag

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

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

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Parking assist warning indicators, see page 236
2Side defroster outlet
3Side air outlet, adjustable
4Air volume control for side air outlet
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 119
6Parking brake release, see page 212
7Hood lock release, see page 270
8Combination switch, see page 122
9Cruise control switch, see page 222
10Instrument cluster, see page 86
11Multifunction steering wheel, see page 92
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
Airbag, see page 68
12Steering lock with ignition / starter switch,
seepage200
13Voice control system lever, see separate operating
instructions
14Center air outlets, adjustable15Air volume control for center air outlets
16Left front seat heater switch, see page 52
Left front seat ventilation switch, see page 55
17Headlamp washer switch, see page 121
18Rear window wiper and washer switch, see page 124
19Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 125
20Central locking switch, see page 34
21Tow- away alarm s witch, s ee page 41
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
seepage39
22Right front seat heater switch, see page 52
Right front seat ventilation switch, see page 55
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2)
24Automatic climate control, see page 126
Rear window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
25Audio system, see page 135
26Storage / eyeglasses compartment, see page 164

20 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console 1Ashtray with lighter, see page 166
2ESP control switch, see page 232
3Power window switches, front doors, see page 154
4Power window safety switch, rear doors,
seepage155
5Airbag Off indicator lamp, see page 249
6Power window switches, rear doors, see page 154
7Parktronic system deactivation switch, see page 238
8Mirror adjustment switch, see page 82
356
6432
1
7
8
P68.20-2258-27

22 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle 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 ........................................... 30
Panic 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 .............. 48Rear 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 .......................................... 65
Self-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 ........................... 82Instrument 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
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

46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat / head restraint / steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirror position, push and hold
position button “1”, “2” or “3” until seat / head restraint /
steering wheel and exterior rear view mirror movement
has stopped. The seat / head restraint / steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirror movement stops when the
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to ensure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

47 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger-
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt and top tether strap,
fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

57 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning devices for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important
Laws i n mo st states and all Canadi an provi nc es require
seat belt use.
All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces require the use of
child restraints that comply with U.S. Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and Canadian Motor
Ve h i c l e S a f e t y S t a n d a r d 213 .
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.