2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 key

315 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
Turn sig.
right
mirror
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Turn sig. front left
Back-up light on!

The left front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb is being
used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig. front right
Back-up light on!

The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb is be-
ing used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake light
Visit workshop!
Stop lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn off lamps!
Lamps have been turned on al-
though the key in the starter switch
is in position 0.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, left
The left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, right
The right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

323 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
I
Remove key!
You have forgotten to remove the key.

Remove the key from the starter switch.
Replace key
The batteries in the key are dead.

Change the batteries (
page 328).
Automat. light on
Remove key!

Remove the key from the starter switch.
A

Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next filling station
(page 259).
J

Door open
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.

Close the doors.
?
Visit workshop!
There may be a malfunction in the:

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
±
Display defective
Visit workshop!
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

327 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
In case of a malfunction in the central lock-
ing system, you can unlock the trunk sepa-
rately (
page 88).
Unlocking the driver’s door
If you are unable to unlock the driver’s
door using the SmartKey, open the door
using the mechanical key.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 in the direction of
the arrow and slide mechanical key2
out of the housing.
3Unlocking
4Locking

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left4.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button Œor ‹on the
SmartKey.


Insert the key in the starter switch.

328 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the trunk
The trunk can no longer be locked with the
key.
Lock and unlock the trunk with the me-
chanical key as follows:Trunk lid lock1Unlocking
2Locking
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the key to the left in position1
and hold it in this position.

Pull on the trunk lid handle and lift the
trunk lid.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 100).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are still
visible. If necessary, push them down
manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key (
page 327).

Check if the trunk is locked. If neces-
sary lock the trunk with the mechanical
key (
page 98).
Changing batteries
If the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.

329 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
SmartKey/SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO*
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Remove mechanical key1
(page 327).

Insert the mechanical key in the side
opening and push the gray slide.
Battery compartment2 is unlatched.

Pull battery compartment2 out of the
key housing in direction of arrow.
3Battery
4Contact spring

Remove the batteries.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.
Fuel filler flap emergency release
1Release knob
Remove right-side tail trim.

Turn release knob1 clockwise (arrow).
The fuel filler flap can know be opened.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

337 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removal 
Turn key in starter switch to position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 47).

With wiper arm in the vertical position
(see above), turn key in starter switch
to position0.

Fold the wiper arm forward.You should hear it snap into place.

Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm.

Slide the wiper blade sideways out of
the retainer.Installation

Slide wiper blade onto wiper arm until
it locks in place.

Rotate wiper blade into position paral-
lel to wiper arm.

Fold wiper arm back so that blade rests
on windshield.
!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove key from starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade, other-
wise the motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

344 Practical hintsBatteries
Disconnecting the battery
Depress the parking brake firmly or
move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Open the trunk (
page 261).

Disconnect battery negative lead1.

Remove cover2 from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.

Remove the battery bracket.

Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further infor-
mation.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

the brake boosting effect is not avail-
able.
You need more power to brake and
brake pedal travel is increased. If neces-
sary, you must depress the brake pedal
with full power.


you can no longer turn the ignition key
or, in cars with KEYLESS-GO*, pressing
the KEY-LESS-GO button* on the gear
selector lever has no effect.


the gear selector lever is locked in
position P.

348 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleTowing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position2. When towing
the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km)
and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.