2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Set time

204 Controls in detailDriving systemsDeactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow3 (
page 201).
or

Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.Distronic deactivates automatically when:


you set the parking brake


you drive slower than 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h)


the ESP is active (
page 75) or you de-
activate the ESP


you move the transmission selector le-
ver into positionN
A si gnal wi ll s ound. T he
Distronic off

message appears in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following dis-
tance for Distronic by varying the time set-
ting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using
this time setting and the current speed of
your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets
the required following distance to the vehi-
cle ahead. The set distance will be shown
in the multifunction display field.
The thumbwheel for making the time set-
ting is located on the lower section of the
center console.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately five seconds:
Distronic off
.
The last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.
Warning!
G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of approx. 25 mph
( 40 km / h) by operation of the system. At
that time the driver must apply the brakes in
order to reduce vehicle speed further or
bring it to a stop.
Warning!
G
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving recom-
mendations for safe following distance.

211 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Comfort-/Sport setting
The AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) consists
of two components:

Adaptive-Damping-System (ADS)


Suspension style
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion style is set to either sporty or regular.The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


your choice of suspension style,
"sporty I", "sporty II" or "regular", which
you select using the damping switch.
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the key is re-
moved from the starter switch.
1Damping button
2Indicator lamps

Start the engine.
iIn the sporty suspension style the vehi-
cle is lowered 0.6 in (15 mm).

212 Controls in detailDriving systemsSuspension for sporty driving style I
The setting for sporty driving I is selected
when one indicator lamp2 is illuminated.
Press button1.
One indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for sporty driving style II
The setting for sporty driving II is selected
when two indicator lamps2 are illuminat-
ed.

Press button1 twice.
Two indicator lamps2 come on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when the two indicator lamps2 are off.

Press button1 repeatedly until all indi-
cator lamps go out.
The indicator lamps2 go out.
PARKTRONIC system*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The Park-
tronic system deactivates at speeds over
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower speeds the
Parktronic system turns on again.Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
having smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or
street curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
can be affected by dirty sensors, especially
at times of snow and ice. See "Cleaning the
Parktronic system sensors" (
page 284).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Be sure that no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

270 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.
Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
become worn over time even if never used,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.Checking tire pressure electronically*
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 121).The
present inflation pressures are displayed
only after a few minutes’ travel time.
You can select the unit of measurement
used for the tire inflation pressure by
changing the setting in the control system
(
page 136).

Switch on ignition.

Press the k button until the current
inflation pressures for each tire appear
in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc. Follow recommended inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.

277 Operation
Maintenance
The
SERVICE MENU
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
CONFIRMATION
menu with the
+ or - button.

Press the ÿ button.
The service indicator now displays the CONFIRMATION
menu.
The selection marker is on
CONFIRM
.

Press the ÿbutton.
The service indicator now displays the CONFIRM
menu.The selection maker is on
STANDARD
OIL
.

Press the ÿ button.
The words
SERVICE CONFIRMED
appear
in the multifunction display.
The service indicator is reset.

Press buttonè on the multifunction
steering wheel until the standard dis-
play appears in the multifunction dis-
play.FSS PLUS now recalculates the values.
You cannot call up the service display or
the service menu during this time.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without proper service as called for by
the FSS PLUS will cause the FSS PLUS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

278 OperationMaintenanceSetting the date for special works
You can enter appointments for exhaust
gas analysis and general inspection over
FSS PLUS.
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 121).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
FSS PLUS indicator appears in the mul-
tifunction display.

Press the reset knob (
page 22) for
about five seconds.
The
SERVICE MENU
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
SPECIAL WORK
menu with the
+ or - button.

Press the ÿ button.The service indicator now displays the
SPECIAL WORK
menu.

Select the
EXH.-GAS ANALYSIS
or
GEN-
ERAL INSPECTION
menu with the +
or - button.

Press the ÿbutton.
The service indicator now displays the NEXT DUE DATE
menu.

Select the
MONTH a
nd
YEAR
with the
+ or - button.

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel to set the
month and year.

Select
DATE CONFIRMED
with the +
or - button.

Press the ÿbutton.
The new date is set.

Press buttonè on the multifunction
steering wheel until the standard dis-
play appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
FSS PLUS now recalculates the values.
You cannot call up the service display or
the service menu during this time.

279 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service data information
FSS PLUS shows the service type (letters
A-H) in the multifunction display approxi-
mately one month before the service ap-
pointment is due in miles (distance
criterion) or in days (time criterion).
This service type is based on the service
items to be carried out. The service items
are described in the Service Booklet.
The service items to be carried out under
the corresponding service type can be dis-
played in the multifunction display.Calling up the service item menu

Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 121).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
FSS PLUS indicator appears in the mul-
tifunction display.

Press the reset knob (
page 22) for
about five seconds.
The
SERVICE MENU
appears in the multi-
function display (page 121).

Select the
ITEMS
menu with the +
or - button.

Press the ÿ button.The service indicator now displays the
ITEMS
menu.

Press buttonè on the multifunction
steering wheel until the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display.iThe service items to be carried out are
shown in this menu.
Please refer to the Service Booklet for
a description of each service item.

384 IndexClock 137
Closing
Glove box 226
Side windows 184
Side windows with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 92
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
SmartKey 188, 192
Trunk lid 96
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 185
Cockpit 20, 375
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 115
High beam flasher 47
Turn signals 46
Windshield wipers 47
Consumer information 373
Control system 121, 376
AUDIO menu 126
Convenience submenu 143
Display digital speedometer 126
Distronic* menu 128Functions 125
Instrument cluster submenu 134,
136
Lighting submenu 138
Malfunction memory menu 129
Menus 124, 125, 378
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction steering wheel 122
Selecting radio system 127
Settings menu 130
Standard display menu 126
Submenus 123, 125
TEL* menu 147
Trip computer menu 145
Vehicle submenu 142
Convenience submenu 143
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 143
Setting key dependency 144
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 144
Coolant
Messages in display 311, 312
Temperature display 119
Warning lamp 292, 311
Cruise control 194, 376Canceling 195
Driving downhill 195
Driving uphill 195
Fine adjustment 196
Lever 201
Saving current speed 195
Setting speeds 196
Cruise control lever 194
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 375
D
Daytime running lamp mode 114
Setting 139
Deactivating
Air conditioner 170
Air recirculation mode 168, 179, 180
Alarm 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Automatic climate control 169, 174
Central locking (control system) 142
Climate control 164
Cruise control 195
Defrost 167, 178
Distance warning function* 206
Distronic* 204
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 53
Engine with the key 52