2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Electrical consumers

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with
you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause serious
personal injury.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in position P.
!If the key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.

Check the battery and charge it
if necessary (
page 266).

Get a jump start (
page 346).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge or a completely discharged bat-
tery, always remove the key from the
starter switch.

33 Getting started
Unlocking
1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0 (as with key re-
moved).Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
Position 1

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or position 2)

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice.
This supplies power to all electrical
consumers. All the lights in the instru-
ment cluster light up.
More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 89).
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see "Starting with KEYLESS-GO"
(
page 44).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button twice, the power
supply is again switched off.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power sup-
ply is again switched off.

169 Controls in detail
Climate control


after five minutes if the air conditioner
is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above approximately 41°F
(5°C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C), the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is automatically deactivated af-
ter approximately 6 to 17 minutes of oper-
ation depending on the outside
temperature.
Activating
Press buttonF.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonF again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts blinking, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.

181 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioner
The air conditioner is operational while the
engine is running and cools the interior air
to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press buttonAC
OFF
.
The indicator lamp on the
buttonAC
OFF
lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air conditioner.

PressAC
OFF
again.
The indicator lamp on
theAC
OFF
button goes out.
The air conditioner uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts blinking, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioner cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioner is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioner checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

266 OperationEngine compartmentBattery
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

Auxiliary battery (located in the engine
compartment).


Main battery (starter and electrical
consumers; located in the trunk).
These batteries should always be suffi-
ciently charged in order to achieve their
rated service life.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.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.
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.

303 Practical hints
What to do if …
G
Display defective
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

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

Display defective
Visit workshop!
The displays for several systems have mal-
functioned. Some systems themselves may
also have malfunctioned.

Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
L
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the Tele Aid
system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
#
Malfunction
Electrical consumers
switched off
The consumer battery has insufficient volt-
age and can no longer supply the conve-
nience functions such as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back
online as soon as on-board voltage is
sufficient.
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only limited oper-
ation. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping distance
is increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking respon-
siveness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 43).
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …#
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
–
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
The battery is no longer charging. Possible
causes:

Alternator malfunctioning


Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be operat-
ing with restricted capability. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is increased.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

343 Practical hints
Batteries
Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

Auxiliary battery (back-up battery; en-
ables vehicle to shut down electrical
systems in a controlled manner should
the main battery fail; auxiliary battery is
located in the engine compartment)


The main battery (battery for starter
and electrical consumers; located in
the trunk).The main battery is in the trunk under the
luggage box. Remove the luggage box
(
page 325).
Main battery in trunk1Negative terminal
2Positive terminalWarning!
G
Jump starting must only be done using the
main battery in the trunk.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.