2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 automatic transmission

ContentsControls in detail............................... 85
Locking and unlocking ......................... 86
Keys ............................................... 86
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*......... 89
Opening the doors from the inside . 93
Opening the trunk from the inside.. 94
Opening the trunk .......................... 96
Closing the trunk ............................ 96
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 97
Separately locking the trunk .......... 98
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 99
Automatic central locking .............. 99
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 100
Seats.................................................. 102
Easy-entry/exit feature* .............. 102
Head restraints............................. 103
Multicontour seat* ....................... 104
Dynamic driving seat* .................. 105
Heated seats* .............................. 107
Seat ventilation* .......................... 108
Memory function................................ 109
Storing positions into memory ..... 110
Recalling positions from memory . 110
Storing parking position ............... 111Lighting.............................................. 112
Exterior lamp switch..................... 112
Combination switch ..................... 115
Hazard warning flasher ................ 115
Interior lighting............................. 116
Door entry lamps ......................... 117
Trunk lamp ................................... 117
Instrument cluster ............................. 118
Instrument cluster illumination .... 118
Coolant temperature display ........ 119
Trip odometer .............................. 119
Tachometer .................................. 120
Outside temperature indicator ..... 120
Control system .................................. 121
Multifunction display .................... 121
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 122
Menus .......................................... 124
Standard display menu ................ 126
AUDIO menu ................................ 126
NAVI* ........................................... 128
Distronic* menu........................... 128
Malfunction memory menu .......... 129
Settings menu .............................. 130
Trip computer menu ..................... 145
TEL menu* ................................... 147
Automatic transmission ..................... 151One-touch gearshifting ................ 152
Gear ranges ................................. 153
Gear selector lever position ......... 154
Program mode selector switch .... 155
Accelerator position ..................... 156
Emergency operation
(Limp home mode) ....................... 156
Good visibility .................................... 157
Rear view mirror .......................... 157
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 158
Sun visors .................................... 158
Rear window sunshade* .............. 160
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors 161
Climate control .................................. 162
Setting the temperature............... 165
Adjusting air distribution .............. 166
Adjusting air volume .................... 166
Defrosting .................................... 167
Air recirculation mode.................. 167
Rear window defroster ................. 169
Deactivating the climate
control system ............................. 170
Air conditioner ............................. 170
Residual heat and ventilation* ..... 171
Automatic climate control* ............... 172
Setting the temperature............... 176

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
231
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
33
3
Selector lever for automat-
ic transmission
43,
151
4
Parking assist (Parktronic
system)* deactivation
switch
212
5
Adaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch
209
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control
switch*
209
7
Thumbwheel for setting
distance for Distronic*
204
8
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
205
9
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
155

43 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP.
More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 151).
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open.

85 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Climate control
Automatic climate control*
Power windows
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

151 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the "Getting start-
ed" section (
page 43).
Your transmission adapts its gear shifting
process to your individual driving style by
continually adjusting the shift points up or
down. These shift point adjustments are
performed based on current operating and
driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on


the selector lever positionD with gear
ranges4, 3, 2, 1 (
page 153)


the selected shift program (W/S)
(page 155)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 156)


the vehicle speed
The current selector lever position and
shift program (W/S) appear in the speed-
ometer display (
page 121).
An additional indication of the current se-
lector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate. The indicators
come on when you activate a switch (e.g.
unlocking the vehicle or opening a door)
and go out after approximately 15 min-
utes.When the selector lever is in positionD,
you can influence transmission shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears yourself
iDuring the brief warm-up, the transmis-
sion upshifting is delayed. This allows
the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
of P or N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

152 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D–direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action si-
multaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 153).Upshifting

Briefly press the selector lever to the
right in the D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simulta-
neously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the selector lever in the
D+direction until D reappears in the
tachometer display field.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D–direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal accelera-
tion and deceleration. This will involve
shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the selector lever is moved to the
D–direction, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear if the engine's
max. speed would be exceeded.

153 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the selector lever in positionD, you
can limit the transmission’s gear range by
pressing the lever to the left (D–), and re-
verse the gear range limit by pressing the
lever to the right (D+).
The selected gear range will appear in the
tachometer display field. If you press on
the accelerator when the engine has
reached its rpm limit, the transmission will
upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.
Gear
range
Effect
é
The transmission shifts
through fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts
through third gear only.
With this selection you can
use the braking effect of the
engine.
Gear
range
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts
through second gear only.
Allows the use of the en-
gine’s braking power when
driving

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates
only in first gear.
For maximum use of the en-
gine’s braking effect on very
steep or lengthy down-
grades.

154 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever position
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle
is parked. Only place selector lever
in positionP when vehicle is
stopped. The park position is not in-
tended to serve as a brake when
the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the park-
ing brake in addition to placing the
selector lever in positionP to se-
cure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP. With the key re-
moved the selector lever is locked
in positionP.
Effect
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmission,
never engageN while driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or malfunc-
tioning:
Only move selector lever toN if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g.
on icy roads).
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with selector lever inN
can result in transmission damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, positionP alone is not intend-
ed to or capable of preventing your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or ob-
jects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 45).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.