2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 octane

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

260 OperationAt the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see the "Operation" section
(
page 267).
2Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the "Technical data" section
(page 368).
3Coolant level
More information on the coolant level
can be found in the "Operation" section
(page 264).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the "Operation" section
(
page 262).
See also "Opening hood" (
page 261).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the "Practical hints" section (page 332).
See also the section on the exterior lamp
switch (
page 112).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the "Operation" section
(
page 269).
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products Pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the ?lamp to
illuminate.

366 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and recommended by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products Pamphlet, or inquire at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
E320
E500
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Rear axle
E320
E500
1.06 US qt (1 l)
1.37 US qt (1.3 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.64 US qt (0.6 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
E320
E500
approx. 10.7 US qt (10 l)
approx. 11.9 US qt (11.3 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank including a reserve of
21.12 US gal (80.0 l)
2.38 US gal (9.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96
RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioner system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)

369 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) Octane Num-
ber and the Motor (M) Octane Number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE is not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
costs and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
gasoline is not available and low octane
fuel is used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage


Do not exceed 2/3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain

378 Technical termsMenu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
SELECT RADIO STATION or
OPERATE CD
PLAYER
. Using commands you can di-
rectly change the settings for your ve-
hicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case*


Drive shaft


Axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
winter operationW.
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to the Tele Aid service.

379 Technical terms
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
SBC
(S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms "telecom-
munications" and "informatics".
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of a tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.

391 Index
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 111
MON 260
MON (Motor Octane Number) 378
Mph or km/h in speedometer 134
Multicontour seat* 104
Multifunction display 121, 378
Selecting language 135
Standard display 125
Multifunction display messages
ABS 296
BAS 297, 298
Batteries 303, 304
Brake pads 305
Coolant 311, 312
Coolant level 311
Distronic* 300
Doors 323
Easy-entry/exit feature 310
Engine oil level 300
Fuel reserve tank 313, 323
Hood 313
Key 313, 323
KEYLESS-GO* card 309
Lamps 313–??
Parking brake 310SBC brake system 305, 306
Seat belts 310
Steering gear oil level 318
Telephone* 309
Trunk lid 310
Washer fluid 311
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 122,
378
Buttons 122
N
Network provider 148
Night security illumination 114
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Seat belts 40, 59
Oil
Viscosity 376
One-touch gearshifting 152
Canceling gear range limit 152
Downshifting 152Upshifting 152
Opening 331
Ashtray 231
Doors from the inside 93
Glove box 226
Side windows 184
Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
SmartKey 188, 192
Trunk 88, 96
Trunk from the inside 94
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 185
Operating
Cassette player 128
CD player* 127, 128
Garage door opener 246
Integrated remote control 246
Radio 127
Safety 16
Telephone* 147
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Outside temperature indicator 120

393 Index
Placing upright 104
Rear seats 103
Rear seats
Rear seat head restraints 103
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 157
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Blocking operation 71
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Rear window sunshade* 160, 161
Regular driving style 212
Remote controls
Integrated 244
SmartKey 86
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 89
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 241
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 378
Removing
Ski sack 219
Replacing
Bulbs 332
Front lamp bulbs 334
Fuses 353
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps
only) 334License plate lamp bulbs 336
Rear lamp bulbs 333, 336
Wiper blades 337
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the instrument cluster 131
Resetting
All functions (control system) 131
All functions of a submenu 131
Fuel consumption 146
Service indicator (FSS) 276, 278,
279
Stored speed in Distronic* 203
Trip odometer 119
Residual heat utilization 171, 182
Residual ventilation 171, 182
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 65
Rims and Tires 361
Roadside assistance 12
Rolling code programming 245
RON (Research Octane Number) 260,
379
Roof rack 216
S
SafetyOccupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 73
Saving current speed 195
SBC 77
SBC brake system 379
Activation 78
Deactivation 79
Driving hints 79
Messages in display 305, 306
Self-check 79
Warning lamp 77
Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belts 61
Fastening 40
Message in display 310
Proper use of 42, 63
Safety guidelines 59
Warning lamp 293
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 105
Seats 102
Adjusting 34