2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Owner's Manual

E320
E 320 4MATIC
E500
E 500 4MATIC
E55AMG

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your
desire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
as well as your and your passengers' safe-
ty, we ask you to make a small investment
of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to assist you with the operation
of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 47
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers ........................... 48
Problems while driving.................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 51
Switching off headlamps................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 72
Panic alarm .......................................... 73
Activating ....................................... 73
Deactivating ................................... 73
Driving safety systems ......................... 74
ABS ................................................ 74
BAS ................................................ 76
ESP ................................................. 76
The SBC brake system ................... 79
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 84
Tow-away alarm ............................. 85
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
SmartKey ....................................... 88
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 91
Opening the doors from the inside . 97
Opening the trunk .......................... 97
Closing the trunk............................ 99
Trunk lid opening / closing
system* ......................................... 99
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 104
Separately locking the trunk ........ 105
Separately unlocking the trunk .... 106
Automatic central locking ............ 106
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 107
Seats ................................................. 108
Easy-entry / exit feature* ............. 108
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 109
Rear seat head restraints ............. 110
Multicontour seat* ....................... 111
Drive - Dynamic seat* ................... 112
Heated seats* .............................. 113
Seat ventilation* .......................... 114Memory function ............................... 116
Storing positions in memory ........ 117
Recalling positions from
memory........................................ 117
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................ 118
Lighting ............................................. 119
Exterior lamp switch .................... 119
Combination switch ..................... 123
Hazard warning flasher ................ 123
Interior lighting ............................ 124
Door entry lamps ......................... 125
Trunk lamp ................................... 125
Instrument cluster ............................. 126
Instrument cluster illumination .... 126
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 127
Trip odometer .............................. 127
Tachometer .................................. 128
Outside temperature indicator ..... 128

Contents
Control system .................................. 129
Multifunction display .................... 129
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 130
Menus .......................................... 132
Standard display menu ................ 134
AUDIO menu ................................ 134
NAVI* menu ................................. 136
Distronic* menu........................... 136
Malfunction memory menu .......... 137
Settings menu .............................. 138
Trip computer menu..................... 153
TEL menu* ................................... 155
Automatic transmission ..................... 158
One-touch gearshifting................. 159
Gear ranges ................................. 160
Gear selector lever position ......... 161
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) E 55 AMG ................. 162
Program mode selector switch..... 164
Accelerator position ..................... 164
Manual shift program E 55 AMG .. 165
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 167Good visibility ..................................... 168
Rear view mirror ........................... 168
Windshield wipers ......................... 169
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 170
Sun visors ..................................... 170
Rear window sunshade* ............... 172
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors . 172
Rear window defroster .................. 173
Climate control ................................... 174
Setting the temperature................ 178
Adjusting air distribution............... 178
Adjusting air volume ..................... 179
Defrosting ..................................... 179
Air recirculation mode .................. 180
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 181
Air conditioning............................. 182
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 182Automatic climate control* ................ 184
Setting the temperature ............... 188
Adjusting air distribution .............. 189
Adjusting air volume ..................... 190
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 190
Defrosting ..................................... 190
Air recirculation mode .................. 191
Charcoal filter ............................... 192
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 193
Air conditioning ............................ 194
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 194
Rear air conditioning..................... 195
Power windows .................................. 197
Opening and closing the windows 197
Synchronizing power windows ...... 200
Sliding / pop-up roof* ......................... 201
Opening and closing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 201
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 204

ContentsPanorama sliding / pop-up roof* ........ 205
Opening and closing the
roller sunblinds............................. 205
Opening and closing the
panorama sliding / pop-up roof..... 206
Synchronizing the panorama
sliding / pop-up roof ..................... 209
Solar panel* ................................. 210
Driving systems ................................. 211
Cruise control............................... 211
Distronic*..................................... 214
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 226
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 229Loading .............................................. 233
Roof rack*.................................... 233
Ski sack* ..................................... 233
Split rear bench seat* .................. 236
Expanding the cargo area*........... 239
Loading instructions..................... 240
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 241
Useful features .................................. 242
Interior storage spaces ................ 242
Ashtrays ....................................... 246
Cigarette lighter ........................... 247
12-V socket* ................................ 248
Heated steering wheel* ............... 248
Telephone* .................................. 249
Tele Aid* ...................................... 250
Garage door opener ..................... 258
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 266
Driving instructions ........................... 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 268
Brakes.......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 270
Parking......................................... 270
Tires ............................................. 270
Hydroplaning................................ 271
Tire traction ................................. 272
Tire speed rating .......................... 272
Winter driving instructions ........... 273
Standing water............................. 274
Passenger compartment .............. 274
Driving abroad ............................. 274
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 275
Catalytic converter....................... 275
Emission control .......................... 276
Coolant temperature.................... 277

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 278
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 279
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 282
Transmission fluid level ................ 285
Coolant level ................................ 285
Battery ......................................... 287
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 288
Tires and wheels ................................ 289
Important guidelines .................... 289
Life of tire..................................... 290
Direction of rotation ..................... 290
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 290
Rotating wheels ........................... 293Winter driving ..................................... 295
Winter tires ................................... 295
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 296
Snow chains.................................. 296
Maintenance....................................... 297
Flexible Service System PLUS
(FSS PLUS).................................... 297
Clearing the service indicator ....... 298
Service term exceeded ................. 298
Calling up the service indicator..... 298
Resetting the service indicator ..... 298
Setting the date for special
works ............................................ 300
Calling up the service data
information ................................... 301
Vehicle care........................................ 302
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 302
Practical hints.................................. 309
What to do if … ................................... 310
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 310
Lamp in center console ................ 317
Messages in the display................ 318
Where will I find ...? ............................ 350
First aid kit.................................... 350
Vehicles with TIREFIT kit
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 350
Spare wheel .................................. 350
Luggage box ................................. 351
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 352
Unlocking / locking in an emergency .. 353
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 353
Locking the vehicle ....................... 354
Changing batteries in the
SmartKey/ SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 355
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 357
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever ........... 357
Opening / closing in an emergency..... 358
Sliding / pop-up roof* or panorama
sliding / pop-up roof* .................... 358

ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 359
Bulbs ............................................ 359
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 361
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 363
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 364
Removing wiper blades ................ 364
Installing wiper blades.................. 365
Flat tire .............................................. 366
Preparing the vehicle.................... 366
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 366
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 370
Batteries ............................................ 375
Disconnecting the battery ............ 376
Removing the battery ................... 377
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 377
Reconnecting the battery ............. 377
Jump starting ..................................... 378
Towing the vehicle ............................. 381
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 384
Fuses ................................................. 385
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 385
Technical data................................. 387
Spare parts service ............................ 388
Warranty coverage............................. 389
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 389
Identification labels ........................... 390
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 391
E 320 / E 500 ............................... 391
E 55 AMG ..................................... 391
Engine................................................ 392
Rims and tires.................................... 394
Same size tires ............................. 394
Mixed size tires
(E 55 AMG only) ........................... 396
Minispare wheel ........................... 396
Electrical system ............................... 397
Main dimensions ............................... 398
Weights.............................................. 399Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 400
Capacities .................................... 400
Engine oils ................................... 403
Engine oil additives ...................... 403
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 403
Brake fluid.................................... 403
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 404
Fuel requirements ........................ 404
Gasoline additives ........................ 404
Coolants ...................................... 405
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 407
Consumer information ....................... 408
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 408
Technical terms............................... 411Index................................................. 417