2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 traction control

311 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS / ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated. Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.

Turn the ESP back on (
page 79).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.
v
The yellow ABS / ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ABS, ESP or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire. Distronic* is deacti-
vated.
Distronic* is switched off.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 79).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

408 Technical dataConsumer information
Consumer informationThe following text is published as required
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1½) times as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

415 Technical terms
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 SmartKey turned and brake
pedal depressed.
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-
vided 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.
Vehicle level control
The ground clearance of the vehicle is
automatically controlled according to a
selected setting and speed.The driver
can set the ground clearance manually
for example on very rough roads.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

424 IndexElectronic Stability Program see ESP 76,
412
Emergency call system* 250
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 253
With Tele Aid* 252
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 167
Opening/closing Sliding/pop-up roof*
or panorama sliding/pop-up
roof* 358
Releasing trunk lid from inside 104
Emergency operations
Remote door unlock 257
Unlocking the trunk lid 354
Unlocking the vehicle 353
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 64, 412
Emission control 276
Ending
A call (telephone) 156Engine 392
Compartment 281
Message in the display 313
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 44
Starting with the SmartKey 44
Turning off with the key 53
Engine compartment
Hood 281
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 313
Engine number 412
Engine oil
Adding 284
Additives 403
Checking level 282
Consumption 282
Display messages 333
Filler neck 285
Messages in display 283
Viscosity 412
Entry position
Messages in the display 347ESP 76, 412
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 82
Switching off 78
Switching on 79
Synchronizing 323
Warning lamp 311
ETD 412
Safety guidelines 60
Exterior lamp switch 119
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position for 152
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 141
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 213
First aid kit 350
Flat tire 366
Mounting the spare wheel 370
Spare wheel 370
Flexible 297

425 Index
Flexible Service System (FSS) 297, 412
Fog lamp, rear 122
Fog lamps, front 122
Messages in display 337
Replacing bulbs 359
Switching on 122
Following distance in Distronic* 221
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 82
4MATIC 82
Front airbags 61
Front lamps 359
Messages in display 338
Replacing bulbs 361
Switching on 119
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 109
removing and installing 109
Front seats
Heater* 113
FSS (Flexible Service System) 297, 412
Fuel 279
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 315
Premium unleaded gasoline 279Fuel consumption statistics
After start 153
Since last reset 154
Fuel filler flap 278
Locking 278
Unlocking 278
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 335
Fuel tank
Filler flap 278
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 400
Fully closing (Express-close) the slid-
ing/pop-up roof 202
Fully opening (Express-open) the slid-
ing/pop-up roof 202
Functions (control system) 133
Resetting 139
Fuse chart 385
Fuses 385
Fuse chart 385
Fuse extractor 385
Spare fuses 385G
Garage door opener 27, 258
Erasing the integrated remote
control 263
Integrated remote control 259
Rolling code programming 261
Gasoline see Fuel 279
Gear range 413
Automatic transmission 160
Limiting 160
Shifting into optimal 159
Gear range limit
Canceling 159
Gear selector lever
Position 161
Global
Locking 89
Locking with KEYLESS-GO* 94
Unlocking 89
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 94
Global Positioning System (GPS) 413
Glove box 242
Closing 242
Opening 242
Good visibility 168