2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 headlamp

282 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

288 OperationEngine compartmentWindshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of:

Vehicles without headlamp cleaning
system: approximately 4.8 US qt (4.5
l).


Vehicles with headlamp cleaning sys-
tem: approximately 7.4 US qt (7 l).During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent / antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 407).
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
iThe windshield washer system on this
vehicle is heated, so a fluid mixture pro-
duced to resist freezing at tempera-
tures of approximately 14° F (-10° C)
should be sufficient.Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer solvent /
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it
may ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.

295 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 406).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started and the
SBC brake system will be fully opera-
tional, even at low ambient tempera-
tures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP and 4MATIC in
winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

304 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax should be applied to the engine
compartment after every engine cleaning.
Before applying, all control linkage bush-
ings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be pro-
tected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently. Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in out-
side mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the undercarriage, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inad-
vertently locked or unlocked.

338 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
High beam,
left
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam,
right
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Lamp sensor
Visit workshop!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual mode (
page 146).

Switch on headlamps using the exteri-
or lamp switch.
Low beam, left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Low beam, right
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

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

359 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Standing lamps


Tail lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn signal
lamps
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
3
Side marker lamp
W 5 W
4
Halogen headlamps:
Low beam
Bi-Xenon* headlamps:
Low and high beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps* do not replace
the Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself.
H7 (55 W)
D2S-35 W
5
Halogen headlamps:
High beam/high beam
flasher
Bi-Xenon* headlamps:
High beam flasher
H7 (55 W)
H7 (55 W)
Parking and standing
lamps
W 5 W
6
Fog lamp
H1 (55 W)

361 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2High beam halogen bulb
3Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
4Cover for Bi-Xenon* (low beam and
high beam) or halogen (low beam)
headlampBi-Xenon* headlamps Low beam halogen bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 281).

Turn the locking mechanism counter-
clockwise and remove headlamp
cover4.

Pull electrical connector off.

Release the retaining springs and take
out the bulb.

Insert the new bulb in the socket so
that the base is in the recess on the
lower left.

Attach the retaining springs.

Insert connector into the bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover4 for the Bi-Xe-
non headlamp. Because of high voltage in
Xenon lamps, it is dangerous to replace the
bulb or repair the lamp and its components.
We recommend that you have such work
done by a qualified technician.

362 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsHigh beam halogen bulb 
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 281).

Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover.

Pull electrical connector off.

Turn the locking mechanism counter-
clockwise and take out the high beam
bulb2.

Insert the new bulb in the socket so
that the base is in the recess on the
lower left.

Attach the retaining springs.

Insert connector into the bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.Front turn signal lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 281).

Twist bulb socket 1 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise.Parking and standing lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 281).

Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover.

Pull out the bulb socket3 with the
bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert a new bulb in the socket.

Reinstall the bulb socket.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.