2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 airbag off

317 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp comes on.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore, the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmartTM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp does not come on with a
BabySmart
TM child seat properly installed
on the front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between
seat cushion and child seat and check
installation of the child seat.

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.

411 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
ADS
(A
daptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Airmatic DC
(A
irmatic D
ual C
ontrol)
Automatically selects the optimum sus-
pension tuning and ride height for your
vehicle. Airmatic consists of two com-
ponents:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level control
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed
(PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp located in the center console
comes on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
a light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

418 IndexAir vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 195
Air volume
Adjusting 178, 179, 190
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 317
Airbags 57
BabySmartTM airbag deactivation
system 411
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* 226
Alarm
Audible 73, 85
Canceling 85
Visual 84
Alarm system
Anti-theft 84
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 352,
372, 411Antiglare
Automatic 168
Antilock brake system (ABS) 411
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 85
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems 83
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm 85
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 271
Ashtray 246
At the gas station 278
AUDIO menu 134
Selecting radio station 134
Selecting satellite radio* station 135
Audio system
CD mode 135
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 168
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 149Automatic climate control
Temperature sensor 27
Automatic climate control* 184
Adjusting air distribution 189
Adjusting air volume 179, 190
Air recirculation mode 191
Defrosting 190
Rear window defroster 173
Residual heat utilization 194
Residual ventilation 194
Setting the temperature 188
Automatic headlamp mode 120
Automatic lighting control
Activating 124
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic transmission 158
Accelerator position 164
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 167
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever position 161
Gear shifting malfunctions 167
Kickdown 164

420 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 411
Calling up
Distronic* settings 136
Range (distance to empty) 154
Service indicator 298
CAN system 411
Cargo tie-down rings 241
CD player
Operating 135
Center console
Lower part 26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp 317
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 141
Central locking
Automatic 106
From inside 107
Switch 107
Switching on/off (control
system) 149
Unlocking from inside 107Central locking switch 107
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 355, 356
Batteries (SmartKey) 355, 356
Smartkey setting 150
Vehicle level 228
Charcoal filter 192
Activating 192
Deactivating 193
Charging
Vehicle batteries 377
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 313
Checking
Coolant level 285
Oil level 279, 282
Tire inflation pressure 279
Vehicle lighting 279
Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
65
LATCH child seat anchors 71Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 72
Cigarette lighter 247
Cleaning
Headlamps 170
Light alloy wheels 305
Parktronic* system sensor 305
Windshield 49
Wood trims 308
Climate control 174
Adjusting 178
Defrosting 179
Setting the temperature 178
Clock 144
Closing
Glove box 242
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 206
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 209
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 200
Roller sunblinds 205
Side windows 198

427 Index
Interior lighting 124
Activating automatic control 124
Deactivating automatic control 125
Delayed switch-off 149
Manual operation 125
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Interior storage spaces 242
Glove box 242
J
Jack 350
Jump starting 378
K
Key, Mechanical 353
Key, SmartKey
Changing the batteries 355, 356
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing the batteries 355, 356KEYLESS-GO*
Activating ignition with 33
Closing
Trunk 102, 103
Closing panorama sliding/pop-up
roof* 200, 203
Closing side windows 200, 203
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 200,
203
Factory setting 94
Global locking 94
Global unlocking 94
Important notes 92
Locking the vehicle 96
Remote controls 91
Starting the engine 44
Turning off engine 53
Unlocking and opening, trunk lid 95
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 164, 413
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 141
Km/h or mph in speedometer 141L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 359
Lamps, exterior
Front 359
Light sensor 338
Messages in display 338–??
Replacing bulbs for rear 360, 363
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 310
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 89, 94
Brakes 312
CHECK ENGINE 313
Coolant 314
DTR* 216
Engine diagnostics 313
ESP 311
Fuel reserve 313
SBC 79
Seat belts 313, 315
Service indicator 297
SRS 57

431 Index
Opening and closing
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 208
Opening from the inside
Trunk 99
Opening the trunk from the outside 97
Operating
CD player 135
Radio 134
Safety 16
Telephone* 155
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operation
Garage door opener 262
Integrated remote control 262
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 304
Outside temperature indicator 128
Overdue service 297
Overhead control panel 27
Garage door opener 258
Overspeed range 414P
Paintwork 303
Panic alarm 73
Panic button on SmartKey 73
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof
Opening and closing with
SmartKey 208
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* 205
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 242
Parking 51
Parking brake 45, 51
Engaging 51
Message in display 327
Releasing 45
Parking lamps 359
Replacing the bulbs 362
Switching on 119
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 118, 152,
169
Parktronic*
Malfunctioning 232
Sensor 305PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp 317
Passenger compartment
Fuse box 385
Interior lighting 124
Interior rear view mirror 38
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 56
Pedals 267
Phone book*
Loading 156
Quick search 156
Phone number*
Dialing 156
Redialing 157
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 308
Pliers, universal (vehicle tool kit) 352
Poly-V-belt drive 414
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 117
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 117
Power assistance 268

434 IndexSeat cushion depth
Adjusting 111
Seat heater*
Switching off 113
Switching on 113
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 114
Switching on 114
Seats 108
Adjusting 34
Easy entry/exit feature* 108
Heater* 113
Multicontour seat* 111
Split rear bench seat* 236
Ventilation 114
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 241
Selecting display 142, 143
Selector lever
Lock 43
Message in the display 323
Position (automatic
transmission) 158Self-test
BabySmartTM airbag deactivation
system 68
Tele Aid* 251
Service
Batteries 375
Calling up the service indicator 298
Major service (Service H) 297
Minor service (Service A) 297
Overdue 298
Types 297
When due 297
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 297
Calling up 298
Clearing 298
Service life (tires) 290
Service System see FSS 297
Setting
Convenience functions 140, 150
Cruise control 212
Daytime running lamp mode 146
Distronic* time interval 221Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 118
Higher speed in cruise control 213
Higher speed in Distronic* 219
Hours (clock) 144
Individual vehicle settings 138
Instrument lighting 126, 127
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 149
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 146
Language, multifunction display 142
Locator lighting 147
Lower speed in cruise control 213
Lower speed in Distronic* 220
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 141
Minutes (clock) 144, 145
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 152
Slower speed in cruise control 213
Slower speed in Distronic* 220
Smartkey dependent memory 152