2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Battery warning

378 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the main battery installed in the
trunk.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

379 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the trunk under-
neath the luggage box (
page 351). Only
jump start the vehicle from the battery in
the trunk.

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Connect positive terminals1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.
1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged bat-
tery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 287).
!Never invert the terminal connections!

383 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start / stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 85).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 106).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the battery
is disconnected or discharged. See
notes on the battery (
page 375) or
on jump starting (
page 378).
Manual unlocking transmission selec-
tor lever (
page 357).

419 Index
Manual shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 165
Manual shifting 159
One-touch gearshifting 159
Program mode selector switch 164
Selector lever position 158
Starting the engine 43
Winter program mode 164
B
BabySmartTM
Airbag deactivation system 67
Compatible child seats 411
Self-test 68
BabySmartTM airbag deactivation
system 411
Backrest
Folding forward 236
Folding rearward 238
BAS 76, 411
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 355, 356
Check lamp 90, 94
Checking 91, 96Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 355, 356
Checking 91, 96
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 377
Disconnecting 376
Messages in display 320, 324, 325
Reconnecting 377
Removing 377
Service 375
Battery discharged
Jump starting 378
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 411
Block heater* 296
Blocking
Rear window operation 72
Brake assist system (BAS) 411
Brake fluid 279, 328
Brake pads
Message in display 326
Brakes
Warning lamp 312
Break-in period 266Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 359
Fog lamps 359
Front lamps 359, 361
High beam 359
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps
only) 362
High beam bulb (Halogen headlamps
only) 362
High mounted brake lamp 360
License plate lamps 360, 363
Low beam 359
Parking lamps 360, 362
Side marker lamps 359, 363
Standing lamps 360, 362
Tail lamp 360
Tail lamp assemblies 363
Turn signal lamp 359

422 IndexD
Daytime running lamp mode 121
Setting 146
Deactivating
Air conditioning 182
Air recirculation mode 181, 192
Alarm 84
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 181, 186
Central locking (control system) 149
Climate control 176
Cruise control 212
Defrost 180, 190
Distance warning function* 223
Distronic* 221
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 53
ESP 78
Exterior lamps 120
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 83
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 149
Rear window defroster 173Residual heat 183
Seat heater* 113
Seat ventilation* 114
SmartKey
Turning off the engine 53
Tow-away alarm 85
Deceleration
With Distronic* 217
Defogging
Windshield 179, 189
Defrosting 179, 190
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 149
Dialing
A number (telephone) 156
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 50
With starting 45
Digital speedometer 134
Direction of rotation 290
Discharged battery
Jump starting 378Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 376
Display
Selecting 142, 143
Displays
Digital speedometer 134
Distronic* 216
Messages 283
Selecting 142
Service indicator 297
Showing malfunctions 137
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 222
Increasing in Distronic* 222
Warning function 222
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 153
Distance warning function* 222
Activating 223
Deactivating 223
DTR* warning lamp 222
Intermittent warning sound 222
Symbol in multifunction display 136

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

433 Index
Removing
Ski sack 236
Vehicle battery 377
Wheel 372
Wiper blades 365
removing and installing
Front seat head restraints 109
Replacing
Bulbs 359
Front lamp bulbs 361
Front turn signal lamp bulb 362
Fuses 385
License plate lamp bulbs 363
Parking and standing lamp bulb 362
Rear lamp bulbs 360, 363
Side marker lamp bulb 363
Wiper blades 364
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reprogramming
integrated remote control 263
Reset button in the instrument
cluster 138Resetting
All functions (control system) 138
All functions of a submenu 139
Fuel consumption 154
Service indicator (FSS) 298, 300,
301
Trip odometer 127
Residual heat utilization 182, 194
Residual ventilation 182, 194
REST (Residual engine heat
utilization) 194
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 65
Rims and Tires 394
Roadside Assistance
Tele Aid* 250
Roadside assistance 12
Rolling code programming 261
RON (Research Octane Number) 279,
414
Roof rack* 233
Rotating wheels 293
Rubber parts
Cleaning 308S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 74
Saving current speed 212
SBC 79
SBC brake system 415
Activation 80
Deactivation 81
Driving hints 81
Messages in display 326, 327
Self-check 81
Warning lamp 79
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 366
Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belts 62
Cleaning 307
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 63
Safety guidelines 60
Warning lamp 315