2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 ABS

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.

417 Index
A
ABS 74, 411
ABS control 75
Malfunction indicator lamp 310
Messages in display 319
Warning lamp 310
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 164
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 182, 194
Air recirculation mode 180, 191
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 186
Central locking (control system) 149
Charcoal filter 192
Climate control 176
Defrosting 179
Distance warning function* 223
Distronic* 219
Easy-entry/exit feature* 150
ESP 79
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 120Front fog lamps 122
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 47
High beams 123
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 33
Immobilizer 53, 83
Rear fog lamp 121, 122
Rear window defroster 173
Residual heat 182, 194
Seat heater* 113
Tow-away alarm 85
Windshield wipers 48
Adding
Engine oil 284
Additional turn signal 359
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 195
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 178, 189
Air volume 178, 179, 190
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36Instrument cluster illumination 126
Interior rear view mirror 38
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 111
Seat cushion depth 111
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 36
Seats 34
Steering column height 37
Steering wheel 37
Adjusting steering column in or out 37
Adjusting steering column up or down 37
Adjusting the dynamic seat 153
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 182, 194
Turning on 182, 194
Air distribution
Adjusting 178, 189
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 290
Air recirculation mode 180, 191
Activating 180, 191
Deactivating 181, 192

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

423 Index
Distronic* 214, 412
Activated 218
Activating 219
Calling up settings 136, 217
Cleaning system sensor 305
Cruise control lever 218
Deactivated 218
Deactivating 221
Deceleration 217
Decreasing distance 222
Displays in the speedometer dial 216
Distance warning function 222
Driving hints 223
Increasing distance 222
Intermittent signal tone 216
Menu 217
Messages in display 320
Sensor cover 305
Setting a higher speed 219
Setting a slower speed 220
Setting the current speed 219
Setting the following distance in
Distronic 221
Warning and indicator lamps 216Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 125
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 257
Doors
Message in display 332
Opening from inside vehicle 97
Opening from outside 94
Downhill driving
Cruise control 212
Downshifting 159
Drive-Dynamic seat* 112
Driving
General instructions 40
Hydroplaning 271
In winter 273
Problems 50
Safety systems 74
With Distronic* 223
Driving hints
SBC brake system 81
Driving instructions 267
Driving off 270Driving safety systems
4MATIC 82
ABS 74
BAS 76
ESP 76, 412
SBC brake system 79
Driving systems 211
Airmatic DC* 226
Cruise control 211
Distronic* 214
Driving safety systems 74
Vehicle level control 227
DTR see Distronic* 412
Dual control*
Airmatic DC* 226
E
Easy-entry/exit
Message in display 327, 347
Easy-entry/exit feature* 108
Activating 150
Interrupting movement 108, 151
Electrical fuses 385
Electrical system 397

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

429 Index
M
Main Dimensions 398
Maintenance 12
Malfunction
Displaying 137
Malfunction memory 137
Calling up 137
Clearing 138
MANUAL
Shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 165
Manual headlamp mode 120
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 357
Interior lighting control 125
Locking the trunk 105
Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof* 358
Unlocking the driver’s door 353
Unlocking the transmission lever 357
Unlocking the trunk lid 354
Massage function 113
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 190
Mechanical key 353Memory function 116, 413
Recalling positions from
memory 117
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing positions 118
Storing SmartKey dependent
settings 117
Menus 132
AUDIO 134
Control system 413
Distronic* 136, 217
In control system 132, 133
Malfunction memory 137
Settings menu 138
Standard display 134
Submenus 131
TEL* 155
Trip computer 153
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 141
Minispare wheel
Mounting 373Mirrors
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 168
Automatic antiglare* for inside
mirror 168
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 152, 169
Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 118
MON 279
MON (Motor Octane Number) 413
Mph or km/h in speedometer 141
Multicontour seat* 111
Multifunction display 129, 414
Selecting language 142
Standard display 133
Multifunction display messages
ABS 319
Batteries 320, 324, 325
Brake fluid 328
Brake pads 326
Check engine 313