2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 light

290 OperationTires and wheelsLife of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:

Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
maximum values or inflate tires below
the minimum values listed in the fuel
filler flap.

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.

307 Operation
Vehicle care
Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow the instructions on the container.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in a lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Clean with a soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.
iUse only acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid could lead to corrosion.
Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.

308 OperationVehicle careLeather upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that has the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
E x e r c i s e p a r t i c u l a r c a r e w h e n c l e a n i n g p e r -
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
Nubuck leather upholstery (E 55 AMG)
The nubuck leather upholstery is treated
with a protective coating. Wipe nubuck
leather upholstery with damp microfiber
cloth to remove dust and other light stains.
Carefully dab nubuck leather upholstery
with a microfiber cloth to remove oil stains.MB Tex upholstery
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use damp
cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.
!Do not use Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care or any solvents to clean
nubuck leather upholstery.
Avoid hard scrubbing on nubuck leath-
er upholstery.

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.

337 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Brake light
Visit workshop!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake light, left
Back-up light on!
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake light, right
Back-up light on!
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglight,
left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglight,
right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Headlt. cornering
The Bi-Xenon cornering lamps system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Headlt. cornering
Back- up light on
The Bi-Xenon cornering lamps system is
malfunctioning. Another light is being
used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Headlt. cornering
malfunction
Visit workshop!
The Bi-Xenon cornering lamps system is
malfunctioning.

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

339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Marker light
,
front left
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Marker light
front right
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Park. light, front left
Back-up light on!

The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Park. light,
front right
Back-up light on!

The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglight
Back-up light on!

The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse light, left
The left reverse light is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse light, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lights!
Lamps have been turned on although the
SmartKey in the starter switch is in posi-
tion 0.

Switch off the headlights.
Tail light, left
Back-up light on!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Tail light, right
Back-up light on!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

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

340 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Turn signal, rear left
Back-up light on!

The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, rear right
Back-up light on!

The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig., front left
Back-up light on!

The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig., front right
Back-up light on!

The right front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig.,
left
mirror
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
Turn sig.,

right
mirror
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
H
Tire pres. monitor
activated
!
The tire pressure is being checked.
Tire pres. monitor
Reactivate
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is de-
activated.

Activate the tire inflation pressure
monitor* (
page 292).