2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 steering

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pres. RL
Caution
Tire defect
The left rear tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. RL
Check tires!
The left rear tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. RR
Caution
Tire defect
The right rear tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrubt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. RR
Check tires!
The right rear tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

344 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pres. FL
Caution
Tire defect
The left front tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. FL
Check tires!
The right rear tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire pressure.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. FR
Caution
Tire defect
The right front tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrubt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Tire pres. FR
Check tires!
The right front tire pressure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Change the wheel (
page 370).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

346 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
L
Tele Aid defective
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tele Aid battery
Visit workshop!
The emergency power battery for the Tele
Aid system is malfunctioning. If the vehi-
cle battery is also dead, Tele Aid will not
be operational.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
1
Restraint system
malfunction
Visit workshop!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
t
Function
Not available!
This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the SRS may not be ac-
tivated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it
might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessar-
ily which could also result in injury.

347 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
_
Steering oil
Visit workshop!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.

Have the system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Entry position
Do not drive!
Seat, mirrors and steering wheel have not
yet moved to their preset driving posi-
tions.

Wait until the seat, mirrors and steer-
ing wheel have moved to their driving
positions.
The message disappears.
Ê
Trunk open!
This message will appear whenever the
trunk lid is open.

Close the trunk lid.
W
Washer fluid
Check level!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 288).
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
Vehicle rising!
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level se-
lection.
Level selec. canceled
The “Raised” level setting is canceled at
vehicle speeds of over 75 mph
(120 km / h).

Reactivate the “Raised” level setting.
Stop, car too low!
The vehicle level control is malfunction-
ing.
Avoid excessive steering input. The fend-
er or tires could otherwise be damaged.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km / h).
Drive to the side of the road and se-
lect a higher vehicle level. Depending
on the type of malfunction, this may
raise the vehicle’s level.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Visit workshop!
The system is functional only to a limited
extent.
The system display or the system is mal-
functioning.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km / h).

Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

366 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight-ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT (E 55 AMG) Small tire punctures, only those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
TIREFIT to come in contact with hair, eyes or
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swal-
lowed or absorbed through the skin. It caus-
es skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.

382 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes may only be applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to “SBC brake
system” (
page 79).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.

391 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
E320/E500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
E55AMGThe E 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts (belt one
shown in purple / belt two shown in black).1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3Power steering pump
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSuper charger