2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 length

111 Controls in detailSeats
Removing and installing rear seat head
restraints
For removing and installing rear seat head
restraints, see “Expanding the cargo ar-
ea*” (
page 239)
Multicontour seat*
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the backrest to provide additional lum-
bar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest
cushion height and curvature can be con-
tinuously varied with switches on the right
side of the seat after turning the SmartKey
in the starter switch to position2 or press-
ing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
twice.1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolster adjustment

Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All lights in the instrument cluster
come on.Seat cushion depth

Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg using
switch1.
Backrest contour

Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using æ or
ç.

Move the backrest support to the bot-
tom by using button2 or to the center
by using button3.
Backrest side bolsters

Adjust the side bolsters so that they
provide good lateral support using
switch4.

156 Controls in detailControl systemAnswering a call
When your telephone is ready to receive
calls, you can answer a call at any time. In
the display you will then see the message:
Press buttons.
You have answered the call. In the dis-
play you see the length of the call.Ending a call

Press buttont.
You have ended the call. In the display
you will again see the standby mes-
sage.
Dialing a number from the phone book
If your telephone is ready to receive calls,
you may select and dial a number from the
phone book at any time.

Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until you see the
Tel
menu in the dis-
play.

Press buttonj ork.
The control system reads the phone
book which is stored in the telephone.
This may take up to 30 seconds. In the
display you will see the message Please wait
.
When the message
Please wait
disap-
pears, the phone book has been load-
ed.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the desired name appears in the
display.
The stored names are displayed in as-
cending or descending alphabetical or-
der.

Press buttons.
The system dials the selected phone
number.

If the connection is successful, the
name of the party you called and
the duration of the call will appear
in the display.
iIf you do not wish to accept a call,
press buttont.
iIf you press and holdj ork for
longer than one second, the system
scrolls rapidly through the list of names
until you release the button again.
Cancel the quick search mode by
pressingt.

160 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear ranges
With the gear selector lever in positionD,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left (D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right (D+).
The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display. If you press on the
accelerator when the engine has reached
its rpm limit, the transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Effect
ï
The transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies only to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission).
î
The transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies only to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission).
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

235 Controls in detail
Loading

Connect snap hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in
front of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding

Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs together (arrows).

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.

Close ski sack compartment cover.

273 Operation
Driving instructions
E55AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Z”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
above 149 mph (above 240 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gar selector lever to position N or in
case you have a manual transmission, de-
clutch. Try to keep the vehicle under con-
trol by corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
iFor information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 295).
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 296).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endarger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

297 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS PLUS)
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS PLUS
(Flexible Service System PLUS).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS PLUS may result in vehicle dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
FSS PLUS will notify you when your next
service is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):
Service A in XXXX miles (km)
Service A in XX days
Service A in X day
Service A due now!The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:
from
Service A(Minor service)
toService H(Major service)
iThe additional + after the type of ser-
v i c e i n d i c a t e s t he d e g r e e o f w e a r o f t h e
brake pads.
The brake pads may reach their wear
limit in the time period up to the next
service interval.
Have the brake pads checked and, if
necessary, replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center during your
next service appointment.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

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.

398 Technical dataMain dimensions
Main dimensionsModel
E320/E3204MATIC
E 500 / E 500 4MATIC
E55AMG
Overall vehicle length
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.9 in (4849 mm)
Overall vehicle width
71.7 in (1822 mm)
71.7 in (1822 mm)
71.7 in (1822 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.1 in (1449 mm)
Overall vehicle height (Airmatic DC*)
(optional on E320; standard on
E500 / E55 AMG)
56.2 in (1429 mm)
56.3 in (1431 mm)
55.6 in (1412 mm)
Wheelbase
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1559 mm)
61.7 in (1567 mm)
62.3 in (1583 mm)
Track, rear
61.1 in (1552 mm)
61.4 in (1560 mm)
61.3 in (1558 mm)