2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 tires

ContentsPanorama sliding / pop-up roof* ........ 205
Opening and closing the
roller sunblinds............................. 205
Opening and closing the
panorama sliding / pop-up roof..... 206
Synchronizing the panorama
sliding / pop-up roof ..................... 209
Solar panel* ................................. 210
Driving systems ................................. 211
Cruise control............................... 211
Distronic*..................................... 214
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 226
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 229Loading .............................................. 233
Roof rack*.................................... 233
Ski sack* ..................................... 233
Split rear bench seat* .................. 236
Expanding the cargo area*........... 239
Loading instructions..................... 240
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 241
Useful features .................................. 242
Interior storage spaces ................ 242
Ashtrays ....................................... 246
Cigarette lighter ........................... 247
12-V socket* ................................ 248
Heated steering wheel* ............... 248
Telephone* .................................. 249
Tele Aid* ...................................... 250
Garage door opener ..................... 258
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 266
Driving instructions ........................... 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 268
Brakes.......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 270
Parking......................................... 270
Tires ............................................. 270
Hydroplaning................................ 271
Tire traction ................................. 272
Tire speed rating .......................... 272
Winter driving instructions ........... 273
Standing water............................. 274
Passenger compartment .............. 274
Driving abroad ............................. 274
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 275
Catalytic converter....................... 275
Emission control .......................... 276
Coolant temperature.................... 277

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 278
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 279
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 282
Transmission fluid level ................ 285
Coolant level ................................ 285
Battery ......................................... 287
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 288
Tires and wheels ................................ 289
Important guidelines .................... 289
Life of tire..................................... 290
Direction of rotation ..................... 290
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 290
Rotating wheels ........................... 293Winter driving ..................................... 295
Winter tires ................................... 295
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 296
Snow chains.................................. 296
Maintenance....................................... 297
Flexible Service System PLUS
(FSS PLUS).................................... 297
Clearing the service indicator ....... 298
Service term exceeded ................. 298
Calling up the service indicator..... 298
Resetting the service indicator ..... 298
Setting the date for special
works ............................................ 300
Calling up the service data
information ................................... 301
Vehicle care........................................ 302
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 302
Practical hints.................................. 309
What to do if … ................................... 310
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 310
Lamp in center console ................ 317
Messages in the display................ 318
Where will I find ...? ............................ 350
First aid kit.................................... 350
Vehicles with TIREFIT kit
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 350
Spare wheel .................................. 350
Luggage box ................................. 351
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 352
Unlocking / locking in an emergency .. 353
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 353
Locking the vehicle ....................... 354
Changing batteries in the
SmartKey/ SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 355
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 357
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever ........... 357
Opening / closing in an emergency..... 358
Sliding / pop-up roof* or panorama
sliding / pop-up roof* .................... 358

ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 359
Bulbs ............................................ 359
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 361
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 363
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 364
Removing wiper blades ................ 364
Installing wiper blades.................. 365
Flat tire .............................................. 366
Preparing the vehicle.................... 366
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 366
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 370
Batteries ............................................ 375
Disconnecting the battery ............ 376
Removing the battery ................... 377
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 377
Reconnecting the battery ............. 377
Jump starting ..................................... 378
Towing the vehicle ............................. 381
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 384
Fuses ................................................. 385
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 385
Technical data................................. 387
Spare parts service ............................ 388
Warranty coverage............................. 389
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 389
Identification labels ........................... 390
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 391
E 320 / E 500 ............................... 391
E 55 AMG ..................................... 391
Engine................................................ 392
Rims and tires.................................... 394
Same size tires ............................. 394
Mixed size tires
(E 55 AMG only) ........................... 396
Minispare wheel ........................... 396
Electrical system ............................... 397
Main dimensions ............................... 398
Weights.............................................. 399Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 400
Capacities .................................... 400
Engine oils ................................... 403
Engine oil additives ...................... 403
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 403
Brake fluid.................................... 403
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 404
Fuel requirements ........................ 404
Gasoline additives ........................ 404
Coolants ...................................... 405
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 407
Consumer information ....................... 408
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 408
Technical terms............................... 411Index................................................. 417

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage to and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden strong vibration or ride disturbance,
or you suspect that damage to your vehicle
has occurred, you should turn on your haz-
ard warning flashers, carefully slow down,
and drive with caution to an area which is a
safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


SBC (S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP, SBC and 4MATIC is only achieved
with winter tires (M + S tires), or snow
chains as required.Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, SBC and 4MATIC cannot
reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

75 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The - malfunction warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster dial flashes. Because of the
SBC brake system, you will not feel any
pulsation in the brake pedal.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 311).
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP is
engaged.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.

265 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care