2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E55AMG Page 19

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The SBC brake system is automatically ac-
tivated when you:

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or the KEYLESS-GO*


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1


in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, press
the start/stop button on gear selector
lever once


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For
more information, refer to “Towing the vehi-
cle” (
page 381).
iIf the SBC brake system is activated as
the brake pedal is first depressed, you
may feel a reduced pedal resistance
and longer pedal travel than normal.
When releasing the pedal, you may also
feel the brake pedal pulsate and you
may hear a sound which is caused by
the activation of the SBC brake system-
pump. This is normal and not an indica-
tion of a malfunction. Pedal travel
returns to normal when you release the
brake pedal and the sound soon ceas-
es.
If you experience the above while driv-
ing and the red brake warning lamp
(page 312) illuminates and/or warn-
ing messages appear in the instrument
cluster (
page 318), the brake system
is malfunctioning. Follow the instruc-
tions of the warning message(s) and
have the brake system checked imme-
diately.


84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsAnti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk


the hood.
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed within approxi-
mately ten seconds after locking the vehi-
cle with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times to
indicate that the alarm system is activated.
The indicator lamp in the central locking
switch (
page 25) begins to flash after
arming the alarm system.Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps flash
once to indicate that the alarm system is
deactivated.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* (
page 250) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk lid
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.

85 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Canceling the alarm
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is canceled.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.
The alarm is canceled.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming the tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.
Disarming the tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the overhead con-
trol panel.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* (
page 250), provided that the
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.

88 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote controls and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each key unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey 1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for the trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 73)

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press buttonŒ.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if:


neither door nor trunk is opened


the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch


the central locking switch is not acti-
vated
Global locking

Press button‹.
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey so that
pressingŒ only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.

Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp5 flashes
twice.
The SmartKey will then function as fol-
lows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap
Press buttonΠonce.
Global unlocking

Press buttonΠtwice.
Global locking

Press button‹.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. It is possible for children
to open a looked door from the inside, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey to high levels of
electromagnetic radiation.iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 197) and
sliding / pop-up roof* (
page 201) or
panorama sliding / pop-up roof*
(
page 208) using the SmartKey.

90 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingRestoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp5 flashes
twice.
Unlocking and opening the trunk lid
You can unlock and open the trunk sepa-
rately.
A minimum height clearance of 5.90 ft
(1.80 m) is required to open the trunk lid.

Press buttonŠ until trunk unlocks
and begins to open.The trunk can also be opened from its in-
side in an emergency, see “Trunk lid emer-
gency release” (
page 104).
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey, then the
batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the SmartKey is malfunction-
ing or the vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the Smart-
Key (
page 91) and replace them if
necessary (
page 355).


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the doors (
page 353).


Have the vehicle batteries and their
connections checked.


Use the mechanical key to lock the
doors (
page 353) and the trunk
lid (if applicable) (
page 105).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance.
Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing
system*: to stop the opening proce-
dure, press buttonŠ. The trunk lid
stops moving.
iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still
locked separately (
page 105).
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally when closed (page 99). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button‹ orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on brief-
ly to indicate that the SmartKey batter-
ies are in order.Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Specially equipped vehicles come with two
SmartKeys with KEYLESS-GO, each with
remote controls and a removable mechan-
ical key. The locking tabs for the mechani-
cal key portion of the two SmartKeys are a
different color to help distinguish each
SmartKey unit.
The KEYLESS-GO function is integrated
into the SmartKey. On these vehicles, the
validity of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is checked every time you grasp a door
handle.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is valid,
your vehicle unlocks

the doors


the trunk lid


the fuel filler flap
!If battery check lamp5 does not
come on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 355).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within sig-
nal range of the vehicle, pressing the
button‹ orŒ will lock or unlock
the vehicle accordingly.

92 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingSmartKey 1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for the trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 73)
For more information on using the
SmartKey buttons, see “SmartKey”
(
page 88).Important notes on using KEYLESS-GO


You can also use the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO like a normal SmartKey
(page 88).


You can combine KEYLESS-GO func-
tions with normal SmartKey functions
(e.g. unlocking with KEYLESS-GO and
locking with the remote control).


Always carry the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO with you.


Never store the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO together with:

Electronic items such as a cellular
phone or another SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO


Metallic objects such as coins or
metal foil
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause serious personal
injury.!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 197) and
sliding / pop-up roof* (
page 201) or
panorama sliding / pop-up roof*
(
page 208) using the SmartKey.