376 Practical hintsBatteries
Disconnecting the battery
Depress parking brake firmly or move
gear selector lever to positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Open the trunk.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
The SBC 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. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. 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! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to “SBC brake
system” (
page 79).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
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.
394 Technical dataRims and tires
Rims and tiresUse only tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as:
Poor handling characteristics
Increased noise
Increased fuel consumption
Same size tires
16’’ tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. This may result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A tire inflation
pressure table is located on the fuel fill-
er flap of the vehicle. The tire pressure
should be checked regularly and
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow the tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with
the vehicle.
E320/E3204MATIC
Rims (light alloy)
8 J x 16
Wheel offset
1.4 in (36 mm)
Summer tires(radial-ply tires)
-
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
225/55 R 16 95H M+S
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
-
404 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the
pu mp ) m ust b e 91 m i n. It is an a ve ra ge
of both the Research (R) Octane Num-
ber and the Motor (M) Octane Number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking / pinging
Misfire
Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
costs and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
gasoline is not available and low octane
fuel is used, follow these precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration
Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage
D o n o t e x c e e d 2 / 3 o f m a x i m u m a c -
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain
417 Index
A
ABS 74, 411
ABS control 75
Malfunction indicator lamp 310
Messages in display 319
Warning lamp 310
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 164
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 182, 194
Air recirculation mode 180, 191
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 186
Central locking (control system) 149
Charcoal filter 192
Climate control 176
Defrosting 179
Distance warning function* 223
Distronic* 219
Easy-entry/exit feature* 150
ESP 79
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 120Front fog lamps 122
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 47
High beams 123
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 33
Immobilizer 53, 83
Rear fog lamp 121, 122
Rear window defroster 173
Residual heat 182, 194
Seat heater* 113
Tow-away alarm 85
Windshield wipers 48
Adding
Engine oil 284
Additional turn signal 359
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 195
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 178, 189
Air volume 178, 179, 190
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36Instrument cluster illumination 126
Interior rear view mirror 38
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 111
Seat cushion depth 111
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 36
Seats 34
Steering column height 37
Steering wheel 37
Adjusting steering column in or out 37
Adjusting steering column up or down 37
Adjusting the dynamic seat 153
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 182, 194
Turning on 182, 194
Air distribution
Adjusting 178, 189
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 290
Air recirculation mode 180, 191
Activating 180, 191
Deactivating 181, 192
420 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 411
Calling up
Distronic* settings 136
Range (distance to empty) 154
Service indicator 298
CAN system 411
Cargo tie-down rings 241
CD player
Operating 135
Center console
Lower part 26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp 317
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 141
Central locking
Automatic 106
From inside 107
Switch 107
Switching on/off (control
system) 149
Unlocking from inside 107Central locking switch 107
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 355, 356
Batteries (SmartKey) 355, 356
Smartkey setting 150
Vehicle level 228
Charcoal filter 192
Activating 192
Deactivating 193
Charging
Vehicle batteries 377
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 313
Checking
Coolant level 285
Oil level 279, 282
Tire inflation pressure 279
Vehicle lighting 279
Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
65
LATCH child seat anchors 71Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 72
Cigarette lighter 247
Cleaning
Headlamps 170
Light alloy wheels 305
Parktronic* system sensor 305
Windshield 49
Wood trims 308
Climate control 174
Adjusting 178
Defrosting 179
Setting the temperature 178
Clock 144
Closing
Glove box 242
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 206
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 209
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 200
Roller sunblinds 205
Side windows 198
435 Index
Speed in cruise control 213
Speed in Distronic* 219
Speedometer display mode 141
Suspension tuning 226
Synchronizing the time 144
Temperature (interior) 178, 188
Temperature indicator 141
Tire inflation pressure 143
Units
Speedometer 141
Temperature 141
Tire inflation pressure 143
Vehicle level control 227
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 136, 217
Convenience functions 150
Factory, KEYLESS-GO* 94
Factory, SmartKey 89
Individual 152
Lighting (control system) 146
Menus and submenus 131
Resetting all (control system) 138
Resetting in the submenu 139
Selective 89, 94Settings menu
Functions in 138
Individual vehicle settings 138
Submenus 139
Shift lock 415
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 161
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 159
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps 359, 363
Side windows
Automatic opening 198
Cleaning 306
Closing 197, 198, 199
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 200, 203
Closing with SmartKey 199
Opening 197, 199
Opening fully (Express-open) 198
Opening with SmartKey 199
Stopping 199
Synchronizing power windows 200
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 49Single wipe 49
Ski sack* 233
Removing 236
Unfolding and loading 233
Unloading and folding 235
SL 55 AMG Kompressor
MANUAL shift program mode 165
Sliding/pop-up roof* 201
Closing 201
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 200, 203
Closing with SmartKey 202
Opening 201
Opening with SmartKey 202
Stopping 202
Synchronizing 204
Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof*
Emergency operations 358
SmartKey 88
Battery check lamp 89, 94
Checking the batteries 91, 96
Factory setting 89
Global locking 89
Global locking and unlocking 89
Global unlocking 89
438 IndexTemperature
Display mode 141
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 178,
188
Setting units in display 141
Tires 291
The coolant level is correct if the
level 286
Tie-down rings (trunk) 241
Tightening torque 374, 415
Time
Setting hours 144
Setting minutes 144, 145
Tire inflation pressure 368
Setting units 143
Tire speed rating 415
Tire traction 272
TIREFIT 350
TIREFIT kit
Preparing TIREFIT 367
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 366
TIREFIT kit 366Tires 408
Driving instructions 270
Messages in display 342
Messages in the display 340, 341
Retreads 289
Service life 290
Temperature 291
Tread depth 295
Wear pattern 293
Winter 295
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 290
Tools 352
Tow-away alarm 85
Arming 85
Disarming 85
Disarming for transport 85
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 384
Towing the vehicle 381
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 258
Traction 164, 415
Transmission fluid level 285
Tread depth (tires 295
Trip computer 153Trip odometer
Resetting 127
Trunk
Closing the lid 99
Lamp 125
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 96
Message in display 347
Opening 97
Opening from inside vehicle 98
Opening from the inside 99
Separately locking 105
Tie-down rings 241
Trunk lid 99
Trunk lid emergency release 104
Unlocking and opening with
KEYLESS-GO* 95
Unlocking and opening with
SmartKey 90
Unlocking in an emergency 354
Trunk lid
Closing 99
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 359
Front bulbs 359
Turning off
Engine 52