2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON key

431 Practical hints
Towing 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 sure 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 92).
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.

432 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start / stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 99).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 122).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the battery
is disconnected or discharged. For
more information, see “Battery”
(page 424) and “Jump starting”
(page 428).
For information on manual unlocking of
the transmission selector lever, see
(page 405).

461 Technical terms
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
service, calculates other maintenance
service work required, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 333)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 333)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 333)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer
and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 333)
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.

462 Technical termsMaintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Vehicle Main-
tenance System in your vehicle tracks
distance driven and the time elapsed
since your last maintenance service,
calculates other maintenance service
work required, and calls for the next
maintenance service accordingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 333)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 333)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 334)
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions for each SmartKey.MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 334)Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine sp ee d ra nge , a s i t m ay re sul t in s e-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.

465 Index
A
ABS 87, 459
ABS control 87
Malfunction indicator lamp 352
Messages in display 364
Warning lamp 352
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 189
Accessory weight 332
Accident
In case of 55
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 206, 218
Air recirculation mode 204, 216
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Automatic climate control
(4-zone*) 213
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 201
Central locking (control system) 174
Climate control 198, 199
Defrosting 203, 215
Distance warning function* 241
Distronic* 237
Easy-entry/exit feature* 175
ESP 92Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 142
Fog lamps 144
Hazard warning flasher 146
Headlamps 51
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 57, 97
Rear window defroster 195
Residual heat 207, 219
Seat heater* 132
Tow-away alarm 99
Windshield wipers 52
Activating intermitted wipe 54
Activating intermittent wipe 54
Adding
Engine oil 302
Additional turn signal 411
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 219
Adjusting 38
Air distribution 214
Air volume 202, 215
Backrest tilt 39
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 130Exterior rear view mirror 42
Head restraint height 40, 128
Head restraint tilt 40
Instrument cluster illumination 150
Interior rear view mirror 42
Mirrors 41
Rear head restraints 129
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 39
Seat height 39
Seats 38
Steering column height 41
Steering wheel 40
Adjusting seat backrest position 249
Adjusting steering column in or out 41
Adjusting steering column up or down 41
Adjusting the dynamic seat 177
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 206, 218
Turning on 206, 218
Air distribution
Adjusting 201, 214
Air pressure 332
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 318

467 Index
Automatic transmission 183
Comfort program mode 188
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 190
Gear ranges 186
Gear selector lever position 187
Gear shifting malfunctions 190
Manual shifting 185
One-touch gearshifting 185
Program mode selector switch 188
Selector lever position 183
Starting the engine 47
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position 189
Kickdown 189
B
Backrest
Folding forward 247
Folding rearward 248
Bar 333
BAS 89, 459
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 408, 409
Check lamp 105, 111
Checking 106, 112Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 408, 409
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 427
Disconnecting 426
Reconnecting 427
Removing 426
Service 424
Battery discharged
Jump starting 428
Bead 333
Belt reel 254
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 459
Block heater* 338
Blocking
Rear window operation 84
Brake assist system (BAS) 459
Brake fluid 297, 377
Brake pads
Message in display 375
Brakes
Brake fluid 298
Warning lamp 354
Break-in period 284Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 410
Fog lamps 410
Front lamps 410, 413
High beam 411
High mounted brake lamp 411
License plate lamps 411, 415
Low beam 411
Parking lamps 411
Side marker lamps 410, 415
Standing lamps 411
Tail lamp 411
Tail lamp assemblies 415
Turn signal lamp 410
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 459
Calling up
Distronic* settings 160
Maintenance service indicator 341
Range (distance to empty) 179
CAN system 459
Cargo compartment
Fuse box 435
Cargo compartment cover 257
Cargo management system* 252
Cargo net 256

468 IndexCargo tie-down rings 251
CD player
Operating 159
Center console
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 360
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 165
Central locking
From inside 122
Switch 122
Switching on/off (control
system) 174
Unlocking from inside 122
Central locking switch 122
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 408, 409
Batteries (SmartKey) 408, 409
SmartKey setting 175
Vehicle level 246
Charging
Vehicle batteries 427CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 355
Checking
Coolant level 303
Oil level 297, 300
Tire inflation pressure 297
Vehicle lighting 297
Child safety 73
Airbags 64
Infant and child restraint systems 69,
73
LATCH child seat anchors 83
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 84
Cigarette lighter 266
Cleaning
Headlamps 191
Windshield 53
Wood trims 350
Cleaning tires 309
Clock 168Closing
Glove box 259
Power tilt /sliding sunroof* 225
Side windows 222
Tailgate
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 119,
121
Windows 221
Closing the tailgate 117, 119, 121
Closing the tailgate from the outside (vehi-
cles without KEYLESS-GO*) 118
Cockpit 22, 459
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 460
Cold tire inflation pressure 333
Collapsible wheel chock 403
COMAND 460
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 145
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 52
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode 188

469 Index
Control system 153, 460
AUDIO menu 158
Convenience submenu 175
Display digital speedometer 158
Distronic* menu 160
Functions 157
Instrument cluster submenu 165,
167
Lighting submenu 170
Menus 156, 157
Multifunction display 153
Multifunction steering wheel 154
Selecting radio system 158
Selecting satellite radio* system 159
Settings menu 162
Standard display menu 158
Submenus 155, 157
TEL* menu 179
Trip computer menu 178
Vehicle status message memory
menu 161
Vehicle submenu 174
Convenience submenu 175
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 175Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 176
Setting SmartKey-dependency 176
Coolant
Adding water 298
Checking level 303
Messages in display 378, 379, 380
Warning lamp 356
Coolant temperature 295
Cruise control 228, 460
Canceling 230
Driving downhill 229
Driving uphill 229
Fine adjustment 231
Lever 236
Saving current speed 229
Setting speeds 231
Cruise control lever 228
Cup holder in the center console 262,
264
Cup holders 262
Curb weight 333
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 459D
Daytime running lamp mode 143
Setting 170
Deactivating 213
Air conditioning (cooling) 206
Air recirculation mode 205, 217
Alarm 98
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 201
Central locking (control system) 174
Climate control 198, 199
Cruise control 230
Defrosting 203, 216
Distance warning function* 241
Distronic* 239
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 91
Exterior lamps 142
Hazard warning flasher 146
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 97
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 173
Rear window defroster 195