2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON tow

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).

433 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumperTo remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the cargo compartment floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover in the direction of the arrow.

Fold cover down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the cargo compartment floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.

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

466 IndexAir recirculation mode 204, 216
Activating 204, 216
Deactivating 205, 217
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 219
Air volume
Adjusting 202, 215
Airbags 63
Children 64
Front 67
Passenger 67
Safety guidelines 66
Side impact 68
Window curtain 68
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* 244
Alarm
Audible 86, 99
Canceling 99
Visual 98
Alarm system
Anti-theft 98
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 403,
421, 459
Ambient lighting 149
Antilock brake system (ABS) 459Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 98
Canceling alarm 99
Disarming 98
Anti-theft systems 97
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Immobilizer 97
Tow-away alarm 99
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 289
Ashtray 265
Aspect ratio 332
At the gas station 296
AUDIO menu 158
Selecting radio station 158
Selecting satellite radio* station 159
Audio system
CD mode 159
Auto-dimming mirror 191
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 174
Automatic climate control (4-zone*) 208
Adjusting air distribution 214
Adjusting air volume 215
Air conditioning 218
Air recirculation mode 216Deactivating 213
Defrosting 215
Residual heat utilization 219
Residual ventilation 219
Setting the temperature 214
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 196
Adjusting air distribution 201
Adjusting air volume 202
Air conditioning 206
Air recirculation mode 204
Deactivating 201
Defrosting 203
Residual heat utilization 207
Residual ventilation 207
Setting the temperature 201
Automatic headlamp mode 142
Automatic lighting control
Activating 147
Deactivating 147
Automatic locking when driving 122

470 Index
Residual heat 207, 219
Seat heater* 132
Seat ventilation* 133
Tow-away alarm 100
Deactivating intermittent wipe 54
Deceleration
With Distronic* 235
Defogging
Windshield 202, 203, 215
Defrosting 203, 215
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 173
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 181
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 55
With starting 49
Digital speedometer 158
Direction of rotation (tires) 310
Discharged battery
Jump starting 428
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 426Display
Selecting 166, 167
Displays
Digital speedometer 158
Distronic* 234
Maintenance service indicator 339
Messages 301
Selecting 166
Showing malfunctions 161
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 240
Increasing in Distronic* 240
Warning function 240
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 178
Distance warning function* 240
Activating 241
Deactivating 241
DTR* warning lamp 240
Intermittent warning sound 240
Symbol in multifunction display 160
Distronic* 232, 460
Activated 236
Activating 237
Calling up settings 160, 235
Cleaning system sensor 347Cruise control lever 236
Deactivated 236
Deactivating 239
Deceleration 235
Decreasing distance 240
Displays in the speedometer dial 234
Distance warning function 240
Driving hints 241
Increasing distance 240
Intermittent signal tone 234
Menu 235
Messages in display 365
Sensor cover 347
Setting a higher speed 237
Setting a slower speed 238
Setting the current speed 237
Setting the following distance in
Distronic 239
Warning and indicator lamps 234
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 149
Door handle 30
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 276

474 IndexI
Identification labels 440
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 47, 48, 54
Immobilizer 97
Activating 97
Deactivating 97
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 73
Installing 82
LATCH child seat anchors 83
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 274
Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element 253
Inserting the mounting elements into the
cargo rails 252
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 191
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 82
Towing eye bolt 433
Wiper blades 417
Installing the storage box 256Instrument cluster 24, 150, 349, 461
Coolant
Temperature indicator 151
Illumination 150
Multifunction display 153
Outside temperature indicator 152
Selecting language 166
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 281
Erasing memory 282
Gate operator 281
Hand-held transmitter 279
Operation 282
Rolling code programming 280
Interior lighting 147
Activating automatic control 147
Deactivating automatic control 147
Delayed switch-off 173
Manual operation 148
Interior lighting in the rear 149
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 42
Interior storage spaces
Glove box 259J
Jack 402
Jump starting 428
K
Key, Mechanical 404
Key, SmartKey
Changing the batteries 408, 409
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing the batteries 408, 409
KEYLESS-GO* 461
Activating ignition with 36
Closing
Tailgate 119, 121
Factory setting 110
Global locking 110
Global unlocking 110
Important notes 108
Locking the vehicle 113
Opening the tailgate 112
Remote control 107
Starting the engine 48, 54
Turning off engine 59
Unlocking the tailgate 112
Unlocking with 33
Kickdown 189, 461
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 165

485 Index
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 318
Tools 403
Tow-away alarm 99
Arming 99
Disarming 99
Disarming for transport 99
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 433
Towing the vehicle 430
Traction 189, 335
Transmission fluid level 303
Tread 335
Tread depth 309
Tread depth (tires 337
Treadwear indicators 335
Trip computer 178
Trip odometer
Resetting 151
Trunk
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 113
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 411
Front bulbs 411
Turning off
Engine 57Twin roller blind 256
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 335
Units
Setting speedometer units 165
Setting temperature units 165
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 167
Unlocking 32, 102, 404
Driver’s door in an emergency 404
Fuel filler flap 296
Global 104
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 110
Selective setting 104, 111
Vehicle in an emergency 276
With KEYLESS-GO* 33
With the SmartKey 32
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 275
Uphill driving
Cruise control 229
Upshifting 185
Useful features 259
Ashtrays 265
Cigarette lighter 266Garage door opener 277
Heated steering wheel* 267
Tele Aid* 269
Telephone* 268
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 162, 164
Locking in an emergency 405
Lowering 422
Towing 430
Unlocking in an emergency 404
Vehicle capacity weight 335
Vehicle care
Cup holder 349
Distronic* system sensor cover 347
Engine cleaning 346
Gear selector lever 349
Hard plastic trim items 349
Leather upholstery 350
Light alloy wheels 348
Ornamental moldings 347
Paintwork 346
Plastic and rubber parts 350
Power washer 345
Seat belts 349
Steering wheel 349