2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Distronic

357 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 90).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ABS, ESP or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 90).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Low
Battery
Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Conven. functions
available again

On-board voltage is sufficient; the
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.

Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
DISTRONIC* is switched off if:

the DISTRONIC cover in the area
of the radiator grille is dirty


the functionality is impaired by
heavy rain or thick fog

If necessary, clean the DISTRONIC cover in
the area of the radiator grille.

Restart the vehicle.
or
DISTRONIC* becomes operational again with-
out the engine being restarted when:


dirt on the grille falls off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)


the system recognizes full sensor availabili-
ty (due to lessening rain or the road surface
drying)


the message in the multifunction display
disappears


the speed last stored flashes in the display
for five seconds.
You can operate DISTRONIC* as usual again.

472 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DTR
(->Distronic*)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

477 Index
A
ABS 85, 471
ABS control 86
Malfunction indicator lamp 356
Messages in display 369
Warning lamp 356
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 180
Accessory weight 337
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 201, 214
Air recirculation mode 199, 212
Anti-theft alarm system 94
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 194, 195
Central locking (control system) 166
Defrosting 199
Distance warning function* 244
Distronic* 240
Easy-entry/exit feature* 167ESP 90
Exterior headlamps 50
Exterior lamps 134
Front fog lamps 136
Hazard warning flasher 138
Headlamps 50
High beams 137
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 56, 94
Rear fog lamp 136
Rear window defroster 191
Residual heat 202, 215
Seat heater* 128
Tow-away alarm 95
Windshield wipers 52
Adding
Engine oil 306
Additional turn signal 418
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 216Adjusting 37
Air distribution 198, 210
Air volume 198, 211
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 126
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 142
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 40
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering wheel 39
Adjusting steering column in or out 40
Adjusting steering column up or down 40
Adjusting the dynamic seat 169

480 IndexBattery discharged
Jump starting 436
Bead 337
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 471
Bleeding the fuel system 432
Block heater* 342
Blocking
Rear window operation 83
Brake assist system (BAS) 471
Brake fluid 301, 382
Brake pads
Message in display 380
Brakes
Warning lamp 358
Break-in period 286Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 417
Fog lamps 417
Front lamps 417, 420
High beam 418
High mounted brake lamp 418
License plate lamps 418, 422
Low beam 418
Parking lamps 418
Side marker lamps 417, 422
Standing lamps 418
Tail lamp 418
Tail lamp assemblies 422
Turn signal lamp 417
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 471
Calling up
Distronic* settings 152
Maintenance service indicator 345
Range (distance to empty) 171
CAN system 471
Cargo tie-down rings 261
CD player
Operating 151Center console
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 365
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 157
Central locking
From inside 119
Switch 119
Switching on/off (control
system) 166
Unlocking from inside 119
Central locking switch 119
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 415, 416
Batteries (SmartKey) 415, 416
SmartKey setting 167
Vehicle level 249
Charging
Vehicle batteries 435
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 359, 360

481 Index
Checking
Coolant level 308
Oil level 301, 304
Tire inflation pressure 301
Vehicle lighting 301
Child safety 71
Airbags 62
Infant and child restraint systems 67,
71
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 83
Cigarette lighter 269
Cleaning
Headlamps 186, 350
Light alloy wheels 351
Parktronic* system sensor 351
side markers 350
tail lamps 350
turn signal lenses 350
Windshield 52
Wood trims 354
Cleaning tires 313Clock 160
Closing
Glove box 262
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 227
Roller sunblinds 226
Side windows 219
Sliding/pop-up roof* 223
Trunk
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 115,
116
Trunk lid 112
Windows 218
Closing the trunk lid 115, 116
Cockpit 22, 471
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 472
Cold tire inflation pressure 337
Collapsible tire 457
Tire inflation pressure 429
COMAND 472
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tionsCombination switch 137
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 51
Control system 145, 472
AUDIO menu 150
Convenience submenu 167
Display digital speedometer 150
Distronic* menu 152
Functions 149
Instrument cluster submenu 157,
159
Lighting submenu 162
Menus 148, 149
Multifunction display 145
Multifunction steering wheel 146
Selecting radio system 150
Selecting satellite radio* system 151
Settings menu 154
Standard display menu 150
Submenus 147, 149
TEL* menu 171
Trip computer menu 170
Vehicle status message memory
menu 153
Vehicle submenu 166

482 IndexConvenience submenu 167
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 167
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 168
Setting SmartKey-dependency 168
Coolant
Checking level 308
Messages in display 383, 384, 385
Temperature gauge 143
Warning lamp 361
Coolant temperature 298
Cruise control 231, 472
Canceling 233
Driving downhill 232
Driving uphill 232
Fine adjustment 234
Lever 239
Saving current speed 232
Setting speeds 234Cruise control lever 231
Cup holder in the center console 265
Cup holders 265
Curb weight 337
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 471
D
Daytime running lamp mode 134
Setting 162
Deactivating
Air conditioning 201
Air recirculation mode 200, 213
Alarm 95
Anti-theft alarm system 95
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 194, 195, 197
Central locking (control system) 166
Cruise control 233
Defrost 199, 211, 212
Distance warning function* 244
Distronic* 242
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 57ESP 89
Exterior lamps 134
Hazard warning flasher 138
Headlamps 56
Immobilizer 94
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 165
Manual shift program (E 55 AMG
only) 185
Rear window defroster 191
Residual heat 202
Seat heater* 127
Seat ventilation* 128
SmartKey
Turning off the engine 56
Tow-away alarm 96
Deceleration
With Distronic* 238
Defogging
Windshield 198, 211
Defrosting 199, 211