2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Car too low

86 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe - malfunction warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster dial flashes. Because of the
SBC brake system, you will not feel any
pulsation in the brake pedal.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 357).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.

114 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Closing the trunk from the outside
(vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*)
In vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing
system* you can close the trunk separate-
ly from the outside using the trunk lid clos-
ing switch.
1Trunk lid closing switch
Press trunk lid closing switch1 brief-
ly.
The trunk lid closes.If the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high), the closing procedure
is stopped and the trunk lid reopens slight-
ly.
iDo not place the SmartKey in the open
trunk. You may lock yourself out.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
To prevent a possible inadvertent lock-
out, the trunk lid will open automatical-
ly if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
recognized inside the vehicle or in the
trunk.iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally after closing it (
page 112). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.
iYou can also close the trunk by hand.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the trunk opening when closing the trunk.
Be especially careful when small children
are around. To stop the closing procedure,
do one of the following:

press the trunk lid closing switch1


press the Š button on the SmartKey


press the remote trunk lid switch (on the
driver’s door)
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the remote trunk lid switch
can be operated. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or

117 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking

Press switch1 briefly.
The vehicle is locked and the trunk lid
closes automatically. The turn signals
flash three times to confirm locking.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
If the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high), the closing procedure
is stopped and the trunk reopens slightly.
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button is located
on the inside of the trunk lid.
1Emergency release button
iYou can also close the trunk by hand.iTo prevent a possible inadvertent lock-
out, the trunk lid will open automatical-
ly if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
recognized inside the vehicle or in the
trunk.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the trunk opening when closing the trunk.
Be especially careful when small children
are around. To stop the closing procedure,
do one of the following:

press KEYLESS-GO locking/closing
switch1


press the Š button on the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO


press the remote trunk lid switch (on the
driver’s door)
Even with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
removed from the vehicle, the KEYLESS-GO
locking/closing switch can be operated.
Therefore do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among
other dangers such as visibility blockage,
exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle
interior.

289 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
SBC brake system (
page 90) or the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected by quali-
fied technicians immediately. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 87).
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 380).!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.

362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
The red DTR warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning chime sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
W
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 299).
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on after starting the engine with
all doors closed.
The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
front passenger to fasten your seat belts be-
fore driving off.

Fasten your seat belts.
The red seat belt telltale flashes
and you additionally hear an in-
termittent warning signal with in-
creasing intensity for a maximum
of 60 seconds when the vehicle’s
speed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h).
You and/or your front passenger have for-
gotten to fasten your seat belts.
There are items placed on the front passen-
ger seat and therefore the system senses the
front passenger seat as being occupied.

Fasten your seat belts.

Remove the items from the front pas-
senger seat and put them in a safe
place.

387 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 Qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 Liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 306) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 305).
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 306) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 305).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging:

the engine


the catalytic converter (Gasoline en-
gine)


the oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)

Have oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.

399 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pres.
Please rectify
The pressure is too low in one or more
tires.

Check and correct tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 322).
Caution
Tire pressure
One or more tires is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Ob-
serve the traffic situation around you.

Change the wheel (
page 425).

Have the damaged wheel repaired or re-
placed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Tire pres.
Check tire
The tire inflation pressure in one or
more tires is already below the mini-
mum value.
The tire inflation pressure in one or
more tires is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.

Check the tire.

Check and correct the tire pressure as re-
quired.

If necessary change the wheel (
page 425).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause
excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

406 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
Vehicle rising
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level se-
lection.
Leveling cancelled
The “Raised” level setting is canceled at
vehicle speeds of over 75 mph
(120 km / h).

Reactivate the “Raised” level setting.
Stop, car too low
The vehicle level control is malfunction-
ing.
Avoid excessive steering input. The fend-
er or tires could otherwise be damaged.
Listen for scraping noises. Do not drive
faster than 50 mph (80 km / h).
Drive to the side of the road and se-
lect a higher vehicle level. Depending
on the type of malfunction, this may
raise the vehicle’s level.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Visit workshop
The system is functional only to a limited
extent.
The system display or the system is mal-
functioning.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph
(80 km / h).

Have the vehicle checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.