ContentsPanorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel*..................................... 226
Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 226
Opening and closing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 227
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 229
Solar panel* ................................. 230
Driving systems ................................. 231
Cruise control............................... 231
Distronic*..................................... 235
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 247
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 250
Loading .............................................. 254
Roof rack* .................................... 254
Ski sack* ...................................... 254
Split rear bench seat* .................. 257
Expanding the cargo area* ........... 259
Loading instructions ..................... 260
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 261Useful features .................................. 262
Storage compartments ................ 262
Cup holders.................................. 265
Ashtrays ....................................... 268
Cigarette lighter ........................... 269
12-V socket* ................................ 269
Heated steering wheel* ............... 270
Telephone* .................................. 270
Tele Aid* ...................................... 271
Garage door opener ..................... 279
Operation......................................... 285
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 286
Driving instructions ........................... 287
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 287
Drinking and driving ..................... 287
Pedals .......................................... 287
Power assistance ......................... 288
Brakes.......................................... 288
Driving off .................................... 290
Parking......................................... 290
Tires ............................................. 290
Hydroplaning................................ 291
Tire traction ................................. 292
Tire speed rating .......................... 292
Winter driving instructions ........... 294
Standing water............................. 295
Passenger compartment .............. 295
Driving abroad ............................. 295
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 295
Catalytic converter
(Gasoline engine) ......................... 296
Oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine) 297
Emission control .......................... 297
Coolant temperature.................... 298
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
48, 55
2
Hood lock release
303
3
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
40
Heated steering wheel*
270
4
Parking brake release
48
5
Combination switch
Turn signals
51
Windshield wipers
51
High beam
50
6
Door control panel
30
7
Exterior lamp switch
133
Item
Page
8
Headlamp washer button*
186
9
Steering wheel gearshift
control (E55 AMG only)
181
a
Cruise control lever
Cruise control
239
Distronic*
235
b
Instrument cluster
24,
142
c
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
146
d
Horn
e
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
f
Starter switch
34
g
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
250
h
Overhead control panel
29
j
Mobile phone/Glasses box
262
k
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
262
l
Glove box
262
m
Center console
27
231 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The following driving systems are ex-
plained on the following pages:
Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed
Airmatic* adjusts the vehicle suspen-
sion characteristics automatically and
controls the vehicle level
Parktronic system*, which assists the
driver during parking maneuvers
The BAS, ABS, ESP and SBC are described
in the “Safety and Security” section
(
page 85).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 25 mph
(40 km /h).
E 320 4MATIC, E 500 4MATIC:
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed above 20 mph (30 km /h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
232 Controls in detailDriving systems1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at previously set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds, and the corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed to the
vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
E 320 CDI, E 320, E 500, E 55 AMG:
On downhill grades, the cruise control
will hold the set speed with active brak-
ing action.
In addition, on longer downhill grades
the automatic transmission will auto-
matically downshift.
E 320 4MATIC, E 500 4MATIC:
If the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently on down-
hill grades, the automatic transmission
will automatically downshift.
233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control will be canceled. The
last speed set will be stored for later
use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control will be canceled. The
last speed set will be stored for later
use.iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.
iCruise control automatically switched
off, if
E 320 CDI, E 320, E 500, E 55 AMG:
you step on the brake pedal.
you depress the parking brake ped-
al.
In this case the segments in the
multifunction display (
page 232)
go out and no warning sounds.
the vehicle speed is below 25 mph
(40 km/h).
the ESP is in operation or switched
off with the ESP switch (
page 89).
you move the gear selector lever to
position N while driving.
The segments in the multifunction dis-
play (page 232) go out, and an
acoustic warning sounds.
E 320 4MATIC, E 500 4MATIC:
you step on the brake pedal.
you move the gear selector lever to
position N while driving.
the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).
ESP is in operation.
The segments in the multifunction dis-
play are flashing.
!Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).
234 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever to position1
and hold it up until the desired speed is
reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km / h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip cruise control lever in direc-
tion of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in direc-
tion of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resume the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds, and the corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed to the
vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iE 320 CDI, E 320, E 500, E 55 AMG:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brake system will au-
tomatically brake the vehicle if the en-
gine’s braking power does not brake
the vehicle sufficiently.
E 320 4MATIC, E 500 4MATIC:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.
If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 239).
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor recog-
nize or predict the curvature and lane layout
or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to traffic and road conditions
and to provide the steering, braking and oth-
er driving inputs necessary to retain control
of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. However, it
is not intended to, nor does it, replace the
need for extreme care. The responsibility for
the vehicle speed and the distance to the ve-
hicle ahead, including most importantly
brake operation to assure safe stopping dis-
tance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
239 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic deactivated
If Distronic is deactivated you can see the
standard display of Distronic in the multi-
function display.
1Vehicle ahead, if detected
2Actual distance to vehicle ahead
3Preset distance threshold to vehicle
ahead
4Your vehicle
5Symbol for activated distance warning
functionDistronic activated
If you turn Distronic on, you will see the set
speed in the multifunction display for
about five seconds. If Distronic is
activated, you can see the following dis-
play in the multifunction display.
1Distronic activatedCruise control lever
The Distronic system is operated by means
of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column.
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Resume at previously set speed