2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Gear range

183 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Manual shift program E 55 AMG
In the manual program mode M you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 181) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 176).The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S)
are indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 174).Activating manual shift program

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
manual shift program mode M appears
in the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

184 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionDownshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction
(page 176).
or

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction
(page 176).
or

Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel (
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
If, instead of the manual program mode
symbol
M, thep symbol appears in
the multifunction display (
page 174),
shift to the next higher gear. The fuel
supply will otherwise be interrupted to
prevent the engine from overrevving.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.
!In the manual program modeM, the
transmission will not upshift, even if
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Shift up to the next gear before
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red
marking on the tachometer
(page 24). Otherwise the engine
could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

250 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic system (Parking assist)*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition, re-
lease the parking brake, and placed the
gear selector lever in positionD,R,orN.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumper
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic system* sensors”
(
page 351).
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic system* sensors”
(page 351).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks) can cause the sys-
tem to send erratic indications, and should
be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

473 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.
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.
Heater booster system
Provides for additional heat in the
vehicle interior in vehicle models with
diesel engines.
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.
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.
Maintenance 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.

474 Technical termsMemory 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.Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case*


Drive shaft


Axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
operationC.
E 55 AMG with steering wheel gearshift
control and manual shift program: in
addition to S and C (for sporty S or
comfortable C operation), you can use
M for manual shift program.

479 Index
Automatic climate control (4-zone*) 204
Adjusting air distribution 210
Adjusting air volume 211
Air conditioning 214
Air recirculation mode 212
Deactivating 209
Defrosting 211
Maximum cooling MAX COOL 212
Rear air conditioning 216
Residual heat and ventilation 215
Setting the temperature 210
Automatic climate control (Dual-zone)
Adjusting air distribution 198
Adjusting air volume 198
Air conditioning 201
Air recirculation mode 199
Defrosting 199
Heater booster system 203
Residual ventilation 202
Setting the temperature 197
Automatic climate control*
Rear window defroster 191
Automatic headlamp mode 134Automatic lighting control
Activating 139
Automatic locking when driving 118
Automatic transmission 174
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Gear ranges 177
Gear selector lever position 178
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Manual shift program mode
(E 55 AMG) 183
Manual shifting 176
One-touch gearshifting 176
Program mode selector switch 179
Selector lever position 174
Starting the engine 46
Winter program mode 179
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position 180
Kickdown 180
Kickdown, manual shift program (E 55
AMG only) 185B
Backrest
Folding forward 257
Folding rearward 258
Bar 337
BAS 87, 471
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 415, 416
Check lamp 100, 106
Checking 101, 107
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 415, 416
Checking 101, 107
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 435
Disconnecting 434
Messages in display 370, 378, 379
Reconnecting 435
Removing 435
Service 433

486 IndexFront airbags 65
Front fog lamp
Replacing bulb 418
Front lamps 418
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 420
Switching on 133
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 123
Removing and installing 123
Front seats
Heater* 127
FSS (Canada vehicles) 343
FSS (Flexible Service System) 473
Fuel 300
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 362
Premium unleaded gasoline 300
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 170
Since last reset 170Fuel filler flap 299
Locking 299
Unlocking 299
Fuel requirements 466
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 389
Fuel tank
Filler flap 299
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 461
Functions (control system) 149
Resetting 155
Fuse chart 443
Fuses 443
Fuse chart 443
Fuse extractor 443
Spare fuses 443G
Garage door opener 29, 279
Erasing the integrated remote
control 284
Integrated remote control 281
Rolling code programming 282
Gasoline see Fuel 300
GAWR 337
Gear range 473
Automatic transmission 177
Limiting 177
Shifting into optimal 176
Gear range limit
Canceling 176
Gear selector lever
Position 178
Global
Locking 100
Locking with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Unlocking 99
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Global Positioning System (GPS) 473
Glove box 262
Closing 262
Opening 262

489 Index
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 449
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 354
Level control system*
Airmatic DC* 247
Lever
For cruise control 239
License plate lamps 418
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 422
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 353
Light sensor 394
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 269Lighting 133
Automatic headlamp mode 134
Combination switch 137
Daytime running lamp mode 134
Door entry lamps 140
Exterior lamp switch 133
Front fog lamps 136
High beams 137
Instrument cluster illumination 142
Interior 139
Locator lighting 136
Low beam 133
Manual headlamp mode 134
Night security illumination 136
Parking lamps 133
Rear fog lamp 137
Settings (control system) 162
Trunk lamp 141
Limiting the gear range 177
Limp Home Mode 185
Loading 254
Cargo tie-down rings 261
Instructions 260
Roof rack* 254
Ski sack* 254
Split rear bench seat* 257Loading terminology 337
Loading the vehicle 314
Locator lighting 136
Setting 163
Lock button 473
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 58
Locking 55, 98
Fuel filler flap 299
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Global, SmartKey 100
Vehicle in an emergency 411
Loss of SmartKeys 102, 108
Low beam headlamps 50
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 418
Switching on 50
Lowering
Vehicle 431
M
Main Dimensions 459
Maintenance 12