2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 Airmatic

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

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.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)*
Airmatic automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle. The Airmatic consists of two
components:

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)


Vehicle level control
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion is set to either sporty or comfort.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:


Your driving style


Road surface conditions


Your choice of suspension style,
“sporty I”, “sporty II” or “comfortable”,
which you select using the damping
button.The following suspension styles are
available:


Comfortable
Both indicator lamps2 are off.


Sporty I
One indicator lamp2 is on.


Sporty II
Both indicator lamps2 are on.
1Damping button
2Indicator lamps

Start the engine.

Press the damping button1 until the
desired suspension style is set.iThe selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.iIn the sporty suspension style the vehi-
cle is lowered up to 0.6 in (15 mm).

342 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater* (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select the raised level of the level con-
trol system Airmatic* (
page 248).
Other settings may result in damage to
your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 89) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

265/35 ZR18


T 155/70 R17 110M


T 175/55-18 95P

459 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
Model
E320CDI/E320
E500
E55AMG
Overall vehicle length
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.9 in (4849 mm)
Overall vehicle width
71.7 in (1822 mm)
71.7 in (1822 mm)
71.7 in (1822 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.1 in (1449 mm)
Overall vehicle height (Airmatic DC*)
(optional with E320 Appearance Pack-
age; standard on E500/E55 AMG)
56.2 in (1429 mm)
56.3 in (1431 mm)
55.6 in (1412 mm)
Wheelbase
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1559 mm)
61.7 in (1567 mm)
62.3 in (1583 mm)
Track, rear
61.1 in (1552 mm)
61.4 in (1560 mm)
61.3 in (1558 mm)
Model
E 320 4MATIC
E5004MATIC
Overall vehicle length
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.3 in (4833 mm)
Overall vehicle width
71.7 in (1822 mm)
71.7 in (1822 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.6 in (1463 mm)
Overall vehicle height (Airmatic DC*)
(optional on E320; standard on E500)
56.7 in (1439 mm)
57.7 in (1441 mm)
Wheelbase
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1559 mm)
61.7 in (1567 mm)
Track, rear
61.1 in (1552 mm)
61.4 in (1560 mm)

471 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
ADS
(A
daptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Airmatic DC
(A
irmatic D
ual C
ontrol)
Automatically selects the optimum sus-
pension tuning and ride height for your
vehicle. Airmatic consists of two com-
ponents:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level control
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
a light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
CDI
(C
ommon-Rail D
irect I
njection)
Diesel fuel injection technology where
all cylinders share a common diesel
fuel supply line. Fine injection nozzles
provide for highly accurate metering
that reduces diesel fuel consumption.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

478 IndexAir conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 201, 214
Turning on 201, 214
Air distribution
Adjusting 198, 210
Air pressure 337
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 322
Air pump, electric 430
Air recirculation mode 199, 212
Activating 199, 212
Deactivating 200, 213
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 216
Air volume
Adjusting 198, 211
Airbags 61
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* 247
Alarm
Audible 84, 95
Canceling 95
Visual 94
Alarm system
Anti-theft 94
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 409,
427, 471
Antilock brake system (ABS) 471
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 94
Canceling alarm 95
Disarming 95
Anti-theft systems 94
Anti-theft alarm system 94
Immobilizer 94
Tow-away alarm 95
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 291Ashtray 268
Aspect ratio 337
At the gas station 299
AUDIO menu 150
Selecting radio station 150
Selecting satellite radio* station 151
Audio system
CD mode 151
Auto-dimming
Automatic 186
Auto-dimming for rear view mirrors 186
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 166
Automatic climate control
4-zone automatic climate
control* 204
Dual-zone automatic climate
control 192
Temperature sensor 29

484 IndexDoor handle 30
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 278
Doors
Message in display 386
Opening from inside vehicle 109
Opening from outside 105
DOT 337
Downhill driving
Cruise control 232
Downshifting 176
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 126
Driving
General instructions 43
Hydroplaning 291
In winter 294
Problems 53
Safety systems 85
With Distronic* 244Driving hints
SBC brake system 92
Driving instructions 287
Driving off 290
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 93
ABS 85
BAS 87
ESP 87, 472
SBC brake system 90
Driving systems 231
Airmatic DC* 247
Cruise control 231
Distronic* 235
Driving safety systems 85
Vehicle level control 248
DTR see Distronic* 472
Dual control*
Airmatic DC* 247E
E55AMG
MANUAL shift program mode 183
Easy-entry/exit
Message in display 381
Easy-entry/exit feature* 121
Activating 167
Interrupting movement 121, 167
Electric air pump 429
Electrical fuses 443
Electrical system 458
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 87,
472
Emergency call system* 271
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 274
With Tele Aid* 273
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185