441 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 95).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 118).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the battery
is disconnected or discharged. For
more information see “Battery”
(page 433) or “Jump starting”
(page 436).
Manual unlocking of the transmission
selector lever (
page 412).
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.
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
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.
487 Index
Good visibility 186
GPS 473
GPS see COMAND 272
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 337
GVWR 338
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 281
Reprogramming integrated remote
control 284
Hazard warning flasher 138
Switching off 138
Switching on 138Headlamps
Automatic control 134
Bi-Xenon* 471
Cleaning system* 186
Switching off 56
Switching on 50
Heated seats* 127
Heated steering wheel* 270
Heater booster system 203, 473
Height adjustment
Head restraints 39
Steering wheel 39
Vehicle level 248
High beam flasher 50, 137
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 418
Switching on 50, 137
High mounted brake lamp 418
Hood 303
Closing 303
Message in display 389
Opening 303
Hydroplaning 291I
Identification labels 448
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 46, 47
Immobilizer 94
Activating 94
Deactivating 94
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 80
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 276
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 80
Towing eye bolt 442
Wiper blades 424
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
491 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABS 369
Batteries 370, 378, 379
Brake fluid 382
Brake pads 380
Check engine 359, 360
Coolant 384, 385
Coolant level 383
Distronic* 370
Doors 386
Easy-entry/exit feature 381
Fuel reserve tank 389
Hood 389
Lamps 394
Parking brake 381
SBC brake system 380, 381
SmartKey 390
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 391
Tele Aid 403, 404
Telephone* 405
Tires 399
Trunk 405
Washer fluid 405
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 146,
474
Buttons 146N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 152
Night security illumination 136
Normal occupant weight 338
O
Occupant Classification System 74
Self-test 79
Occupant distribution 338
Occupant safety 60
Airbags 61
Children and airbags 62
Children in the vehicle 71
Fastening the seat belt 43
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Seat belts 43, 64
Oil
Adding 306
Checking level 305
Consumption 304
Filler neck 306
Viscosity 472Oil level
Checking 305
One-touch gearshifting 176
Canceling gear range limit 176
Downshifting 176
Upshifting 176
Opening 414
Ashtray 268
Doors from the inside 109
Fuel filler flap 299
Fuel filler flap manually 412
Glove box 262
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 227
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* in an
emergency 414
Roller sunblinds 226
Side windows 219
Sliding/pop-up roof* 223
Sliding/pop-up roof* in an
emergency 414
Trunk 110
Trunk from the inside 110
Trunk lid with SmartKey 101
Windows 218
Opening the trunk from the outside 110