ContentsDriving systems ................................. 239
Cruise control............................... 239
Distronic*..................................... 243
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 255
Loading .............................................. 260
Split rear bench seat .................... 260
Expanding the cargo
compartment................................ 262
Loading instructions ..................... 263
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 264
Cargo management system*
(Canada only) ............................... 265
Storage box in cargo
compartment (Canada only) ......... 268
Twin roller blind ............................ 269
Useful features .................................. 272
Storage compartments................. 272
Cup holders .................................. 274
Ashtrays ....................................... 277
Cigarette lighter ........................... 278
Power outlet ................................. 279
Heated steering wheel* ............... 279
Floormats ..................................... 280
Telephone*................................... 281
Tele Aid ........................................ 282
Garage door opener ..................... 290
Operation......................................... 299
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 300
Driving instructions............................ 301
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 301
Drinking and driving ..................... 301
Pedals .......................................... 301
Power assistance ......................... 302
Brakes .......................................... 302
Driving off .................................... 304
Parking ......................................... 304
Tires ............................................. 305
Hydroplaning ................................ 305
Tire traction.................................. 306
Tire speed rating .......................... 306
Winter driving instructions ........... 307
Standing water ............................. 308
Passenger compartment .............. 309
Driving abroad.............................. 309
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 309
Catalytic converter ....................... 310
Emission control .......................... 310
Coolant temperature .................... 311At the gas station .............................. 312
Refueling ...................................... 312
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 313
Engine compartment ......................... 315
Hood ............................................ 315
Engine oil ..................................... 316
Transmission fluid level ................ 320
Coolant level ................................ 321
Batteries ...................................... 322
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 323
Tires and wheels................................ 324
Important guidelines .................... 324
Tire care and maintenance........... 325
Direction of rotation..................... 327
Loading the vehicle ...................... 327
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 333
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 335
MOExtended system* .................. 340
Tire labeling ................................. 340
Load identification ....................... 344
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 345
Maximum tire load ....................... 346
ContentsFuses ................................................. 462
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 462
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 463
Fuse box in cargo compartment ... 463Technical data.................................. 465
Parts service ...................................... 466
Warranty coverage ............................. 467
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 467
Identification labels............................ 468
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 469
E 350/E 350 4MATIC ................... 469
E 500/E 500 4MATIC ................... 469
E 55 AMG ..................................... 469
Engine ................................................ 470
Rims and tires .................................... 472
Same size tires ............................. 474
Mixed size tires ............................ 476
MOExtended tires* ....................... 477
Spare wheel ................................. 478
Electrical system................................ 479Main dimensions and weight ............. 480
Main dimensions .......................... 480
Weight .......................................... 481
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 482
Capacities .................................... 482
Engine oils.................................... 485
Engine oil additives ...................... 485
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 485
Brake fluid .................................... 485
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 486
Gasoline additives ........................ 486
Fuel requirements ........................ 487
Coolants....................................... 487
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 490
Technical terms............................... 491Index................................................. 497
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
373
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
155
5
lDistance warning lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
377
6
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
7
Coolant temperature
indicator with:
152
•Coolant temperature
warning lamp
376
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
380
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
372
BLow beam headlamp
indicator lamp
54
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
147
9
Main odometer with:
Gear selector lever
position
50
Program mode
189
a
Clock with:
170
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
374
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
374
Item
Page
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
375
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
375
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale*
378
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warning
lamp
377
c
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
153
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
151
Confirming new time
settings
170
58 Getting startedDrivingActivating intermittent wipe
Press upper section1 of the button.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Deactivating intermittent wipe
Press upper section1 of the button
again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Wiping with window washer fluid
Press and hold lower half3 of the but-
ton.
The rear window is wiped for a further
5 seconds after the button is released.
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in
a safe location and turn off the engine.
Allow engine and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 321).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
152 Controls in detailInstrument clusterTo brighten illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature indicator
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature trigger
a warning in the multifunction display
(page 376).
228 Controls in detail4-zone automatic climate control*Residual heat and ventilation (Canada only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Switch off the ignition.
Press buttonT (
page 217).
REST in the display4 (page 217)
comes on.Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 217) again.
REST in the display4 (page 217)
goes out.
iIf you switch on the residual heat
function when temperatures are high,
only the ventilation will be switched on.iRegardless of the selected air volume,
the blower operates at low speed.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on
the coolant temperature
the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting 1
regardless of the air distribution con-
trol setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
if the coolant temperature is too
low
311 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximately
248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
313 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*” (
page 323).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 485).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and
the? malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the ± malfunction in-
dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
For more information, see also “Practi-
cal hints” (
page 375).
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet.
iOpening the hood, see (
page 315).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 374).