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
Contents
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 347
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 348
Tire ply material ........................... 350
Tire and loading terminology ........ 350
Rotating tires ............................... 353
Winter driving .................................... 355
Winter tires .................................. 355
Block heater* (Canada only) ........ 356
Snow chains................................. 356
Maintenance...................................... 358
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 358
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 360
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 361
Vehicle care ....................................... 362
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 362
Practical hints.................................. 371
What to do if … ................................... 372
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 372
Lamp in center console................. 381
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 383
Where will I find ...? ............................ 419
First aid kit.................................... 419
Vehicle tool kit, jack and
spare wheel .................................. 419
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 424
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 424
Locking the vehicle ....................... 425
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 425
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 426
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 427
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 427
Resetting activated head restraints .... 428
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 429
SmartKey ...................................... 429
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 430Replacing bulbs .................................. 431
Bulbs............................................. 431
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 434
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 436
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 437
Removing front wiper blades ........ 437
Installing front wiper blades ......... 438
Removing rear wiper blade ........... 438
Installing rear wiper blade ............ 439
Flat tire............................................... 440
Preparing the vehicle .................... 440
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 440
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 445
MOExtended system* ................... 451
Batteries............................................. 452
Disconnecting the battery ............ 453
Removing the battery ................... 454
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 454
Reconnecting the battery ............. 455
Jump starting...................................... 456
Towing the vehicle.............................. 458
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 461
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
16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage to and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden strong vibration or ride disturbance,
or you suspect that damage to your vehicle
has occurred, you should turn on your haz-
ard warning flashers, carefully slow down,
and drive with caution to an area which is a
safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
91 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:
ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Electrohydraulic brake system
4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP
®, electrohydraulic brake system
and 4MATIC is only achieved with win-
ter tires (
page 355), or snow chains
as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:
Excessive speed, especially in turns
Wet and slippery road surfaces
Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP
®, electrohydraulic brake
system and 4MATIC cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
92 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBraking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster dial flashes. Because of
the electrohydraulic brake system, you will
not feel any pulsation in the brake pedal.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 373).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
93 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP
® works
to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is espe-
cially useful while driving off and on wet or
slippery road surfaces. The ESP® also sta-
bilizes the vehicle during braking maneu-
vers.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP
®
is engaged.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
299 Operation
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care