2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON key

458 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised (except vehi-
cles with 4MATIC) only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or 1). Otherwise the ESP
®
will immediately be engaged and will
apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

459 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the electrohy-
draulic brake system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes may only be applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to
“Electrohydraulic brake system”
(page 96).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.

460 Practical hintsTowing 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
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 103).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 127).
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 gear 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 452) and “Jump starting”
(page 456).
For information on manual unlocking of
the gear selector lever, see
(page 426).

493 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.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 351)
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.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 351)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 351)
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.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 351)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.

498 Index
Shift program mode selector
switch 189
Shift program mode selector switch,
Manual shift program E 55
AMG 194
Starting engine 50
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting E 55
AMG 191
Winter program mode 189
B
Backrest 260
Folding rearward 261
Seat 41
Seat, multicontour 133
Backup lamps
Messages in display 409
Replacing bulbs 431
Bar 350
BAS 93, 491
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 429, 430
Checking battery condition 110, 117
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 429, 430
Checking battery condition 117Batteries, Vehicle
Charging 454
Disconnecting 453
Installing 454
Jump starting 456
Messages in display 386, 395, 396
Reconnecting 455
Removing 454
Bead 350
Beverage holder see Cup holders
Bi-Xenon headlamps* see Headlamps
Block heater* (Canada only) 356
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid
Checking 313
Messages in display 399
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 365
Messages in display 409
Replacing bulbs 431
Brake pads
Message in display 397
Brakes 302
Warning lamp 374
Break-in period 300
Bulbs see Replacing bulbsC
CAC 491
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 11
Can holder see Cup holders
CAN system 491
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 482
Cargo compartment
Fuse box 463
Tie-down rings 264
Cargo compartment cover 270
Cargo management system* 265
Belt reel 267
Cargo tie-down ring 266
Mounting elements 265
Telescoping rod 267
Cargo net 269
Cargo tie-down rings 264
Carpets, cleaning 368
Catalytic converter 310
CD player 162

500 IndexCoolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 489
Capacities 483
Checking coolant level 321
Messages in display 400, 401, 402
Temperature 311
Temperature indicator 152
Warning lamp 376
Cruise control 239, 492
Message in display 386
Cup holders 274
Cleaning 367
Curb weight 350
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date display, setting 171, 172
Daytime running lamp mode 144
Setting 172, 173
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 209, 224
Defrosting, Front 209, 223
Defrosting, Rear 200
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 174
Interior lighting 175Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 58
With starting 51
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 161
Dimensions, vehicle 480
Direction of rotation (tires) 327
Displays
Digital speedometer 161
Distronic* 245
Maintenance service indicator 358
Messages in display 395
Multifunction display 155
Outside temperature 155, 169
Symbol messages 395
Text messages 385
Vehicle status message memory 165
Vehicle system settings, Control
system 155
Distance to empty (Range), Trip
computer 180Distronic* 243, 492
Activating/deactivating 248
Cleaning system sensor 366
Control system 163
Distance warning function 252
Driving hints 253
Menu 247
Messages in display 386
Sensor cover 366
Warning and indicator lamps 246
Door
Entry lamps 150
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 34,
108
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 114
Message in display 403
Opening from inside/outside 119
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 289
Unlocking, Mechanical key 424
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
DOT 351, 492
Drinking and driving 301

502 IndexEngine
Belt layout 469
Block heater* (Canada only) 356
Cleaning 364
Compartment 315
Malfunction indicator lamp 375, 400
Maximum engine speed 471
Message in the display 375, 400
Number 468, 492
Starting 50
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 51
Tachometer 25
Technical data 470
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 61
Turning off with the SmartKey 61
Engine compartment
Hood 315
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 375,
400Engine oil
Adding 319
Additives 485
Changing 319
Checking level (Control system) 317
Checking level (Dipstick) 318
Consumption 316
Filler neck 320
Messages in display 317, 405
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 485
Viscosity 492
Engine oil level 314
ESP
®
93, 492
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
99
Messages in display 388
Warning lamp 373
ETD 492
Safety guidelines 70
Exterior rear view mirrors
Parking position 178F
Factory, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 114
Filler neck, Engine oil 320
First aid kit 419
Flat tire 440
Lowering the vehicle 450
Mounting the spare wheel 445, 447
Preparing the vehicle 440
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 440
Spare wheel 445
TIREFIT kit 440
Flexible Service System see FSS
Floormats 280
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 482
Brake fluid 483
Capacities 482
Engine coolant 483
Engine oil 482
Power steering fluid 483
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 484
Fog lamps 146
Messages in display 409
Replacing bulbs 433

505 Index
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting
Delayed shut-off 175
Interior rear view mirror 45
Auto-dimming mirrors 197
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
J
Jack 422
Jump starting 456K
Key, Mechanical 424
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 106
Changing batteries 429
Factory setting 108
Locking/unlocking 34
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 108
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 109
Loss of 111
Messages in display 408
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof* 234
Opening and closing the
windows 234
Positions in starter switch 36
Remote control 106
Starting the engine 50
Turning off engine 61Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Battery check lamp 111
Changing batteries 429, 430
Factory setting 114
Locking, Tailgate 115
Locking/unlocking 35
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 115
Loss of 118
Messages in display 407
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof* 234
Opening and closing the
windows 234
Starting the engine 51
Turning off engine 61
Unlocking, Tailgate 117
KEYLESS-GO* 493
KEYLESS-GO* see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Kickdown 187, 493
Kilopascal 351