2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON Brake assist

303 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 93).If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electrohydraulic brake system (
page 96)
or the brake fluid level in the reservoir is
too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected by quali-
fied technicians immediately. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 397).!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.

397 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected at the intervals specified in
the Maintenance Booklet.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
T
Reduced braking power
Depress brake
pedal fully
The electrohydraulic brake system is in
emergency operation mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to 55 mph
(90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as it is safe to do so and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking the wheels with wheel
chocks or other sizable objects.

Call for Roadside Assistance.
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Reduced braking power

Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage and
cannot supply sufficient power to the
electrohydraulic brake system.

Start the engine (
page 50).
The message disappears when suffi-
cient voltage is available.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet.

443 Practical hints
Flat tire

After attaining a tire inflation pressure
of 26 psi (1.8 bar), press0 on electric
air pump switch8.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

Turn the SmartKey in the ignition to
position0 (
page 36).
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 38) on the gear selec-
tor lever twice. Do not depress brake
pedal.

Detach the electric air pump.
The air hose may still be hot. Please ex-
ercise appropriate caution.

Place the electric air pump back in the
cargo compartment.

Close the cargo compartment.

Drive away immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.
Warning!
G
If a tire inflation pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar)
is not attained, tire is too severely damaged
for TIREFIT to provide a reliable tire repair.
In this case, TIREFIT cannot properly seal
the tire.
Do not drive the vehicle.
Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
or call Roadside Assistance.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not
designed to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.


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.

491 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.
Accessory weight
(
page 350)
ADS
(Adaptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Air pressure
(
page 350)
Airmatic DC*
(Airmatic 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 controlAlignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(
page 350)
Bar
(page 350)
BAS
(Brake 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.
Bead
(
page 350)
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.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 350)

495 Technical terms
Production options weight
(
page 351)
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
operationC.
PSI
(Pounds per s
quare i
nch)
(
page 352)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 333)
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, air bags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
Rim
(page 352)RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (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.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without the ignition or engine on and
brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 352)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 352)

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

501 Index
Drive-Dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 133
Massage function 134
Driving
Abroad 309
Hydroplaning 305
In winter 307
Instructions 47, 301
Problems 58
Safety systems 91
Through standing water 308
With Distronic* 253
Driving safety systems
4MATIC
ABS 91
BAS 93
Electrohydraulic brake system 96
ESP
®
93, 492
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 43, 177
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 479Electrohydraulic brake system 96, 492
Activating/deactivating 97
Driving hints 99
Messages in display 397, 398
Self-check 98
Warning lamp 96
Electronic Stability Program see
ESP
®
93, 492
Emergency calls
Tele Aid calls 284
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 196
Emergency operations
Fuel filler flap 425
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 426
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 424
Remote door unlock 289
Tilt/sliding sunroof*, Manual
operation 427
Emergency tensioning device see ETDEmergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 456
First aid kit 419
Flat tire, changing 440
Fuses
Hazard warning flasher 147
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 372, 373, 374, 375, 376,
377, 378, 380
Roadside Assistance 12
Towing the vehicle 458
Emission control 310
Emission control information label 468
Emission control system warranties 10
Emission control vacuum line routing dia-
gram label 468