Page 284 of 521

283 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear pas-
senger compartment.
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
Heated steering wheel*
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Indicator lamp
2Switching off
3Switching onSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow3.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp1 comes on.
iThe power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical ac-
cessories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary
lamps) up to a maximum of 180 W.
An additional power outlet is located on
the left side in the trunk.
iThe steering wheel heating is tempo-
rarily suspended while indicator
lamp1 remains on when
the temperature of the vehicle inte-
rior is above 86°F (30°C)
the temperature of the steering
wheel is above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply
anymore, steering wheel heating con-
tinues.
Page 285 of 521

284 Controls in detailUseful featuresSwitching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow2.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. Indicator lamp1 goes out.
For information on steering wheel, see
“Multifunction steering wheel”
(
page 154).
Floormats
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
iIndicator lamp1 flashes or goes out
in case of power surge or undervolt-
age
in case of a steering wheel heating
malfunction
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or, on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, when you
switch off the ignition (
page 62) and
open the driver’s door.
iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat or front
passenger seat as far to the rear as
possible (
page 41).
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets 2 and retainer pins1.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Page 305 of 521

304 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
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. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 376) and
warning messages in the instrument cluster
(
page 386) come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes may
only be applied to the front wheels. Stop-
ping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electrohy-
draulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels
off the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. A tow bar must
be used if circumstances do not permit the
use of the recommended towing methods
and the vehicle requires towing with all four
wheels on the ground. Towing the vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground is only
permissible for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). For more information,
refer to “Towing the vehicle” (
page 457).
For more information, see “Electrohydraulic
brake system” (
page 97).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
Page 354 of 521

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bar.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.
Page 392 of 521

391 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
Malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® has detected a malfunc-
tion and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The electrohydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® is deactivated because
the power supply was interrupted.
The electrohydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ESP® available.
Synchronize the ESP
®. With the vehicle sta-
tionary, turn the steering wheel completely
to the left and then to the right to synchro-
nize the ESP
®.
If the ESP
® message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP
®, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.
Page 459 of 521

458 Practical hintsTowing 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 97).
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.
Page 470 of 521
469 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
E350/E3504MATIC
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
E500/E5004MATIC
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
Page 471 of 521
470 Technical dataLayout of poly-V-belt driveE55AMGThe E 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts (belt one
shown in purple/belt two shown in black).1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3Power steering pump
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSuper charger
E320 CDI
1Idler pulley
2Coolant pump
3Idler pulley
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Automatic belt tensioner
7Crankshaft
8Generator (alternator)