Page 195 of 521

194 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionThe current gear selector lever position 
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S) 
are indicated in the multifunction display 
(
page 184).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector 
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for the 
manual program modeM appears in 
the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the 
manual program modeM. Automatic 
shifting is switched off. The gear range 
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when 
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You 
can upshift or downshift through the gears 
in succession.Upshifting
iFor information on automatic program 
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift 
program” (
page 189), “Gear selector 
lever one-touch gearshifting” 
(
page 190), and “Steering wheel 
gearshift control one-touch gearshift-
ing” (page 191).
iThe manual program modeM will not 
be stored. When the engine is turned 
off with the manual program modeM 
selected, the transmission will go to 
the automatic program mode (CorS) 
when the engine is restarted.
!In the manual program modeM, the 
transmission will not upshift, even if 
the engine has reached its overrevving 
range. Shift up to the next gear before 
the engine has reached its overrevving 
range. Make absolutely certain that the 
engine speed does not reach the red 
marking on the tachometer 
(page 24). Otherwise the engine 
could be damaged which is not covered 
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 196 of 521

195 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Briefly press the gear selector lever to 
the right in theD+direction.
or
Briefly press button2 on the right 
side of the steering wheel 
(page 191).
The transmission shifts to the next 
higher gear.
If, instead of the manual program mode 
symbolM, thep symbol appears in the 
multifunction display (
page 184), shift to 
the next higher gear. The fuel supply will 
otherwise be interrupted to prevent the 
engine from overrevving.Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to 
the left in theD-direction.
or
Briefly press button1 on the left side 
of the steering wheel (
page 191).
The transmission shifts to the next 
lower gear.Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the 
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector 
switch (
page 193) repeatedly 
until
Cor
S appears in the multifunction 
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the 
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not 
stored.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift 
in order to obtain braking action. This could 
result in drive wheel slip and reduced 
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not 
prevent this type of loss of control.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which 
you can easily accelerate or take off. 
     
        
        Page 197 of 521
196 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionEmergency operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the 
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp 
home (emergency operation) mode. In this 
mode only second gear and reverse gear 
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Move gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before 
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to positionD 
(for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible. 
     
        
        Page 245 of 521

244 Controls in detailDriving systems1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at last set speedSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired 
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise 
control lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator 
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately 
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed 
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so 
that the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a 
convenience system designed to assist the 
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is 
and must remain at all times responsible for 
the vehicle speed and for safe brake 
operation.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise 
control may not be able to maintain the 
set speed. Once the grade eases, the 
set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control 
maintains the set speed with active 
braking action.
In addition, on longer downhill grades 
the automatic transmission will auto-
matically downshift. 
     
        
        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 375 of 521

374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and 
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp 
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has 
switched off. The BAS and the ESP
® are also 
switched off (see messages in the multifunc-
tion display).
The electrohydraulic brake system is still 
functioning normally but without the ABS 
available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the Parktronic system*, 
Distronic*, or the automatic transmission 
may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels may lock during hard braking, 
reducing steering capability. 
Read and observe messages in the 
multifunction display (
page 386).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon 
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below 
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.
Switch off electrical consumers that 
are currently not needed, e.g. seat 
heating.
If necessary, have the generator and 
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value 
again, the ABS is operational again. 
     
        
        Page 485 of 521
484 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective 
lubricants must match. Therefore only use 
products tested and approved by 
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products Pamphlet, or inquire at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
E350
E3504MATIC
E5004MATIC
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
E320CDI
E500
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
E55AMG
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Automatic transmission
E320CDI
E55AMG
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
E350
E500
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
E3504MATIC
E5004MATIC
6.9 US qt (6.5 l)
Front axle
E3504MATIC
E5004MATIC
0.63 US qt (0.6 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90 
     
        
        Page 496 of 521

495 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 354)
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 354)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 354)
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 354)
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.