2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E500 cruise control

253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 252) to in-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 252), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 249).Setting a lower speed

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 252) to de-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 252), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 249).
iIf you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following
message will appear in the multifunc-
tion display: Distronic
overrideThe distance to a slower moving vehi-
cles in front of you will not be set. Your
vehicle speed will then be determined
only by the accelerator pedal position.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate Distronic. After brief ac-
celeration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brakes will be ap-
plied to support deceleration.
In addition, the transmission will auto-
matically downshift on long downhill
grades.

254 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 252).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 252).
Distronic is activated and set to the last
stored speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow3 (
page 252).
or

Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
iThe following message will appear in
the multifunction display for approxi-
mately 5 seconds:Distronic offThe last stored speed is deleted when
you turn off the engine.

309 Operation
Driving instructions
E320CDI
E 350, E 350 4MATIC
E 500, E 500 4MATIC
E 350 (Appearance Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
E350(SportPackage*)
E500(SportPackage*)
E55AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“ZR”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of above 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
E 55 AMG: An electronic speed limiter pre-
vents your vehicle from exceeding a speed
of 155 mph (250 km/h).E3504MATIC (Sport Package*)
1
E5004MATIC (Sport Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
1Not available in Canada.iFor information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 358).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 346).
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 359).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

389 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Low
Battery
Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Conven. functions
available again

On-board voltage is sufficient; the
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is
malfunctioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.

Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

406 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The displays for several systems have
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the display is malfunctioning,
warnings and malfunction messages
might not be displayed.

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
J

Doors open
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.

Close the doors.

494 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 354)Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DOT
(Department of Transportation)
(
page 354)
Electrohydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

504 IndexCoolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 491
Capacities 485
Checking coolant level 325
Messages in display 403, 404, 405
Temperature 314
Temperature indicator 151
Warning lamp 379
Cruise control 243, 494
Message in display 389
Cup holders 278
Cleaning 370
Curb weight 354
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date display, setting 169, 170
Daytime running lamp mode 142
Setting 170, 171
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 209, 224
Defrosting, Front 209, 223
Defrosting, Rear 201
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 172
Interior lighting 173Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel fuel 316
Diesel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 58
With starting 52
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 159
Dimensions, vehicle 482
Direction of rotation (tires) 331
Displays
Digital speedometer 159
Distronic* 249
Maintenance service indicator 360
Messages in display 398
Multifunction display 153
Outside temperature 153, 167
Symbol messages 398
Text messages 388
Vehicle status message memory 163
Vehicle system settings, Control
system 153
Distance to empty (Range), Trip
computer 178Distronic* 247, 494
Activating/deactivating 252
Cleaning system sensor 368
Control system 161
Distance warning function 256
Driving hints 257
Menu 251
Messages in display 389
Sensor cover 368
Warning and indicator lamps 250
Door
Entry lamps 148
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 34,
108
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 114
Message in display 406
Opening from inside/outside 119
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 292
Unlocking, Mechanical key 426
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
DOT 354, 494
Drinking and driving 303

511 Index
Multifunction display 153, 496
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Selecting language 166
Multifunction display messages 388
ABS
Batteries 389, 398, 399
Brake fluid 402
Brake lamps 412
Brake pads 400
Check engine 377, 378
Coolant 403, 404, 405
Cruise control 389
Distronic* 389
Door 406
Electrohydraulic brake system 400,
401
Engine oil 321, 407, 408, 409
ESP
®
391, 392
Fog lamps 412, 413
Fuel reserve tank 411
Headlamps 412, 413, 414
Hood 410
Key, SmartKey 411Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 410
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 417
Parking brake 401
Parking lamps 413
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 417
Seat belts 417
SRS 418
Telephone* 419
Tires 416
Trunk 419
Turn signals 415
Windshield washer fluid 419
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 154,
496
Button operation 154
N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 161
Net, parcel 278
Neutral gear position 185
Night security illumination 144
Normal occupant weight 355Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 468
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 355
Occupant safety 66
Air bags 67
Children and air bags 68
Children in the vehicle 78
Fastening the seat belt 47
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 85
Infant and child restraint systems 78
LATCH-type child seat anchors
OCS
Seat belts 47, 70
OCS
Self-test 86
Odometer 153
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 190
Operating safety 16
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 367
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service 360, 361
Overhead control panel 29