Page 320 of 521

319 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood release
Pull lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked and handle2
will extend out of the radiator grille.
2Handle for opening the hood
Pull handle2 to its stop out of radia-
tor grille.
Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the
wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.
Page 321 of 521

320 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
Gasoline engine: The engine is equipped
with a transistorized ignition system. Be-
cause of the high voltage it is dangerous to
touch any components (ignition coils, spark
plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the igni-
tion system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Page 346 of 521

345 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 344) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 344) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 344) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 346).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 344) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (page 344) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 350) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.
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 396 of 521

395 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messages
Possible cause/conse-
quence
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag
deactivated
See Operator’s Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
deactivated while driving even
though an adult or someone
larger than a small individual is
occupying the front passenger
seat. Forces acting on the seat
may make the system sense a
decrease in weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
front passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (
page 36).
Have the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Adjust the seat in a height position (
page 41).
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are
present (e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged under-
neath, behind or around the seat). Such forces may cause the sys-
tem to sense that an occupant of a lesser weight than actually
present is on the front passenger seat.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and turn
on the ignition (
page 36).
(Continued on next page)
Page 421 of 521
420 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
@
Vehicle rising
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level se-
lection.
Vehicle rising
Please wait briefly
The vehicle level is too low.
Do not drive off.
The Airmatic* has not yet adjusted the ve-
hicle level to the necessary height re-
quired for driving.
Wait until the message disappears from
the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
Stop, car too low
The Airmatic* is malfunctioning.
Avoid excessive steering input. The fender or
tires could otherwise be damaged. Listen for
scraping noises. Do not drive faster than
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the side of the road and select a
higher vehicle level. Depending on the
type of malfunction, this may raise the ve-
hicle’s level.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Page 428 of 521

427 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.90 ft
(1.80 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Handle
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock until it stops.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 and hold it in this
position.
Pull the handle2 and lift the trunk lid.
The trunk opens.
Turn the mechanical key back and re-
move it from the trunk lid lock.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*, do the following:
Close the passenger door, the rear
doors and the trunk.
Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 130).
Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the doors have moved down.
If necessary, push them down
manually.
Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 426).
Check whether the trunk is locked.
If necessary, lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 128).
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
1Locking
Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position1.
The driver’s door is locked.
!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance.
Page 483 of 521
482 Technical dataMain dimensions and weightsMain dimensionsModel
E320CDI/E350
E500
E55AMG
Overall vehicle length
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.3 in (4833 mm)
190.9 in (4849 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior view
mirrors folded out)
78.3 in (1990 mm)
78.3 in (1990 mm)
78.3 in (1990 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.1 in (1449 mm)
-
-
Overall vehicle height (Airmatic DC*)
(optional on E 320 CDI/E 350;
standard on E 500/E 55 AMG)
56.2 in (1429 mm)
56.3 in (1431 mm)
55.6 in (1412 mm)
Wheelbase
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
112.4 in (2854 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1559 mm)
61.7 in (1567 mm)
62.3 in (1583 mm)
Track, rear
61.1 in (1552 mm)
61.4 in (1560 mm)
61.3 in (1558 mm)