cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2003 User Guide

254 OperationDriving instructionsTire speed rating
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 the speed rating.
Regardless of the tire rating, local speed
limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driv-
ing speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
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 selector lever to position N or in
case you have a manual transmission, de-
clutch. Try to keep the vehicle under con-
trol by corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling at
length on salt-strewn roads.
This can bring road salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal. A prerequisite
is, however, that this be done without en-
dangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and re-
sulting in personal injury and possible death.
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see "Snow chains"
(page 274).
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 loss of control.
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301 Practical hints
What to do if …
P
Gear selector lever in P
You have turned off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button* and
opened the driver’s door.

Place the selector lever in position P.
Cruise control
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
1
Restraint system
malfunction
Visit workshop!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
@
Vehicle rising!
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level selec-
tion.
Level selec. canceled
The "Raised" level setting is canceled at ve-
hicle speeds of over 75 mph (120 km/h).

Reactivate the "Raised" level setting.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the
SRS may not be activated when needed in
an accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
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323 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
I
Remove key!
You have forgotten to remove the key.

Remove the key from the starter switch.
Replace key
The batteries in the key are dead.

Change the batteries (
page 328).
Automat. light on
Remove key!

Remove the key from the starter switch.
A

Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next filling station
(page 259).
J

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

Close the doors.
?
Visit workshop!
There may be a malfunction in the:

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
±
Display defective
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.
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376 Technical termsControl 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.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.
DTR
(->Distronic*)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
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
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384 IndexClock 137
Closing
Glove box 226
Side windows 184
Side windows with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
KEYLESS-GO* 92
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
SmartKey 188, 192
Trunk lid 96
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 185
Cockpit 20, 375
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 115
High beam flasher 47
Turn signals 46
Windshield wipers 47
Consumer information 373
Control system 121, 376
AUDIO menu 126
Convenience submenu 143
Display digital speedometer 126
Distronic* menu 128Functions 125
Instrument cluster submenu 134,
136
Lighting submenu 138
Malfunction memory menu 129
Menus 124, 125, 378
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction steering wheel 122
Selecting radio system 127
Settings menu 130
Standard display menu 126
Submenus 123, 125
TEL* menu 147
Trip computer menu 145
Vehicle submenu 142
Convenience submenu 143
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 143
Setting key dependency 144
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 144
Coolant
Messages in display 311, 312
Temperature display 119
Warning lamp 292, 311
Cruise control 194, 376Canceling 195
Driving downhill 195
Driving uphill 195
Fine adjustment 196
Lever 201
Saving current speed 195
Setting speeds 196
Cruise control lever 194
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 375
D
Daytime running lamp mode 114
Setting 139
Deactivating
Air conditioner 170
Air recirculation mode 168, 179, 180
Alarm 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Automatic climate control 169, 174
Central locking (control system) 142
Climate control 164
Cruise control 195
Defrost 167, 178
Distance warning function* 206
Distronic* 204
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 53
Engine with the key 52
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385 Index
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 113
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 81
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 141
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat 171
Tow-away alarm 83
Deceleration
With Distronic* 200
Defogging
Windshield 166, 177
Defrosting 167, 178
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 141
Dialing
A number (telephone) 149
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 48
With starting 44
Digital speedometer 126
Discharged battery
Jump starting 346Display
Selecting 135, 136
Displays
Digital speedometer 126
Distronic* 199
Messages 264
Selecting 135
Service indicator 275
Showing malfunctions 130
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 205
Increasing in Distronic* 205
Warning function 205
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 145
Distance warning function* 205
Activating 206
Deactivating 206
DTR* warning lamp 205
Intermittent warning sound 205
Symbol in multifunction display 129
Distronic* 197, 376
Activated 201
Activating 202
Calling up settings 128, 200
Cleaning sensors 283Cover 283
Cruise control lever 201
Deactivated 201
Deactivating 204
Deceleration 200
Decreasing distance 205
Displays in the speedometer dial 199
Distance warning function 205
Driving hints 206
Fine adjustment 203
Increasing distance 205
Intermittent signal tone 199
Menu 200
Messages in display 300
Resetting stored speed 203
Setting a higher speed 202
Setting a slower speed 203
Setting the current speed 202
Setting the following distance in
Distronic 204
Warning and indicator lamps 199
Door entry lamps 117
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 241
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386 IndexDoors
Message in display 323
Opening from inside vehicle 93
Opening from outside 87, 91
Downhill driving
Cruise control 195
Downshifting 152
Driving
General instructions 40
Problems 48
Safety systems 73
With Distronic* 206
Driving hints
SBC brake system 79
Driving safety systems
ABS 73
BAS 74
ESP 75, 376
SBC brake system 77
Driving systems 194
AIRMATIC DC 209
Cruise control 194
Distronic* 197
Driving safety systems 73
Vehicle level control 209
DTR see Distronic* 376Dual control
AIRMATIC DC 209
E
Easy-entry/exit
Message in display 310
Easy-entry/exit feature* 102
Activating 143
Interrupting movement 102, 143
Electrical fuses 352
Electrical system 363
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 75,
376
Emergency call system* 235
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 237
With Tele Aid* 236
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 156
Emergency operations
Releasing trunk lid from inside 97
Remote door unlock 241
Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof* 331
Unlocking the vehicle 327Emergency tensioning device 377
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 377
Ending
A call (telephone) 149
Engine 360
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 44
Starting with the key 44
Turning off with the key 52
Engine number 376
Engine oil
Adding 263
Additives 368
Checking level 262
Display messages 299, 300
Filler neck 263
Messages in display 264, 300
Viscosity 376
ESP 75, 376
Switching off 76
Switching on 77
Warning lamp 288
ETD 377
Safety guidelines 59
Exterior lamp switch 112
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387 Index
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Parking position for 144
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 134
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 196
Distronic* 203
First aid kit 324
Flat tire 338
Spare wheel 338
Flexible Service System (FSS) 275, 377
Fog lamp, rear 114
Fog lamps, front 114
Messages in display 316
Replacing bulbs 332
Switching on 114
Front airbags 60
Front lamps 332
Messages in display 313
Replacing bulbs 334
Switching on 112
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 103Front seats
Heater* 107
FSS (Flexible Service System) 275, 377
Fuel 260
Premium unleaded gasoline 260
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 146
Since last reset 146
Fuel filler flap 259
Locking 259
Unlocking 259
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 313, 323
Fuel tank
Filler flap 259
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 366
Functions (control system) 125
Resetting 131
Fuse chart 353
Fuses 352
Fuse chart 353
Fuse extractor 353
Spare fuses 353G
Garage door opener 27, 243
Erasing in remote control 246
Integrated remote control 244
Rolling code programming 245
Gasoline see Fuel 260
Gear range 377
Automatic transmission 153
Limiting 153
Shifting into optimal 152
Gear range limit
Canceling 152
Gear selector lever
Position 154
Global
Locking 87
Locking with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Unlocking 87
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Global Positioning System (GPS) 377
Glove box 226
Closing 226
Opening 226
Good visibility 157
GPS 377
GPS see COMAND* 243
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389 Index
Key, Mechanical 327
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 87
Checking the batteries 88
Factory setting 87
Global locking 87
Global unlocking 87
Loss of 89
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 86
Restoring to factory setting 87
Selective setting 87
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 52
Unlocking the trunk lid 88
Unlocking with 30
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Turning off the engine 53
KEYLESS-GO*
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 92
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 92
Factory setting 91
Global locking 91
Global unlocking 91
Important notes 90Locking the vehicle 92
Remote controls 89
Starting the engine 44
Turning off engine 53
Unlocking with 32
Unlocking, trunk lid 92
KEYLESS-GO* card
Messages in display 309
Keys 86
Kickdown 156, 377
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 134
Km/h or mph in speedometer 134
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 332
Lamps, exterior
Front 332
Light sensor 313
Messages in display 313–??
Replacing bulbs for rear 333, 336
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 289
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 87
Brakes 291
Coolant 292
DTR* 199ESP 288
SBC 77
Seat belts 293
SRS 56
Language
Multifunction display 135
Setting 135
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 359
Level control system
AIRMATIC DC 209
Lever
Cruise control 201
License plate lamps 333
Messages in display 316
Replacing bulbs 336
Light sensor 313
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 232
Lighting 112
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Combination switch 115
Daytime running lamp mode 114
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 112
Front fog lamps 114
High beams 115
Instrument cluster illumination 118
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394 Index
Easy entry/exit feature* 102
Heater* 107
Multicontour seat 104
Split rear bench seat 219
Ventilation 108
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 225
Selecting
Display 135
Selecting display 136
Selector lever
Lock 43
Position 151
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 68
Tele Aid* 235
Service
Batteries 343
Calling up the service indicator 276
Overdue 276
When due 275
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 275
Clearing 275
Service System see FSS 275Setting
Convenience functions 132, 143
Cruise control 195
Daytime running lamp mode 139
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 111
Higher speed in cruise control 196
Higher speed in Distronic* 202
Hours (clock) 137
Individual vehicle settings 130
Instrument lighting 118, 119
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 141
Key dependent memory 144
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 138
Language, multifunction display 135
Locator lighting 139
Lower speed in cruise control 196
Lower speed in Distronic* 203
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 134
Minutes (clock) 137, 138
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 144
Slower speed in cruise control 196Slower speed in Distronic* 203
Speed in cruise control 196
Speed in Distronic* 202
Speedometer display mode 134
Temperature (interior) 165, 176
Temperature indicator 134
Tire inflation pressure 136
Units
Speedometer 134
Temperature 134
Tire inflation pressure 136
Vehicle level control 209
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 128, 200
Convenience functions 143
Factory, KEYLESS-GO* 91
Factory, SmartKey 87
Individual (SmartKey) 144
Lighting (control system) 138
Menus and submenus 123
Resetting all (control system) 131
Resetting in the submenu 131
Selective 87
Settings menu
Functions in 130
Individual vehicle settings 130
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