steering MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON 2005 S211 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30
Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 32
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 33
Starter switch positions .................. 34
Adjusting .............................................. 38
Seats .............................................. 38
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 41
Driving .................................................. 44
Fastening the seat belts ................. 44
Starting the engine ......................... 47
Switching on headlamps ................. 51
Turn signals .................................... 51
Windshield wipers ........................... 52
Rear window wiper / washer ........... 54
Problems while driving.................... 55
Parking and locking .............................. 56
Parking brake ................................. 56
Switching off headlamps................. 57
Turning off engine ........................... 57

Contents
Control system .................................. 153
Multifunction display .................... 153
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 154
Menus .......................................... 156
Standard display menu ................ 158
AUDIO menu ................................ 158
NAV* menu .................................. 160
Distronic* menu........................... 160
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 161
Settings menu .............................. 162
Trip computer menu..................... 178
TEL menu* ................................... 179
Automatic transmission ..................... 183
One-touch gearshifting................. 185
Gear ranges ................................. 186
Gear selector lever position ......... 187
Automatic shift program .............. 188
Driving tips ................................... 189
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 190Good visibility ..................................... 191
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 191
Rear view mirror ........................... 191
Sun visors ..................................... 193
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors . 194
Rear window defroster .................. 195
Dual-zone automatic climate control .. 196
Deactivating the dual-zone
automatic climate control system. 201
Setting the temperature................ 201
Adjusting air distribution............... 201
Adjusting air volume ..................... 202
Defrosting ..................................... 203
Air recirculation mode .................. 204
Air conditioning............................. 206
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 2074-zone automatic climate control* ..... 208
Deactivating the 4-zone
automatic climate control system 213
Setting the temperature ............... 214
Adjusting air distribution .............. 214
Adjusting air volume ..................... 215
Defrosting ..................................... 215
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 216
Air recirculation mode .................. 216
Air conditioning ............................ 218
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 219
Rear air conditioning..................... 219
Power windows .................................. 221
Opening and closing the windows 221
Synchronizing power windows ...... 223
Summer opening feature .............. 223
Convenience closing feature......... 224
Power tilt / sliding sunroof* ................ 225
Opening and closing the power
tilt / sliding sunroof ....................... 225
Synchronizing the power
tilt / sliding sunroof ....................... 227

ContentsDriving systems ................................. 228
Cruise control............................... 228
Distronic*..................................... 232
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 244
Loading .............................................. 247
Split rear bench seat .................... 247
Expanding the cargo
compartment................................ 249
Loading instructions ..................... 250
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 251
Cargo management system*
(Canada only) ............................... 252
Storage box in cargo
compartment (Canada only) ......... 255
Twin roller blind ............................ 256
Useful features .................................. 259
Storage compartments................. 259
Cup holders .................................. 262
Ashtrays ....................................... 265
Cigarette lighter ........................... 266
12-V socket* ................................ 266
Heated steering wheel* ............... 267
Floormats ..................................... 268
Telephone*................................... 268
Tele Aid* ...................................... 269
Garage door opener ..................... 277
Operation......................................... 283
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 284
Driving instructions............................ 285
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 285
Drinking and driving ..................... 285
Pedals .......................................... 285
Power assistance ......................... 286
Brakes .......................................... 286
Driving off .................................... 288
Parking ......................................... 288
Tires ............................................. 288
Hydroplaning ................................ 289
Tire traction.................................. 290
Tire speed rating .......................... 290
Winter driving instructions ........... 291
Standing water ............................. 292
Passenger compartment .............. 293
Driving abroad.............................. 293
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 293
Catalytic converter ....................... 294
Emission control .......................... 294
Coolant temperature .................... 295At the gas station .............................. 296
Refueling ...................................... 296
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 297
Engine compartment ......................... 299
Hood ............................................ 299
Engine oil ..................................... 300
Transmission fluid level ................ 303
Coolant level ................................ 303
Battery ......................................... 305
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 306
Tires and wheels................................ 307
Important guidelines .................... 307
Tire care and maintenance........... 308
Direction of rotation..................... 310
Loading the vehicle ...................... 310
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 316
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 318
Tire labeling ................................. 323
Load identification ....................... 327
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 327
Maximum tire load ....................... 329
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 329

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Door control panel

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
49, 56
2
Hood lock release
299
3
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
41
Heated steering wheel*
267
4
Parking brake release
49
5
Combination switch

Turn signals
51


Windshield wipers
52


High beam
51
6
Door control panel
30
7
Exterior lamp switch
141
Item
Page
8
Headlamp washer button*
191
9
Cruise control lever

Cruise control
236


Distronic*
232
a
Instrument cluster
24,
150
b
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
154
c
Horn
d
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
e
Starter switch
34
f
Overhead control panel
29
g
Mobile phone/Glasses box
259
h
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
259
j
Glove box
259
k
Center console
27

26 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display in
speedometer
153
Operating control sys-
tem
154
2
Selecting the submenu or
setting the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a call
to dial a calltto end a call
to reject an incom-
ing call
Item
Page
4
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next systemÿfor previous system
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display

30 At a glanceDoor control panel
Item
Page
1
Door handle
114
2
Seat adjustment
39
3
Memory function (for stor-
ing seat, exterior mirror
and steering wheel set-
tings)
138
4
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
42
5
Switches for opening/
closing front and rear side
windows, rear window
override switch
221
6
Remote tailgate release
switch, Tailgate opening
system*
122

38 Getting startedAdjustingSeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer
is in a nearly upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 44).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the start-
er switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open. Therefore, do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and / or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats. Re-
gardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 73).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
on the front doors.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustment
5Backrest tilt
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
or

Open the respective door.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4.
Adjust a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow5 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow2.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind
the seats. Otherwise you could damage
the seats.
The memory function (
page 138) lets
you store the setting for the seat posi-
tion together with the setting for the
steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.

40 Getting startedAdjustingHead restraint height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.Head restraint tilt
Manually adjust the angle of the head re-
straint.

Push or pull on the lower edge of the
head restraint cushion.
For more information on seats, see the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 124).
Steering wheel
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the center of
the head restraint supports the back of the
head at eye level. This will reduce the poten-
tial for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as possi-
ble.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock your vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the start-
er switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the steering wheel adjustment feature can
be operated when the driver’s door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and / or seri-
ous personal injury.