Gas MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2003 W211 Owner's Manual

Contents
Adjusting air distribution .............. 177
Adjusting air volume .................... 177
Defrosting .................................... 178
Air recirculation mode.................. 178
Charcoal filter .............................. 180
Rear window defroster ................. 180
Air conditioner ............................. 181
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 182
Rear air conditioning .................... 182
Power windows.................................. 184
Opening and closing the windows 184
Synchronizing power windows ..... 186
Sliding/pop-up roof* ......................... 187
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof* ......................... 187
Synchronizing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 189
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof*......... 190
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* ... 190
Solar panel* ................................. 193
Driving systems ................................. 194
Cruise control .............................. 194
Distronic* .................................... 197
AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control)* ...... 209
PARKTRONIC system* ................. 212
Loading.............................................. 216Roof rack ...................................... 216
Ski sack* ...................................... 216
Split rear bench seat*................... 219
Folding front passenger seat* ...... 222
Expanding the cargo area* ........... 223
Loading instructions ..................... 224
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 225
Useful features ................................... 226
Interior storage spaces ................. 226
Ashtrays........................................ 231
Cigarette lighter ............................ 232
12-V socket* ................................ 232
Heated steering wheel* ................ 233
Telephone* ................................... 233
Tele Aid* ....................................... 234
Garage door opener ...................... 243
Operation.......................................... 247
The first 1000 miles (1500km) ........... 248
Driving instructions ............................ 249
Drive sensibly – save fuel.............. 249
Drinking and driving ...................... 249
Pedals ........................................... 249
Power assistance .......................... 250
Brakes........................................... 250Driving off ..................................... 252
Parking ......................................... 252
Tires.............................................. 252
Aquaplaning .................................. 253
Tire traction .................................. 253
Tire speed rating ........................... 254
Winter driving instructions ............ 254
Standing water ............................. 255
Passenger compartment............... 255
Traveling abroad ........................... 255
Control and operation of radio
transmitter.................................... 256
Catalytic converter ....................... 256
Emission control ........................... 257
Coolant temperature .................... 258
At the gas station ............................... 259
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 260
Engine compartment .......................... 261
Hood ............................................. 261
Engine oil ...................................... 262
Transmission fluid level ................ 264
Coolant level ................................. 264
Battery .......................................... 266
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 267

Contents
Technical data................................. 355
Spare parts service ............................ 356
Warranty coverage............................. 357
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 357
Identification labels ........................... 358
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 359
E 320 / E 500 ............................... 359
Engine................................................ 360
Rims and tires.................................... 361
Same-sized tires........................... 361
Minispare wheel ........................... 362
Sport package .............................. 362
Electrical system ............................... 363
Main dimensions ............................... 364
Weights.............................................. 365Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ........... 366
Capacities ..................................... 366
Engine oils .................................... 368
Engine oil additives ....................... 368
Air conditioner refrigerant............. 368
Brake fluid..................................... 368
Premium unleaded gasoline .......... 369
Fuel requirements ......................... 369
Gasoline additives......................... 369
Coolants ....................................... 370
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .......................................... 372
Consumer information ........................ 373
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 373
Technical terms............................... 375Index................................................. 381

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

43 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP.
More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 151).
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open.

48 Getting startedDrivingSingle wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of arrow1
past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
Information on filling up the washer reser-
voir can be found in the "Operation" sec-
tion (page 267).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If leaves, snow, etc. block the wind-
shield wipers, switch off the wipers.

For safety reasons, withdraw key
from starter switch. Remove block-
age.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


Set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.


Have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

49 Getting started
Driving
The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 264).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.

155 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Program mode selector switch
1Program mode selector switch
S Standard For regular driving
W Winter For winter driving

Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until the letter of the
desired shift program appears in the
speedometer display field
(page 121).
Select
Wfor winter driving:


The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are im-
proved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.


The power transmission ratio for se-
lector lever positionR changes de-
pending on the program mode
selected (
W or
S).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with
you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
move the selector lever from positionP,
which could result in an accident or serious
injury.
!Never change the program mode when
the selector lever is out of positionP. It
could result in a change of driving char-
acteristics for which you may not be
prepared.

219 Controls in detail
Loading
Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack we recommend
that you contact an authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the trunk, you can fold down the
left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the trunk.
When transporting long items, the folding
front passenger seat* can be folded for-
ward, and you can remove the rear seat
cushions.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always close the
cover.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 225).

224 Controls in detailLoadingLoading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the shelf below the
rear windows.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

247 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care