sport mode MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2003 W211 Owner's Manual

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The SBC brake system is automatically ac-
tivated when you:

unlock the vehicle with the key or the
KEYLESS-GO*


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the key in the starter switch to
position1


in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, press
start/stop button on selector lever
once


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
Warning!
G
The SBC brake system requires electrical
power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In
such a case, the red brake warning lamp
(page 291) and warning messages in the
instrument cluster (
page 305) light up
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal pres-
sure and depress the pedal much further to
obtain the expected braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes are only applied to the front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
For more information, refer to "Towing the
vehicle" (
page 348).

250 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In
such a case, the red brake warning lamp
(page 291) and warning messages in the
instrument cluster (
page 303) light up
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal pres-
sure and depress the pedal much further to
obtain the expected braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes are only applied to the front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased! If there is a
malfunction in the SBC brake system, we
recommend that the vehicle be transported
with all wheels off the ground using flatbed
or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment. A
tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to "Towing the vehicle"
(page 348). For more information see
SBC brake system (
page 77).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.

307 Practical hints
What to do if …
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Brakes overheated!
Drive carefully!
The brake system is overheated due to an
excessive load on the brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake sys-
tem.

Drive more smoothly and think
ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.

When driving down slopes, shift into
a lower gear to use the engine’s brak-
ing power (
page 153).

Cautiously continue driving so that
the air stream will cool down the
brakes.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For
more information, refer to "Towing the vehi-
cle" (
page 348).
If the SBC brake system enters its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode,
the driver must apply significantly greater
brake pedal pressure and depress the pedal
much further than normal to obtain braking
effect. If necessary, apply full pressure to
the brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased!
Low brake fluid in the reservoir may cause
the braking system to fail!
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid

395 Index
Submenus 131
Shift lock 379
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 154
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 152
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps 332, 336
Side windows
Automatic opening 184
Closing 184, 185
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Closing with SmartKey 185
Opening 184, 185
Opening fully 184
Opening with SmartKey 185
Stopping 185
Synchronizing power windows 186
Signal strength (telephone*) 148
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 48
Single wipe 48
Ski sack* 216
Removing 219
Unfolding and loading 216
Unloading and folding 218Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Closing 187
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Closing with SmartKey 188, 192
Opening 187
Opening with SmartKey 188, 192
Stopping 188
Synchronizing 189
Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof*
Emergency operations 331
SmartKey
Locking and unlocking 86
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof* with 188, 192
Opening and closing windows
with 185
Unlocking with 30
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Global locking and unlocking 91
Locking the vehicle 92
Loss of 93
Remote controls 89
Unlocking with 32
Snow chains 274
Spare fuses 353Spare parts service 356
Spare wheel 324
Speed
Resetting stored speed in
Distronic* 203
Saving current 195
Speed settings
Cruise control 196
Distronic* 202, 203
Speedometer
Displaying gear range 153
Displays 199
Settings units 134
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 134
Split rear bench seat 219
Sporty driving style 212
SRS 63, 379
Indicator lamp 290
Standing lamps 112
Replacing bulbs 335
Starter switch 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43

397 Index
Dialing a number from the phone
book 149
Ending a call 149
Loading phone book* 149
Messages in display 309
Operating 147
Redialing 149
Temperature
Display mode 134
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 165,
176
Setting units in display 134
Tie-down rings (trunk) 225
Tightening torque 342, 379
Time
Setting hours 137
Setting minutes 137, 138
Tire inflation pressure
Setting units 136
Tire speed rating 379
Tires 373
Tools 326
Tow-away alarm 82
Arming 82
Disarming 82Disarming for transport 82
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 350
Towing the vehicle 348
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 242
Traction 155, 379
Trip computer 145
Trip odometer
Resetting 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 96
Lamp 117
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 92
Message in display 310
Opening 88, 96
Opening from inside vehicle 94
Separately locking 98
Tie-down rings 225
Trunk lid emergency release 97
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Trunk lid
Closing 96
Turn signals 46
Additional in mirrors 332
Front bulbs 332Turning off
Engine 51
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 134
Setting temperature units 134
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 136
Unlocking 30, 86, 327
Centrally from inside 100
Driver’s door in an emergency 327
Fuel filler flap 259
Global 87
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Selective settings 87
Trunk lid with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Vehicle in an emergency 241
With KEYLESS-GO* 32
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 240
Uphill driving
Cruise control 195
Upshifting 152
Useful features 226
Ashtrays 231