suspension MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2003 W211 Owner's Manual

211 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Comfort-/Sport setting
The AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) consists
of two components:

Adaptive-Damping-System (ADS)


Suspension style
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion style is set to either sporty or regular.The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


your choice of suspension style,
"sporty I", "sporty II" or "regular", which
you select using the damping switch.
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the key is re-
moved from the starter switch.
1Damping button
2Indicator lamps

Start the engine.
iIn the sporty suspension style the vehi-
cle is lowered 0.6 in (15 mm).

212 Controls in detailDriving systemsSuspension for sporty driving style I
The setting for sporty driving I is selected
when one indicator lamp2 is illuminated.
Press button1.
One indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for sporty driving style II
The setting for sporty driving II is selected
when two indicator lamps2 are illuminat-
ed.

Press button1 twice.
Two indicator lamps2 come on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when the two indicator lamps2 are off.

Press button1 repeatedly until all indi-
cator lamps go out.
The indicator lamps2 go out.
PARKTRONIC system*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The Park-
tronic system deactivates at speeds over
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower speeds the
Parktronic system turns on again.Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
having smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or
street curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
can be affected by dirty sensors, especially
at times of snow and ice. See "Cleaning the
Parktronic system sensors" (
page 284).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Be sure that no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

268 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1⁄8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted

the wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


the correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

348 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleTowing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position2. When towing
the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km)
and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

350 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumperTo remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (if so equipped) in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front
wheel as well as the right rear wheel
are turning at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 99).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 343) or on jump
starting (
page 346).

396 IndexSteering column
Height adjustment 38
Length adjustment 38
Steering gear oil
Message in display 318
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Electrical adjustment 38
Height adjustment 38
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 242
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof* 188
Windows 185
Storage compartments
Glove box 226
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 110
Submenus
Convenience 143
For settings 123
In control system 125
Instrument cluster 134, 136
Lighting 138
Resetting functions in Control
system 131Selecting 131
Settings menu 131
Vehicle 142
Sun visors 158
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 379
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 212
For sporty driving style 212
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 142
Engine 51
ESP 76
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 142
ESP 77
Front fog lamps 114
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 46
High beams 115
Rear fog lamp 114
Windshield wipers 47Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 129
Synchronizing
Power windows 186
Sliding/pop-up roof* 189
T
Tachometer 120
Overspeed range 120
Tail lamps 333, 336
Tele Aid System 379
Tele Aid* 234
Emergency calls 236
Info services 242
Information 239
Initiating an emergency call
manually 237
Remote door unlock 241
Roadside assistance 238
SOS button 237
Stolen vehicle tracking services 242
System self-check 235
Tele Aid System 235
Upgrade signals 240
Telematics* 379
Telephone* 24, 233
Answering a call 148