snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2004 W211 Owner's Manual

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 278
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 279
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 282
Transmission fluid level ................ 285
Coolant level ................................ 285
Battery ......................................... 287
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 288
Tires and wheels ................................ 289
Important guidelines .................... 289
Life of tire..................................... 290
Direction of rotation ..................... 290
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 290
Rotating wheels ........................... 293Winter driving ..................................... 295
Winter tires ................................... 295
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 296
Snow chains.................................. 296
Maintenance....................................... 297
Flexible Service System PLUS
(FSS PLUS).................................... 297
Clearing the service indicator ....... 298
Service term exceeded ................. 298
Calling up the service indicator..... 298
Resetting the service indicator ..... 298
Setting the date for special
works ............................................ 300
Calling up the service data
information ................................... 301
Vehicle care........................................ 302
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 302
Practical hints.................................. 309
What to do if … ................................... 310
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 310
Lamp in center console ................ 317
Messages in the display................ 318
Where will I find ...? ............................ 350
First aid kit.................................... 350
Vehicles with TIREFIT kit
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 350
Spare wheel .................................. 350
Luggage box ................................. 351
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 352
Unlocking / locking in an emergency .. 353
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 353
Locking the vehicle ....................... 354
Changing batteries in the
SmartKey/ SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 355
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 357
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever ........... 357
Opening / closing in an emergency..... 358
Sliding / pop-up roof* or panorama
sliding / pop-up roof* .................... 358

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


SBC (S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP, SBC and 4MATIC is only achieved
with winter tires (M + S tires), or snow
chains as required.Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, SBC and 4MATIC cannot
reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsSwitching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:

s t a r t i n g o u t o n s l i p p e r y s u r f a c e s a n d i n
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravelThe switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1ESP off/on switch

Press ESP switch 1 until the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster flashes, regardless of the
speed.
Traction control brakes a spinning wheel
even when the ESP is deactivated.
The ESP always operates when you are
braking, even when it has been deactivat-
ed.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in driving
maneuvers.!Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
iDISTRONIC* cannot be activated when
the ESP has been deactivated.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

228 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine is running:
The button is located in the lower section
of the center console.
1Vehicle level control button
2Indicator lamp

Briefly press button1 to change from
“Normal” level to “Raised” level. When
vehicle is at “Raised” level, pressing
the switch will return the vehicle to
“Normal” level.
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Ride height increase
over normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamp (
page 228)
Normal
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.6 in
(15 mm)
Lamp off
Raised
Driving with snow
chains or very rough
road surface conditions
Approximately 0.8 in
(20 mm)
Max. approx. 1.4 in
(35 mm)
Lamp on
iAt a speed of approximately above
75 mph (120 km / h) or if the speed
amounts to between 50 mph
(80 km / h) and 75 mph (120 km / h)
for approximately five minutes, the set-
ting “Raised” is canceled. The message Level selec. canceled
appears in the
multifunction display.
If you do not drive in this speed range,
the “Raised” level remains stored even
if the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch.

273 Operation
Driving instructions
E55AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Z”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
above 149 mph (above 240 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
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 gar 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.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
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.
iFor information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 295).
iFor more information on driving with
snow chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 296).
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 control loss.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endarger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

296 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater* (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select the raised level of the level con-
trol system Airmatic* (
page 227).
Other settings may result in damage to
your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 78) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with the Minispare wheel and with tires
of size 245/40 ZR 18 or 265/35 ZR18
(page 394).

396 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size tires (E 55 AMG only)Minispare wheel
E55AMG
Front axle:
AMG light alloy rims
8 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 40 ZR18
1
Rear axle:
AMG light alloy rims
9 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.54 in (39 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
265 / 35 ZR18 Extra Load M0
1
1Must not be used with snow chains
E 320 / E 320 4MATIC
E 500 / E 500 4MATIC
Rim
4 J x 17
Wheel offset
1.34 (34 mm)
Tire
T 155/70 R 17 110 M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
iThe E 55 AMG does not have a spare
wheel. The E 55 AMG is equipped with
TIREFIT (
page 350).

436 Index
Locking and unlocking 88
Loss of 91
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof* with 202
Opening and closing windows
with 199
Opening the panorama sliding/pop-up
roof* with SmartKey 208
positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 88, 92
Restoring to factory setting 90, 94
Selective setting 89, 94
Starting the engine 44
Unlocking with 30
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Global locking and unlocking 94
Locking the vehicle 96
Loss of 96
Messages in display 335
Remote controls 91
Turning off the engine 53
Unlocking with 32
Smartkey-dependency memory
Settings 152Snow chains 296
Solar panel* 210
Spare fuses 385
Spare parts service 388
Spare wheel 350
Speed
Saving current 212
Speed settings
Cruise control 213
Distronic* 219, 220
Speedometer
Displays 216
Settings units 141
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 141
Split rear bench seat* 236
Sporty driving style 226
SRS 415
SRS indicator lamp 23, 56, 316
Standing lamps 119
Replacing bulbs 362
Standing water 274
Starter switch 31
Positions 31Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43
Steering column
Height adjustment 37
Length adjustment 37
Steering gear oil
Message in display 347
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Cleaning 308
Electrical adjustment 37
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 258
Stopping
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 207
Sliding/pop-up roof* 202
Windows 199
Storage compartments
Glove box 242
Storage space under armrest 244
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 117

440 IndexVehicle washing 304
Vehicle with TIREFIT kit (E 55 AMG) 350
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 415
Voice control system* 415
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 222
Distronic* 216
Drivers seat belts 62
Parking brake 46
Warranty coverage 389
Washing the vehicle 302
Wear pattern (tires) 293
Weights 399
Wheel change 370
Tightening torque 374
Wheels
Rotating 293
Tires and wheels 289
Window curtain airbags 61Windows see Side windows 197
Windshield
Defogging 179, 189
Refilling washer fluid 288
Replacing wiper blades 365
Washer fluid 288
Windshield washer fluid
Message in display 347
Refilling 288
Wiping with 49
Windshield wipers 48, 169
Fast wiper speed 48
Intermittent wiping 48
Replacing wiper blades 364, 365
Single wipe 49
Switching on 48
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 49
Winter driving
Block heater* 296
Snow chains 296
Tires 295
Transmission program mode 164
Winter tires 295Winter driving instructions 273
Winter tires 295
Wiper blades 305
Installing 365
Removing 365
Replacing 365
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 49
Interval 48
With windshield washer fluid 49
Wood trims
Cleaning 308
X
Xenon headlamps*
Bi-Xenon* 411