Distronic MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2005 W211 Owner's Guide

245 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message Currently unavailable See Operator’s
Manual
appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic system
sensor” (page 351).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle
to brake late or unexpectedly.
iIf the message
Currently unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
disappears
during driving and the last speed stored
flashes for approximately five seconds,
the dirt (e.g. slush) has dissolved;
Distronic works again.

246 Controls in detailDriving systemsOffset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset
from your direct line of travel may not be
detected by Distronic. There will be insuffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.Lane changing
Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle
changing lanes. There will be insufficient
distance to the lane-changing vehicle.Narrow vehicles
Because of its narrow profile, the vehicle
traveling near the edge of the roadway has
not yet been detected by Distronic. There
will be insufficient distance to the vehicle
ahead.

351 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic system sensor cover
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water to clean sensor
cover1.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor cover. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a
dry cloth or sponge.Cleaning the Parktronic system*
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors

Clean the sensors1 on the bumpers
using a mild car wash detergent, such
as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratchy cloth.
When using a steam cleaner or power
washer, aim nozzle only briefly from a min-
imum distance of 12 in (30 cm) at
sensors1.
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
cover, applying strong pressure may dam-
age the sensor cover.To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.
Wiper blades

Turn on the wipers and place it in a ver-
tical position.
For information on placing the wipers in a
vertical position, see “Replacing wiper
blades” (
page 423).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.


356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the Parktronic system*,
Distronic*, or the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 367).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

357 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 90).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ABS, ESP or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 90).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Low
Battery
Conven. functions
temporarily
unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Conven. functions
available again

On-board voltage is sufficient; the
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate
The Distronic* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.

Try activating the Distronic* again later.
Drive to workshop
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
DISTRONIC* is switched off if:

the DISTRONIC cover in the area
of the radiator grille is dirty


the functionality is impaired by
heavy rain or thick fog

If necessary, clean the DISTRONIC cover in
the area of the radiator grille.

Restart the vehicle.
or
DISTRONIC* becomes operational again with-
out the engine being restarted when:


dirt on the grille falls off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)


the system recognizes full sensor availabili-
ty (due to lessening rain or the road surface
drying)


the message in the multifunction display
disappears


the speed last stored flashes in the display
for five seconds.
You can operate DISTRONIC* as usual again.

472 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DTR
(->Distronic*)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

477 Index
A
ABS 85, 471
ABS control 86
Malfunction indicator lamp 356
Messages in display 369
Warning lamp 356
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 180
Accessory weight 337
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 201, 214
Air recirculation mode 199, 212
Anti-theft alarm system 94
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 194, 195
Central locking (control system) 166
Defrosting 199
Distance warning function* 244
Distronic* 240
Easy-entry/exit feature* 167ESP 90
Exterior headlamps 50
Exterior lamps 134
Front fog lamps 136
Hazard warning flasher 138
Headlamps 50
High beams 137
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 56, 94
Rear fog lamp 136
Rear window defroster 191
Residual heat 202, 215
Seat heater* 128
Tow-away alarm 95
Windshield wipers 52
Adding
Engine oil 306
Additional turn signal 418
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 216Adjusting 37
Air distribution 198, 210
Air volume 198, 211
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 126
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 142
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 40
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering wheel 39
Adjusting steering column in or out 40
Adjusting steering column up or down 40
Adjusting the dynamic seat 169

480 IndexBattery discharged
Jump starting 436
Bead 337
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 471
Bleeding the fuel system 432
Block heater* 342
Blocking
Rear window operation 83
Brake assist system (BAS) 471
Brake fluid 301, 382
Brake pads
Message in display 380
Brakes
Warning lamp 358
Break-in period 286Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 417
Fog lamps 417
Front lamps 417, 420
High beam 418
High mounted brake lamp 418
License plate lamps 418, 422
Low beam 418
Parking lamps 418
Side marker lamps 417, 422
Standing lamps 418
Tail lamp 418
Tail lamp assemblies 422
Turn signal lamp 417
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 471
Calling up
Distronic* settings 152
Maintenance service indicator 345
Range (distance to empty) 171
CAN system 471
Cargo tie-down rings 261
CD player
Operating 151Center console
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 365
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 157
Central locking
From inside 119
Switch 119
Switching on/off (control
system) 166
Unlocking from inside 119
Central locking switch 119
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 415, 416
Batteries (SmartKey) 415, 416
SmartKey setting 167
Vehicle level 249
Charging
Vehicle batteries 435
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 359, 360