adjust MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2005 W211 Workshop Manual

297 Operation
Driving instructions
Oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with an
oxidation catalyst, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to
achieve substantial control of the pollut-
ants in the exhaust emissions. Keep your
vehicle in proper operating condition by
following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Mainte-
nance Booklet.
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should, therefore,
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re-
quirements. For details refer to the Mainte-
nance Booklet.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.
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 at all times.

321 Operation
Tires and wheels
Placard (Example B)
1Vehicle Tire Information placard with
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures
Placard (Example B) lists the recommend-
ed cold tire inflation pressures for maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight. The tire
inflation pressures listed apply to the tires
installed as original equipment.Important notes on tire inflation
pressure
Tire temperature and tire inflation pressure
are also increased while driving, depending
on the driving speed and the tire load.
If you will be driving your vehicle at high
speeds of 100 mph (160 km / h) or higher,
where it is legal and conditions allow,
consult the placard on the inside of the fuel
filler flap on how to adjust the cold tire in-
flation pressure. If you do not adjust the
tire inflation pressure, excessive heat can
build up and result in sudden tire failure.Be sure to readjust the tire inflation
pressure for normal driving speeds. You
should wait until the tires are cold before
adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Some vehicles may have supplemental tire
pressure information for vehicle loads less
than the maximum loaded vehicle condi-
tion. If such information is provided, it can
be found on the placard located on the in-
side of the fuel filler flap.
Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi-
mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of
air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire inflation pressure
where the temperature is different from
the outside temperature.
iPlacard (Example B) may list
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures for different vehicle loads.
Warning!
G
If the tire inflation pressure repeatedly
drops:

Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.

322 OperationTires and wheelsChecking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation
pressure when the tires are cold. The tires
can be considered cold if the vehicle has
been parked for at least three hours or
driven less than one mile (1.6 km).
If you check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are warm (the vehicle has
been driven for several miles or sitting less
than three hours), the reading will be
approximately 4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than
the cold reading. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the specified cold tire in-
flation pressure. Otherwise, the tire will be
underinflated.
Checking tire inflation pressure
manually
Follow the steps below to achieve correct
tire inflation pressure:
Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire.

Firmly press a tire gauge onto the
valve.

Read tire inflation pressure on tire
gauge and check against the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure on the
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(page 315). If necessary, add air to
achieve the recommended tire inflation
pressure.

Install the valve cap.

Repeat this procedure for each tire.Checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically*
The tire pressure monitoring system only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
You can call up the tire inflation pressure
using the control system (
page 150).
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation
pressure with the tire gauge.
iAfter you have reactivated the tire
pressure monitoring system, the cur-
rent tire inflation pressures will only be
shown after a few minutes’ driving
time.
During this time, you will see the follow-
ing message in the display:Tire pressure

displayed only
after driving
a few mins.

323 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 33).

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 150).

Press the j or k button until the
current inflation pressures for each tire
appear in the multifunction display.iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire inflation pressure gauge of
an air hose, e.g. gas station equipment,
and the vehicle’s control system can
occur. The readings issued by the con-
trol system are more precise.
Warning!
G
When the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light is lit, one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. You should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure
as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the
spare, should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle placard
and owner’s manual.iThe recommended tire inflation pres-
sures for your vehicle can be found on
the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
or the inside of the fuel filler flap, not in
the owner’s manual.
Warning!
G
The tire pressure monitoring system does
not indicate a warning for wrongly selected
inflation pressures. Always adjust tire infla-
tion pressure according to the placard locat-
ed on the driver’s door B-pillar or the inside
of the fuel filler flap.
The tire pressure monitoring system is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra-
matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem to malfunction.

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag deactivated
See Operator’s Manual
Air bag is deactivated while
driving even though an
adult or someone larger
than a small individual is
occupying the front pas-
senger seat. Forces acting
on the seat may make the
system sense a decrease
in weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible
and check the following:
Do not lean on armrests or lift yourself up using han-
dle over the door.

Adjust the seat in a height position (
page 38).

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the
seat are present (e.g. objects such as books, brief-
cases etc. lodged underneath, behind or around the
seat). Such forces may cause the system to sense
that an occupant of a lesser weight than actually
present is on the front passenger seat.

Re-position yourself.

Sit properly belted in a nearly upright position with
your back against the seat backrest.
If performing any of the above corrective steps is
successful, the message
Front passenger airbag
activated
will appear in the multifunction display,
confirming the situation has been remedied.
(Continued on next page)

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only limited op-
eration. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking responsive-
ness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Low voltage
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 46).
Malfunction
Electrical consumers
switched off
The consumer battery has insufficient
voltage and can no longer supply the con-
venience functions such as seat ventila-
tion*.
The electrical consumers will come back
online as soon as on-board voltage is suf-
ficient.
(
Backrest, right rear
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.

Adjust the rear seat backrest until it is
fully engaged in position.
Backrest, left rear
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.

Adjust the rear seat backrest until it is
fully engaged in position.

381 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Reduced braking power
Visit workshop
The SBC brake system is in emergency
operation mode. Considerable brake ped-
al force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.

Continue driving with added caution.

Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Service brake
Visit workshop
There are malfunctions, but the SBC
brake system is operating normally.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake overheated
Drive carefully
The brake system is overheated due to an
excessive load on the brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake system.

Drive more smoothly and think ahead
to avoid unnecessary braking.

When driving down slopes, shift into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking
power (
page 176).

Cautiously continue driving so that
the air stream will cool down the
brakes.
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 48).

400 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Caution
Tire pres., RL
The left rear tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Ob-
serve the traffic situation around you.

Change the wheel (
page 425).

Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure, RL
Check tire
The left rear tire inflation pressure is
low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure.

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 425).
Caution
Tire pres., RR
The right rear tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Ob-
serve the traffic situation around you.

Change the wheel (
page 425).

Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause
excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

401 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Tire pressure, RR
Check tire
The right rear tire inflation pres-
sure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure.

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 425).
Caution
Tire pres., FL
The left front tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Ob-
serve the traffic situation around you.

Change the wheel (
page 425).

Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure, FL
Check tire
The left front tire inflation pres-
sure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure.

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 425).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause
excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

402 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Caution
Tire pres., FR
The right front tire is deflating.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Ob-
serve the traffic situation around you.

Change the wheel (
page 425).

Have the damaged wheel repaired or replaced
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire pressure, FR
Check tire
The right front tire inflation pres-
sure is low.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.

Check the tire.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure.

If necessary change the wheel (
page 425).
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.