light MERCEDES-BENZ E320CDI 2006 W211 Repair Manual

345 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 344) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 344) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 344) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 346).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 344) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (page 344) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 350) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.

348 OperationTires and wheelsAll-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identificationIn addition to tire load rating, special load
information may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating
the tire speed rating1 (
page 346).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S
.
for winter tiresup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the
tires you use show M+S and the moun-
tain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers As-
sociation (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

366 OperationVehicle care
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up
Stick for quick and provisional repairs
of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from
stones, vehicle doors, etc.).
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax should be applied to the engine
compartment after every engine cleaning.
Before applying, all control linkage bush-
ings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be pro-
tected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inad-
vertently locked or unlocked.

370 OperationVehicle careCleaning the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside. 
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.
Plastic and rubber parts

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
!Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, sol-
vents or cleaners containing solvents.
Do not touch the protective layer with
hard objects such as an ice scraper or
ring. Never apply strong force and only
use a soft, non-scratching cloth when
cleaning the rear part of the tilt/sliding
panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage
the protective layer.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning. To do so,
please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
disks. !Do not use oil or wax on these parts.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

371 Operation
Vehicle care
Hard plastic trim items
Use Pour Mercedes-Benz approved
Interior Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and
apply with light pressure onto.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever

Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner and shelf below rear window

Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham-
poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt. Seat belts

Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery

Wipe leather upholstery with a damp
cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.
!The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry
the webbing at temperatures above
176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.

372 OperationVehicle careNubuck leather upholstery (E 55 AMG)
The nubuck leather upholstery is treated
with a protective coating. 
Wipe nubuck leather upholstery with
damp microfiber cloth to remove dust
and other light stains.

Carefully dab nubuck leather uphol-
stery with a dry microfiber cloth to re-
move oil stains.Wood trims

Dampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.
!Do not use Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care or any solvents to clean
nubuck leather upholstery.
Avoid hard scrubbing on nubuck leath-
er upholstery.
!Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
75The indicator lamp does not illuminate
and/or does not remain illuminated
with the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint or less on the front passenger
seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure that there is nothing between seat cush-
ion and child seat and check installation of the child
seat.

Make sure that no objects applying supplemental
weight onto the seat are present.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the
seat are present (e.g. objects such as books, brief-
cases etc. lodged behind or around the seat, head
restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system
may recognize such forces as supplemental weight.

If the light remains out, have the system checked as
soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not transport a child on the front passen-
ger seat until the system has been repaired.

Read and observe messages in the multifunction
display and follow corrective steps (
page 393).
Warning!
G
If the
75
indicator lamp does not
illuminate or remains out with the
weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or less on the front
passenger seat,
do not transport a child on the front passen-
ger seat until the system has been repaired.

412 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Brake lamp
Drive to workshop
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, left
Substitute bulb on
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, right
Substitute bulb on
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp,
left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglamp,
right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Active headlamps
currently
unavailable
The active headlamps are malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Active headlamps
Backup lamp on
The active headlamps are malfunctioning.
Another light is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Active headlamps
malfunction
Drive to workshop
The active headlamps have malfunc-
tioned several times in succession.

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

413 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Low beam,
right
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front Marker light,
left
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front Marker light,
right
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Fr. Park. lamp, left
The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Fr. Park. lamp, right
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglamp
Substitute bulb on
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, left
The left reverse lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, right
The right reverse lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lamps
Lamps have been turned on although the
SmartKey in the starter switch is in posi-
tion 0.

Switch off the headlights.

414 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
High beam,
left
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam,
right
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Light sensor
Drive to workshop
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual mode (
page 170).

Switch on headlamps using the exteri-
or lamp switch.
Low beam,
left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

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