engine coolant MERCEDES-BENZ E500 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

ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 359
Bulbs ............................................ 359
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 361
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 363
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 364
Removing wiper blades ................ 364
Installing wiper blades.................. 365
Flat tire .............................................. 366
Preparing the vehicle.................... 366
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(E 55 AMG) ................................... 366
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 370
Batteries ............................................ 375
Disconnecting the battery ............ 376
Removing the battery ................... 377
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 377
Reconnecting the battery ............. 377
Jump starting ..................................... 378
Towing the vehicle ............................. 381
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 384
Fuses ................................................. 385
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 385
Technical data................................. 387
Spare parts service ............................ 388
Warranty coverage............................. 389
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 389
Identification labels ........................... 390
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 391
E 320 / E 500 ............................... 391
E 55 AMG ..................................... 391
Engine................................................ 392
Rims and tires.................................... 394
Same size tires ............................. 394
Mixed size tires
(E 55 AMG only) ........................... 396
Minispare wheel ........................... 396
Electrical system ............................... 397
Main dimensions ............................... 398
Weights.............................................. 399Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 400
Capacities .................................... 400
Engine oils ................................... 403
Engine oil additives ...................... 403
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 403
Brake fluid.................................... 403
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 404
Fuel requirements ........................ 404
Gasoline additives ........................ 404
Coolants ...................................... 405
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 407
Consumer information ....................... 408
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 408
Technical terms............................... 411Index................................................. 417

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal indi-
cator lamp
2
vAntilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS)/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) warning lamp
311
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
with:Basic display with outside
temperature display
141
Status indicator with mal-
function warning messageTrip odometer
127
5
lDistance warning
lamp
1
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates with the ignition on. It should
go out when the engine is running.
315
6
KRight turn signal indi-
cator lamp
Item
Page
7
Coolant temperature dis-
play with:•Coolant tempera-
ture warning lamp
314
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
316
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
310
warning lamp
315
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
123
9
Main odometer with:

Selector lever position
43


Program mode
164
Item
Page
a
Clock with:
143
;Brake warning
lamp, except
Canada
312
3Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
312
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
313
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warn-
ing lamp
315
c
Reset button for:

Resetting trip
odometer
127


Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
126


Confirming new time
settings
143

50 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 285).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.

127 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
During severe operating conditions, e. g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 129).

If it is not displayed, press the è or
ÿ repeatedly until the trip odome-
ter appears.

Press and hold the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 22) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature trigger
a warning in the multifunction display
(page 314).

277 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximately
248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.

279 Operation
At the gas station

Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the
reservoir (
page 288).
2Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 403).
3Coolant level
More information on the coolant level
(page 285).
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products Pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the ? lamp to
illuminate.

282 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

285 Operation
Engine compartment
1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 400) and (
page 403).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

286 OperationEngine compartment
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.The coolant level is correct if the level:


for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
More information on coolant can be found
in the “Technical data” section
(
page 405).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.