control MERCEDES-BENZ E500 2006 W211 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Storage compartments ......................... 30
Door control panel................................ 32
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 35
Starter switch positions .................. 36
Adjusting .............................................. 40
Seats .............................................. 40
Steering wheel ................................ 42
Mirrors ............................................ 45
Driving .................................................. 47
Fastening the seat belts ................. 47
Starting the engine ......................... 50
Parking brake ................................. 53
Driving ............................................ 53
Switching on headlamps ................. 54
Turn signals .................................... 55
Windshield wipers ........................... 56
Problems while driving.................... 58
Parking and locking .............................. 60
Parking brake ................................. 61
Switching off headlamps................. 62
Turning off engine ........................... 62
Releasing seat belts........................ 63
Locking ........................................... 63

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 65
Occupant safety................................... 66
Air bags .......................................... 67
Seat belts ....................................... 73
Active head restraints .................... 77
Children in the vehicle .................... 78
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 89
Panic alarm .......................................... 91
Activating ....................................... 91
Deactivating ................................... 91
Driving safety systems ......................... 92
ABS ................................................ 92
BAS ................................................ 94
ESP
®.............................................. 94
Electrohydraulic brake system ....... 97
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®... 100
Anti-theft systems.............................. 101
Immobilizer................................... 101
Anti-theft alarm system ................ 101
Tow-away alarm ........................... 103
Controls in detail............................. 105
Locking and unlocking ....................... 106
SmartKey ..................................... 106
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 111
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 119
Opening the trunk ........................ 120
Closing the trunk.......................... 121
Trunk emergency release ............. 127
Valet locking ................................ 128
Automatic central locking ............ 129
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 129
Seats ................................................ 131
Front seat active head restraints . 131
Rear seat head restraints ............. 131
Lumbar support............................ 133
Drive - Dynamic seat* with
multicontour features................... 134
Seat heating* ............................... 135
Seat ventilation* .......................... 136Memory function ............................... 138
Storing positions into memory ..... 139
Recalling positions from memory . 139
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 140
Lighting ............................................. 141
Exterior lamp switch .................... 141
Combination switch ..................... 145
Hazard warning flasher ................ 146
Interior lighting in the front .......... 147
Door entry lamps ......................... 148
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 149
Trunk lamp ................................... 149
Instrument cluster ............................. 150
Instrument cluster illumination .... 150
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 151
Trip odometer .............................. 151
Tachometer .................................. 152
Outside temperature indicator ..... 152

Contents
Control system .................................. 153
Multifunction display .................... 153
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 154
Menus .......................................... 156
Standard display menu ................ 159
AUDIO menu ................................ 159
NAV* menu .................................. 161
Distronic* menu........................... 161
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 162
Settings menu .............................. 163
Trip computer menu..................... 178
TEL menu* ................................... 180
Automatic transmission ..................... 183
Gear selector lever position ......... 185
Driving tips ................................... 186
Gear ranges ................................. 188
Automatic shift program .............. 189
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 190
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting E 55 AMG 191
Manual shift program E 55 AMG .. 193
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 196Good visibility ..................................... 197
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 197
Rear view mirrors.......................... 197
Sun visors ..................................... 199
Rear window sunshade* ............... 200
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors . 201
Rear window defroster .................. 201
Dual-zone automatic climate control
(USA only) .......................................... 202
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 206
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 206
Setting the temperature................ 207
Adjusting air distribution............... 208
Adjusting air volume ..................... 209
Front defroster.............................. 209
Air recirculation mode .................. 210
Air conditioning............................. 212
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 2134-zone automatic climate control* ..... 214
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 219
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 220
Setting the temperature ............... 221
Adjusting air distribution .............. 222
Adjusting air volume ..................... 223
Front defroster ............................. 223
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 224
Air recirculation mode .................. 224
Air conditioning ............................ 227
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 228
Rear climate control ..................... 229
Power windows .................................. 231
Opening and closing the windows 231
Synchronizing power windows ...... 233
Summer opening feature .............. 234
Convenience closing feature......... 235
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 236
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 236
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 238

ContentsPanorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 239
Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel ........ 239
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 240
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 242
Driving systems ................................. 243
Cruise control............................... 243
Distronic*..................................... 247
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 259
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 263
Loading .............................................. 268
Roof rack* .................................... 268
Ski sack* ...................................... 268
Split rear bench seat* .................. 271
Expanding the cargo area* ........... 273
Loading instructions ..................... 274
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 275Useful features .................................. 276
Storage compartments ................ 276
Cup holders.................................. 278
Ashtrays ....................................... 281
Cigarette lighter ........................... 282
Power outlet................................. 283
Heated steering wheel* ............... 283
Floormats ..................................... 284
Telephone* .................................. 285
Tele Aid ........................................ 286
Garage door opener ..................... 293
Operation......................................... 301
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 302
Driving instructions ........................... 303
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 303
Drinking and driving ..................... 303
Pedals .......................................... 303
Power assistance ......................... 304
Brakes.......................................... 304
Driving off .................................... 306
Parking......................................... 306
Tires ............................................. 307
Hydroplaning................................ 307
Tire traction ................................. 308
Tire speed rating .......................... 308
Winter driving instructions ........... 309
Standing water............................. 310
Passenger compartment .............. 311
Driving abroad ............................. 311
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 311
Catalytic converter
(Gasoline engine) ......................... 312
Oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine) 312
Emission control .......................... 313
Coolant temperature.................... 314

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures.The Opera-
tor’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet are
important documents and should be kept
with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)
1


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)
1Applicable to vehicles with gasoline engine only.

14 IntroductionWhere to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The glossary provides explanations of the
most important technical terms.
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual


the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Registered trademarks
®:


ESP
® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.


HomeLink
® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls Compa-
ny.
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Storage compartments
Door control panel

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
53, 61
2
Hood lock release
319
3
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
43
Heated steering wheel*
283
4
Parking brake release
53
5
Combination switch

Turn signals
55


Windshield wipers
56


High beam
55
6
Door control panel
32
7
Exterior lamp switch
141
Item
Page
8
Headlamp washer button*
197
9
Steering wheel gearshift
control (E55 AMG only)
191
a
Cruise control lever

Cruise control
243


Distronic*
247
b
Instrument cluster
24,
150
c
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
154
d
Horn
e
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
f
Starter switch
36
g
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
263
h
Overhead control panel
29
j
Mobile phone/Glasses box
276
k
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
276
l
Glove box
276
m
Center console
27

26 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display in
speedometer
153
Operating control system
154
2
Selecting the submenu or
setting the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a call
to dial a calltto end a call
to reject an incoming
call
Item
Page
4
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display