MERCEDES-BENZ E550 4MATIC 2007 W211 Owner's Manual

270 Controls in detailDriving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance might no
longer be indicated by the system.Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!
During parking maneuvers, pay special at-
tention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
truck air brakes, car wash or jackhammers) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8in (20cm)
Corners
approx. 6in (15cm)

271 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is integrated in the
rear trim.Front area warning indicator1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicatorsEach warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is operational when the yellow readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance. When the seventh seg-
ment illuminates, you have reached the
minimum distance.


Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in positionP or the
parking brake is activated.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in position D,P or
the parking brake is activated.
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated

272 Controls in detailDriving systemsSwitching the Parktronic system
on/off
The Parktronic system can be switched off
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the low-
er part of the center console (
page 30).
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lampSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch 1.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch 1 again.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nates and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.

Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.If only the red distance segments illumi-
nates and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after 20 sec-
onds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.

Switch off the ignition (
page 37).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 373).

Switch on the ignition (
page 37).
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
i
The Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is switched on
(
page 37).

273 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*
1Trim

Open trim1 at the trim strips in the
roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!
Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure


you can fully raise the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel*


you can fully open the trunk

274 Controls in detailLoadingSki bag* (Canada only)
Unfolding and loading
1Cover
2Catch
Fold rear armrest down.

Pull catches2 in direction of arrows.

Open the cover1 downwards in direc-
tion of the arrow.1Ski bag

Pull ski bag1 into passenger com-
partment and unfold.1Button

Open the trunk lid.

Press button1.
The flap opens in direction of arrow.

275 Controls in detail
Loading

From trunk, slide skis into ski bag.1Strap

Tighten strap1 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski bag
are tightly secured.1Hook
2Eye

Connect hook1 of front strap to
eye2 located on center tunnel in
front of rear seat bench.

Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).
Warning!
G
The ski bag is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski bag with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski bag securely. In an ac-
cident, an unfastened ski bag can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants.

276 Controls in detailLoadingUnloading and folding
Loosen both straps.

Disconnect hook1 from eye2.

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski bag lengthwise and
place folded ski bag inside recess of
backrest.

Close ski bag compartment cover.Removal of ski bag
For removal of the ski bag, we recommend
that you contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Split rear bench seat*
To expand the trunk, you can fold down the
left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the trunk.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski bag is removed. Deadly carbon mon-
oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior,
resulting in unconsciousness and death.i
To prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always close the cover.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 280).

277 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
1Release handle
Pull release handle1.
The seat cushion automatically springs
upward slightly.1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest

Grip the back of seat cushion1 and
fold forward.

Push the rear seat head restraints all
the way in.

Pull the handle in the trunk.
The seat backrest is released and the
head restraints fold back.

Fold the seat backrest forward.
!
You must always release the seat cushion
and fold it up before folding the seat backrests
forward. The upholstery on the seat backrest
may otherwise be damaged.
i
If tall persons have occupied the driver’s and
front passenger seats, it may be necessary to
move these seats forward slightly in order to fold
the rear seat backrests forward.
i
If the rear center seat is to be occupied
while driving, it may be necessary to fold the seat
belt buckle up again.
!
Make sure the head restraints fit all the way
into the seat cushion pockets. This will prevent
the backrests from being damaged during load-
ing.

278 Controls in detailLoadingReturning seat backrest to original po-
sition
1Seat cushion
2Seat backrest
Swing seat backrest2 to the rear until
it engages.

Swing seat cushion1 to the rear and
press the center front of the cushion
until it audibly engages.

Swing the head restraint forward by
hand until it engages.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended trunk compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.

279 Controls in detail
Loading
Expanding the cargo area*
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger, flat cargo area.
Fold the seat cushions and the back-
rests forward (
page 277).

Remove the head restraints
(page 130).

Fold the backrest into the vertical posi-
tion.
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.

Fold the seat backrest forward.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the load limit indicated on the
corresponding placard located on the driv-
er’s door B-pillar.
!
Leave the seat cushion hinge in this posi-
tion. The upholstery could be damaged if you fold
the hinge back.