tow MERCEDES-BENZ E55AMG 2002 W210 User Guide

197 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” the maximum speed in the
reverse gear is different. However, it is not
possible to change the program mode while in
reverse.
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do
not engage “N” while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on
icy roads, see page 209 for winter driving
instructions).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason with selector lever in “N” can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Drive
The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission downshifts, one gear at a time, in the
order “4”, “3”, “2”, “1”.
Press and hold selector lever in the ç direction:
The selector lever position display will switch to the
gear range currently selected by the automatic
transmission.
The transmission will only shift down one gear if the
gear range currently selected has already shifted to its
highest possible gear.
Briefly press selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range “D”, an additional upshift of one
gear is possible.
W210.book Seite 197 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

206 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking
Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These
indicators are located in six places on the tread
circumference and become visible at a tread depth of
approximately
1/16 in (1.5 mm), at which point the tire is
considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across
the tread.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of
vehicle movement, before
turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to steering lock
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when
leaving.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride
disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage to
your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the
hazard warning flashers, carefully slow down, and
drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the roadway.Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for possible
damage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have
it towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or
tire dealer for repairs.
W210.book Seite 206 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

219 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Four Wheel Electronic Traction System (4MATIC)
with Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(Model with All Wheel Drive [AWD])
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to use available
traction, e.g. during winter operation in mountains
under snowy conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.Caution!
Operational tests with the engine running can only be
conducted on a 2-axle dynamometer.Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the brakes
to the spinning wheels.
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised (see
page 285), or when testing the parking brake on a brake
test dynamometer, the engine must be shut off
(electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1).
If one or more wheels tend to spin, ESP will apply the
brakes to them. The traction control for the front axle
wheels deactivate at approximately 50 mph (80 km / h),
and for the rear axle wheels at approximately 80 mph
(130 km / h).
The warning lamp in the speedometer blinks at any
speed as soon as one tire loses traction.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
4MATIC is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz
recommended M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow
chains.
W210.book Seite 219 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

220 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over / understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 285), the engine must be shut off (electronic key in
steering lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
W210.book Seite 220 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

255 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................256
Stowing things in the vehicle ......256
Fuses ................................................257
Hood .................................................259
Checking engine oil level .............262
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................263
Coolant level ...................................263
Adding coolant ...........................264
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................265
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........265
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................266Vehicle jack .................................... 267
Wheels ............................................ 268
Tire replacement ....................... 268
Rotating wheels ......................... 269
Spare wheel .................................... 270
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 270
Spare wheel .....................................271
Changing wheels ........................... 273
Tire inflation pressure ................. 278
Battery ............................................. 280
Jump starting ................................. 282
Towing the vehicle ........................ 285
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 287Exterior lamps ................................288
Headlamp assembly ...................289
Taillamp assemblies ..................292
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......294
Synchronizing
remote control ............................296
Emergency engine shut-down .....296
Rear seat cushion ..........................297
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert .......300
Roof rack .........................................302
W210.book Seite 255 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

256 First aid kit
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the rear bench armrest.
To o pen :
Press button (1) and pull drawer out to its final stop.
Remove the first aid kit.Stowing things in the vehicle
1
P91.27-2004-26
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.
W210.book Seite 256 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

285 Towing the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors lock if the lef t front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper.
Wa r n i n g
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2. The maximum towing
speed and distance with the vehicle on the ground
is 30 mph and 30 miles.If the electronic key is left in the steering lock
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, the
steering is locked. To unlock, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
W210.book Seite 285 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

286 Towing the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the vehicle tools. Screw
towing eye bolt in to its stop and tighten with lug
wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Engage cover (1) at bottom and press in top securely.We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in steering lock
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in steering lock turned to position 0.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
W210.book Seite 286 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

287 Towing the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm, see page 44, and the
automatic center locking on page 35.Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
Af ter removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.
W210.book Seite 287 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

306 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to
protect electrical components and connectors from the
intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any
wax.
Ve h i c l e w a s h i n g
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused 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 clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.Due to the width of the vehicle, prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash, fold back the
outside mirrors to prevent them from getting damaged.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt
as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the
inner sides of the wheels.
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-
plated parts, use a chrome cleaner.
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or
sponge.
W210.book Seite 306 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11