2003 Mercedes-benz E Class Owners Manual

Fuel filler flap 259

390

Global with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Global, SmartKey 87
Separately the trunk 98
Vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 92

Loss of keys 89, 93
Low beam headlamps 332

Messages in display 313

Main Dimensions 364
Maintenance 12
Malfunction

Displaying 130

Malfunction memory 129

Calling up 129
Clearing 130

Manual headlamp mode 113
Manual operations

Interior lighting control 116
Locking the trunk 98
Unlocking the driver’s door 327

MB Tex upholstery Cleaning 285

Mechanical key 327
Memory function 109, 377
Recalling positions from

memory 110

Storing exterior rear view mirror park-

ing positions 111

Storing key dependent settings 110

Menus 124

AUDIO 126
Control system 378
Distronic* 128, 200
In control system 124, 125
Malfunction memory 129
Settings menu 130
Standard display 126
Submenus 123
TEL* 147
Trip computer 145

Miles/kilometers in speedometer

Setting 134

Mirrors

Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view

mirror 157

Automatic antiglare* for inside

mirror 157

Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view mirror parking

positions 144, 158

Inside rear view mirror 38

Index

Storing exterior mirror parking

position 111

MON 260
MON (Motor Octane Number) 378
Mph or km/h in speedometer 134
Multicontour seat* 104
Multifunction display 121, 378

Selecting language 135
Standard display 125

Multifunction display messages

ABS 296
BAS 297, 298
Batteries 303, 304
Brake pads 305
Coolant 311, 312
Coolant level 311
Distronic* 300
Doors 323
Easy-entry/exit feature 310
Engine oil level 300
Fuel reserve tank 313, 323
Hood 313
Key 313, 323
KEYLESS-GO* card 309
Lamps 313–?? Parking brake 310

SBC brake system 305, 306
Seat belts 310
Steering gear oil level 318
Telephone* 309
Trunk lid 310
Washer fluid 311

Multifunction steering wheel 24, 122,

378

Buttons 122

Network provider 148
Night security illumination 114

Occupant safety 56

Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Seat belts 40, 59

Oil

Viscosity 376

One-touch gearshifting 152

Canceling gear range limit 152
Downshifting 152

Upshifting 152

Opening 331

Ashtray 231
Doors from the inside 93
Glove box 226
Side windows 184
Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* with

SmartKey 188, 192

Trunk 88, 96
Trunk from the inside 94
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 185

Operating

Cassette player 128
CD player* 127, 128
Garage door opener 246
Integrated remote control 246
Radio 127
Safety 16
Telephone* 147
Vehicle outside the USA and

Canada 13

Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Outside temperature indicator 120

391

Index

Overhead control panel 27

Garage door opener 243

Overspeed range 378

Panic alarm 72

Panic button on SmartKey 72

Parking 50
Parking brake 45, 50

Engaging 50
Message in display 310
Releasing 45

Parking lamps 332

Replacing the bulbs 335
Switching on 112

Parking position

Exterior rear view mirrors 111, 144,

158

Parktronic*

Sensor 284

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator

lamp 294

Passenger compartment

Inside rear view mirror 38
Interior lighting 116

Passenger safety see Occupant

safety 56

392

Phone book*

Loading 149
Quick search 149

Phone number* Dialing 149
Redialing 149

Poly-V-belt drive 378
Positions (Memory function)

Recalling from memory 110

Positions (Memory function*) Storing into memory 110

Power seat

Adjusting backrest tilt 36
Adjusting head restraint height 36
Adjusting head restraint tilt 36
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 36
Adjusting seat height 35
Memory function 109
Removing/installing head

restraints 103

Practical hints

Lamp in center console 294

Problems

While driving 48
With vehicle 17

Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 378

Automatic transmission 155

Quick search

Phone book* 149

Radio

Selecting stations 127

Range (distance to empty)

Calling up 147

Rear bench seat

Foldable 219

Rear fog lamp

Seat fore and aft adjustment 35

Switching on 114

Power train 378
Power windows 184

Blocking of rear window operation 71
Side windows 184
Synchronizing 186

Rear lamps see Tail lamps Rear passenger compartment

Adjustable air outlets 182

Rear seat head restraints

Folding back with switch 104

Index

Placing upright 104
Rear seats 103

Rear seats

License plate lamp bulbs 336
Rear lamp bulbs 333, 336
Wiper blades 337

Rear seat head restraints 103

Reporting

Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 157
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors Rear window

Safety defects 18

Reset knob in the instrument cluster 131
Resetting

Blocking operation 71

Rear window defroster 169, 180
Rear window sunshade* 160, 161
Regular driving style 212
Remote controls

Integrated 244
SmartKey 86
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 89

Remote door unlock

With Tele Aid* 241

Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 378
Removing

Ski sack 219

Replacing

Bulbs 332
Front lamp bulbs 334
Fuses 353
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps

only) 334

All functions (control system) 131
All functions of a submenu 131
Fuel consumption 146
Service indicator (FSS) 276, 278,

279

Stored speed in Distronic* 203
Trip odometer 119

Residual heat utilization 171, 182
Residual ventilation 171, 182
Restraint system see Infant and child re-

straint systems 65
Rims and Tires 361
Roadside assistance 12
Rolling code programming 245
RON (Research Octane Number) 260,

379

Roof rack 216

Safety

Occupant 56

Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects

Reporting 18

Safety systems Driving 73

Saving current speed 195
SBC 77
SBC brake system 379

Activation 78
Deactivation 79
Driving hints 79
Messages in display 305, 306
Self-check 79
Warning lamp 77

Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belts 61

Fastening 40
Message in display 310
Proper use of 42, 63
Safety guidelines 59
Warning lamp 293

Seat cushion depth Adjusting 105

Seats 102

Adjusting 34

393

Index

Easy entry/exit feature* 102
Heater* 107
Multicontour seat 104
Split rear bench seat 219
Ventilation 108

Securing cargo

Cargo tie-down rings 225

Selecting

Display 135

Selecting display 136
Selector lever Lock 43
Position 151

Self-test

BabySmartTM airbag deactivation

system 68
Tele Aid* 235

Service

Batteries 343
Calling up the service indicator 276
Overdue 276
When due 275

Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 275

Clearing 275

Service System see FSS 275

394

Setting

Convenience functions 132, 143
Cruise control 195
Daytime running lamp mode 139
Exterior rear view mirror parking

position 111

Higher speed in cruise control 196
Higher speed in Distronic* 202
Hours (clock) 137
Individual vehicle settings 130
Instrument lighting 118, 119
Interior lighting delayed

switch-off 141

Key dependent memory 144
Lamps and lighting (control

system) 138

Language, multifunction display 135
Locator lighting 139
Lower speed in cruise control 196
Lower speed in Distronic* 203
Miles/kilometers in

speedometer 134

Minutes (clock) 137, 138
Parking position for exterior rear view

mirrors 144

Slower speed in cruise control 196

Slower speed in Distronic* 203
Speed in cruise control 196
Speed in Distronic* 202
Speedometer display mode 134
Temperature (interior) 165, 176
Temperature indicator 134
Tire inflation pressure 136
Units

Speedometer 134
Temperature 134
Tire inflation pressure 136

Vehicle level control 209

Settings

Calling up Distronic* 128, 200
Convenience functions 143
Factory, KEYLESS-GO* 91
Factory, SmartKey 87
Individual (SmartKey) 144
Lighting (control system) 138
Menus and submenus 123
Resetting all (control system) 131
Resetting in the submenu 131
Selective 87

Settings menu

Functions in 130
Individual vehicle settings 130

Submenus 131

Shift lock 379
Shifting

Gear selector lever positions 154
Into optimal gear range (automatic

transmission) 152
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps 332, 336
Side windows

Automatic opening 184
Closing 184, 185
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Closing with SmartKey 185
Opening 184, 185
Opening fully 184
Opening with SmartKey 185
Stopping 185
Synchronizing power windows 186

Signal strength (telephone*) 148
Simultaneous wiping and washing

Windshield wipers 48

Single wipe 48
Ski sack* 216

Removing 219
Unfolding and loading 216
Unloading and folding 218

Sliding/pop-up roof* 187

Closing 187
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Closing with SmartKey 188, 192
Opening 187
Opening with SmartKey 188, 192
Stopping 188
Synchronizing 189

Sliding/pop-up roof* or panorama slid-

ing/pop-up roof*

Emergency operations 331

SmartKey

Locking and unlocking 86
Opening and closing the slid-

Spare parts service 356
Spare wheel 324
Speed

Resetting stored speed in

Distronic* 203

Saving current 195

Speed settings

Cruise control 196
Distronic* 202, 203

Speedometer

Displaying gear range 153
Displays 199
Settings units 134

Speedometer display mode

ing/pop-up roof* with 188, 192

Selecting 134

Opening and closing windows

with 185

Unlocking with 30

SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*

Global locking and unlocking 91
Locking the vehicle 92
Loss of 93
Remote controls 89
Unlocking with 32

Snow chains 274
Spare fuses 353

Split rear bench seat 219
Sporty driving style 212
SRS 63, 379

Indicator lamp 290

Standing lamps 112

Replacing bulbs 335

Starter switch 31
Positions 31

Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43

Index

395

Index

Steering column

Height adjustment 38
Length adjustment 38

Steering gear oil

Message in display 318

Steering wheel

Adjusting 37
Electrical adjustment 38
Height adjustment 38

Stolen vehicle

Tracking services 242

Stopping

Sliding/pop-up roof* 188
Windows 185

Storage compartments

Glove box 226

Storing (Memory function*)

Positions into memory 110

Submenus

Convenience 143
For settings 123
In control system 125
Instrument cluster 134, 136
Lighting 138
Resetting functions in Control

system 131

396

Selecting 131
Settings menu 131
Vehicle 142
Sun visors 158
Supplemental Restraint System

(SRS) 379

Suspension tuning

For regular driving style 212
For sporty driving style 212

Switching off

Automatic central locking (control

system) 142

Engine 51
ESP 76
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51

Switching on

Automatic central locking (control

system) 142

ESP 77
Front fog lamps 114
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 46
High beams 115
Rear fog lamp 114
Windshield wipers 47

Symbol (Distronic*)

Distance warning function* 129

Synchronizing

Power windows 186
Sliding/pop-up roof* 189

Tachometer 120

Overspeed range 120

Tail lamps 333, 336
Tele Aid System 379
Tele Aid* 234

Emergency calls 236
Info services 242
Information 239
Initiating an emergency call

manually 237

Remote door unlock 241
Roadside assistance 238
SOS button 237
Stolen vehicle tracking services 242
System self-check 235
Tele Aid System 235
Upgrade signals 240

Telematics* 379
Telephone* 24, 233

Answering a call 148

Dialing a number from the phone

book 149

Ending a call 149
Loading phone book* 149
Messages in display 309
Operating 147
Redialing 149

Temperature

Display mode 134
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 165,

176

Setting units in display 134

Tie-down rings (trunk) 225
Tightening torque 342, 379
Time

Setting hours 137
Setting minutes 137, 138

Tire inflation pressure Setting units 136
Tire speed rating 379
Tires 373
Tools 326
Tow-away alarm 82

Arming 82
Disarming 82

Disarming for transport 82
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)

Installing 350

Towing the vehicle 348
Tracking services

For stolen vehicle 242

Traction 155, 379
Trip computer 145
Trip odometer

Resetting 119

Trunk

Closing the lid 96
Lamp 117
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 92
Message in display 310
Opening 88, 96
Opening from inside vehicle 94
Separately locking 98
Tie-down rings 225
Trunk lid emergency release 97
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 92

Trunk lid

Closing 96
Turn signals 46

Additional in mirrors 332
Front bulbs 332

Index

Turning off

Engine 51

Units

Setting speedometer units 134
Setting temperature units 134
Setting tire inflation pressure

units 136

Unlocking 30, 86, 327

Centrally from inside 100
Driver’s door in an emergency 327
Fuel filler flap 259
Global 87
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 91
Selective settings 87
Trunk lid with KEYLESS-GO* 92
Vehicle in an emergency 241
With KEYLESS-GO* 32
With the SmartKey 30

Upgrade signals

Tele Aid* 240

Uphill driving

Cruise control 195

Upshifting 152
Useful features 226

Ashtrays 231

397

Index

Cigarette lighter 232
Garage door opener 243
Tele Aid* 234
Telephone* 233

Vehicle

Individual settings 130, 132
Proper use of 16
Towing 348

Vehicle care

Parktronic* system sensor 284

Vehicle level

Changing 210
Setting 210

Automatic 210
Manual 210

Vehicle level control system

AIRMATIC DC 209

Vehicle tool kit 326
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 380
Voice recognition system* 380

398

Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and

warning

Warning sounds

Distance warning function* 205
Distronic* 199
Drivers seat belts 61
Parking brake 45

Warranty coverage 357
Weights 365
Wheel change 338

Tightening torque 342
Window curtain airbags 61
Windshield

Defogging 166, 177

Windshield washer fluid

Message in display 311
Wiping with 48

Windshield wipers 47

Fast wiper speed 47
Intermittent wiping 47
Replacing wiper blades 337
Single wipe 48
Switching on 47
Wiping with windshield washer

fluid 48
Winter driving

Block heater 274
Snow chains 274
Tires 273
Transmission program mode 155

Wiping

And washing simultaneously 48
Interval 47
With windshield washer fluid 48

Xenon headlamps Bi-Xenon 375

Service and Literature

Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts to service your vehicle properly. For

expert advice and quality service, see your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

If your are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. We con-

sider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.

For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-site www.mbusa.com or www.mercedes-benz.ca.

Warning

To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper or incomplete service or the use of incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.

If you have any question about carrying out some service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this Operator’s Manual. Re-

printing, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.

Title illustration no. P00.01-2282-31

Press time 07/04/02

GSP/SIP

Printed in Germany