Mercedes-Benz E-class 1999 Driving Instructions

Parking

Warning!

To reduce the risk of personal injury
as a result of vehicle movement,
before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle always:

Winter Driving Instructions

The most important rule for slippery or
icy roads is to drive sensibly and to
avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not use the
cruise control system under such
conditions.

If the vehicle is parked after being
driven on salt treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while
observing the safety rules in the
previous paragraph.

Warning!

1. Keep right foot on brake
pedal.

2. Firmly depress parking
brake pedal.

3. Move the selector lever to
position "P".

4. Slowly release 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.

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.

When the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, move selector lever to
position "N". Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering
action.

Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased
pedal force may become necessary to
produce the normal brake effect. We
therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling
at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal. A
prerequisite is, however, that this be
done without endangering other drivers
on the road.

If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
make sure that snow is kept clear of
the exhaust pipe and from around
the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

To assure sufficient fresh air
ventilation, open a window slightly
on the side of the vehicle not facing
the wind.

The trunk is the preferred place
to carry objects.

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Deep Water

Passenger Compartment

Caution!

Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth.
If you must drive through deep water,
drive slowly to prevent water from
entering the engine compartment or
passenger compartment, being ingested
by the air intake, possibly causing
damage to electrical components or
wiring, to engine or transmission that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

Warning!

Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.

In an accident, during hard braking
or sudden 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.

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Operation

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1 Air volume control for center air

outlets, turn wheel up to open.

2 Air volume control for side air

outlet.
To open air outlets: Turn
wheel to position .
To open defroster outlets: Turn
wheel to position

3 Center air outlet, adjustable
4 Side air outlet, adjustable
5 Side defroster outlets
6 Display and Controls

The automatic climate control removes
considerable moisture from the air
during operation in the cooling mode.
It is normal for water to drip on the
ground through ducts in the underbody.

The desired interior temperature can be
selected separately for the left and right
side of the passenger compartment.

Automatic Climate Control

The system is always at operational
readiness, except when manually
switched off.

The automatic climate control only
operates with the engine running.

The temperature selector should be left
at the desired temperature setting. The
temperature selected is reached as
quickly as possible.

The system will not heat or cool any
quicker by setting a higher or lower
temperature.

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Basic Setting - Automatic Mode

Press left and right button for
automatic mode.

Simultaneously press both and

buttons for temperature setting of

72°F.

Air volume and distribution are
controlled automatically.

Display and Controls

Press the desired button to activate,
indicator lamp is on while activated.

Automatic mode

Raise temperature

Lower temperature

Defrost

Air recirculation

Activated charcoal filter

Rear window defroster

Air distribution, manual

Economy mode

Air volume, manual

Residual engine heat
utilization.

This setting can be used all year
around.

Economy

The function of this setting corresponds
to the automatic mode. However,
because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel
savings), it is not possible to air
condition in this setting.

Press button to activate.

Press button once again to return
to previous setting.

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Special Settings
(use only for short duration)

Defogging Windows

Rear Window Defroster

Turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2.

Air Distribution

Switch off button.

Press left and right buttons.
Press button repeatedly until air is
directed upward.

Turn wheels (2) to position to
open left and right air outlets (5).

Defrosting

Turn wheels (2) to position to
open left and right air outlets (5).
Adjust air outlets upward. Press
button. Maximum heated and
automatically controlled amount of
air is directed to the windshield and
side windows.

Press button once again to return
to previous setting.

To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.

Note:

Heavy accumulation of snow and ice
should be removed before activating
the defroster.

The rear window defroster consumes a
large amount of electrical power. To
keep the battery drain to a minimum,
turn off the defroster as soon as the
window is clear.
The defroster is automatically
turned off after a maximum of 12
minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned
on simultaneously, or the battery is
only partially charged, it is possible
that the defroster will automatically
turn itself off. When this happens, the
indicator lamp inside the switch starts
blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the defroster automatically
turns itself back on.

Press button repeatedly until the
requested symbol is displayed.

Air Volume

Press - or +side of rocker switch

until the requested blower
speed is attained. A choice of 7 blower
speeds is available.

To switch the automatic climate control
off, press -side of rocker switch
until symbol OFF is displayed.

The fresh air supply to the car interior
is shut off.

While driving, use this setting only
temporarily, otherwise the windshield
could fog up.

To switch the automatic climate control
on again, press , , or +side of

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Air Recirculation

This mode can be selected to temporarily

At high outside temperatures, the system

Dust Filter

Activated Charcoal Filter

reduce the entry of annoying odors or
dust into the vehicle's interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car's
interior.

To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
The system will automatically switch
from recirculated air to fresh air

• after approx. 5 minutes at outside
temperatures below approx. 40°F
(5°C),

• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside
temperatures above approx. 40°F
(5°C),

• after approx. 5 minutes, if button

is pressed.

If the windows should fog up from the
inside, switch from recirculated air back
to fresh air.

automatically engages the recirculated
air mode thereby increasing the cooling
capacity performance, switching to
partially fresh air within 20 minutes.

Nearly all dust particles and pollen are
filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air
distribution system.

Note:

Do not obstruct the air flow by keeping
the air intake grille in front of
windshield free of snow and debris.

Also keep the air intake grille in front of
windshield free of snow and debris.

To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.

An activated charcoal filter markedly
reduces bad odors and re moves
pollutants from the air entering the
passenger compartment.

The blower speed is slightly increased
to supply a contant volume of air.
The system switches automatically to
the air recirculation mode, if the carbon
monoxide (CO) or nitric oxide (NO of
the outside air increases.

When pressing button or ‚
the filter is also switched oft.

Notes:

The automatic air recirculation does not
function when selecting the Economy
mode ‚ or the outside temperature
is below
45°F (7°C).
The activated charcoal filter should be
switched oft when windows fog up on
the inside, or if the passenger
compartment needs to be quickly heated
or cooled down.

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Residual Engine Heat Utilization

With the engine switched off, it is
possible to continue heating the interior
for a short while.

Front Center Console
Compartment Ventilation

The front center console compartment
has its own air outlet.

Air volume and distribution are
controlled automatically.

To select:

Turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 0 or remove key.

Press button.

This function selection will not activate
if the battery charge level is insufficient.

To cancel: Press button.

The system will automatically shut off

• if you turn electronic key in
steering lock to position 2,

• after approx. 30 minutes,

• if the battery voltage drops.

To open: Push lever down.
To close: Push lever up.

The air volume is dependent on the
setting of the

• air volume control

• air distribution control

• air outlets in the dashboard and
rear passenger compartment.

The air temperature is about the same
than that of the dashboard air outlets. It
cannot be regulated separately.

Note:

The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the
compartment, close the air outlet while
heating the passenger compartment.

Also, do not obstruct the air outlet.

Rear Passenger Compartment
Adjustable Air Outlet

To open air outlet, rotate wheel (1)
upward.

The air outlet is adjustable.

Important!

This vehicle is equipped with an air
conditioner system that uses R-134a
(HFC: ozone-friendly
hydrofluorocarbon) as a refrigerant.
Repairs should always be performed
by a qualified technician, and
refrigerant should be collected in a
recovery system for recycling.

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Car Keys

Included with your vehicle are:

• 2 electronic main keys with
integrated radio frequency and
infrared remote controls plus
slide out and removable
mechanical key.

• 1 electronic reserve key without
remote control functions, plus
removable mechanical key.

The mechanical key (2) can be
removed by sliding it out of the remote
control. To do so, move lock (3) in
direction of arrow and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of
arrow (5).

In the case of using the mechanical key
for lock operations, it can be extended
outward. To do so, move lock (3) in
direction of arrow, slide the mechanical
key (2) in direction of arrow (4) until it
locks in place.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle always
remove the electronic key from the
steering lock, and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.

Electronic main key with integrated
radio frequency and infrared remote
control, plus slide out and removable
mechanical key

The remote control (1) operates all
locks on the car.

The mechanical keys (2) work only in
the driver's door, trunk, and storage
compartment locks.

The remote control transmitter is
located in the electronic main key.

The infrared receivers are located in
the door handles.

Note:

Remove the mechanical key from the
electronic main key when using valet
parking service. To prevent access to
trunk or storage compartments lock
them separately.

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Note:

Obtaining Replacement Keys

Electronic reserve key without
remote control functions, plus
removable mechanical key.

The electronic reserve key (1) works
only in the steering lock.

The mechanical key (2) works only in
the driver's door, trunk, and storage
compartment locks.

To use the mechanical key (2), remove
it from its electronic reserve key (1).

We recommend that you carry the
electronic reserve key with mechanical
key with you and keep it in a safe place
(e.g. your wallet) so that it is always
handy. Never leave the electronic
reserve key in the vehicle.

Your vehicle is equipped with a theft
deterrent locking system requiring a
special key manufacturing process. For
security reasons, replacement keys can
only be obtained from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Start Lock-Out

Important!

Removing the electronic key from the
steering lock activates the start lock­out. The engine cannot be started.

Inserting the electronic key in the
steering lock deactivates the start
lock-out.

Note:

In case the engine cannot be started,
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer or
call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes.

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Central Locking System

Radio Frequency and Infrared
Remote Control

The electronic main key has an
integrated radio frequency and

infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational
range of the remote control, it could
be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the
transmit button. A command received
by the central locking system is
acknowledged by the function control
lamp blinking once.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler
flap can be centrally locked and
unlocked via remote control.

Opening and closing the windows and
sliding/pop-up roof can only be done
with the infrared portion of the remote
control. Aim transmitter eye (5) at a
receiver (6 or 7), press and hold
transmit button or

If the electronic key is inserted in
steering lock, the vehicle cannot be
locked or unlocked with the remote
control.

1 Transmit button

Locking

Unlocking

2 PANIC button
3 Release button for

mechanical key

4 Lamp for battery check

and function control

5 Transmitter eye

6 Infrared receiver in driver's door

handle

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7 Infrared receiver in passenger door

handle

Locking and Unlocking

Unlocking:

Press transmit button . All turn
signal lamps blink once to indicate that
the vehicle is unlocked.

The remote control can be programmed
for two kinds of unlocking methods
(see below):
Selective unlocking mode -

Press transmit button once to
unlock driver's door and fuel filler flap.

Press transmit button twice to
unlock doors, fuel filler flap, and trunk.

Global unlocking mode -Press
transmit button once to unlock
doors, fuel filler flap, and trunk.

Notes:

If the trunk was previously locked
separately, it will remain locked (see
Trunk, separately locked Index).
The presently active unlocking mode
(selective or global) can only be
determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for
changing mode).

The vehicle is automatically locked
again, if within 40 seconds of un­locking with the remote control, neither
door or trunk is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the steering lock,
or the central locking switch is not
activated.

Locking:

Press transmit button once. All
turn signal lamps blink three times to
indicate that the vehicle is locked.

Note:

If the vehicle cannot be locked or
unlocked by pressing the transmit
button, then it may be necessary to
change the batteries in the transmitter,
see Remote control battery replacement
in Index (if ok, battery check lamp in
transmitter will light briefly when
transmitting) or to synchronize the
remote control, see Synchronizing
Remote Control in Index.

Choosing Global or Selective Mode
on Remote Control

Press and hold transmit buttons
and simultaneously for five
seconds to reprogram the remote
control. Battery check lamp will blink
two times indicating the completed
mode change.

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