Mercedes-Benz E-class 1999 Additions to Manual

Warning!

Children 12 years old and under
must never ride in the front seat,
except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart™ compatible
child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart™ system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly
installed. Otherwise they will be
struck by the airbag when it inflates
in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.

According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating
positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated
in an infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the
vehicle's seat belt, fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.

Infants and small children should
never share a seat belt with another
occupant. During an accident, they
could be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.

Children too big for child restraint
systems must ride in back seats using
regular seat belts. Position shoulder
belt across chest and shoulder, not
face or neck. A booster seat is
necessary to achieve proper belt
positioning for children from 41 lbs.
to the point where a lap/shoulder
belt fits properly without one.

When the child restraint is not in
use, remove it from the vehicle or
secure it with the seat belt to prevent
the child restraint from becoming a
projectile in the event of an accident.

U.S.A. Models only:

Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints
comply with U.S. regulations without
the use of a tether strap.

Canada Models only:

This vehicle is provided with tether
anchorages for a top tether strap.
Consult your authorized Mercedes­Benz dealer for installation of these
anchorages.

In compliance with Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 210.1, child
restraint tether anchorage hardware is
attached to the tool kit located in the
trunk

61

Steering Lock

0 The electronic key can be

withdrawn in this position only.
The steering is locked with the
electronic key removed from the
steering lock. The electronic key
can be removed only with the
selector lever in position "P" and
the foot off the brake pedal.
After removing the electronic
key or with the electronic key in
steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in
position "P".

1 Steering is unlocked.

(If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the electronic key to
be turned clockwise to position 1.)
Most electrical consumers can be
operated. For detailed information
see respective subjects.

2 Gasoline engine: Driving position.

2 Diesel engine:

Preglow and driving position.

3 Starting position.

Refer to Index for Starting and turning
off the engine

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Warning!

When leaving the vehicle always
remove the electronic key from the
steering lock, and lock the 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.

Important!

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, remove
electronic key from steering lock and
reinsert.

Caution!

To prevent accelerated battery
discharge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the electronic key from
the steering lock. Do not leave the
electronic key in steering lock position

0.

Notes:

A warning sounds when the driver's
door is opened with the electronic key
in steering lock position 1 or 0.

With the engine at idle speed, the
charging rate of the alternator (output)
is limited.

It is therefore recommended to turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while
driving in stop-and-go traffic. This
precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.

Unnecessary strain on the battery and
charging system may be minimized by
turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats,
rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control
should be set to the lowest position.

The steering lock can only be unlocked
with the vehicle battery properly
charged and connected.

63

Combination Switch

1 Low beam (exterior lamp

switch position )

2 High beam (exterior lamp

switch position )

3 High beam flasher (high beam

available independent of
exterior lamp switch position)

4 Turn signals, right

5 Turn signals, left

To signal minor directional changes,
such as changing lanes on a highway,
move combination switch to the point
of resistance only and hold it there.

To operate the turn signals
continuously, move the combination
switch past the point of resistance (up
or down). The switch is automatically
canceled when the steering wheel is
turned to a large enough degree.

6 Control for windshield

wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for single wipe
without adding washer fluid (use
only when windshield is wet)
Push past detent and hold
to activate wiper and washer

7 Windshield wiper

0 Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping

(optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically
controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the

windshield.)
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed

Note:

The windshield washer reservoir, hoses
and nozzles are automatically heated.

Turn Signal Failure

If one of the turn signals fails, the turn
signal indicator system flashes and
sounds at a faster than normal rate.

64

Windshield and Headlamp Washer
Fluid Mixing Ratio

For temperatures above freezing:

MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
"S" and water

1 part "S" to 100 parts water
(40 ml "S" to 1 gallon water).

Windshield Wiper Smears

If the windshield wiper smears the
windshield, even during rain, activate
the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer
reservoir should be mixed in the
correct ratio.

Blocked Windshield Wiper

For temperature below freezing:

MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
"S" and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze

1 part "S" to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml "S" to 1 gallon solvent).

If the windshield wiper becomes
blocked (for example, due to snow),
switch off the wiper.

For safety reasons before removing
ice or snow, remove electronic key
from steering lock. Remove blockage.

Activate combination switch again
(electronic key in steering lock
position 1).

Headlamp Cleaning System

(optional)

The switch is located in the center
console

The headlamp washer can be
activated with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2.

Briefly press symbol side of switch.

65

Exterior Lamp Switch

Off
Parking lamps
(also side marker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps,
instrument panel lamps)
Canada only:
When the engine is running,
the low beam is additionally
switched on.
Parking lamps plus low beam
or high beam headlamps
(combination switch pushed
forward)

Standing lamps, right
(turn left one stop)
Standing lamps, left
(turn left two stops)
Front fog lamps
(pull out one stop) with
parking lamps and/or low
beam headlamps on. Green
indicator lamp in lamp
switch comes on.
Rear fog lamp
(pull out to 2nd detent) in

addition to fog lamps.
Yellow indicator lamp in
lamp switch comes on.

Standing Lamps

When the vehicle is parked on the
street the standing lamps (right or left
side parking lamps) can be turned on,
making the vehicle more visible to
passing vehicles.
The standing lamps cannot be operated
with the electronic key in steering lock
position 2.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and
the driver's door open, a warning
sounds and the message "SWITCH
OFF LIGHTS" in the multifunction
indicator appears if

the vehicle's exterior lamps (except
standing lamps) are not switched off.

Fog lamps will operate with the
parking lamps and/or the low beam
headlamps on. Fog lamps should only
be used in conjunction with low beam
headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.

Fog lamps are automatically switched
off when the exterior lamp switch is
turned to position

Daytime Running Lamps

(Canada only)

When the engine is running and the
selector lever is in a driving position,
the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps,
taillamps and license plate lamps) are
automatically switched on.

When shifting from a driving position
to position "N" or "P", the low beam
switches off (2 seconds delay).

For nighttime driving the exterior lamp
switch should be turned to position

to permit activation of the high

beam headlamps.

66

Night Security Illumination

Inside Rear View Mirror

Antiglare Night Position

When exiting the vehicle after driving
with the exterior lamps on, they switch
on again for added illumination for
approximately 30 seconds after
closing the last door. The lamp-on
time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Manually adjust the mirror.

Use your inside mirror to determine the
size and distance of objects seen in the
passenger side convex mirror.

With the electronic key in steering
lock position 2, the mirror reflection
brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.

With gear selector lever in position
"R", or with the interior lamp switched
on, the mirror brightness does not
respond to changes in light sensitivity.

Note:

The automatic antiglare function is
restricted, if incoming light is not
aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.

67

Exterior Rear View Mirrors

The switch is located on the center
console.

Turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2.

First select the mirror to be
adjusted - press button:

Left mirror

Right mirror

With the electronic key in steering lock
position 2, the driver's side mirror
reflection brightness responds to
changes in light sensitivity.

With gear selector lever in position
"R", or with the interior lamp switched
on, the driver's side mirror brightness
does not respond to changes in light
sensitivity.

Warning!

Exercise care when using the
passenger-side mirror. The
passenger-side exterior mirror is
convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in
mirror are closer than they appear.
Check your inside rear view mirror
or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

Note:

The exterior mirrors have electrically
heated glass. The heater switches on
automatically, depending on outside
temperature.

If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly
pivoted from its normal position, it
must be repositioned by applying firm
pressure until it snaps into place.

Storing Mirror Positions in
Memory

The exterior rear view mirror positions
are stored in memory with the
seat/head restraint position and can be
recalled when necessary, see Index.

To adjust, toggle the switch forward,
backward or to either side.

68

Parking position

The passenger side exterior mirror can
be adjusted and programmed to assist
the driver during parking maneuvers
(e.g. to observe the curb or other
objects close to the vehicle).

With electronic key in steering lock
position 2, and the exterior rear view
mirror switch in the passenger side
position, the passenger side mirror will
be turned downward when placing the
gear selector lever in "R" Reverse.

The mirror position can now be
adjusted as desired.

At speeds above approx.6 mph (10
km/h), or gear selector lever moved
from "R" Reverse, or driver's side
mirror selected, the passenger side
mirror returns to its previous position.

Readjust the mirror as desired.

One passenger side mirror position
can be stored in memory. To do so:

1. Turn electronic key to steering
lock position 2.

2. Select passenger side mirror.

3. Place gear selector lever in "R"
Reverse. The mirror will turn
downward.

4. Using the toggle switch, select
the final downward position for
the mirror.

5. Press and hold green memory
button located in switch cluster
for driver seat.

6. While holding green memory
button pull the mirror toggle
switch rearward.

7. Release the green button and
the toggle switch. The mirror
position is now stored in
memory

69

Ashtrays

Center Console, Front

By touching the bottom of the cover
lightly, the ashtray opens
automatically.

Prior to removing the ashtray insert,
move the gear selector lever to position
"N".

Warning!

Remove front ashtray only with
vehicle standing still. With the gear
selector lever in position “N", turn
off the engine and set the parking
brake. Otherwise the vehicle might
move as a result of unintended
contact with the gear selector lever.

To remove ashtray:
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to
eject the insert.

To install ashtray:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push
down to engage.

Rear Doors

To remove ashtray:
Push left and right sides down and
pull out the ashtray.

To install ashtray:
Install top of ashtray, push bottom
part in to engage

70

Lighter

Sun Visors

Illuminated Vanity Mirrors

Turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out
automatically when hot.

Warning!

Never touch the heating element or
sides of the lighter, they are
extremely hot, hold at knob only.

Note:
The lighter socket can be used to
accommodate electrical accessories up to
maximum 85 W.

Swing sun visors down to protect
against sun glare.

If sunlight enters through a side window,
disengage visor from inner mounting,
pivot it to the side.

With the visor engaged in its inner
mounting, the lamp is switched on by
opening the cover.

Warning!

Do not use the vanity mirror while
driving.

The lamp goes out automatically after
approximately 5 minutes.

71

Interior Lighting

1 Door contact switch:

Press once and interior lamps are
switched on when opening a door.
Interior lamps are switched on,
and off (soft fade) delayed, when
unlocking or locking the vehicle,
or when opening or closing a door.
However, there will be no (soft
fade) delay when the electronic
key is in steering lock position 2.
Press again and interior lamps
remain switched off, even when
centrally unlocking or opening a
door.

2 Press to switch interior and

reading lamps on or off.

3 Press to switch rear passenger

compartment lamp on or off.

4 Press to switch reading lamp on

or off

Entrance Lamps, Exit Lamps in
Doors

The lamps are switched on and off by
the door contact switches.

Note:

To prevent the vehicle battery from
being discharged, with doors open all
interior lamps go out after
approximately 5 minutes.

To prevent the vehicle battery from
being discharged, with reading lamps
switched on manually and electronic
key in steering lock position 0 or
removed, the reading lamps go out after
approximately 30 minutes.

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