ECU MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Owner's Guide

Uncoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-
ru nb rake, you could trap yourh and between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar .This poses
a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnectt he trailer cable, the vehicle
is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Folding in the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that
the ball coupling engages when folding in. X
Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling. Saloon
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Saloon):
X
Slide luggage net ;down.
X Turn handle :anti-clockwise and fold
down cover =. Estate
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Estate):
X
Pull handle :in the direction of the arrow
and fold down cover ;. Towing
atrailer
239Driving an d parking Z

The trailer's permanen
tpower supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about instal-
ling the trailer electric sataqualified special-
ist workshop. Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message could be that
the curren thas falle nbelow the minimum
of 50 mA.
To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed a minimum current of
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailers with 7-pin connector:
you can
make a connection to the 13-pin connector
on the ball coupling using an adapter plug or,
if necessary, an adapter cable. Both can be
obtained in a qualified specialist workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficien tcable
play so that the cable canno tbecome
detached when cornering. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert connector with lug :into
groove ;of the socket. Turn the connec-
tor clockwise to the stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties. Towing
atrailer
241Driving an d parking Z

heating adopts the THERMATIC or
THERMOTRONIC temperature setting.
You can switch off the auxiliary heating by
using the remote control or the auxiliary heat-
ing button on the centre console.
i Switch the auxiliary heating on regularly
once a month for about ten minutes.
Selecting the departure time or deactivat-
ing a selected departure time
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Heating submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
You will see the selected setting.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select
one of the three departure times or Timeroff (no timer active).
X Press ato confirm.
If a departure time is selected, the yellow
indicator lamp lights up on the auxiliary
heating button.
Changing the departure time
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Heating submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
You will see the selected setting.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select A ,
B or
Change C .
X Press ato confirm.
You can now change the departure time.
X Press the =or; button to select the
display to be changed: hours, minutes. X
Press the :or9 button to set the
selected display.
X Press the abutton to store the entry.
The yellow indicator lamp on the auxiliary
heating button lights up.
Convenience Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
G
WARNING
The steering wheel moves when the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature is active. There is a risk
of occupants becoming trapped. Before acti-
vating the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature, make
sure that nobody can become trapped.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. The children could open the
driver's door and thereby unintentionally acti-
vate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature and
become trapped.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Easy Entry/Exit: function.
If the Easy Entry/Exit function is activa-
ted, the vehicle steering wheel is displayed
in red in the multifunction display.
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature (Y page 118).
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Convenience submenu.
X Press ato confirm. Menus and submenus
263On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
T!
÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, the HOLD function ,hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisatio nare unavailable due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ä,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but withou tthe
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. J
Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
Awarning tone also
sounds.
X Release the parking brake. J
Brake immediately or
Vehicles with manual transmission
:with the HOL Dfunction acti-
vated, you have either:
R opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet.
At one may also sound at regular intervals. If you attempt to lock
the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold until the display message disap-
pears.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
You can restart the engine. Display messages
271On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
Check brake fluid
level There is insufficien
tbrake fluid in the brake flui dreservoir.
In addition, the red Jwarning lamp lights up in the instrument
cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions .Donot continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the error. #
Check brake pad
wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
inoperative See
Owner's Manual Important functions of PRE-SAFE
®
have failed. All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. airbags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 272
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
PRE-SAFE
Functions cur‐
rently limited See
Owner's Manual PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the radiato rtrim and in the bumpers are dirty.
R the rada rsensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R AMG vehicles: ESP ®
is deactivated.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator trim and in the bumpers
(Y page 354).
X Restart the engine.
X AMG vehicles: reactivate ESP ®
(Y page 74). PRE-SAFE
Functions cur‐
rently limited See
Owner's Manual PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is inoperative due to a fault. BAS PLUS or the
distance warning signal may also have failed.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ü If the symbol appears in the multifunction display,
aseat belt
tongue has been inserted into a rear seat belt buckle.
For further information on the status indicator for the rear seat
belts: (Y page 54). Display messages
273On-board computer and displays Z

Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
+
Top
up coolant See
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low.
!
Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing
so (Y page 348).
X If the coolant needs topping up more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop. ? The fan motor is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the neares tqualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. ?
Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine
off The coolan
tis too hot.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause som efluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam fro manoverheated engine can cause serious burns, which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
This poses a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is under 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visi taqualified specialist
workshop immediately.
The reading may rise up to 120 †undernormal driving conditions
if the coolant has been filled correctly. Display messages
279On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil
lev. when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kthe oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Add
1 litre engine
oil when next refu‐
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 8
Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 280
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Driving systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
À
Attention Assist:
Take a break! Based on certain criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has detected fatigue
or
alack of concentration on th epart of th edriver. A warning tone
also sounds.
X If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so that you
get enough rest. À
Attention Assist
inoperative ATTENTION ASSIST is inoperative.
X
Visi taqualified specialist workshop. ¨or°
Vehicle rising Your vehicle is adjusting to the level you have selected.
¨or°
Vehicle rising
Please wait The vehicle level is too low when the vehicle is stationary.
Awarn-
ing tone also sounds.
X Do no tpull away.
The vehicle level is set when the display message disappears. ¨or
°
STOP vehicle Vehi‐ cle too low You have pulled away while the vehicle level is still too low.
AIRMATIC sets the vehicle to the selected level after a short
period.
X
Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Wait until the display message disappears before pulling away. AIRMATIC is faulty.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Make only sligh tsteering movements. Otherwise, the front
wings or the tyres could be damaged if the steering movement
is too large.
X Liste nfor scraping sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions, and select a higher vehicle level.
Depending on the malfunction, it may be possible to raise the
vehicle.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 282
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Radar sensor deac‐
tivated autom. See
Owner's Manual Vehicles with a navigation system: the vehicle is close to a radio
telescope facility and is therefore prohibited from transmitting any
rada
rsignals .The radar sensor system has switched off automat-
ically (Y page 451).
If DISTRONIC PLUS was activated, it is no longer available. A
warning tone also sounds.
If Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist was activated, it is
no longer available. The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up
in the exterior mirrors.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are then also
unavailable.
X Drive on.
Once you have moved far enough away from the radio telescope,
the above functions are available again. Vehicles with Becker
®
MAP PILOT: if the Becker ®
MAP PILOT is
not connected, the radar sensor system is deactivated automati-
cally.
BAS PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS, Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind
Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are unavailable.
X Connect the Becker ®
MAP PILOT; see the separate operating
instructions. Lane Keeping
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual or
Active Lane Keep‐ ing Assist cur‐
rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated
and temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R
the windscreen is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R there are no lane markings for a longer period.
R the lane markings are worn, dark or covered, e.g. by dirt or snow.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is operational
again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Cleant he windscreen. 284
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays