MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2009 Owners Manual

of its narrow width. The distance to the vehi-
cle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles Distronic Plus does not brake for obstacles or
stationary vehicles. For example, if the detec-
ted vehicle turns a corner and reveals an
obstacle or stationary vehicle, Distronic Plus
will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles Distronic Plus may detect vehicles that are
crossing your lane by mistake. Activating Dis-
tronic Plus at traffic lights with crossing traf-
fic, for example, could cause your vehicle to
pull away unintentionally. Speedtronic
Speedtronic brakes automatically so that you
do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
shift to a lower gear in good time or select
shift range 1,2or 3on vehicles with auto- matic transmission*. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need addi-
tional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brakes to rub by applying constant slight
pedal pressure. This causes the brake system
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You can set a variable or permanent limit
speed:
R variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
R permanent for long-term speed restric-
tions, e.g. for driving on winter tyres
(Y page 150) G
Risk of accident
Speedtronic is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Variable Speedtronic With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control, Distronic Plus* and variable
Speedtronic.148
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The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Cruise control or Distronic Plus* is selec-
ted.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/hw hile
the engine is running. :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower
speed
A To switch between cruise control or Dis-
tronic Plus* and variable Speedtronic
B To deactivate variable Speedtronic
Selecting variable Speedtronic X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp ;is on.
If it is on, variable Speedtronic is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable Speedtronic is
selected. G
Risk of accident
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the limit speed stored.
Only use Speedtronic when you do not have
to accelerate suddenly to a speed higher than
the stored limit speed allows. You could, oth-
erwise, cause an accident.
You can only exceed the limit speed stored if
you deactivate variable Speedtronic:
R using the cruise control lever
R by depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown)
It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed-
tronic by braking.
Storing the current speed You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running.
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ?to the pressure point.
The current speed is stored and shown in
the multi-function display.
The segments in the multi-function display
light up from the start of the scale up to the
stored speed.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current driving and traffic situation. Other-
wise, sudden braking could endanger you or
others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =. Driving systems
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Making adjustments in 1 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is
set. Press the cruise control lever, up :
for a higher speed or down ?for a lower
speed.
Adjustment in 10 km/h increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up :for a
higher speed or down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired
speed is set. Press the cruise control lever,
up : for a higher speed or down ?for a
lower speed.
Deactivating variable Speedtronic There are several ways to deactivate variable
Speedtronic:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever goes out. Variable Speedtronic is
deactivated.
Cruise control or Distronic Plus* is selec-
ted.
Variable Speedtronic is automatically deacti-
vated:
R when you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown) but
only if your current speed does not differ by
more than 20 km/h from the stored speed. You will hear a warning tone if this is the
case.
R on vehicles with manual transmission, if
you shift to a higher gear and as a result the
engine speed is too low. G
Risk of accident
It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed-
tronic by braking.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine.
Permanent Speedtronic i
Permanent Speedtronic is only available
in certain countries.
You can use the on-board computer to limit
the speed permanently to a value between
160 km/h (e.g. for driving with winter tyres)
and the maximum speed.
Just before the stored speed is reached, it
appears in the multi-function display.
Permanent Speedtronic remains active, even
if variable Speedtronic is deactivated.
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed,
even if you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
Setting permanent Speedtronic
X Press =or; to select the Set‐
tings menu.
X Press :or9 to highlight the Vehi‐
cle submenu and select with a.
X Press :or9 to select the Limit
speed (winter tyres): function.
You can see the current setting.
X To change this, press a.150
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X
Press the :or9 button to set per-
manent Speedtronic in increments of ten
(240 km/h to 160 km/h). Permanent
Speedtronic is deactivated with the Off
setting.
X Press ato save the entry. HOLD function
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or was automatically
switched off by the ECO Start/Stop func-
tion.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the parking brake is not applied.
R the bonnet is closed.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission*,
D, Ror Nis selected.
R Distronic Plus* is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake. Vehicles with automatic transmission* with a
selector lever (example)
X
With increased force depress the brake
pedal further until HOLD:appears in the
multi-function display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. G
Risk of accident
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R
you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic
transmission*, this occurs only if Dor Ris
selected.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission*,
you move the selector lever to P.
R you activate Distronic Plus*.
R you release the brakes and apply them
again with a certain amount of pressure
until the HOLDmessage in the multi-func-
tion display goes out. G
Risk of accident
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated. Driving systems
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The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the park-
ing brake and must not be used for parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
cancelled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g. bat-
tery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected. G
Risk of accident
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
In vehicles with automatic transmission and
a DIRECT SELECT lever*, the transmission is
automatically shifted to Pif the HOLD func-
tion is activated and:
R the driver's door is opened and you release
the seat belt.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO Start/
Stop function.
R the bonnet is opened.
R a system fault occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. In vehicles with manual transmission or auto-
matic transmission* with a selector lever, you
see a warning message in the multi-function
display if the HOLD function is activated and:
R
the driver's door is opened and you release
the seat belt.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO Start/
Stop function.
R the bonnet is opened.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Brake immediately
X Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly
until the warning message in the multi-
function display goes out. This deactivates
the HOLD function.
On vehicles with automatic transmission*
with a selector lever:
Select Park (P)
X Move the selector lever to Pto prevent the
vehicle from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated. The
warning message in the multi-function dis-
play disappears.
A horn will also sound at regular intervals if
the HOLD function is activated and you:
R switch off the engine, open the driver's
door and remove your seat belt.
R open the bonnet.
The sounding of the horn alerts you to the fact
that the vehicle has been parked while the
HOLD function is still activated. The tone
becomes louder if you attempt to lock the
vehicle. The vehicle is not locked until the
HOLD function is deactivated.
i If the ignition has been switched off, the
engine cannot be started again until the
HOLD function has been deactivated.
If there is a fault in the system or power supply
while the HOLD function is activated, the
Brake immediately message is shown in
the multi-function display. Immediately
depress the brake firmly until the warning 152
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message in the multi-function display goes
out. On vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*, you can also select
P. This deactivates
the HOLD function. RACE START (E 63 AMG)
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start with suitable high-grip
road surface conditions. G
Risk of accident
RACE START is only available when ESP ®
Sports mode is activated. ESP ®
Sport stabil-
ises the vehicle in a limited manner if the vehi-
cle starts to skid or when a wheel is spinning.
RACE START should only be used on closed
off circuits. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.
Conditions for activation RACE START can be activated when:
R
the doors are closed
R the engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
80 †. This is the case when the engine oil
temperature lamp in the multi-function dis-
play stops flashing.
R ESP ®
Sport is activated (Y page 62)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position
R the vehicle is at rest and the brake pedal is
depressed (left foot)
R the transmission is in position DActivating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot,
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the program selector switch clock-
wise (Y page 116), until the RSlamp lights
up.
The multi-function display shows the RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN message.
i If the conditions for activation are no lon-
ger fulfilled, RACE START is cancelled. The
multi-function display shows the RACE
START cancelled message.
X To cancel: pull the left paddle
(Y page 114).
or
X To confirm: pull the right paddle
(Y page 114).
The multi-function display shows the RACE
START available Depress accelera‐
tor message.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is cancelled. The multi-function dis-
play shows the RACE START not possi‐
ble See Owner's Manual message.
X Depress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed rises to approximately
4,000 rpm.
The multi-function display shows the RACE
START Release brake to start mes-
sage.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within seven seconds, RACE START is can-
celled. The multi-function display shows
the RACE START cancelled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The multi-function display shows the RACE
START active message. Driving systems
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RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
Drive program S+is activated. ESP ®
Sport
remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during a
race start or if any of the activation conditions
are no longer fulfilled. The multi-function dis-
play shows the RACE START not possible
See Owner's Manual message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a cer-
tain distance. AIRMATIC* (except E 63 AMG)
Vehicle level Your vehicle regulates its height automati-
cally. All-round self-levelling ensures the best
possible suspension and constant ground
clearance, even with a laden vehicle. When
you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered auto-
matically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
R normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about 25 mm
when compared with the normal level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
10 mm when compared with the normal
level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered" vehicle level is set automati-
cally:
R at speeds above 140 km/h
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Y page 155) Setting the vehicle level manually
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel housing or under the vehicle while low-
ering the vehicle when it is stationary. Other-
wise, limbs could become trapped. Setting the raised level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to the raised level.
The message Vehicle rising appears in
the display.
Setting the normal level
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to the normal level. 154
Driving systemsCont
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i
The "Raised Level" setting is cancelled if:
R you drive at a speed of more than
120 km/h
R you drive at a speed between 80 km/h
and 120 km/hf or three minutes or more
The "Raised Level" remains saved when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Suspension tuning The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in sports mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e. g. on winding country roads.
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multi-function display. Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. motorways.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multi-function display. AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspen-
sion* (E 63 AMG)
Vehicle level The vehicle automatically sets the vehicle
level at the rear axle. Rear axle self-levelling
ensures the best possible suspension and
that the ground clearance remains constant
even when the vehicle is loaded. This
improves driving safety and fuel consump-
tion.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
reverts to Comfort mode. Driving systems
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Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding secondary
roads.
X Press button :once.
Indicator lamp ?lights up. Sport suspen-
sion mode has been selected.
In the multi-function display the AMG Ride
Control SPORT message appears.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps =and ?are off:
X Press button :twice.
Both indicator lamps =and ?light up.
Sport + suspension mode has been selec-
ted.
In the multi-function display the AMG Ride
Control SPORT + message appears.
If indicator lamp ?lights up:
X Press button :once.
Second indicator lamp =lights up. Sport +
suspension mode has been selected.
In the multi-function display the AMG Ride
Control SPORT + message appears. Comfort mode
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. motorways.
X Press button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps =and ?go out.
Comfort suspension mode has been selec-
ted.
In the multi-function display the AMG Ride
Control COMFORT message appears.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive pro-
gram have been selected, you can store and
call up your settings using AMG button ;.
X To store: press AMG button ;until you
hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multi-func-
tion display. 4MATIC*
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle when-
ever a drive wheel spins due to insufficient
grip. G
Risk of accident
4MATIC cannot reduce the risk of an accident
if you drive too fast.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R accelerate less when driving.
R adapt your driving style to suit road and
traffic conditions. 156
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i
In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow
chains if necessary. PARKTRONIC*
G
Risk of accident
PARKTRONIC is only an aid and may not
detect all obstacles. This system does not
relieve you of the need to pay attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could otherwise endanger
yourself and others. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It indicates visually and audibly
the distance between your vehicle and an
object.
PARKTRONIC is automatically activated when
you switch on the ignition and release the
handbrake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. :
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side
Range of the sensors The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise, they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them.
Side view: Saloon shown as an example
Top view: Saloon shown as an example Driving systems
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