wipers MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS 2012 Owners Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction .........................................
20 At a glance
........................................... 27 Safety ...................................................
37 Opening and closing
...........................67 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....
85 Lights and windshield wipers
............97 Climate control
................................. 117 Driving and parking ..........................
133 On-board computer and displays
....185 Stowage and features ......................
235 Maintenance and care
......................265 Breakdown assistance
.....................279 Wheels and tires ...............................
297 Technical data ...................................
327 Contents
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PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ...............
53
Reserve fuel ................................... 231
Seat belt
........................................ 224
SRS ................................................ 230
Warranty ............................................ 328
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 223
Wheel bolt tightening torque ...........322
Wheel chock ...................................... 320
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 319
Checking ........................................ 299
Cleaning ......................................... 273
Cleaning (warning) .........................319
Emergency spare wheel ................. 325
Important safety notes .................. 298
Interchanging/changing ................319
Mounting a new wheel ................... 322
Mounting a wheel .......................... 319
Removing a wheel ..........................322
Storing ........................................... 319
Tightening torque ........................... 322
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 323
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 208
Operation ......................................... 45
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 127
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid .......................269
Notes ............................................. 334
Windshield wipers
Display message ............................ 223
Problem (malfunction) ...................115
Rear window wiper ........................112
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 112
Switching on/off ........................... 111
Winter driving
Slippery road surfaces ................... 157
Snow chains .................................. 301
Winter operation
General notes ................................ 300
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 300Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 274
Important safety notes
..................112
Replacing (rear window) ................113
Replacing (windshield) ................... 113
Wooden trim (cleaning instructions) 276
Workshops see Qualified specialist workshop Z
ZONE function Switching on/off ........................... 126 Index
19
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Useful information ..............................
98
Exterior lighting .................................. 98
Interior lighting ................................. 103
Replacing bulbs ................................. 104
Windshield wipers ............................111 97Lights and windshield wipers
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Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note
that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 24).Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even

during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. Driving abroad
Conversion to symmetrical low beam Switch the headlamps to symmetrical low
beam in countries in which traffic drives on
the opposite
side

of the road from the country
where the vehicle is registered. This prevents
glare to oncoming traffic. When using
symmetrical lights, the edge of the road is not
lit as widely and as far ahead as normal.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop as close to the border as
possible before driving in these countries.
Conversion to asymmetrical low beam
after returning Have the headlamps converted back to
asymmetrical low-beam headlamps at a
qualified specialist workshop as soon as
possible after crossing the border again. Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using:
R
the light switch
R the combination switch ( Y page 100)
R the on-board computer (Y page 197)
Light switch Operation
1W
Left-hand standing lamps
2X Right-hand standing lamps
3T Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the light sensor
5L Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
BR Rear fog lamp
CN Fog lamp (only vehicles with front fog
lamps)
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the
SmartKey

from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0.98
Exterior lighting
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Automatic headlamp mode
G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to Ã,
the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions
such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
L.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
à is the favored light switch setting. The
light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient
light (exception: poor visibility due to weather
conditions such as fog, snow or spray):
R SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
R With the engine running: if you have
activated the daytime running lamps
function via the on-board computer, the
daytime running lamps or the low-beam
headlamps and parking lamps are switched
on or off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
X To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
The daytime running lamps improve the
visibility of your vehicle during the day. The
daytime running lamps

function is required by
law in Canada.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light: if you
turn the light switch to T, you turn on the
daytime running lamps and parking lamps. If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
Even if the light sensor does not detect that
it is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the ignition is
switched
on and

the light switch is set to the
L position. This is a particularly useful
function in the event of rain and fog.
X To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The green L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Front fog lamps
In conditions where visibility is poor due to
fog, snow or rain, the fog lamps improve
visibility as well as making it easier for other
road users to see you. They can be operated
together with the parking lamps or together
with the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps.
X To switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the SmartKey in

the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L or Ã.
X Press the N button.
The green N indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front fog lamps: press
the N button.
The green N indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Only vehicles with front fog lamps are
equipped with the "fog lamp" function;
information on the fog lamp function for
vehicles with Intelligent Light System
(Y page 102). Exterior lighting
99Lights and windshield wipers Z
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Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of
thick fog. Please take note of the country-
specific regulations for the use of rear fog
lamps.
X
To switch on the rear fog lamps: turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2
or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to
L or Ã.
X Press the R button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
R
button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Parking lamps
! If the battery has been excessively
discharged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the T parking lamps
for several hours.

If possible, switch on the
X right or the W left standing lamp.
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
T.
The green T indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Standing lamps
Switching on the

standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is
illuminated.
X To switch on the standing lamps: the
SmartKey is not in the ignition lock or it is
in position 0.
X Turn the light switch to W (left-hand side
of the vehicle) or
X (right-hand side of
the vehicle). Combination switch
Turn signal :
High-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= High-beam flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the
combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow

; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination
switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
High-beam headlamps X
To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L or Ã.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the à position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running. 100
Exterior lighting
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The blue
K indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights
up when the high-
beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination

switch
back to its normal position.
The blue K indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active,
it controls activation of the high-beam
headlamps (Y page 102).
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an air bag is deployed
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of
more

than 45mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal

using the combination switch, only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side
of

the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch off
automatically if the vehicle reaches a speed
of over 6mph (10km/h) again after a full
brake application.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times

while the lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 111). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction
you

are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. The
cornering light function can only be activated
when the low-beam headlamps are switched
on. Exterior lighting
101
Lights and windshield wipers Z
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Active:
R
if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h )
and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel.
R if you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signal or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes. Extended range fog lamps
The extended range fog lamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve
the illumination of the edge of the road.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
40 mph (70

km/h) and you switch on the rear
fog lamp.
Not active: if, following activation, you are
driving at speeds above 60 mph (100 km/h)
or if you switch off the rear fog lamp. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist does not recognize
road users:
R who have no lights, e.g. pedestrians
R who have poor lighting, e.g. cyclists
R whose lighting is blocked, e.g. by a barrier
In very rare

cases, Adaptive Highbeam Assist
may fail to recognize other road users that
have lights, or may recognize them too late.
In this or similar situations, the automatic
high-beam headlamps will not be deactivated
or activated regardless. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time.
You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change between low beam and
high beam automatically. The system
recognizes vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
traveling in front of your vehicle, and
consequently switches the headlamps from
high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel. 102
Exterior lighting
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X
To activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 197).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in
the direction of arrow :
(Y page 100).
The _ indicator lamp in the
multifunction display lights up if it is dark
and the light sensor activates the low-beam
headlamps.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 28 mph (45 km/h):
The headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 35 mph (55 km/h) and no
other road users have been detected:
The high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) or other
road users have been detected or the roads
are adequately lit: The high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The
K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the multifunction display
remains lit.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the
multifunction display goes out. Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
X Switch on the lights and drive off.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the

length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:
p To switch the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off
; c To switch the front interior lighting
on
= v

To switch the on/off Interior lighting
103
Lights and windshield wipers Z
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?
| To switch the front interior lighting/
automatic interior lighting control off
A p To switch the right-hand front
reading lamp on/off
B To switch the automatic interior lighting
control on Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:
To switch the reading lamp on/off Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging, the
interior
lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
unless the SmartKey is in position 2 in the
ignition lock.
The brightness of the ambient lighting may be
set using the on-board computer
(Y page 197).
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on: set the switch to center
position B.
X To switch off: set the switch to the |
position.
The interior lighting automatically switches
on if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock. The interior light is activated for a short while
when the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock. You can activate this delayed
switch-off using the on-board computer
(Y page 198).
Manual interior lighting control
X
To switch the front interior lighting on:
set the switch to the c position.
X To switch the interior lighting off: set the
switch to the |

position or (if the door
is closed) to the center position.
X To switch the interior lighting on/off:
press the u button.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the p button. Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting

is activated automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
X To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or
X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
key. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You can get
an electric shock if you remove the cover of
the Xenon bulb and touch the electrical
contacts. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Never touch the parts or the electrical
contacts of the

Xenon bulb. Always have work
on the Xenon bulbs carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. 104
Replacing bulbs
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