tow MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET 2011 Owner's Manual

Only for the United Kingdom:
if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then
not possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle. Deactivate the interior motion sensor
(Y page 69) before you lock the vehicle with
the key. The doors can then be opened from
the inside after the vehicle has been locked
from the outside with the key. X
Pull door handle ;.
If the door is locked, lockin gknob :pops
up. The door is unlocked and can be
opened.
i When adoor is opened, the side window
on that side opens slightly. When the door
is closed, the side window closes again.
! The side windows will not open/close if
the batter yisdischarged or if the side win-
dows have iced up. It will then not be pos-
sible to close the door. Do not attempt to
forc ethe door to close. You could other-
wise damage the door or the side window. Centrally locking and unlocking the
vehicle from the inside
You can centrally lock or unlock the vehicle
from the inside.
The central locking/unlocking button does
not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap.
i You cannot unlock the vehicle centrally
from the inside if the vehicle has been
locked with the key or KEYLESS-GO. X
To unlock: press button :.
X To lock: press button ;. Automatic locking feature
The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning.
You could therefore be locked out when:
R the vehicle is being pushed.
R the vehicle is being towed.
R the vehicle is being tested on adynamom-
eter. X
To deactivate: press and hold button :
for about five seconds until atones ounds.
X To activate: press and hold button ;for
about five seconds until atones ounds.
You can also switch the automatic locking
function on and off using the on-board com-
puter (Y page 228). 78
DoorsOpening and closing

R
the boot separator is not pushe dupby
the load.
R the boot li disclosed.
R no objects ar eonthe soft-top compart-
ment cover
R the fabri cisn ot dirty ,wetor frozen.
Yo uc ould otherwis edamag ethe soft top,
boot and other parts of the vehicle.
i Make sure tha tthe soft top is dry and
clean before closing it. Otherwise, water or
dirt could enter the vehicle interior or boot. Opening and closing with the soft-top
switch
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure nobody can be trapped or injured
by moving parts, such as the soft-top linkage
or soft-top compartmentc over, when opening
or closing the soft top.
Release the soft-top switch in the event of
danger. The soft-top mechanism stops imme-
diately. G
WARNING
If the vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h, the
soft top stops the opening or closing move-
ment and remains in that position. This could
impair your rear view. At high speeds, the soft
top may be damaged.
Reduce your speed to below 40 km/hors top
the vehicle in accordanc ewith the traffic con-
ditions. Press the soft-top switc hagain in
order to open or clos ethe soft top fully.
Opening and closing X
Make sure that the boot separator is closed
(Y page 92).
X Close the boot lid. X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Open the cover on the lower centr econ-
sole. X
To open: pull soft-top switch :until the
entire soft top is stowed away in the boot.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display.
If, when opening, you drive at speeds above
40 km/h, the opening procedure is stop-
ped and in the multifunction display, you
see the Open/close top completely message. Reduce your speed again to
below 40 km/h and pull the soft-top switch
again, to open the soft top fully.
i The side windows close if you keep on
pulling the soft-top switch.
X To close: press and hold soft-top
switch :until the soft top is fully closed.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display.
If, when closing, you drive at speeds above
40 km/h, the closing procedure is stopped
and in the multifunction display, you see
the Open/close top completely mes-
sage. Reduce your speed again to below
40 km/h and push the soft-top switch
again, to clos ethe soft top fully.
i The side windows close if you keep on
pressing the soft-top switch. 86
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing

G
WARNING
Do not reach between the cover halves and
the hinges .You could otherwise become trap-
ped.
X Reach under the tip of soft top Gin the
soft-top compartment from the right-hand
and left-hand sides. X
Lift the soft top out of the soft-top com-
partment and guide it forwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow ontow indscreen
frame H. I
Opening
J To lock
X Pull off the cover of the roof lock behind the
overhead control panel.
X Insert the hex-socket wrench into the roof
lock.
X Turn the hex-socket wrench clockwise I
as far as possible.
! Make sure the hex-socket wrench is
turned anti-clockwise as far as possible
during the following step. The soft top may
otherwise not be fully locked.
X Turn the hex-socket wrench anti-clockwise
J as far as possible.
The soft top is now pre-locked on the wind-
screen frame. X
Move material tensioning frame Kto an
upright position.
! Make sure the soft-top compartment
cover does not collide with the material
tensioning frame during the following step.
X Lower soft-top compartment cover L.90
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing

Rear foglamp
X
To switc honthe rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switc hoff the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goe sout.
Vehicles with front foglamps: when the light
switch is in the Tposition, the rea rfog-
lamp can only be switched on if the foglamps
(without dipped-beam headlamps) are
switched on.
i If you switch the engine off (key in posi-
tion 1in the ignition lock) and then restart
it, the previous rear foglamp settings are
restored.
Adjusting the headlam prange (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allow
syou to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to sui tthe vehicle load. g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied 2
Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, boot laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing atrailer
X Start the engine.
X Turn headlamp range control to the posi-
tion which corresponds to the load in your
vehicle.
Headlampc leaning system The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is oper-
ated ten times while the light
sare on and the
engin eisrunning (Y page 124). When you
switc hoff the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning syste misreset and counting is
resumed from 0. Combination switch
Turns ignals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left 116
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Useful information
............................146
Running-in notes ............................... 146
Driving ............................................... 146
Manual transmission ........................153
Automatic transmission ...................154
Refuelling ........................................... 160
Parking ............................................... 165
Driving tips ........................................ 166
Driving systems ................................ 169
Trailer towing .................................... 204 145Driving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with
apetrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is
amalfunction in the engine electronics or in amechanical
componentoft he engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at aqualified specialist
workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warning lamp
may also be lit and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 283). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
At coolant temperatures under 120 †, drive on to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. to aMercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop/start driving. Manual transmission
Gear lever
Gear lever
!
Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
! When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all the way to the right. Otherwise, you could
shift unintentionally into
3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high aspeed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise arisk of damaging the
clutch.
! On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is laden or towing
at railer, you must shift into gear 1, 2or3
in good time. This uses the engine's braking
effect.T his relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. Manual transmission
153Driving and parking Z

Transmission position and driv
epro-
gram display :
Transmission positio ndisplay
; Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. Transmission positions
B
Par
kposition
Prevent sthe vehicle fro mrolling
away when stopped. Do not shift
the transmission into position P
(Y page 165) unless the vehicle is
stationary.
The key can only be removed if the
transmission is in position P.Ifthe
key is removed from the ignition
lock, the selector lever is locked. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D.This automatic gearshift-
ing behaviourisd etermined by:
R as hift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program
E/S, E/S/M orM(Y page 156)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts Automatic transmission
155Driving and parking Z

Double-clutch function
E3
50 an dE500 only: when shifting down,
the double-clutch function is activ eregard-
less of the currently selected drive program.
The double-clutch function reduces load
chang ereactions and is conducive to asporty
driving style. The sound generated by the
double-clutch function depends on the drive
program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depres sthe accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shift stoalower gear
dependin gonthe engin espeed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal onc ethe
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shift sback up.
Trailer towing X
Driv eint he middle of the engin espeed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or
2(Y page 157 )dependin gonthe uphill or
downhill gradient ,even if cruise control,
DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC is acti-
vated. Program selector button
General notes The program selector butto
nallows you to
choose between differen tdriving character-
istics. Progra
mselector button Program selecto
rbutton on vehicle swithout the
"dynamic handlin gpackage with sports mode" Program selecto
rbutton on vehicle swith the
"dynamic handlin gpackage with sports mode" E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sport
ydriving style M
Manual Manual gearshifting
i
Further informatio nontheautomatic
driv eprogram . 156
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Restricting the shift range
X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The automatic transmissio nshifts down
one gear and restrictst he shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protectsa gainst engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted.
Derestricting the shift range X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Press and hold the selector lever towards
D+ until Dis shown once more in the mul-
tifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle until Dis shown again in
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position. or
X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allowso ptimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on the manuald rive program Manual drive program
Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gears using the steering wheel gear-
shift paddlesort he selector lever in manual
drive program Mif the transmission is in posi-
tion D.The gear selected is shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 156) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 157).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Downshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 157).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you desire maximum acceleration, push
the selector lever to the left or pull and hold 158
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at aqualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Service Centre, immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at aqualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Service Centre, immediately. Releasing the parking lock manually
In the event of an electrical fault, it is possible
to release the selector lever lock manually to
move it out of position P,e.g. if you wish to
tow the vehicle away. !
Do not use any sharp-edged objectstol ift
up the selector lever cover in the centre
console. Otherwise, the selector lever
cover could be damaged.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Prise out selector lever gaiter :with aflat,
blunt object,( e.g.ascrewdriver wrappe dincloth
)from the right-hand edge, pulling it
up and out.
X Press release button ;dow nand simul-
taneousl ymovet he selecto rlever out of
position P.
The selector lever can now be moved freely
until it is returned to position P. Refuelling
Important safet
ynotes G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking are therefore prohibited when
handling fuels.
Switc hoff the engin eand the auxiliary heating
before refuelling. G
WARNING
Do not come into contact with fuels.
It is hazardous to your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuels or you
breathe in fuel vapours. 160
RefuellingDriving and parking