tow MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET 2011 Workshop Manual

Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the vehi-
cle documents.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle in the "Tech-
nical data" section. G
WARNING
If the Check trailer hitch locking mechanism message appears in the multi-
function display while the vehicle is in motion,
pull over immediately and check whether the
ball coupling is correctly engaged. G
WARNING
Always observe the maximum speed permit-
ted in Germany for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions, even in countries where higher speeds
are permitted. This lowers the risk of an acci-
dent. G
WARNING
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
WARNING
On no account should you attempt to draw the
vehicle/trailer combination out by increasing
speed. General information i
When towing atrailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for am aximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 321).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 343).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch
and trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
! Use anoseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do
not use anoseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
Please note that when towing atrailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 185) and parking guidance
(Y page 189) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use atrailer with aheight-adjustable draw-
bar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 65).
In Germany, the maximum permissible speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations depends on
the type of trailer, and is either 80 km/h or
100 km/h. In some countries, higher maxi-
mum speeds are permissible for vehicle/
trailer combinations. Before beginning the
journey, check the trailer's documents to see
what the maximum permitted speed is.
For certain Mercedes-Ben zvehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing atrailer. Refer to the "Technical Trailer towing
205Driving and parking Z

data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towin gatrailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed amaximum speed of 100 km/ hfor
reasons concerning the operatin gpermit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towin gatrailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristic swill be differen tincomparison
to when driving without atrailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strongc rosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must shift to alower gear in good time, or on
vehicles with automatic transmission, select
the shift range 1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevent sthe brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips R
Maintain agreater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from astandstill refer to sea level. When driving in mountainous areas,
notet hat the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. Folding out the ball coupling
Before you can tow atrailer with your vehicle,
you must fold out the ball coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. G
WARNING
Make sure that the ball coupling is engaged,
either in its folded-out or folded-in position,
and that the indicator lamp is off.
Do not turn the release wheel when atrailer
is coupled up. Otherwise, the trailer might
detach. X
To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ;.206
Trailer towingDriving and parking

X
Pull out release wheel ;.
X Turn release wheel ;anti-clockwise until
the ball coupling releases and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp :flashes. X
Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow until it engages in avertical position.
Indicator lamp :goes out. The power
socket folds down automatically.
The multifunction display shows the
Trailer hitch Check lock mech. mes-
sage until the ball coupling is engaged.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball
coupling and store it in asafe place.
X Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling
is clean and that, depending on the trailer
specification, it is greased or dry (without
grease) when used. Coupling up
atrailer G
WARNING
Do not disconnect atrailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
trailer drawbar.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working. Decoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
As soon as yo uraise the trailer drawbar ,the
unladen vehicl erises slightly. Th evehicl ethen
lowers to driving level.
Make sure tha tnobody is in the vicinit yofthe
wheel arch or the underbody. You could oth-
erwise trap yourself or others. G
WARNING
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. Make sure that nobody
is in the vicinit yofthe wheel arch or the
underbody. You could otherwise trap yourself
or others.
As soon as you decouple the trailer, the unla-
den vehicle rises slightly. Make sure that you
or others are not injured in the process.
! Do not disconnect atrailer 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. Trailer towing
207Driving and parking Z

X
Secure the traile ragainst rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Folding in the ball coupling
i Fold the ball coupling back in if you are
not using the trailer tow hitch. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the pivoting range of the ball coupling. Other-
wise, they could be injured.
X Place the protective cap on the ball cou-
pling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. X
To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ;. X
Pull out release wheel ;.
X Turn release wheel ;anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling unlocks and lowers. Indi-
cator lamp :flashes. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow until it engages behind the
bumper.
Indicator lamp :goes out and the mes-
sage in the multifunction display disap-
pears. Trailer power supply
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket is equipped with apermanent
power supply and apower supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
! You can connect consumers with apower
rating of up to 240 Wtothe permanent
power supply and up to 180 Wtothe power
supply that is switched on via the ignition
lock.
You must not charge atrailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest. 208
Trailer towingDriving and parking

You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics fro maqualified
specialist workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 2or 0respectively. Bulb failur
eindicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function display even if ther eisnofault. The
reason for the error message may be that
the curren thas falle nbelow the minimum
of 50 milliamperes (mA).
To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed aminimum curren tof
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General information If your trailer has
a7-pin connector, you can
connectittot he 13-pin socket on the ball
coupling using an adapter or, if necessary, an
adapter cable. Bothoft hese can be obtained
at aq ualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Fitting the adapter X
Open the socket cover.
X Inser tthe connector with lug :into
groove ;on the socket and turn the con-
nector 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.
! Make sure that ther eissufficien tcable
play so that th ecabl ecanno tbecome
detached when cornering. Trailer towing
209Driving and parking Z

i
If the gearshift recommendation is shown
in the multifunction display,itisn ot shown
in the status bar.
For further information on gearshift recom-
mendations, see (Y page 154).
Resetting values You can reset the values of the following func-
tions:
R
trip meter
R trip computer "From start"
R trip computer "From reset"
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheeltos elect theTrip menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
function that you wish to reset.
X Press a. Resetting the trip computer "From start" (example)
X Press :to select Yes and press
a
to confirm. Navigation menu
Displaying navigatio ninstructions In the
Navi menu, the multifunction display
shows navigation instructions. For more
information, see the separate operating
instructions.
X Switch on the audio system or COMAND
APS (see the separate operating instruc-
tions).
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheeltos elect theNavi menu.Route guidance not active :
Direction of travel
; Current street
Activated route guidance No change of directio
nannounced :
Distance to the destination
; Distance to the next change of direction
= Current street
? Symbol for "follow the road's course"
Change of directio nannounced without a
lane recommendation :
Roadtow hich the change of direction
leads
; Distance to change of direction and visual
distance display
= Current street
? Change-of-direction icon
When achange of direction has been
announced, you wills ee visualdistancedis-
play ;nex ttot he symbol for change of 218
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Intell
.Light Sys‐ tem inoperative The Intelligent Light Syste
misfaulty. The lights remain available
without the Intelligent Light System.
X Visit aqualified specialist workshop. b
Malfunction See
Owner's Manual The exterior lighting is faulty.
X
Visit aqualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with trailer tow hitch:
afuse may have blown.
X Check the fuses (Y page 313).
X If necessary, replace the blown fuse. Observe the warning notes
as you do so.
If the displaym essage continues to be displayed:
X Visit aqualified specialist workshop. b
AUTO
lights inoper‐
ative The light sensor is faulty.
X
Visit aqualified specialist workshop. b
Switch off lights The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.
X
Turn the light switch to Ã.Adaptive Main-beam
Assist inoperative Adaptive Highbeam Assist is faulty.
X
Visit aqualified specialist workshop. Adaptive Main-beam
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual Adaptive Highbeam Assist is deactivated and temporarily inoper-
ative if:
R
the windscreen is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
X Cleant he windscreen.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is available again if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detectst hat the camera is fully operational again.
The Adaptive Main-beam Assist available again message
is displayed. Display messages
241On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
C At leas
tone door is open. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. _
Rea
rl efts eat backrest not locked
or
Rea rr ight seat backrest not locked G
Ris
kofi njury
The backres tinthe rear is not engaged on the left-hand and/or
right-hand side. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Push th ebackres tback until it engages. _
Front lef
tseat backrest not locked
or
Front right sea
tb ackrest not locked The driver'
sorfront-pa ssenger seat backres tisnot engaged. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Push the backrest back until it engages. j
Check trailer
hitch lock G
Risk of accident
The trailer tow hitch is not correctly engaged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Stop th evehicle immediately, payin gattentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Allow the trailer tow hitch ball coupling to engage in the end
position (Y page 206). J
Close boot separa‐
tor The boot separator is open.
X
Close the boot separator (Y page 92).D
Power
steering mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual G
Risk of accident
The power steerin gassistance is faulty.
You will need to use more force to steer.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kwhether you are able to apply the extraf orce required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on toaqualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
251On-board computer and displays Z

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Seat belt
Problem Possible causes/consequencesa
ndM Solutions
7
Only for certain coun-
tries: the red sea
tbelt
warning lamp lights up
for six seconds after
the engin estarts. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and fron
tpassenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X Faste nyour seat belt (Y page 46). 7
Only for certain coun-
tries: the red seat belt
warning lamp lights up
after the engine starts.
In addition,
awarning
tones ounds for up to
six seconds. G
Risk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 46).
The warning tonec eases. 7
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp lights up after
the engine starts, as
soon as the driver's or
the front-passenger
door is closed.
G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 46).
The warning lamp goes out. G
Risk of injury
There are object sonthe front-passenger seat.
X Remove the object sfrom the front-passenger seat and stow
them in asecure place.
The warning lamp goes out. Warning and indicator lampsint
he instrument cluster
255On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
7
The red seat belt warn-
ing lamp flashes and an
intermittenta
udible
warning sounds. G
Ris
kofi njury
The driver or fron tpassenger has no tfastened their seat belt .At
the same time, yo uaredriving faste rthan 25 km/h or have briefly
driven faster than 25 km/h.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 46).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. G
Risk of injury
There are objectsont he front-passenger seat. At the same time,
you are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster
than 25 km/h.
X Remove the objectsf rom the front-passenger seat and stow
them in asecure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone
ceases. 256
Warning and indicator lampsint
he instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays