warning light MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET 2011 Workshop Manual

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between
30 km/h and 200 km/h. If avehicle is driving
in fron tofyou, DISTRONIC operates in the
speed range between 0km/h and
200 km/h.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
road swith steep gradients. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes yourv ehicle up to a
maximum of 4m/s2
depending on its speed.
This corresponds to approximately 40% of
your vehicle's maximum braking power. You
must also apply the brakes yourself if this
braking power is not sufficient.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detect sarisk of collision
with avehicle in front, an intermittent warning
tones ounds. In addition, the ·distance
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up. Brak etoavoidacollision.
Cruise control lever With the cruise control lever, you can operate
DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEED-
TRONIC.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R LIM indicator lamp off: DISTRONIC PLUS
is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected. :
To stor ethe curren tspeed or ahigher
speed
; To set the specified minimum distance
= LIM indicator lamp
? To stor ethe curren tspeed or call up the
last stored speed
A To stor ethe curren tspeed or alower
speed
B To switc hbetween DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
C To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp =is off.
If it is off, DISTRONIC PLUS is already selec-
ted.
If it is not ,press the cruise contro llever in
the direction of arrow B.
LIM indicator lamp =in the cruise control
lever goes out. DISTRONIC PLUS is selec-
ted.
Switching on DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
the current speed and maintaining it Important safet
ynotes G
WARNING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by other means (e.g. in acar wash or
by towing). Driving systems
173Driving and parking Z

Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefl ypress the cruis econtrol lever
beyond the pressure point, up :for a
higher spee dordownAfor alower speed.
The lasts peed stored is increased or
reduced.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the stored speed G
WARNING
Only call up astored speed if you know what
that speed is and if it is suitable for the current
traffic and drivin gsituation .You can other-
wise endanger yourself or other sbyuninten-
tionally triggering sudden acceleration or
braking.
X Briefly pull the cruise contro llever towards
you ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the curren tspeed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value.
Setting the specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion ,you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependen tonvehicle speed. You can
see this distanc einthe multifunction display
(Y page 178). X
To increase: turn control;in direction
=.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains agreater
distanc ebetween your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control;in direc-
tion :.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains ashorter
distanc ebetween your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
i Make sure that you maintain asufficient
and safe distanc efrom the vehicle in front.
Adjust the distanc etothe vehicle in fron tif
necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS display sinthe speed-
ometer Whe
nDISTRONI CPLUSisa ctivated ,one or
two segments ;in the set speed range light
up.
i For design reasons ,the speed displayed
in the speedometer ma ydiffe rs lightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS. Driving systems
177Driving and parking Z

or
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
If you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, the DIS‐TRONIC PLUS off message is shown in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-
ted if:
R you apply the parking brake.
R you are driving slower than 25 km/ha nd
there is no vehicle in front,orift he vehicle
in front is no longer detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or if you deactivate ESP ®
.
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition.
R the vehicle is near aradio telescope facility
(Y page 345).
R you switch off the radar sensor system
(Y page 229).
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door is open.
R the vehicle has skidded.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear awarning tone. The DISTRONIC PLUS off message is shown in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
If the vehicle has been stopped by DISTRONIC
PLUS and afault occurs in the system, the
Brake immediately message appears in the
multifunction. Depress the brake pedal
immediately so that the vehicle does not roll away.D
ISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated,
and the messag edisappears.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary .DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated.
Cornering, going into and comingo ut of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-
cles when cornering is limited. Yourv
ehicle
may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles travelling on adifferent line DISTRONIC PLUS may not detec
tvehicles
travelling on adifferent line. The distance to
the vehicle in fron twill be too short. Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

Other vehicles changing lane
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehi-
cle cutting in yet. The distanc
etothis vehicle
will be too short.
Narrow vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in fron
tonthe edge of the carriage-
way,b ecause of its narrow width. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns
acorner 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
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with cross-
ing traffic, for example, could cause your vehi-
cle to pull away unintentionally.
SPEEDTRONIC
Important safety notes SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that
you do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especiallyift
he
vehicle is laden or towing atrailer, you must
shift to alower 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
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. 180
Driving systemsDriving and parking

G
WARNING
Do not change downf or additional engine
braking on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You can set avariable 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. when driving with winter tyres
fitted (Y page 183) G
WARNING
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 General notes
With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and vari-
able SPEEDTRONIC.
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 selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC 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 ahigher
speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speed
? To store the current speed or alower
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. VariableS PEEDTRONIC is
selected. G
WARNING
If there is achange of drivers, advise the new
driver of the limit speed stored.
Only use variable SPEEDTRONIC if you will not
have to accelerate suddenly to aspeed above
that stored as the limit speed. 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) Driving systems
181Driving and parking
Z

It is not possible to deactivate variable
SPEEDTRONIC 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 multifunction display.
The segments in the multifunction display
lightupf rom the start of the scale up to the
stored speed.
Storing the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed G
WARNING
Only select astored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
curren tdrivin gand traffic situation .Other-
wise, sudden brakin gcould endanger you or
others.
X Briefly pull the cruise contro llever towards
you =.
Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments
X Briefly press the cruise contro llever
beyond the pressure point ,up:for a
higher speed or down ?for alower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise contro llever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired
speed is set. Press the cruise contro llever
up : for ahigher speed or down ?for a
lower speed. Making adjustments in
1km/h incre-
ments
X Briefly press the cruise contro llever to the
pressure point ,up:for ahigher speed or
down ?for alower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise contro llever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is
set. Press the cruise contro llever up :for
ah igher speed or down ?for alower
speed.
Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC
There are several ways to deactivate variable
SPEEDTRONIC:
X Briefly press the cruise contro llever for-
wards B.
or
X Briefly press the cruise contro llever in the
direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
deactivated.
Cruise contro lorDISTRONIC PLUS is selec-
ted.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is automatically
deactivated:
R when you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but
only if your curren tspeed does not differ by
more than 20 km/ hfrom the stored speed.
You willh earawarningtoneift hisist he
case.
R on vehicles with manual transmission ,if
you shif ttoahigher gear and as aresult the
engine speed is too low. G
WARNING
It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed-
tronic by braking.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. 182
Driving systemsDriving and parking

the minimum
,the distance ma ynolongerbe
shown.
Warning displays The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning displayf or the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning displayf or the rear area in the
Coupéisl ocated on the roof lining in the rear
compartment;int he Cabriolet, it is between
the rear seats. Warning displayf
or the front area
: Segmentsont he left-hand side of the
vehicle
; Segmentsont he right-hand side of the
vehicle
= Segmentss howing operational readiness
The warning displayf or each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
segments showing operational readiness =
light up.
The gear lever position or the transmission
position of the automatic transmission deter-
mines which warning displayisa ctive when
the engine is running. Manual transmission: Gear lever posi-
tion Warning display
Forwards gear
or
Neutral
Front area activated
Reverse gear
Rear and front areas
activated
Automatic transmission:
Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R
or N Rear and front areas
activated
P
No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R
sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approx-
imately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displaysa
re lit.
You also hear awarning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds,
and the indicator lamp
in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at aqualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displaysa
re lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Cleant he PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 290).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in adifferent location. Parking Guidance
Important safety notes Parking Guidance is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to meas-
ure the road on both sides of the vehicle. A
suitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. You receive steering instruc-
tions when parking. You may also use PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 185). G
WARNING
Parking Guidance is merely an aid and may
recommendp arking spaces that are not suit-
able for parking. For example, these might be
spaces where parking is prohibited, drive-
ways, unsuitable surfaces, etc.
Parking Guidance measures the parking
space as you drive past it. Any later changes
to the parking space are not taken into
account. For instance, this may be the case when the vehicle parked in front of or behind
the space changes its position or when an
obstacle is moved into the parking space.
Parking Guidance does not relieve you of the
responsibility for paying attention. If you rely
solely on Parking Guidance, you could cause
an accident and injure yourself and others.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring.
G
WARNING
Objectsl ocated above the height range of
Parking Guidance will not be detected when
the parking space is measured. These are not
taken into account when the parking proce-
dure is calculated, e.g. overhanging loads, tail
sections or loading ramps of goods vehicles.
In some circumstances, Parking Guidance Driving systems
189Driving and parking
Z

X
To revers eintot he parking space: main-
tai nt he steering wheel angle and reverse
carefully.
X Stop as soon as you hear awarning tone,
at the latest when PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone.
The Parking Guidance finished mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display
and awarning tone sounds. You may be
asked to steer in adifferen tdirection and
the nchange gear. In this case, further dis-
playsint he multifunction displayw ill direct
you to the final position.
X Manoeuvre if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages dis-
played by PARKTRONIC (Y page 187).
Cancelling Parking Guidance X
Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
centre console (Y page 188).
Parking Guidance is cancelled immediately
and PARKTRONIC is deactivated.
Parking Guidance is cancelled automatically
if it is no longer possible to guide you into the
parking space, or if amalfunction occurs.
The parking space symbol goes out and a
warning tone sounds. The Parking Guid‐ance cancelled message appears in the
multifunction display.
Trailer towing For vehicles with
atrailer tow hitch, the min-
imum length for parking spaces is slightly
increased.
If you have attached atrailer to your vehicle,
you should not use Parking Guidance. When
the electrical connection is established
between your vehicle and the trailer, Parking
Guidance ceases to be available. PARK-
TRONIC is deactivated for the rear area. Reversing camera
Important safety notes The reversing camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows the area behind your vehicle in
the COMAND APS display.
G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The reversing camera is located in the handle
strip of the boot lid. Example: Coupé
:
Reversing camera
View through the camera The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear-view mirror.
G
WARNING
The reversing camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles in adistorted or incorrect
manner, or may not even display them at all.
The reversing camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to pay attention. The cam-
era cannot show objects:
R very near to the rear bumper
R below the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the boot lid
handle
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and 192
Driving systemsDriving and parking

manoeuvring. This appliestot
he areas
behind, in front of and next to the vehicle. You
could otherwise endange ryourself and oth-
ers. G
WARNING
Under the following circumstances, the
reversing camera will not function, or will
function in alimited manner:
R if the boot lid is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light (the dis-
play may flicker)
R if there is asudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into aheated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event,h ave the camera position and setting
checked at aqualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
aM ercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose.
Do not use the reversing camera in these
types of situation. You could otherwise injure
others or damage object sand your vehicle
while you are parking.
Activating the reversing camera X
Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the "Reversing camera"
function is selected in COMAND APS (see
the separate operating instructions for
COMAND APS).
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND APS display. Guide lines in the COMAND APS display Depending on the date of manufacture of the
vehicle, the guide lines are shown in the
COMAND APS display.
G
WARNING
Using the reversing camera can be dangerous
if you are colour blind or if your ability to dis-
tinguish colours is impaired.
Only use the reversing camera if you can see
and distinguish between all the coloured
guide lines that are displayed by the reversing
camera in the COMAND APS display. G
WARNING
Please note that object snot at ground level
may appear to be further away than they
actually are. These include:
R the bumper of avehicle that is parked
behind your vehicle
R at railer drawbar
R the ball coupling of atrailer tow hitch
R the tail-end of alorry
R slanted posts
The lines are only guides, not accurate meas-
urements of the distance to an obstacle.
Therefore, you should never pass the red line
when approaching an obstacle. You could oth-
erwise cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. Information in the COMAND APS display (example)
Guide lines
;and =show the approximate
distance to the rear area. Yellow guide
line ;indicates adistance of approximately Driving systems
193Driving and parking Z