MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET 2012 Owners Manual

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos-
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 23). Running-in notes
Important safety notes
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effec tafter sev-
eral hundred kilometres of driving. Compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal. The first 1,500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from the very start, you will be rewarded with
excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1,500 km.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gea ringood time, before the rev
counter needle is Ôof the way to the red
area of the rev counter.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
R The shift ranges 3,2or 1should only be
engaged when driving slowly, e.g. when
driving in mountainous terrain. After 1500 km, you may gradually accelerate
the vehicle to full road and engine speeds.
i
You should also observe these notes on
running in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restric tthe
pedal travel or obstruct adepressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardised. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Fit the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficien tclearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinde rcorrect usage
of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect .You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. 158
DrivingDriving and parking

G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train. Keyp
ositions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignitio n(power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle,
it can still be turned in the ignition lock.
However, the ignition will not be switched
on. The engine cannot be started. KEYLESS-GO General notes
R
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key together
with:
-electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another key
- metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal film
R Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key together
in metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can affect the functionality of KEY-
LESS-GO.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a key featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
start function and a detachable Start/Stop
button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the key must be in the vehi-
cle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignition lock .This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO Driving
159Driving and parking Z

Switching on the power supply
X Position 0: if Start/Stop button :has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
key being removed from the ignition.
X Position 1: press Start/Stop button :.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windscreen wipers, for
example.
i If you then open the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is deactiva-
ted.
Switching on the ignition
X Position 2(ignition): press Start/Stop but-
ton :twice.
The ignition is switched on.
i The ignition is switched off if:
R the driver's door is open and
R you press Start/Stop button :once
when in this position.
Removing the Start/Stop button X
Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-
mal using the key.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle.
i When you insert Start/Stop button :
into ignition lock ;, the system needs
approximately two seconds recognition time. You can then use Start/Stop but-
ton
:. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
General notes i
Vehicles with apetrol engine: the cat-
alytic converter is preheated for up to
30seconds after a cold start .The sound of
the engine may change during this time.
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
i You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position displayint he
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the key i
To start the engine using the key instead
of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/Stop button
out of the ignition lock. 160
DrivingDriving and parking

X
To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 159) and release it as soo nas the
engine is running.
X To start adiesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 159).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %erlischt, den Schlüssel auf
Stellung 3(Ypage 159) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: you can also use the touch-star tfunc-
tion .To do this, turn the key to position
3(Y page 159) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically.
Using KEYLESS-GO to startt he engineG
WARNING
You rvehicle can be started using a valid KEY-
LESS-GO key. For this reason, children should
never be left unsupervised in the vehicle.
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving it for a
short time.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the key into the ignition lock. The key must
be in the vehicle and the Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock. This
mode for starting the engine operates inde-
pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine start function. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To star tapetrol engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 159) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 159) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
Manual transmission !
Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 178).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerato rpedal.
i Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style (Y page 167).
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 245).
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident. Driving
161Driving and parking
Z

When engaging transmission position
Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 178).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the selector lever lock released.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away .The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 245).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill starta ssist G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. X
Take your foot off the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes When the
¤symbol is shown in green in
the multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Every time you switch on the engine using the
key or the Start/Stop button, the ECO start/
stop function is activated.
If the ECO start/stop function has been man-
ually deactivated (Y page 164) or a malfunc-
tion has caused the system to be deactivated,
the ¤ symbol is not displayed. 162
DrivingDriving and parking

Automatic engine switch-off
Method of operation
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the
¤symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in th eECO butto nis lit
green.
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the outside temperature is within the com-
fort range.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are fulfilled, the ¤symbol is
shown in yellow.
i All vehicle systems remain active during
automatic engine switch-off.
i The engine can be switched off automat-
ically a maximum of four times (first stop
and three subsequent stops) in succession.
The ¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the
multifunction display after the engine has
been started automatically for the fourth
time. When the ¤symbol is shown in
green in the multifunction display, auto-
matic engine switch-off is againp ossible.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop func-
tion can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (Y page 164). Vehicles with manual transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X
Brake the vehicle until it comes to a stand-
still.
X Shift to neutral N(follow gearshift instruc-
tion :to shift to neutral N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if you:
R stop the vehicle in transmission position
D or Nand
R continue to depress the brake pedal
i You can also activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary if the engine
has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying
the brakes during the automatic stop
phase. When you depress the accelerator
pedal, the engine starts automatically and
the braking effect of the HOLD function is
deactivated. Depress the accelerator pedal
gently, as the engine must be started first.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
again once the ¤symbol reappears in
green in the multifunction display. Driving
163Driving and parking Z

Automatic engine start
General notes
The engine is started automatically if:
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range.
R the system detects moisture on the wind-
scree nwhen the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door
Vehicles with manual transmission
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
The engine is started automatically if you:
R fully depress the clutch pedal.
R depress the accelerator pedal.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brake pedal when HOLD is not
activated and the transmission is in posi-
tion Dor N
R depress the accelerator pedal
R move the transmission out of position P.
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine. Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function ECO button
X
To switch off: press the:button.
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
X To switch on: press the:button.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
for automatic engine switch-off
(Y page 163) are fulfilled, the ¤symbol
is shown in green in the multifunction dis-
play.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 163) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the mul-
tifunction display. If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available.
i If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated man-
ually or as the result of a malfunction. The
engine will then not be switched off auto-
matically when the vehicle stops.
i Every time you switch on the engine using
the key or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated. 164
DrivingDriving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engine does not
start. The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 198) or DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 196).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the key in the
ignition back to position 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 160). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start
.The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display shows 0. The fuel tank is empty.
X
Refuel the vehicle. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 331).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Driving
165Driving and parking Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. 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 310). 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
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Manual transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
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. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
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 a speed (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 a risk of damaging the
clutch. 166
Manual transmissionDriving and parking

!
On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is ladenort owing
a trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2or3
in good time. This uses the engine's braking
effect .This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. Gear lever
Neutral N with ECO start/stop func-
tion activated
The engine is switched off, if:
R in neutral N, the vehicle speed is below a
certain threshold and
R the clutch pedal is not depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (Y page 162). Engaging reverse gear
! Only shift into reverse gear Rwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could
damage the transmission.
X Move the gear lever firmly to the left
beyond the point of resistance and then
forwards.
i The ECO start/stop function is not avail-
able when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 162). Gearshift recommendation
X
Shift gear according to gearshift recom-
mendation :shown in the multifunction
display of the instrumentc luster.
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. Automatic transmission
167Driving and parking Z