transmission MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 User Guide

Problems with the auxiliary heating/ventilation
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
FAIL The starter battery is not charged sufficiently or the system is
faulty.
X
Charge the starter battery.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. $
FAIL The signal transmission between the transmitter and the vehicle
is faulty.
X
Change your position in relation to the vehicle, moving closer if
necessary.
X Make another attempt to switch the auxiliary heating on or off
using the remote control. ©
FAIL There is not enough fuel in the fuel tank, or the auxiliary heating
is faulty.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Adjusting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air
vents. This could cause burns or frostbite to
bare skin in the immediate vicinity of the
vents. Keep bare skin away from these air
outlets. If necessary, direct the airflow away
to a different area of the vehicle interior. In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R
keep the air inlet between the windscreen
and the bonnet free of blockages, such as
ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the vents or ventilation grilles
in the vehicle interior. Adjusting the air vents
155Climate control Z

Useful information
............................160
Running-in notes ............................... 160
Driving ............................................... 160
Manual transmission ........................169
Automatic transmission ...................170
Refuelling ........................................... 179
Parking ............................................... 183
Driving tips ........................................ 185
Driving systems ................................ 189
Towing atrailer ................................. 234 159Driving and parking

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 25). 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.
Additional running-in notes for AMG vehicles:
R
Do not drive at speeds above 140 km/h for
the first 1500 km.
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4500 rpm briefly.
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. AMG vehicles with rear axle differen-
tial lock
Your vehicle is equipped with aself-locking
differential on the rear axle. Change the oil
after a running-in period of 3000 km to
improve protection of the rear axle differen-
tial. This oil change will lengthen the service
life of the differential. Have the oil change
carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
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 160
DrivingDriving and parking

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-relevan tfunctions are only available
with limitations, or no tatall. 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. 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. G
WARNING
Vehicles with HYBRID :ensure tha tyou read
the "HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise
fail to recognise dangers.
! 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.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temper-
atures (below +20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to pro-
tect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid
driving at full throttle when the engine is
cold. Key positions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (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. Driving
161Driving and parking Z

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 whe nthe
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.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 161) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To startad iesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 161).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %erlischt, den Schlüssel auf
Stellung 3(Ypage 161) 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 161) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically. Using KEYLESS-GO to startt
he engine G
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 161) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 161) 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 184).
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 170). Driving
163Driving and parking Z

i
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he 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 261).
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.
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 184).
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/parking lock
released
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he 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 261).
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. 164
DrivingDriving and parking

X
To switc hon (AMG vehicles): press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If drive pro-
gram S,S+ orMis active, the automatic
transmission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 166) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in green in the mul-
tifunction display. In addition, the Stop/Start active message is shown in the
AMG menu in the multifunction display.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-
off have not been fulfilled, the (Y page 166)
¤ symbol will be shown in yellow. If this
is the case, the ECO start/stop function is
not available. In addition, the Stop/Startinactive message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
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.
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 the ECO button is 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 conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the ¤symbol will
be shown in yellow.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the multi-
function display additionally shows the Stop/ Start inactive message.
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.
i All vehicles (apart from AMG vehi-
cles): Automatic engine switch-off can
take place a maximum of four times con-
secutively (initial stop then repeated three
times). The ¤symbol is shown in yellow
in the multifunction display after the engine
has been started automatically for the
fourth time. The automatic engine stop is
available again once when the ¤symbol
is shown in green in the multifunction dis-
play.
i AMG vehicles: times which the engine
can be automatically switched off.
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 165).166
DrivingDriving and parking

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 Engage neutral N(Ypage 170) (follow
gearshift instruction :to engage neutral
N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in trans-
mission position Dor Nand the brake
remains depressed, the ECO start/stop func-
tion switches off the engine automatically.
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. Whe nyou 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.
Automatic engine start Vehicles with manual transmission
!
Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed. The engine is started automatically if:
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you fully depress the clutch pedal.
R you switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(AMG vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
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-
screen when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if:
R you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you release the brakes when in transmis-
sion position Dor N, when the HOLD func-
tion is not active.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you move the transmission out of position
P.
R you switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(AMG vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
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-
screen when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine. Driving
167Driving 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 348). 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. Manual transmission
169Driving and parking Z

!
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
Shifting to neutral (N)
X
Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Move the gear lever to position N:. 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 165). 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 165). 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. 170
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking