steering MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Owner's Guide

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: when you switch
off the ignition and open the driver's door, the
steering wheel heating is switched off.
i
The steering wheel heating does not
switch off automatically.
Problems with the steering wheel heat-
ing If steering wheel heating indicator lamp
=is
flashing, the steering wheel heating has
switched off automatically. The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
X Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window heating
or interior lighting.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the
steering wheel heating will switch back on
automatically. EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT fea-
ture.
If there is a risk of someone becoming trap-
ped, stop the adjustment procedure. To halt
the procedure:
R press the steering column adjustment but-
ton.
R briefly press one of the memory function
position buttons.
The steering column stops moving immedi-
ately.
Do not keep the memory function position
button pressed down, otherwise the memory
function will start and the steering wheel and
seat will begin to move.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. They could open the driver's door and thereby unintentionally activate the EASY-
ENTRY feature and become trapped.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of yourv ehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board com-
puter (Y page 263).
Position of the steering wheel when the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active The steering wheel tilts upwards if you:
R
remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door and KEYLESS-GO is
in position 1
R open the driver's door and the key is in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock
i The steering wheel only moves upwards if
it has not already reached the upper end
stop.
Position of the steering wheel for driv-
ing The steering wheel is moved to the previously
set position if:
R the driver's door is closed and
R you insert the key intot he ignition lock
or
R you press the Start/Stop button once on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
If you close the driver's door with the key
inserted into the ignition lock, the steering
wheel is automatically moved to the previ-
ously set position.
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored when you switch off the ignition or
when you store the settingw ith the memory
function (Y page 121).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
triggered in an accident, the steering column
will move upwards when the driver's door is 118
Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

opened. This occurs irrespective of the posi-
tion of the key in the ignition lock. This makes
it easier to exit the vehicle and rescue the
occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY fea-
ture is activated in the on-board computer. Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X
Anti-dazzle mode: flick anti-dazzle
switch :forwards or back. Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors G
WARNING
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects are actually closer than they
appear. You could misjudge the distance from
vehicles driving behind and cause an acci-
dent, e.g. when changing lane. For this rea-
son, make sure of the actual distance from the
vehicle driving behind by glancing over your
shoulder. X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press button :for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button ;for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button =as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustmen tbutton =up, down, or
to the left or right until you have adjusted
the exterior mirror to the correct position.
You should have a good overview of traffic
conditions.
The convex exterio rmirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
The exterior mirrors are automatically heated
if the rear window heatin gis switched on and
the outside temperature is low.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically Mirrors
119Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

X
Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
i Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
Setting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must
be reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise
not fold in when you select the "Fold in mir-
rors when locking" function in the on-board
computer (Y page 264).
X Make sure that the key is in position 1in
the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button :.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y
page 264):
R the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again automat-
ically as soon as you unlock the vehicle and
then open the driver's or front-passenger
door.
i If the exterior mirrors have been folded in
manually, they do not fold out.
Exterior mirror pushed out of position If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows:
X
Vehicles without electrically folding
exterior mirrors: move the exterior mirror
into the correct position manually.
X Vehicles with electrically folding exte-
rior mirrors: press and hold mirror-folding
button :until you hear a click and then the mirrors engage in position
(Y
page 119).
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
(Y page 119). Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors
G
WARNING
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view mir-
ror, for instance, by luggage piled too high in
the vehicle, the mirror's automatic anti-dazzle
function will not operate.
Incident light could then blind you. This may
distract you from the traffic conditions and,
as a result, you may cause an accident.
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
dazzle mode if the following conditions are
met simultaneously:
R the ignition is switched on and
R incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle mode if
reverse gear is engaged or if the interior light-
ing is switched on. Parking position for the exterior mir-
ror on the front-passenger side
Setting and storing the parking position Using reverse gear120
MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

You can set the front-passenge
rside exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
You can store this position.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press button ;for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the prese tparking position.
X Use adjustment button =to adjust the
exterior mirror to a positio nthat allows you
to see the rear wheel and the kerb.
The parking position is stored.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving posi-
tion.
Using the memory button
You can set the front-passenger side exterior
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel on
that side as soon as you engage reverse gear.
This setting can be stored using memory but-
ton M?.
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X With the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side activated, use adjustment
button =to adjust the exterior mirror. In
the exterior mirror, the rear wheel and the
kerb should be visible.
X Press memory button M? and one of the
arrows on adjustment button =within
three seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
X If the mirror moves out of position, repeat
the steps. Calling up
astore dparking position set-
ting X
Tur nthe key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Adjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side using button ;.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position:
R as soon as you exceed a speed of
15 km/h
R if you press button :for the exterior mir-
ror on the driver's side Memory function
Storing settings
G
WARNING
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side when the vehicle is stationary. You could
otherwise be distracted from the traffic con-
ditions by the steering wheel and seat moving
of their own accord, and as a result, cause an
accident. G
WARNING
The memory function can still be used when
the key has been removed. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised in
the vehicle. They could otherwise become
trapped when adjusting the seat or the steer-
ing wheel.
With the memory function, you can store up
to three different settings, e.g. for three dif-
ferent people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R active multicontour seat: dynamic function
level Memory function
121Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

R
driver's side: steering wheel position
R driver's side: position of the exterior mir-
rors on the driver's and front-passenger
sides X
Adjust the seat (Y page 108).
X On the driver's side, adjust the steering
wheel (Y page 117 )and the exterio rmirrors
(Y page 119).
X Press the Mmemory button and the npress
storage position button 1,2or 3within
three seconds.
The settings are stored in the selected pre-
set position. Atone sounds when the set-
tings have been completed. Calling up
astore dsetting
X Press and hold the relevant storage posi-
tio nb utton 1,2or 3until the seat, steering
wheel and exterio rmirrors are in the stored
position.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the storage position
button. 122
Memory functionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/ha nd comes to
a standstill.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washe rfluid" function is oper-
ated five times (Y page 137) while the lights
are on and the engine is running. When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning system is reset and counting is
resumed from 0. Intelligent Light System
General notes The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weathe
rconditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function,
cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only
active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 259). Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. It can only
be activated when the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/ha nd switch on the tur nsignal or turn
the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. 130
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Active:
if you are driving at aspeed above
110 km/ hand do not make any large steering
movements for at least 1000 m or if you are
driving at a spee dabove 130 km/h.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range foglamps The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve
the illumination of the edge of the carriage-
way.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
70 km/ hand you switch on the rea rfoglamp.
Not active: if, following activation, you are
driving at speeds above 100 km/h or if you
switch off the rear foglamp. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
designed to assist driving. The driver is
responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, vision and traffic con-
ditions.
The system may be impaired or deactivated:
R if there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R if the area of the windscreen around the
optical sensor is dirty, misted up or covered
up, e.g. by a sticker
The system may not recognise the following
road users:
R road users that have no lighting, e.g. pedes-
trians
R road users that have poor lighting, e.g.
cyclists
R road users whose lighting is not clearly visi-
ble, e.g. road users behind a crash barrier
R on rare occasions: road users that have
lights that may be recognised too late or not
at all
The automatic main-beam headlamps will not
be deactivated, or they may be activated
despite road users travelling in front of or
approaching the vehicle.
Thus, you could cause an accident and injure
yourself and others. Always observe traffic
conditions and, if necessary, dip the lights
manually. Exterior lighting
131Lights and windscreen wipers Z

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

When engaging transmission position
Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
Vehicles with HYBRID :ensure tha tyou read
the "HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise
fail to recognise dangers. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever in standard vehicles
j
Park position with selector lever lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
Example: transmission position display and drive
program display
:
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. DIRECT SELECTl
ever
Overview of transmission positions P
Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the righ tofthe
steering column.
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current trans-
mission position P,R, Nor Dappears in the
transmission position display
(Y page 171) in the multifunction display. Automatic transmission
171Driving and parking Z

AMG vehicles
Drive progra
mselector with manual drive program
X Turn drive program selector :until the
desired drive program appears in the mul-
tifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicato rondrive pro-
gram selector :lights up in red. C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
S+
SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
style
M
Manual Manual gearshifting
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle accelera-
tion from a standstill
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 175).
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program Ceach time the
engine is started.
i RScannot be selected during normal driv-
ing. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 207). Steering wheel gearshift paddles
:
Left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle
; Right-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles or the
selector leve r(Ypage 176).
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles or the selector lever (Y page 177).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterised by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner .This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin Automatic transmission
175Driving and parking Z