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

Saloon
To release and lowe
rthe ball coupling
(Saloon):
X Grasp release wheel Awith you rhand
such that the thumb is in the thumb rest
and turn it anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling unlocks and lowers. Indi-
cator lamp ?flashes. Estate
To release and lower the ball coupling
(Estate):
X Grasp release wheel ?with your hand
such that the thumb is in the thumb rest
and turn it 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.
Saloon: indicator lamp ?and the display
in the multifunction display go out.
Estate: indicator lamp =and the display
in the multifunction display go out.
i Fold the ball coupling back in if you are
no tu sing the trailer tow hitch. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a
power rating of up to 240 W to the perma-
nent power supply and with a power rating
of up to 180 W to the power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 2or 0respectively
(Y page 161).
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket is equipped with a permanent
power supply and a power 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. 240
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

The trailer's permanen
tpower supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about instal-
ling the trailer electric sataqualified special-
ist workshop. Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message could be that
the curren thas falle nbelow the minimum
of 50 mA.
To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed a minimum current of
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailers with 7-pin connector:
you can
make a connection to the 13-pin connector
on the ball coupling using an adapter plug or,
if necessary, an adapter cable. Both can be
obtained in a qualified specialist workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficien tcable
play so that the cable canno tbecome
detached when cornering. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert connector with lug :into
groove ;of the socket. Turn the connec-
tor 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. Towing
atrailer
241Driving an d parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Lane Keeping
Assist inopera‐
tive or
Active Lane Keeping
Assist inoperative Lane Keeping Assis
torActive Lane Keeping Assist is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Lane Keeping
Assist currently
unavailable See
Owner's Manual or
Active Lane Keep‐ ing Assist cur‐
rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inop-
erative.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer
and your vehicle.
X Press aon the steering wheel to confirm the display mes-
sage.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while
towing a trailer. Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inop-
erative .Possible causes:
R the sensors are dirty.
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
goes out.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Clean the sensors (Y page 354).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist
inoperative or
Active Blind Spot Assist inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow 9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
285On-board computer and displays Z

Useful information
............................310
Stowage areas .................................. 310
Features ............................................. 328 309Stowing and features

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). Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Secure and position the load as described in
the loading guidelines.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could
be injured by the load being thrown around in
the even tofsharp braking, a sudden change
in direction or an accident.
You will find further information in the "Secur-
ing a load" section.
Even if you follow all the loading guidelines,
the load will increase the risk of injury in the
event of an accident. G
WARNING
Keep the boot lid/tailgate closed while the
vehicle is in operation. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter the vehicle interior and poi-
son you.
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants).
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the boot/luggage
compartmenta s possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Load restraints are available at any quali-
fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The stowage compartments must be closed
when items are stored in them. Luggage nets
are not designed to secure heavy items of
luggage.
You or other vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Sharp-edged and fragile objects must not be
placed in the luggage net.
Do not place hard objects in the map pockets.
Objects must not protrude from the map
pockets. 310
Stowage areasStowing and features

Glove compartment
X
To open: pull handle :and open glove
compartment flap ;.
X To close: fold glove compartment flap ;
upwards until it engages.
i The glove compartment can be ventilated
(Y page 156). The glove compartment can only be locked
and unlocked using the emergency key ele-
ment.
X To lock: insert the emergency key element
into the lock and turn it 90° clockwise to
position 2.
X To unlock: insert the emergency key ele-
ment into the lock and turn it 90° anti-
clockwise to position 1. Spectacles compartment There is a compartment to stow spectacles in
the roof lining on the driver's side.
X
To open: pull down spectacles compart-
ment :by the handle.
Stowage compartment in the centre
console Illustration: vehicles with DIRECT SELECT selector
lever
X
To open: slide cover :forwards, until it
engages.
X To close: briefly press :at the front.
Cover :slides back. Stowage areas
311Stowing and features Z

Stowage compartment/telephone
compartment under the armrest
Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever
X
To open: pull handle :up.
The armrest folds out. Vehicles with selector lever or manual transmis-
sion
X To open: press left-hand button ;or right-
hand button :.
The stowage compartmen topens.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB port and an AUX-IN jack or a Media
Interface are installed in the stowage com-
partment.
Before using these connections, you must
remove the mobile phone bracket (see the
separate installation instructions) and fold
up the preinstalled mobile phone holder
(see the separate Audio or COMAND Online
Operating Instructions). Stowage compartment in front of the
armrest
Vehicles with selector lever or manual transmis-
sion
X
To open: slide cover :back. Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever
X
To open: slide cover :forwards until it
engages.
X To close: briefly press cover :at the
front.
Cover :moves back.
Stowage compartment under the front
seats G
WARNING
Only load the stowage compartment with the
maximum permissible load of 1.5 kg. Other-
wise, the transported load could, for example,
be thrown out of the stowage compartment if
you change direction suddenly or brake
sharply, and you or other scould be injured. 312
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards.
i On vehicles with a fire extinguisher, the
fire extinguisher is located in the stowage
compartment under the driver's seat.
Stowage compartmen tin the rear com-
partment Vehicles with a rear bench seat
X
To open: fold down seat armrest ;.
X Fold cover :of the armrest upwards. Vehicles with luxury single seats in the rear com-
partment X
Pull handle :upwards.
The armrest folds out.
Stowage net in the rear compartment Vehicles with a rear bench seat
:
Stowage net Vehicles with luxury single seats in the rear com-
partment
:
Handle strip
; Stowage net
X Pull handle strip :on the upper edge of
the cover forwards until it is released from
its anchorage.
X Fold down the cover in the direction of the
arrow. Stowage nets
G
WARNING
Only place lightweight items in the luggage
net. Do not use it to transport heavy, bulky,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. In the event of Stowage areas
313Stowing and features
Z

an accident, the luggage net will no
tsecure
the transported goods.
Luggage nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell and on the left and right-
hand sides of the boot/luggage compart-
ment. Skibag
Unfolding the skibag and loading skis G
WARNING
The skibag is designed to carry up to four pairs
of skis. Do not use the skibag to carry any
other type of load.
The skibag must always be secured when
laden. Otherwise, injuries could be caused by
it in the event of an accident. X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Press release catches ;together and fold
down cover :. X
Pull skibag :into the vehicle interior and
unfold it.
X Open the boot lid. X
Press release catch :.
The flap opens downwards.
X Slide the skis into the skibag from the boot. X
Pull strap :tight by the loose end until the
skis are held firmly inside the skibag. X
Engage hook :in securing ring ;.
X Pull the strap tight by the loose end. 314
Stowage areasStowing and features

Removing the skis and folding up the
skibag
X
Loosen the two straps.
X Remove hook :from securing ring ;.
X Take the skis ou tofthe skibag.
X Close the flap in the boot.
X Smooth out the skibag and fold it up.
X Put the skibag into the backrest.
X Fold the cover back up.
i You should always close the flap in the
boot if you do not require the skibag. This
will prevent unauthorised access to the
boot from the vehicle interior.
Removing the skibag G
WARNING
When the skibag has been removed, always
drive with the boot lid closed. Otherwise,
exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle inte-
rior. The skibag can be removed for cleaning or
drying. X
Open the boot lid.
X Press release catch :.
Flap ;folds down.
X Press catch =in and pull out frame ?
containing the skibag. Through-loading facility in the rear
compartment
The through-loading facility is opened from
the boot.
X
Fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Press release catch :.
The flap opens downwards. Through-loading facility in the rear
bench seat (Saloon)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the boot unless they are secured.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occupants
could be injured by objectsb eing thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent. G
WARNING
Always drive with the boot lid closed. Exhaust
fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle inte-
rior. Stowage areas
315Stowing and features Z