fuel MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Service Manual

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil
lev. when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kthe oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Add
1 litre engine
oil when next refu‐
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 8
Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 280
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
C There is only a very small amount of fuel in th
efuel tank.
The auxiliary heating canno tbe operated.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. ¸
Please
replace air
cleaner Vehicles with a diesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and must
be replaced.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
Clean
the fuel fil‐
ter Vehicles with a diesel engine: there is water in the fuel filter. The
water must be drained off.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop See Own‐
er's Manual The AdBlue
®
level has fallen below the reserve range. Awarning
tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop No start
in .. km The AdBlue
®
level is only sufficient for the indicated distance. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop Eng.
start not possible The AdBlue
®
tan kis empty. Awarning tone also sounds. You can
no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯
Check AdBlue See
Owner's Manual The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. ¯
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible in ... km The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds. You can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Display messages
281On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
&
inoperative
Refuel
vehicle There is too little fuel in the fuel tank. The auxiliary heating cannot
be switched on (Y
page 151).
X Refuel at the neares tfilling station. &
inoperative See
Owner's Manual The auxiliary heating has a temporary malfunction or is faulty.
X
When the vehicle is on alevel surface and the engine has cooled
down, make up to four attempts to switch on the auxiliary heat-
ing, waiting several minutes between each attempt
(Y page 151).
X If the auxiliary heating does not switch on, consult a qualified
specialist workshop. Ð
Power
steering mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual The power steering assistance is faulty.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a ris kofanaccident.
X Check whethe ryou are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Telephone No
service Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/
receiver range.
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in the multifunction display. ¥
Top
up washer fluid The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X
Top up the washer fluid (Y page 349).296
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Â
Remove starting
button, then
insert key The KEYLESS-GO key is no
tcontinually detected.
KEYLESS-GO is temporarily malfunctioning or is defective. Awarn-
ing tone also sounds.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired
position.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. Â
Close doors to
lock vehicle At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors and loc kthe vehicle again. Indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster
Warning and indicator lamps over-
view
L Dipped-beam headlamps
(Ypage 126)
T Side lamps (Y page 127)
K Main-beam headlamps
(Ypage 129)
#! Turn signals (Y page 128)
R Rear foglamp (Y page 127)
ü Seat belts (Y page 299)
J Brakes (Ypage 300)
! ABS (Ypage 301)
ä ESP®
(Y page 302)
å ESP®
OFF (Y page 302)
M SPORT handling mode in AMG
vehicles (Ypage 303)
6 SRS (Ypage 304)
; Engine diagnostics
(Ypage 305)
8 Reserve fuel (Y page 305)
? Coolant (Ypage 305)
· Distance warning signal
(Ypage 307) %
Diesel engine: preglow
(Ypage 163)
h Tyre pressure monitor
(Ypage 308) 298
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
;
The yellow engine diag-
nostics warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.
There may be a fault, for example:
R in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with petrol engines)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engin emay
be running in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the fuel tan
khas been run dry
(Y page 182).
X Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
If the yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp goes out, emer-
gency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need no tbe
checked. 8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated if the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the
star toft he scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
305On-board computer and displays Z

You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax fro
mthe windscreen and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-
screen.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi-
vidual country.
X Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
30 cm between the vehicle and the high- pressure cleaner nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tyres
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by inade-
quate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Remove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax. 352
CareMaintenance and care

If a tyre pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/
26 psi) has not been attained after five
minutes: (Y
page 366).
i If the tyre sealant leaks out, allow it to dry.
It can then be removed like a layer of film.
If you get tyre sealant on yourc lothing,
have it cleaned as soon as possible with
perchloroethylene.
Tyre pressure not reached If
ap ressure of 180 kPa (1.8 ba r/26 psi) has
not bee nachieved afte rfive minutes:
X Switch off the tyre inflation compressor.
X Unscrew the filler hose fro mthe valve of
the faulty tyre.
X Very slowly drive forwards or reverse
approximately 10 m.
X Pump up the tyre again.
After a maximum of five minutes the tyre
pressure must be at least 180 kPa (1.8 bar/
26 psi). G
WARNING
If the required tyre pressure is not reached
after the specified time, the tyre is too badly
damaged. The tyre sealant cannot repair the
tyre in this instance. Damaged tyres and a tyre
pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tyre pressure reached G
WARNING
At yre temporarily sealed with tyre sealant
impairs the driving characteristics and is not
suitable for higher speeds .There is a risk of
accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
accordingly and drive carefully. Do not exceed
the specified maximum speed with a tyre that
has been repaired using tyre sealant. !
After use, excess tyre sealant may run out
of the filler hose. This could cause stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic
bag which contained the TIREFIT kit. H
Environmental note
Have the used tyre sealant bottle disposed of
professionally, e.g. at aqualified specialist
workshop.
If a tyre pressure of 18 0kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi)
has been attained after five minutes:
X Switch off the tyre inflation compressor.
X Unscrew the filler hose from the valve of
the faulty tyre.
X Stow the tyre sealant bottle, the tyre infla-
tion compressor and the warning triangle.
X Pull away immediately.
The maximum speed for a tyre sealed with
tyre sealant is 80 km/h. The upper part of
the TIREFIT sticker must be affixed to the
instrument cluster in the driver's field of
vision.
X Stop after driving for approximately ten
minutes and check the tyre pressure with
the tyre inflation compressor.
The tyre pressure must now be at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi). G
WARNING
If the required tyre pressure is not reached
after driving for a short period, the tyre is too
badly damaged. The tyre sealant cannot
repair the tyre in this instance. Damaged tyres
and a tyre pressure that is too low can signif-
icantly impair the vehicle's braking and driv-
ing characteristics .There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Correct the tyre pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/19 psi) (see the fuel filler
flap for values).
X To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the tyre inflation compressor. 366
Flat tyreBreakdown assistance

Jump-starting
G
WARNING
Hybrid vehicles: it is imperative that you read the "HYBRID" supplement. Otherwise, you may not
recognise dangers. G
WARNING
There is a risk of acid burns when jump-starting a vehicle due to the gases which escape from
the battery. Do not lean over the battery while the engine is being jump-started. G
WARNING
Gases escaping from the battery during jump-starting may cause minor explosions. Avoid cre-
ating sparks. Keep naked flames away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with the important safety precautions when handling batteries. You will find these under
"Battery (vehicle) -important safety notes" in the index. G
WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire. Avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
! Vehicles with apetrol engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise,
the non-combusted fuel may damage the catalytic converter.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start th evehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jump
leads. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's batter yis not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or ajump-starting device.
R vehicles with apetrol engine: only jump-star tthe vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R only use jump leads that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R if the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R The jump leads are not damaged.
R Non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps do not come into contact with other metal parts
while the jump leads are connected to the battery.
R the jump leads cannot come into contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
X Firmly depress the parking brake.
X Manual transmission: engage neutral.370
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

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). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is arisk of accident.
Always replace wheels and tyres with those
that fulfil the specifications of the original part
(designation, manufacturer, model). G
WARNING
Af lat tyre severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident.
Tyres without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with aflat tyre.
R immediately replace the flat tyre with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tyres with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and warn-
ing notices on MOExtended tyres (tyres
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Ben zorare not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and enquire about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tyres for yourv ehicle can be
found under "Wheel/tyre combinations"
(Y page 393).
Information on air pressure for the tyres on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tyre pressure label on the fuel filler
flap (Y page 180)
R under "Tyre pressure" (Y page 383)
R in the "Tyre pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted. The use of wheel
spacers or brake dust shields is not permit-
ted. This invalidates the general operating
permit for the vehicle.
i Further information on wheels and tyres
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Information on driving
Check the tyre pressures when the vehicle is
heavily laden and, if necessary, adjust.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tyres are damaged. If you sus-
pect that a tyre is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to chec kthe wheels and tyres for
damage. Hidden tyre damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tyres
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb or 380
OperationWheels and tyres

G
WARNING
If the tyre pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tyre may be damaged. Tyre
pressure that is too low may result in a tyre
blow-out. There is a risk of accident.
R Check the tyre for foreign objects.
R Check whethe rthe wheel is losing air or the
valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage, con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop. H
Environmental note
Check the tyre pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days.
You will find a table of tyre pressures for var-
ious operating conditions on the inside of
your vehicle's fuel filler flap.
Operation with the emergency spare
wheel(Y page 425).
Operation with a trailer: the applicable
value for the rear tyres is the maximum tyre
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
The table inside the fuel filler flap may state
tyre pressures for different load conditions.
These are defined in the table as different
numbers of passengers and amounts of lug-
gage. The actual number of seats may vary;
for more information, please refer to the vehi-
cle's registration documents.
If tyre sizes are not specified, the tyre pres-
sures stated on the tyre pressure information
label apply for all tyres approved for this vehi-
cle. If a tyre size precedes a tyre pressure, the
following tyre pressure information is only
valid for that tyre size.
Use a suitable pressure gauge to check the
tyre pressure. The outer appearance of a tyre
does not permit any reliable conclusion about
the tyre pressure. On vehicles fitted with the
electronic tyre pressure monitor, the tyre
pressure can be checked using the on-board
computer.
If possible, only correct tyre pressures when
the tyres are cold.
The tyres are cold:
R
if the vehicle has been parked with the tyres
out of direct sunlight for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1.6 km
Depending on the ambient temperature, the
speed at which you are driving and the load
on the tyres, the tyre temperature and thus
the tyre pressure change by approximately
10 kPa per 10 † (0.1 ba r/1.5 psi). Take this
into account whe nchecking the pressure of
warm tyres. Only correct the tyre pressure if
it is too low for the current operating condi-
tions.
Driving with tyre pressure that is too high or
too low can:
R shorten the service life of the tyres
R cause increased tyre damage
R have a negative effect on handling charac-
teristics and thus the driving safety (e.g.
aquaplaning)
i The tyre pressure values given for low
loads are minimum values which offer you
good ride comfort characteristics.
However, you can also use the values given
for higher loads. These are permissible and
will not adversely affect the running of the
vehicle. 384
Tyre pressureWheels and tyres