stop start MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Workshop Manual

Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
To start engine,
shift to either P
or N You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position
Ror D.
X Shift the transmission to position Por N. P
Select Park (P) Vehicles with automatic transmission with a selector lever:
You have switched off the engine with the Start/Stop button and
opened the driver's door.
You wanted to lock the vehicle.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
or
You have switched off the engine with the Start/Stop butto nand
opened the driver's door with the transmission in position N.
X Shift the transmission to position P. Vehicles with automatic transmission with a selecto
rlever:
While the HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is active, you have:
R opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
At one may also sound at regular intervals. If you attempt to lock
the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
You cannot start the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
You can restart the engine. Auxiliary battery
malfunction Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever:
The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Apply brake to
deselect
Park (P) position Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever:
You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position
D,Ror Nwithout depressing the brake pedal.
X Depress the brake pedal. Display messages
293On-board computer and displays Z

Key
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Â
Key does not
belong to vehicle You have put the wrong key in the ignition lock.
X
Use the correct key. Â
Replace key The key needs to be replaced.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Â
Change key batter‐
ies The batteries of the KEYLESS-GO key are discharged.
X Change the batteries ( Ypage 85). Â
Key not detected
(red display message) The KEYLESS-GO key is not in the vehicle.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
If the engine is switched off, you can no longer loc kthe vehicle
centrally or start the engine.
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 Locate the KEYLESS-GO key. The KEYLESS-GO key is not detected while the engine is running
because there is interference from a strong source of radio waves.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary. Â
Key not detected
(white display mes-
sage) The KEYLESS-GO key cannot be detected at present.
X
Change the location of the key with the KEYLESS-GO functions
in the vehicle.
If the KEYLESS-GO key is still not detected:
X Operate the vehicle with the key in the ignition lock if necessary. Â
Key still in vehi‐
cle The KEYLESS-GO key has been detected inside the vehicle during
locking.
X
Remove the KEYLESS-GO key from the vehicle. Display messages
297On-board computer and displays Z

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

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator
may be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 348).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
under 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive 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. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns, which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
This poses a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).306
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant, observing the
warning notes (Y page 348).
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
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. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw
arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Further information on DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 195).
Further information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 76). Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
307On-board computer and displays Z

When checking the oil level:
R
park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick Example: vehicles with a petrol engine
Example: vehicles with a diesel engine
X
Pull oil dipstick :out of the oil dipstick
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark
= or below, add 1.0 litre of engine oil. Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
yourself. Do not spill any engine oil on hot
engine parts. H
Environmental note
When topping up the oil, take care not to spill
any. If oil enters the soil or waterways, it is
harmful to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by
the service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. Topping up with
too much engine oil can result in damage
to the engine or to the catalytic converter.
Have excess engine oil siphoned off. Engine compartment
347Maintenance and care Z

Example: engine oil fille
rcap
X Turn cap :anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark
on the oil dipstick, add 1. 0litre of engine
oil.
X Replace cap :on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make sure that the cap locks securely into
place.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dip-
stick (Y page 347).
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 440). Other service products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The cooling system is pressurised. Therefore,
only unscrew the cap once the engine has
cooled down. The coolan ttemperature gauge
must display less than 70 †.Otherwise, you
could be scalded if hot coolant escapes. X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 161).
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button twice (Y page 161).
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
70 †.
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 161) in
the ignition lock.
X Slowly tur ncap : half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap :further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the fille rneck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
If the coolant level is approximately
1.5 cm above marker bar =in the filler
neckw hen warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
X Replace cap :and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 442). 348
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Information abou
tService Resetting the ASSYST PLUS service inter-
val display
!
If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play has been inadvertently reset, this set-
ting can be corrected at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise
lead to increased wear and damage to the
major assemblies or the vehicle.
Aq ualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Ben zService Centre, will reset the
ASSYST PLUS service interval display after
the service work has been carried out. You
can also obtain further information on main-
tenance work, for example.
Special service requirements
Arduous operating conditions or increased
loads on the vehicle will require some service
work to be performed more often than for a
vehicle in normal use. Such arduous condi-
tions include regular city driving with frequent
intermediate stops and use in mountainous
terrain or on poor road surfaces.
For example, if the vehicle is used under ardu-
ous operating conditions, have air filters,
engine oil and oil filters changed frequently
and chec kthe wheels often.F urther informa-
tion can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben zService
Centre.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's curren ttelephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Mercedes-Benz Service24h" section
of the Service Booklet. AdBlue
®
service indicator
i For BlueTEC vehicles only. To function properly, BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment must be operated with the
reducing agent AdBlue
®
. AdBlue ®
is topped
up as part of the service. Under normal oper-
ating conditions, a full tank of AdBlue ®
should
last until the nexts ervice due date.
Depending on how and where the vehicle is
used, there may be an increase in the
AdBlue ®
consumption, resulting in the next
service due date being brought forward.
Certain display messages show that
AdBlue ®
must be topped up, e.g.
Refill AdBlue at workshop See Own‐ er's Manual
Refill AdBlue at workshop No start
in .. km
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
You can no longer start the engine when the
AdBlue ®
supply has been used up
(Y page 281).
! Have the AdBlue ®
tank topped up at a
qualified specialist workshop only. The
vehicle may otherwise be damaged or
soiled.
Before taking a trip with your vehicle outside
Europe, have the AdBlue ®
supply checked at
a qualified specialist workshop. If necessary,
have AdBlue ®
topped up. Before a longer stay
outside of Europe, consult a qualified special-
ist workshop.
Observe the notes on AdBlue ®
(Y page 440).
You can obtain further informatio nabout
BlueTEC exhaust gas aftertreatment and
AdBlue ®
from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner. 350
CareMaintenance and care

!
For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, following a car wash, drive with
particular care until the brakes are dry. G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an auto-
matic car wash.
! Make sure that: R
the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blowerf or the ventilation/heating is
switched off (OFF button is depressed).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N; otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever and
key:
do not remove the key from the ignition
lock. Do not open the driver's door or
front-passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels. You
can prevent this by shifting the auto-
matic transmission to Nbeforehand.
R Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever and
KEYLESS-GO:
do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission on vehicles with
DIRECT SELECT stays in position N:
X Make sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
X Turn the key to position 2(Ypage 161) in
the ignition lock.
Use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in
the ignition lock. Care
351Maintenance and care Z

Care and treatment of matt paintwork
!
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels .Polishing makes the paintwork
shiny.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matt
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable mate-
rials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or pol-
ishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matt finish leads to considerable sur-
face damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs performed
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a
clear matt finish. This will help you to avoid
damage to the paintwork due to incorrect
treatment.
These notes also apply to light-alloy wheels
with a clear matt finish.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products. Cleaning vehicle parts
Cleaning the wheels !
Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components. !
Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
Switch off the windscreen wipers and remove
the key from the ignition lock before cleaning
the windscreen or the wiper blades. On vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO, press the Start/Stop
button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster have gone off. The
windscreen wipers could otherwise move and
injure you.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing sol-
vents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windscreen and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain circumstan-
ces prevent water from draining away.T his
can lead to corrosion damage and damage
to electronic components.
X Cleant he inside and outside of the win-
dows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the wiper blades G
WARNING
Switch off the windscreen wipers and remove
the key from the ignition lock before cleaning Care
353Maintenance and care
Z