lights MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2009 User Guide

X
To activate: press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The rear side
windows can only be operated using the
switches on the driver's door.
X To deactivate: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. You can oper-
ate the rear side windows using the
switches in the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS* ( Brake Assist System Plus*)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
R EBV (electronic brake-power distribution)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE
R PRE-SAFE Brake* (vehicles with Distronic
Plus*)
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Depress the
brake firmly and evenly. Pumping the brake
pedal reduces the braking effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
the brake pedal pulsating.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi- 58
Driving safety systemsSafety
* optional
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 58
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:42; WK

limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h. G
Risk of accident
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident. Trail-
ers with a high centre of gravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function.
ETS (Electronic Traction Support) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example, if the road surface is slippery on one
side.
Traction control remains active when you
deactivate ESP ®
. G
Risk of accident
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®
(except
E 63 AMG) ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the äwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. X
To deactivate: press button:.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. G
Risk of accident
If the å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is lit when the engine is running,
ESP ®
is deactivated or not available due to a
malfunction. There is an increased risk of your
vehicle skidding in certain situations. Driving safety systems
61Safety
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 61 Z
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:43; WK

You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: press button :.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
E 63 AMG Activating/deactivating ESP
®
Sport
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to activate ESP ®
Sport in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
Otherwise, you should only use ESP ®
Sport
on designated race circuits. G
Risk of accident
Deactivate ESP ®
Sport and activate ESP ®
as
soon as the situations described above no
longer apply. Otherwise, ESP ®
Sport will only
be able to stabilise the vehicle to a limited
degree if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
If you activate ESP ®
Sport:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cut-
ting effect for better traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If ESP ®
Sport is activated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the äwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP ®
only
stabilises the vehicle to a limited degree. X
To activate: briefly press the :button.
The ì warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The message ESP-SPORT
appears in the multi-function display.
X To deactivate: briefly press the :button.
The ì warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. The message ESP-ON
appears in the multi-function display.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 62
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:43; WK

R
ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is not available. It will also not
be activated if you brake firmly with the
assistance of ESP.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake* is not available. It will
also not be activated if you brake firmly
with the assistance of ESP ®
.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the äwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster does not flash. In
such situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the
vehicle. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The message ESP-OFFappears in the multi-
function display. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running. There is an
increased risk of your vehicle skidding in cer-
tain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit prevailing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: briefly press the :button.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. The message ESP-ON
appears in the multi-function display. EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
EBV monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability when braking. G
Risk of accident
If EBV is malfunctioning, the brake system is
still available with full brake boosting effect.
However, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g.
under full braking. This could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent. You should therefore adapt your driving
style to the different handling characteristics. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 151) and
hill start assist (Y page 106). For further
information, see Driving tips (Y page 231). PRE-SAFE Brake
®
* (vehicles with Dis-
tronic Plus*)
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimise
the risk of a frontal collision with a vehicle
ahead or reduce the effects of such a colli-
sion.
This function will issue a warning at speeds of
around 30 km/h or more if:
R for a period of several seconds, the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front is too short for
the speed at which you are travelling. The
· distance warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
R you are approaching the vehicle in front too
rapidly. An intermittent warning tone
sounds and the ·distance warning
lamp lights up in the instrument cluster. Driving safety systems
63Safety
* optional
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 63 Z
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:43; WK

Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause the
system to display an unnecessary warning. G
Risk of accident
Pay particular attention to the traffic condi-
tions if the ·distance warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up or an intermittent
warning tone sounds. If necessary, brake or
manoeuvre to avoid an obstacle.
If the driver and passengers have fastened
their seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also
can also perform the following at speeds of
above approximately 30 km/h:
R brake the vehicle automatically from a
speed of up to around 200 km/h
R trigger preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) G
Risk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only an aid to assist you
when driving. You are responsible for main-
taining a safe distance from other vehicles,
the vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time. Always pay attention to the traffic con-
ditions. Otherwise, you may recognise dan-
gers too late, cause an accident and injure
yourself and others.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time. If you approach an obstacle
and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of a col-
lision, the system will initially alert you both
visually and acoustically. If you do not brake
or steer, the vehicle will at first automatically
brake slightly. In the event of an increased
risk of a collision, PRE-SAFE ®
is activated
(Y page 42). If the risk of collision persists and
you do not brake, manoeuvre or accelerate
significantly yourself, an automatic full brake
application may be carried out. G
Risk of accident
Only clearly identified obstacles will trigger a
warning and initiate braking assistance by
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be restricted if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or the sensors are cov-
ered
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in multi-storey car parks
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react to persons,
animals, oncoming vehicles, crossing traffic
or when cornering.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may not detect narrow
vehicles such as motorcycles and vehicles
driving on a different line. G
Risk of accident
Depending on the current speed, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake decelerates your vehicle by up to
4 m/s 2
before performing possible emer-
gency braking. This is equivalent to approx-
imately 40 % of the maximum braking power
of the vehicle. You must also apply the brakes
yourself to limit the effects of the collision or
to avoid the collision. Automatic emergency
braking is not performed until immediately
prior to an accident in the event that you are
unable to avoid one by, for instance, taking
evasive action.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
crash, you must apply the brakes yourself.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also detect stationary
obstacles, for example stopped or parked
vehicles. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 64
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:44; WK

X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up briefly.
X Lock the vehicle using the key. Vehicles
with KEYLESS GO* can also be locked by
touching the door handle on the outside.
Tow-away protection remains deactivated
until:
R
the vehicle is unlocked again.
R a door is opened and closed again.
R the vehicle is locked again. Interior motion sensor*
If the interior motion sensor is primed, a vis-
ual and audible alarm is triggered when move-
ment is detected in the vehicle interior while
the vehicle is locked. This occurs, for exam-
ple, if someone breaks the side windows of
your vehicle or reaches into the vehicle's inte-
rior.
Priming the interior motion sensor X
Make sure that:
R
the side windows are closed.
R the sliding/tilting sunroof* or panorama
sliding sunroof* is closed.
R there are no objects, e.g. mascots, hang-
ing on the rear-view mirror or on the roof
grab handles.
This will prevent false alarms.
X Lock the vehicle using the key. Vehicles
with KEYLESS GO* can also be locked by
touching the door handle on the outside.
The interior motion sensor is primed after
approximately 30 seconds.
Deactivating the interior motion sensor When you unlock your vehicle using the key
or KEYLESS GO*, the interior motion sensor
is automatically deactivated. To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the inte-
rior motion sensor if you lock your vehicle
and:
R
people or animals remain in the vehicle.
R the side windows remain open.
R the sliding/tilting sunroof* or panorama
sliding sunroof* remains opened. X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;flashes briefly.
X Lock the vehicle using the key. Vehicles
with KEYLESS GO* can also be locked by
touching the door handle on the outside.
The interior motion sensor remains deacti-
vated until:
R the vehicle is unlocked again.
R a door is opened and closed again.
R the vehicle is locked again. Anti-theft systems
67Safety
* optional
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 67 Z
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:45; WK

Opening and closing
...........................70
Boot/luggage compartment ..............72
Key positions ....................................... 75
Seats .................................................... 76
Steering wheel .................................... 84
Mirrors ................................................. 86
Memory functions* .............................87
Seat belts ............................................. 89
Lights ................................................... 93
Windscreen wipers .............................99
Side windows .................................... 100
Driving and parking ..........................103
Transmission ..................................... 110
Instrument cluster ............................117
On-board computer ..........................118
Driving systems ................................ 137
Air conditioning ................................. 171
Sliding sunroof .................................. 184
Loading and stowing ........................187
Features ............................................. 207 69Controls
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 69
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:46; WK

Adjusting the steering wheel electri-
cally*
:
Height adjustment
; Fore-and-aft adjustment
You can find more information under:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (Y page 85)
R storing settings (Y page 87) Steering wheel heating*
X
To switch on or off: make sure that the
key is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the lever in direction of arrow :
or ;.
Indicator lamp =lights up or goes out.
i The steering-wheel heating does not
switch off automatically. Easy-entry/exit feature*
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
The steering wheel swings upwards when
you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door when the key is in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock
When the key is inserted into the ignition lock
with the driver's door closed, the steering
wheel is automatically moved to the previ-
ously set position. G
Risk of injury
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 move the steering column adjustment
switch in the opposite direction to that in
which the steering wheel is moving
R press one of the memory function position
buttons
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 last position of the steering wheel is
stored after you manually adjust it or when
you store a memory position (Y page 87).
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature via the on-board com-
puter (Y page 136).
i The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT fea-
ture* can only be activated after an acci-
dent if the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
activated in the on-board computer.
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
is triggered in an accident, the steering
wheel column will move upwards when the
driver's door is opened, irrespective of the Steering wheel
85Controls
* optional
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa
,V ersion: 2.11.8.1
2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 85 Z
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:55; WK

position of the key in the ignition lock. This
makes it easier to exit the vehicle and res-
cue the occupants. Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand so you
have a good overview of the traffic condi-
tions.
Rear-view mirror (manual anti-dazzle) X
Anti-dazzle mode: flick anti-dazzle
switch :forwards or back. Exterior mirrors
G
Risk of accident
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.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior mir-
rors are heated automatically. Adjusting the exterior mirrors
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 adjustment button =up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior mir-
ror is set to a position which provides you
with a good overview of traffic conditions.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically* 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. 86
MirrorsControls
* optional
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 86
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:56; WK

Unfastening the belt
X
Press release button ?and guide belt
tongue ;back towards belt sash
guide :. Belt warning for driver and front
passenger
The 7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster reminds you that all occupants
should fasten their seat belts. It is either lit
continuously or flashes. Additionally, there
may be a warning tone.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases as soon as the driver
and front passenger have fastened their seat
belts.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver or the front passenger
already have their seat belt fastened, the
7 seat belt warning lamp lights up for six
seconds after the engine has been started. It
then goes out if both the driver and the front
passenger have fastened their seat belt.
i Further information about the 7seat
belt warning lamp (Y page 286). Belt height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and the front-passenger seat.
Estate: you can also adjust the belt height on
the outer rear bench seats.
Adjust the belt to a height that allows it to be
routed across the middle of your shoulder. X
To raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various posi-
tions.
X To lower: press and hold release but-
ton :.
X Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Release release button :and make sure
that the belt sash guide has engaged. Rear seat belt status indicator
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator tells you if the rear passengers have
their seat belts fastened. It indicates the rear
seat on which the belt is fastened.
The rear-compartment seat belt status indi-
cator appears in the multi-function display for
around 30 seconds if
R you set off and have reached a speed of
approximately 10 km/h.
R the rear passengers fasten or unfasten
their seat belts while the vehicle is in
motion.
R someone gets in or out of the vehicle and
the vehicle drives away again. Seat belts
91Controls
212_AKB; 2; 4, en-GB
mkalafa, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-05T14:17:16+02:00 - Seite 91 Z
Dateiname: 6515346702_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 07. May 2009 14:15:57; WK