bonnet MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2011 User Guide

:
To store the curren tspeed or a higher
speed
; To set the specified minimum distance
= LIM indicator lamp
? To store the curren tspeed or call up the
last stored speed
A To store the curren tspeed or a lower
speed
B To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
C To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp =is off.
If it is off, DISTRONIC PLUS is already selec-
ted.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow B.
LIM indicator lamp =in the cruise control
lever goes out. DISTRONIC PLUS is selec-
ted.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
and maintaining the current speed Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or
by towing). To activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the following
conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine must be running. It may take up
to two minutes of driving before DIS-
TRONIC PLUS is ready for use.
R the parking brake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be switched on, but not inter-
vening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the bonnet must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door and the rear
doors must be closed.
R the vehicle must not be skidding.
Activating while driving
When driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehi-
cle in fron thas been detected and is shown
in the multifunction display. If the vehicle in
fron tis no longer detected and displayed,
DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and you will
hear a tone.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?or press it up :or down A.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
up : or down Auntil the desired speed
is set.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS suspended message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.T he set distance to a slower-moving
vehicle in front will then not be maintained.
You will be driving at the speed you deter-
mine by the position of the accelerator
pedal. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

Vehicles with COMAND APS/
Audio 50 APS
i
The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLU Suses additional information
from your navigation system so that it can
adaptt o certain traffic situations. This is the
case if, while following a vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS is active and you:
R approach or drive around a roundabout
R approach a T junction
R turn off at a motorway exit
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the detec-
tion range, DISTRONIC PLUS temporarily
maintains the current driving speed and does
not accelerate. This is based on the current
map data in the navigation system. Example: roundabout
The current speed is maintained:
R
approximately 10 seconds before the
roundabout/T junction and approximately
1.5 seconds when driving on a roundabout.
R approximately 12 seconds before reaching
a motorway exit and approximately
4 seconds after the motorway exit.
Afterwards, the vehicle accelerates back to
the set speed you specified.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. DISTRONIC PLUS must also never be oper-
ated, activated or deactivated by a passenger
or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the park-
ing brake and must not be used for parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is can-
celled and the vehicle can start moving if:
R
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
R you accelerate.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g. bat-
tery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicle against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until
it is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum dis-
tance, your vehicle will come to a standstill
at a sufficient distance behind the vehicle
in front.T he specified minimum distance is
set using the control on the cruise control
lever.
Vehicles featuring automatic transmis-
sion with aselector lever
You will see a warning message in the multi-
function display if DISTRONIC PLUS is acti-
vated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the bonnet is opened. Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

Select Park (P)
X
Shift the transmission to position Pto pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling away.
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated. The warn-
ing message in the multifunction display
disappears.
The horn will also sound at regulari ntervals if
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated and you:
R switch the engine off, open the driver's
door and take off your sea tbelt
R open the bonnet
The sounding of the horn alerts you to the fact
that the vehicle has been parked while DIS-
TRONIC PLUS is still activated. The sound
becomes louder if you attempt to lock the
vehicle. The vehicle is not locked until DIS-
TRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
i If the engine has been switched off, it
cannot be started again until DISTRONIC
PLUS has been deactivated.
If a fault occurs in the system or the power
supply when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated,
the Brake immediately message appears in
the multifunction display. Depress the brake
firmly immediately until the warning message
disappears from the multifunction display or
move the selector lever to P. DISTRONIC
PLUS is deactivated.
Vehicles featuring automatic transmis-
sion with aDIRECT SELECT lever
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to posi-
tion Pif:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the bonne tis opened.
R a system fault occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. Setting
aspeed X
Press the cruise control lever up :for a
highe rspeed or down Afor a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored. DISTRONIC PLUS
is activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the new speed stored.
X Setting in 1-km/h increments: press the
cruise control lever briefly up :or
down ;to the pressure point.
The last stored speed increases or decrea-
ses in 1 km/h increments.
X Setting in 10-km/h increments: press
the cruise control lever briefly up :or
down ;beyond the pressure point.
The last stored speed increases or decrea-
ses in 10 km/h increments.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the stored speed G
WARNING
Only call up a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and if it is suitable for the current
traffic and driving situation. You can other-
wise endanger yourself or others by uninten-
tionally triggering sudden acceleration or
braking.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the curren tspeed is
stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise
speed to the previously stored value. 190
Driving systemsDriving and parking

way, because of its narrow width. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationar
yvehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles
.If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that
are crossing you
rlane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with cross-
ing traffic, for example, could cause your vehi-
cle to pull away unintentionally. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assis
tthe driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the driver's door is closed or if your seat
belt is fastened.
R the parking brake is released.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the selector lever is in position D,Ror Non
vehicles with automatic transmission.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. 194
Driving systemsDriving and parking

G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R
you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic
transmission: only when the transmission
is in position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position Pon
vehicles with automatic transmission.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until ëdisappears
from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the park-
ing brake and must not be used for parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
cancelled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator peda lorthe
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g. bat-
tery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away. On vehicles with automatic transmission and
a DIRECT SELECT lever, the transmission is
automatically shifted to
Pif the HOLD func-
tion is activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the bonnet is opened.
R a system fault occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
In vehicles with manual transmission or auto-
matic transmission with a selector lever, you
see a warning message in the multifunction
display if the HOLD function is activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the bonnet is opened.
For vehicles with manual transmission:
Brake immediately X
Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly
until the warning message in the multifunc-
tion display goes out. This deactivates the
HOLD function.
In vehicles featuring automatic transmission
with a gear selector lever: Select Park (P)
X
Move the selector lever to Pto prevent the
vehicle from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated. The
warning message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears.
Ah orn will also sound at regular intervals if
the HOLD function is activated and you:
R switch the engine off, open the driver's
door and take off your seat belt
R open the bonnet
The sounding of the horn alerts you to the fact
that the vehicle has been parked while the
HOLD function is still activated. If you attempt Driving systems
195Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J
Brake immediately A malfunction has occurred while the HOLD function or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS is active.
or
Vehicles with manual transmission: with the HOLD function acti-
vated, you have either:
R
opened the driver's doo rand released the sea tbelt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
At one may also sound at regular intervals. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold until the display message disap-
pears.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away before you leave it
(Y page 344).
You can restart the engine. J
Check brake fluid
level G
Risk of accident
There is insufficien tbrake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. In addi-
tion, the red Jwarning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up and a warning tone sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the error. #
Check brake wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wearl
imit.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PRE-SAFE
inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of injury
Important function sof PRE-SAFE ®
have failed .All other occupant
safety systems, e.g. airbags, remain available.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 256
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

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 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 322).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 323).
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. C There is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.
The auxiliary heating cannot be operated.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. ¸
Replace
air cleaner Vehicles with a diesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and must
be replaced.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 264
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

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. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
You can restart the engine. Auxiliary battery
malfunction 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 You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position D,Ror Nwithout depressing the brake pedal.
X Depress the brake pedal. Vehicle
not in position P Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever:
The driver's door is open and the transmission is in position
R,N
or D.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Apply the parking brake. Display messages
275On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Without changing
gear,
consult workshop Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever:
You canno
tchange the transmission position due to a malfunction.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
If transmission position Dis selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the
transmission from position D.
If transmission position R,Nor Pis selected:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Only select Park
(P)
when vehicle is
stationary Vehicles with DIRECT SELECT lever:
The vehicle is moving.
X
Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position P.N Saloon: the boot lid is open.
X
Close the boot lid. A Estate: the tailgate is open.
X
Close the tailgate. Mor? G
Risk of accident
The bonnet is open. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Pull ove rand stop the vehicle safely as soo nas possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Close the bonnet.
If the active bonnet (pedestrian protection) has been triggered:
X Reset the bonnet (Y page 320).
X Close the bonnet. Active bonnet mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual The active bonnet (pedestrian protection) is not active due to a
malfunction.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. C At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. 276
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviations are possible. Please
note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all features described. This also
applies to safety-relevan tsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 25).Engine compartment
Bonnet
Active bonnet (pedestrian protection) Operating principle
i The active bonne tis only available in cer-
tain countries. It is available for all models,
except for AMG vehicles.
The active bonnet can reduce the risk of injury
to pedestrians in certain accident situations.
Raising the active bonnet increases the clear-
ance to hard components, such as the engine. If active bonnet
:has been triggered, it will
be raised at the back by about5 0mm.
Lids ;will then no longer rest on housings
=.
You can reset a triggere dactive bonne tyour-
self. !
Do not try to press down the raised bon-
net at the back. Otherwise, the bonnet
could be damaged.
Even if the active bonnet has been triggered,
you can still continue driving and have it reset
at a qualified specialist workshop. If you pull
the bonnet release lever, you must reset the
bonnet before driving on. G
WARNING
If you pull the bonnet release lever and then
neglect to reset the bonnet, it will not lock at
the front when closed. The bonnet can then
open when the vehicle is in motion and
obscure your field of vision. If you pull the
bonnet release lever, you must reset the bon-
net before driving on.
Resetting G
WARNING
There is a risk of injury if the bonnet is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Owner's Manual
and observe the relevant safety notes.
X Open the bonnet (Y page 321). Example: Saloon
X
With both hands, lift the bonnet up in the
centre A.The bonnet is open wide enough
when both lids of bonnet lifter ;no longer
move. 320
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care