MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN 2012 W212 Owner's Manual

Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control, all seat, head restraint, steering
wheel and rear view mirror adjustments, as
well as fastening of seat belts, must be done
before setting the vehicle in motion.
GWARNING
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never travel in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. This could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer is
in a position that is as upright as possible and
seat belts are properly positioned on the
body.
GWARNING
Your seat belt must be adjusted so that you
can correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level.
R never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.GWARNING
The electrically adjustable seats can be
operated at any time. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child's
unsupervised access to a vehicle could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see "Children in the vehicle".
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Seats99Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
R keep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
R if the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not be used to dry
the seats.
R clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section.
R do not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
R when the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags,
seat covers, child seats or booster seats.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects.
i The head restraints in the front seats are
equipped with the NECK-PRO system
( Y page 50). For this reason, it is not
possible to remove the head restraints
from the front seats.
Vehicles without the through-loading
feature: the head restraints cannot be
removed from the rear compartment seats.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for more information.
i Other topics:
R Through-loading feature in the rear
bench seat (Sedan) ( Y page 279)
R EASY-PACK through-loading feature in
the rear bench seat (Wagon)
( Y page 280)Adjusting the seats:Head restraint height;Seat cushion angle=Seat height?Seat fore-and-aft adjustmentABackrest angle
i
If PRE-SAFE ®
has been activated, the
front-passenger seat is moved to a better
position if it was previously set unfavorably.
i You can store the seat settings using the
memory function ( Y page 111).
i Vehicles with the through-loading
feature: if you fold down a rear seat
backrest, the respective front seat is
moved forwards slightly in order to avoid
contact.
Adjusting the head restraints
Adjusting the angle of the head
restraints
Example: Sedan
100SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

XPush or pull the lower edge of the head
restraint in the direction of the arrow.
Adjusting the head restraint height
electrically
XTo adjust the head restraint height: slide
the switch for head restraint adjustment
( Y page 100) up or down in the direction of
the arrow.
Adjusting luxury head restraints
GWARNING
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.
XTo adjust the side bolsters of the head
restraint: push or pull right and/or left-
hand side bolster : into the desired
position.XTo adjust the angle of the head
restraint: push or pull the head restraint in
the direction of arrow ;.
Rear seat head restraints
GWARNING
For safety reasons, always drive with the rear
head restraints in the upright position when
the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear of
articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it
is as close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the back
of the head at eye level. This will reduce the
potential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints installed when the rear seats are
occupied. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
GWARNING
Make sure the rear seat head restraints
engage when placing them upright manually.
Otherwise their protective function cannot be
ensured.
The back of the head will not be supported in
the event of a collision. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. Rear seat
occupants can be seriously injured or killed.
Lowering the rear seat head restraints
from the front
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XPress button :.Seats101Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

Adjusting the rear seat head restraint
height
Example: Sedan
XTo raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired position.XTo lower: press release catch : and push
the head restraint down until it is in the
desired position.
i If you pull the head restraint forward
slightly, the effort required to adjust it is
reduced.
Removing and installing rear head
restraints 7
GWARNING
Occupants should only travel sitting on seats
which have the head restraints installed. In
the event of an accident, this reduces the risk
of injury for passengers seated in the rear
compartment.
Example: Sedan
XRelease the rear seat backrest and fold it
slightly forwards ( Y page 279).XTo remove: pull the head restraint up to
the stop.XPress release catch : and pull the head
restraint out of the guides.XTo re-install: insert the head restraint so
that the notches on the bar are on the left
when viewed in the direction of travel.XPush the head restraint down until you hear
it engage in position.XFold back the rear seat backrest until it
engages.
Adjusting the active multicontour
seat
The active multicontour seat on the driver's
side automatically adapts the sides of the
backrest to your current driving style. You can
adjust the contour of the seats individually so
as to provide optimum support for your back
and sides.
:To adjust the seat cushion length;To switch the dynamic function on or off=To adjust the side bolsters of the seat
backrest?To switch the massage function on or offATo adjust the contour of the backrest to
increase/decrease supportBTo adjust the height/depth of the
backrest contour7 Only for vehicles with through-loading facility.102SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Dynamic function
The dynamic function adjusts the air cushions
in the side bolsters of the seat backrests to
ensure ideal lateral support at all times.
You can choose between two different levels.
Level 1 (one
indicator lamp)Standard setting:
slightly increased
lateral support and
slow build-up of air
pressure in the side
bolsters of the seat
backrest.Level 2 (two
indicator lamps)Sport setting:
increased lateral
support and fast
build-up of pressure
in the side bolsters
of the seat backrest.XTo switch on: press button ; once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ;
light up.XTo switch off: press button ; repeatedly
until all indicator lamps in button ; go out.
Massage function (PULSE)
The massage function helps you to prevent
muscle tension on long journeys. You can
choose between two levels.
XTo switch on: press button ? once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ?
light up. The air cushions in the lumbar
region vibrate for approximately 20
minutes.
Adjusting the four-way lumbar
support
You can adjust the contour of the front seat
backrests individually to provide optimum
support for your back.
:To raise the backrest contour;To soften the backrest contour=To lower the backrest contour?To harden the backrest contour
Folding bench seat in the cargo
compartment (Wagon)
Important safety notes
The folding bench seat in the cargo
compartment is only approved for people
with a height no greater than 4.6 ft(1.40 m)
and max. 110 lb(50 kg) body weight.
The maximum permissible weight available
for passengers may be reduced by extensive
optional extras and the vehicle load. Observe
the maximum gross vehicle weight and the
gross axle weight rating, which can be found
on the vehicle identification plate
( Y page 381).
The combined cargo cover and net must be
installed if you are using the folding bench
seat ( Y page 283).
GWARNING
The rear seat backrests must be locked in the
upright position if you are using the folding
bench seat in the cargo compartment.
Do not pull away unless the head restraint in
the folding bench seat is installed correctly.
Make sure that the center of the head
restraint supports the seat occupant's head
at about eye level. This can reduce the risk of
injury to a child in the event of an accident.
Seats103Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

Ensure that the seat belt is routed correctly
across the body and the seat belt buckle is
engaged.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. This applies even if they are secured
in a child restraint system.
Secure children as recommended; see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.GWARNING
Only replace damaged covers with genuine
covers.
Make sure that items of luggage and other
objects in the cargo compartment are well
secured.
Otherwise, the load could cause injury in the
event of sharp braking, a sudden change in
direction or an accident.
Folding out the folding bench seat
XMake sure that the backrests of the rear
bench seat are locked in the upright
position.XMove the handle for the combined cargo
cover and net upwards ( Y page 283).XPull release handle : and fold the
backrest of the folding bench seat
upwards.XHook the seat belts into retainers =.XPull release handle ; and fold the folding
bench seat cushion into the sitting
position.XPush down the seat cushion until the
backrest engages fully.XFold the head restraints upwards.
installing and removing the seat
cushion
You must remove the seat cushion if you wish
to lift the trunk floor, e.g. if the vehicle has a
flat tire.
XTo remove: fold seat cushion ; upwards
and remove it from seat cushion
guides :.104SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

XTo install: guide seat cushion ; into seat
cushion guides : at a slight angle from the
rear =.XFold seat cushion ; back into its original
position ? until it engages.
Folding back the folding bench seat
XPull the seat cushion upwards by tab :
and fold it back into its original position
until it engages.XPress release button : and fold the head
restraints down.! In order to avoid causing damage, push
the head restraints completely into their
guides and click the seat belt buckles into
their guides.XPress release catch : and push the head
restraints in fully.XFold backrest ; of the folding bench seat
into its original position until it engages.
Switching the seat heating on/off
Switching on/off
The three red indicator lamps in the button
indicate the heating level you have selected.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off.
Driver's and front-passenger seat
Seats105Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

Rear seats8
The system automatically switches down
from level 3 to level 2 after about eight
minutes (driver's seat and front-passenger
seat) or five minutes (rear seats).
The system automatically switches down
from level 2 to level 1 after approximately ten
minutes.
The system automatically switches off
approximately 20 minutes after it is set to
level 1.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.XTo switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
Problems with the seat heating
The seat heating has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.Switching the seat ventilation on/off
Switching on/off
The three blue indicator lamps in the buttons
indicate the ventilation level you have
selected.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
i You can open the side windows and the
sliding sunroof using the "Convenience
opening" feature ( Y page 91). The seat
ventilation of the driver's seat
automatically switches to the highest level.
XTo switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
Problems with the seat ventilation
The seat ventilation has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.8 For Canada only.106SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Steering wheel
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child's unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Adjusting the steering wheel
:To adjust the steering wheel height;To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
i Other topics:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
( Y page 108)
R storing settings ( Y page 111)
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off
The steering-wheel heating heats the leather
areas of the steering wheel.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XTo switch on/off: turn the lever in the
direction of arrow : or ;.
Indicator lamp = lights up or goes out.
i The steering wheel heating may switch off
temporarily if:
R the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86 ‡ (30 †).
R the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95 ‡ (35 †).
Indicator lamp = remains on.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: when you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock,
the steering wheel heating is deactivated.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: when you switch
off the ignition and open the driver's door, the
steering wheel heating is deactivated.
Problems with the steering wheel
heating
If steering wheel heating indicator lamp = is
flashing, the steering wheel heating has
switched off automatically. The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers which you
do not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the
steering wheel heating will switch back on
automatically.Steering wheel107Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsZ

EASY-ENTRY/EXIT system
Important safety notes
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board
computer ( Y page 229).
GWARNING
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, move
steering wheel adjustment stalk or press the
memory position switch.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver's door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
GWARNING
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All steering wheel adjustment must
be completed before setting the vehicle in
motion. Driving off with the steering wheel
still adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
Position of the steering wheel when the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active
The steering wheel swings upwards when
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door and KEYLESS-GO is
in position 1
R open the driver's door and the SmartKey is
in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock
i The steering wheel only moves upwards if
it has not already reached the upper end
stop.
Position of the steering wheel for
driving
The steering wheel is moved to the last
selected position when:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you insert the SmartKey into the ignition
lock.
or
R you press the Start/Stop button once on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
When you close the driver's door with the
ignition switched on, the steering wheel is
also automatically moved to the previously
set position.
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored after each manual setting or when you
store the setting with the memory function
( Y page 111).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
triggered in an accident, the steering column
will move upwards when the driver's door is
opened. This occurs irrespective of the
position of the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and
rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY
feature is activated in the on-board computer.
108Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors