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

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 295
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 192
4MATIC off-road system ................... 192
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 235
Function/notes ................................ 64
Important safety notes ....................64
Warning lamp ................................. 264
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 134
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 225
Function/information ....................207
Active Driving Assistance package . 206
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 225
Display message ............................ 250
Function/information ....................210
Active Light System
Display message ............................ 244
Active multicontour seat .................. 102
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 69
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 245
Function/notes ............................. 118
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 388
Air bags Display message ............................ 241
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 41
Important safety notes ....................40
Knee bag .......................................... 42
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 44
Pelvis air bag ................................... 43
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Side impact air bag ..........................42
Window curtain air bag ....................44
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) .............. 248
AIRMATIC Display message ............................ 249
Function/notes ............................. 189
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 141
Important safety notes ..................140
Rear ............................................... 141
Setting ........................................... 140
Setting the center air vents ...........141
Setting the side air vents ...............141
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Alertness Assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
Ambient lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 227
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ................................................ 190
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 230
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........72
Ashtray ............................................... 292
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 224
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display 4Index

C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 320
Car wash ........................................ 314
Display ........................................... 318
Exterior lights ................................ 317
Gear or selector lever ....................319
Matte finish ................................... 316
Night View Assist Plus ...................318
Notes ............................................. 313
Paint .............................................. 316
Plastic trim .................................... 319
Power washer ................................ 315
Rear view camera .......................... 318
Roof lining ...................................... 320
Seat belt ........................................ 320
Seat cover ..................................... 320
Sensors ......................................... 317
Steering wheel ............................... 319
Tail pipes ....................................... 318
Trim pieces .................................... 319
Washing by hand ........................... 315
Wheels ........................................... 315
Windows ........................................ 317
Wiper blades .................................. 317
Wooden trim .................................. 319
Cargo compartment cover ............... 282
Cargo compartment enlargement ... 280
Cargo compartment floor ................. 286
Cargo net ........................................... 284
Attaching ....................................... 284
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 281
Car wash (care) ................................. 314
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 222
Cell phone see Mobile phone Center console
Lower section .................................. 33
Lower section (AMG vehicles) ..........34
Upper section .................................. 32
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 228
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........74
Changing bulbs
High-beam headlamps ...................123
Important safety notes ..................121
Infrared lamp ................................. 123
Low-beam headlamps ....................122
Overview of bulb types ..................122
Parking lamps ................................ 123
Standing lamps (front) ...................123
Turn signals (front) ......................... 124
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................61
Rear doors ....................................... 61
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 56
Restraint systems ............................ 56
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 59
Special seat belt retractor ...............59
Top Tether ....................................... 60
Cigarette lighter ................................ 293
Climate control Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 133
Controlling automatically ...............135
Cooling with air dehumidification ..134
Defrosting the windows .................138
Defrosting the windshield ..............138
Dual-zone automatic climate
control ........................................... 131
Important safety notes ..................130
Indicator lamp ................................ 135
Maximum cooling .......................... 138
Notes on using automatic climate
control ................................... 132, 134
Overview of systems ......................130
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 135
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 1396Index

Opening/closing the garage door ..304
Programming (button in the rear-
view mirror) ................................... 302
Gasoline ............................................. 161
Gear indicator (on-board
computer) .......................................... 230
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 319
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ......... 380
Glove box ........................................... 274
H
Handbrake see Parking brake
Hazard warning lamps ...................... 118
Headlamp cleaning system Notes ............................................. 389
Headlamps
Adding fluid to cleaning system .....311
Cleaning system (function) ............117
Fogging up ..................................... 120
see Automatic headlamp mode
Head restraints
Adjusting ....................................... 100
Adjusting (angle) ............................ 100
Adjusting (electrically) ...................101
Adjusting (rear) .............................. 101
Installing/removing (rear) ..............102
Luxury ............................................ 101
see NECK-PRO head restraints
Heating
see Climate control
High-beam headlamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 123
Display message ............................ 243
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 118
Switching on/off ........................... 117
Hill start assist .................................. 148
HOLD function Display message ............................ 250
Function/notes ............................. 187
Hood
Closing ........................................... 309
Display message ............................ 258
Opening ......................................... 308
Hydroplaning ..................................... 173
I
Ignition lock see Key positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 71
Indicator lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Indicators
see Turn signals
Infrared lamps (changing bulbs) ...... 123
Insect protection on the radiator .... 309
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 29
Settings ......................................... 226
Warning and indicator lamps ...........30
Instrument cluster lighting ................ 29
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster lighting
Interior lighting
Automatic control ..........................120
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 228
Emergency lighting ........................121
Manual control ............................... 121
Overview ........................................ 120
Reading lamp ................................. 120
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
see Interior lighting
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 322
Using ............................................. 330
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 338
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............92
Display message ............................ 259
Locking ............................................ 75
Start/Stop button .......................... 145
Starting the engine ........................147
Unlocking ......................................... 75
Index11

Key positionsKEYLESS-GO .................................. 145
SmartKey ....................................... 145
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 156
Manual drive program ....................159
Knee bag .............................................. 42
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating .................225
Display message ............................ 250
Function/information ....................205
Lane Tracking package ..................... 203
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 231
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 59
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 243
Lighting see Lights
Lights
Activating/deactivating the
interior lighting delayed switch-off . 228
Automatic headlamp mode ............116
Cornering light function .................118
Display message ............................ 242
Driving abroad ............................... 114
Fog lamps ...................................... 116
Hazard warning lamps ...................118
High beam flasher .......................... 117
High-beam headlamps ...................117
Light switch ................................... 114
Low-beam headlamps ....................115
Parking lamps ................................ 114
Rear fog lamp ................................ 116
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 227
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 227
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................115
Switching the exterior lighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer) ............................ 227
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........227
Turn signals ................................... 117
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 245
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 176
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 180
Loading guidelines ............................ 274
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 83
Emergency locking ........................... 84
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 82
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 228
Low-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 122
Display message ............................ 242
Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 114
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Luggage holder (EASY-PACK load-
securing kit) ....................................... 285
Lumbar support Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support .......................................... 103
Luxury head restraints ..................... 101
M
M+S tires ................................... 174, 348
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
12Index

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:ESP®
OFF264;Diesel engine: preglow147=Front fog lamps116?Rear fog lamp116ASPORT handling mode in
AMG vehicles
265
BTurn signal117CESP ®264DDistance warning270EHigh-beam headlamps117FLow-beam headlamps115FunctionPageGSeat belt261HSRS266ICheck engine267JBrakes (Canada only)263KTire pressure monitor271LCoolant268MBrakes (USA only)263NABS264OReserve fuel26730Instrument clusterAt a glance

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 25).
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations.
Information about driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border again.
Light switch
Operation
Depending on the date of manufacture of your
vehicle, the c or à symbol for the
automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps is located on the light switch.
Illustration: light switch with the à symbol for
the automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting4 ÃAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 LLow-beam/high-beam headlampsBRRear fog lampCNFront fog lamps 1010
Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the fog lamps function.114Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

Illustration: light switch with the c symbol for
the automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting4 cAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 LLow-beam/high-beam headlampsBRRear fog lampCNFront fog lamps 10
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch ( Y page 117).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
XTurn the light switch to c or à .Low-beam headlampsXTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps in Canada
The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
XTurn the light switch to c or à .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light
brightness: if you turn the light switch
to T , the daytime running lamps and the
parking lamps are switched on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
XTo activate the daytime running
lamps: activate the daytime running lamps10
Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the fog lamps function.Exterior lighting115Lights and windshield wipers

XPress the R button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
R button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i If you switch the engine off (SmartKey in
position 1 in the ignition lock) and then
restart it, the previous rear fog lamp
settings are restored.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated ten times while the lights are on and
the engine is running ( Y page 124).
Combination switch
Turn signals
:High-beam headlamps;Right turn signal=High-beam flasher?Left turn signalXTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
High-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L or à .XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the à position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.XTo switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher
XTo switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.XPull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =.Exterior lighting117Lights and windshield wipersZ

Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed down severely from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes
to a halt.
XTo switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.XTo switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps are deactivated
automatically if the vehicle returns to a speed
of over 6 mph(10 km/h) after a full
application of the brakes.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off.
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. It can
only be activated when the low-beam
headlamps are switched on.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h) and switch on the turn
signals or turn the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signal or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change between low beam and
high beam automatically. The system
recognizes vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
traveling in front of your vehicle, and
consequently switches the headlamps from
high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
118Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel.XTo activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 227).XTurn the light switch to c or à .XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :
( Y page 117).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the low-beam headlamps, the _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you drive faster than approximately
28 mph (45 km/h):
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you drive faster than approximately
35 mph (55 km/h) and no other road users
are identified:
the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
When you drive slower than approximately
30 mph (45 km/h) or if other road usersare identified or if the roads are sufficiently
illuminated:
the high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.XTo deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.GWARNING
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The
driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary.
Exterior lighting119Lights and windshield wipersZ