suspension 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

Hiding (on-board computer) ...........234
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 259
Lights ............................................. 242
Safety systems .............................. 235
Service interval display ..................312
SmartKey ....................................... 259
Tires ............................................... 254
Vehicle ........................................... 257
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 224
Distance recorder ............................. 219
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 270
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 184
Display message ............................ 252
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 183
Driving tips .................................... 185
Function/notes ............................. 177
Important safety notes ..................177
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 183
Warning lamp ................................. 270
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 228
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 83
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 74
Control panel ................................... 36
Display message ............................ 258
Emergency locking ........................... 84
Emergency unlocking .......................83
Important safety notes ....................82
Opening (from inside) ......................82
Drinking and driving ......................... 170
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 157
Display ........................................... 153
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......153
Manual ........................................... 158
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........230
Drive program selector ..................... 156Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................313
Symmetrical low beam ..................114
Driving on flooded roads .................. 173
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......64
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 69
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............64
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 64
Electronic brake force distribution ...69
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 66
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 66
Important safety information ...........63
Overview .......................................... 63
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 69
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................207
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 206
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............210
AIRMATIC ...................................... 189
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 190
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................199
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 203
Cruise control ................................ 175
Display message ............................ 249
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 177
HOLD function ............................... 187
Lane Keeping Assist ......................205
Lane Tracking package ..................203
Night View Assist Plus ...................200
Parking Guidance ........................... 195
PARKTRONIC ................................. 192
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ..........188
Rear view camera .......................... 198
Driving tips
AMG ceramic brakes .....................173
Automatic transmission .................155
Brakes ........................................... 1718Index

R
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ............. 188
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 231
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................229
Display message ............................ 250
Radiator cover ................................... 309
Radio Selecting a station .........................221
see separate operating instructions
Reading lamp ..................................... 120
Rear axle level control (AMG
adaptive sport suspension
system) .............................................. 191
Rear compartment Setting the airflow .........................137
Setting the air vents ......................141
Setting the temperature ................136
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 244
Switching on/off ........................... 116
Rear seat
Display message ............................ 258
Folding the backrest forwards/
back ............................................... 279
Rear sill protector ............................. 287
Rear view camera Cleaning instructions .....................318
Function/notes ............................. 198
Rear-view mirror
Anti-glare (manual) ........................109
Dipping (automatic) .......................110
Rear window blind ............................ 292
Rear window defroster Problem (malfunction) ...................139
Rear window heating
Switching on/off ........................... 139
Rear window wiper
Replacing the wiper blade .............. 126
Switching on/off ........................... 125
Refueling
Fuel gauge ....................................... 29
Important safety notes ..................160
Refueling process ..........................162
see Fuel
Remote control
Garage door opener .......................302Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 25
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 248
Warning lamp ................................. 267
see Fuel
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 140
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Retaining hook .................................. 282
Reverse gear Engaging (automatic
transmission) ................................. 152
Reversing lamps (display
message) ............................................ 244
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 23
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 95
Rear side windows .........................291
Rear window .................................. 292
Roof carrier ........................................ 288
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 320
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 390
Route see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 220
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................56
Child restraint systems ....................56
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 44
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 38
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
Index15

SocketsCenter console .............................. 294
Luggage compartment ...................295
Points to observe before use .........294
Rear compartment .........................294
Spare wheel
Notes/data .................................... 373
Storage location ............................ 324
Stowing .......................................... 325
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 25
Speed, controlling see Cruise control
Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 219
In the Instrument cluster .................29
Segments ...................................... 215
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 226
see Instrument cluster
SPORT handling mode
Activating/deactivating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 67
Warning lamp ................................. 265
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 238
Introduction ..................................... 38
Warning lamp ................................. 266
Warning lamp (function) ................... 38
Standing lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 123
Display message ............................ 244
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Starting (engine) ................................ 146
Station see Radio
Steering (display message) .............. 259
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................107
Button overview ............................... 31
Buttons (on-board
computer) ...................................... 215
Important safety notes ..................107
Paddle shifters ............................... 157
Steering wheel heating ..................107
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 111Steering wheel (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 319
Steering wheel heating Problem (malfunction) ...................107
Switching on/off ........................... 107
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 157
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 231
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 275
Cup holders ................................... 289
Eyeglasses compartment ...............275
Glove box ....................................... 274
Important safety information .........274
Parcel net ...................................... 277
Rear ............................................... 276
Stowage space
Center console .............................. 275
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 286
Summer opening see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 348
Sun visor ............................................ 290
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 227
Suspension tuning AIRMATIC ...................................... 190
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 191
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........230
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 139
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 72
T
Tachometer ........................................ 215
Tailgate Display message ............................ 258
Emergency unlocking .......................89
Important safety notes ....................84
Limiting the opening angle ...............88
Opening/closing .............................. 85
Index17

Center console, lower sectionFunctionPageGStowage compartment274Ashtray292Cigarette lighter293Cup holder289He Sets the suspension
tuning
190
FunctionPageIÉ Sets the vehicle level189JStowage compartment274KÛ Selects the drive
program
156
LAudio/COMAND controllerCenter console33At a glance

Center console, lower section - AMG vehiclesFunctionPageGAshtray292Cigarette lighter293HEngages parking position P168ISelector lever152JCup holder289KStowage compartment274LAudio/COMAND controllerFunctionPageMß Calls up/saves the
suspension tuning
191
Nà Sets the suspension
tuning
191
Oå ESP®67PDrive program selector15634Center consoleAt a glance

XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed increases to
approximately 4000 rpm.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Release brake to start
message.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within seven seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START canceled message.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START active message.
RACE START is deactivated when a speed of
approximately 30 mph (Canada: 50 km/h) is
reached. Drive program S+ is activated.
SPORT handling mode remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE START
not possible See Operator's Manual
message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically. All-round self-leveling ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
R normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about 0.80 in
(20 mm) when compared with the normal
level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
( Y page 190)
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.GWARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
Setting raised level
XStart the engine.Driving systems189Driving and parkingZ

If indicator lamp ; is not lit:XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle rising message appears in
the display.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R drive at speeds above approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive about 3 minutes at speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp = lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes
i AMG adaptive sport suspension system is
available for the E 63 AMG model.
190Driving systemsDriving and parking

Rear axle level control
The vehicle automatically sets the vehicle
level at the rear axle. Rear axle level control
ensures the best possible suspension and
that the ground clearance remains constant
even when the vehicle is loaded. This
improves driving safety and fuel
consumption.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
reverts to Comfort mode.
Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button : once.
Indicator lamp ? lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.The AMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps = and ? are off:
XPress button : twice.
Indicator lamps = and ? light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
If indicator lamp ? lights up:
XPress button : once.
The second indicator lamp = lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.
XPress button : repeatedly until indicator
lamps = and ? go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button ;.
XTo store: press AMG button ; until you
hear a tone.Driving systems191Driving and parkingZ

XTo call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.XTo display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
GWARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires ( M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notesGWARNING
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system.
It is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
GWARNING
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D, R or N
R release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)192Driving systemsDriving and parking