MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class WAGON 2013 W212 Owner's Manual

G
WARNING
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batteries. Risk of explosion
Fire, open flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling the battery.
Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid

contact with the skin,
eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective
clothing, in particular
gloves, an apron and a face
mask.
Immediately rinse acid
splashes off with clean
water. Consult a doctor if
necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's
Manual.
G
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting.
You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
G
WARNING
Do not place any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a short circuit.
Use

leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing or
rubbing against textiles. For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation. H
Environmental note Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must

be collected separately
and recycled to protect the
environment. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified
specialist workshop or a
special collection point for
used batteries.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance

Booklet or contact a qualified
specialist workshop for more information.
! You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is Battery (vehicle)
349
Breakdown assistance Z

necessary for you to disconnect the battery
yourself, make sure that:
R
you
switch off the engine and remove the
key. On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
ensure that the ignition is switched off.
Check that all the indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster are off. Otherwise,
electronic components, such as the
alternator, may be damaged.
R you first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic
system may be damaged.
R in vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The
vehicle is secured against rolling away.
You can then no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive
terminal clamp must be installed securely
during operation.
In order for the battery to achieve the
maximum possible service life, it must always
be sufficiently charged.
The vehicle battery, like other batteries, can
discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery
disconnected at a qualified specialist
workshop. You can also charge the battery
with a charger recommended by Mercedes-
Benz. Contact a qualified specialist workshop
for further information.
Have the battery charge level checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for
a lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop if you wish to leave your vehicle
parked up for a long period of time.
i Remove the SmartKey if you park the
vehicle and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power. i
If the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. if you reconnect the battery, you will
have to:
Rset the clock. Information on setting the
clock can be found in the separate
operating instructions.
On vehicles with COMAND and a
navigation system, the clock is set
automatically.
R reset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically, by folding
the mirrors out once ( Y page 114). Charging the battery
G
WARNING
Never charge a battery still installed in the
vehicle
unless a battery charger unit approved
by Mercedes-Benz is being used. Gases may
escape during charging and cause explosions
that may result in paint damage, corrosion or
personal injury.
A battery charger unit specially adapted for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz is available as an
accessory. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information and availability.
Charge the battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the battery charger. G
WARNING
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
escape

from the battery. Do not lean over the
battery during the charging process. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with the
skin, eyes or clothing.
! Only use battery chargers with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V. 350
Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance

!
Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment
(Y page 352).
Read the battery charger's operating
instructions before charging the battery.
X Open the hood (Y page 328).
X Connect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same
order as when connecting the donor
battery in the jump-starting procedure
(Y page 352). Battery (vehicle)
351
Breakdown assistance Z

Jump-starting
G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read the HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions
included in your vehicle literature portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all necessary safety
information and warning for the operation of your vehicle. G
WARNING
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding. G
WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire. Avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
! Vehicles with a gasoline engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be damaged by non-combusted fuel.
Do
not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R Vehicles with a gasoline engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Only jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
R Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.352
Jump-starting
Breakdown assistance

Make sure that:
R
the jumper leads are not damaged.
R when
the jumper cables are connected to the battery, uninsulated sections of the terminal
clamp do not come into contact with other metal sections.
R the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
X Apply the parking brake firmly.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the hood (Y page 328).
Position number B
identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device. X
Slide cover : of positive terminal ; in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal ; on your vehicle to positive terminal = of donor battery B
using the jumper cable, always begin with positive terminal ; on your own vehicle first.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal ?
of donor battery B to ground point A of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery B first.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes. Jump-starting
353
Breakdown assistance Z

X
First, remove the jumper cables from ground point A and negative terminal ?, then from
positive terminal ; and positive terminal =, each time beginning at the contacts on your
own vehicle first.
X Close cover : of positive terminal ; after removing the jumper cables.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions

included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle. G
WARNING
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R there is a brake system malfunction.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
The

power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will need more
force to steer and brake, you may have to
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle. G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore, deactivate HOLD and DISTRONIC PLUS if the
vehicle is to be towed.
! Only

secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position P when
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle. 354
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (
Y page 405).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage,
have it transported on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 86). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover. Example: Sedan, towing eye covers
The

mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 342).
X Press the mark on cover : inwards in the
direction of the arrow.
X Take cover : off the opening.
X Screw the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Attach cover : to the bumper and press
until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise damage the brake system. Towing and tow-starting
355
Breakdown assistance Z

Only possible on vehicles without
4MATIC.
X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 125).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X When leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey
or the KEYLESS-GO key with you.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions ( Y page 354).Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
G
WARNING
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will then need
much more effort to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your style of driving
accordingly.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 354).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts

to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position N when towing the vehicle,
you must observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in
position 0.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey

instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 154).
X Depress and hold the brake pedal. X
Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 125).
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2 in the
ignition lock.
i When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction.

In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
! Only

lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X Secure the vehicle.356
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Notes for 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles
with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or
damage to the front or rear axle, have it
transported on a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position
N, you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting (Y page 352).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Tow-starting (emergency starting)
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
at (Y page 352). Fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and that have the
correct fuse rating for the systems
concerned.

Do not attempt to repair or bridge
faulty fuses. Using fuses that have not been
approved or attempting to repair or bridge
faulty fuses could cause the fuse to be
overloaded and result in a fire. Have the cause
traced and rectified at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system concerned. Otherwise, components or
systems could be damaged.
The

fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Before changing a fuse
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 175).
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it ( Y page 153).
or
X On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, make sure
the ignition is switched off (Y page 154).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Fuse

box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
R Fuse box in the trunk/cargo compartment
on the right-hand side of the vehicle, when
viewed in the direction of travel
The fuse allocation chart is located in the
vehicle tool kit in the stowage compartment
under the trunk/cargo compartment floor
(Y page 342). Fuses
357
Breakdown assistance Z

Fuse box in the engine compartment
G
WARNING
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off and that the SmartKey is
removed from the ignition lock before you
open
the cover of the fuse box. Otherwise, the
windshield wipers and the wiper rods above
the cover could be set in motion. This could
lead to you or others being injured by the
wiper rods.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture
seeping in or dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses.
X Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Open the hood. X
Remove any existing moisture from the
fuse box using a dry cloth.
X To open:
remove lines ; from the guides.
X Move lines ;
aside. Route the lines behind
connection = to do this.
X Open clamp :.
X Remove the fuse box cover forwards.
X To close:
check whether the rubber seal is
lying correctly in the cover.
X Insert the cover at the rear of the fuse box
into the retainer.
X Fold down cover and close clamps :.X
Secure lines ; in the guides.
X Close the hood. Fuse box in the trunk
! Make

sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture
seeping in or dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses.
X Open the trunk lid. X
To open: release cover : at the top right
and left-hand sides with a flat object.
X Open cover :
downwards in the direction
of the arrow. Fuse box in the cargo compartment
! Make

sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture
seeping in or dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses.
X Open the tailgate.358
Fuses
Breakdown assistance