towing MERCEDES-BENZ E350 4MATIC 2011 W212 User Guide

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Loading guidelines
GWarning!
Always fasten items being carried as securely
as possible. Use cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the weight
and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. Do not pile luggage or
cargo higher than the seat backrests.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Never drive a vehicle with the trunk open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R When transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants). The values are
stated on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side.
R Position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the trunk/
cargo compartment as possible.
R The load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R Always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie down. Pad sharp edges
for protection.
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes
GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the trunk if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
R braking
R vehicle maneuvers
R an accident
Stowage compartments in the front
Glove box
i Depending on the vehicle equipment,
there is an AUX-IN connection or a Media
Interface installed in the glove box. Media
Interface is a universal interface for mobile
audio equipment, e.g. for an iPod ®
or USB
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devices; see separate COMAND operating
instructions.
i The glove box can be ventilated
( Y page 144).XTo open: pull handle : and open glove box
flap ;.XTo close: fold glove box flap ; upwards
until it engages.
The glove box can only be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key.
XTo lock: insert the mechanical key into the
lock and turn it 90° clockwise to position
2 .XTo unlock: insert the mechanical key into
the lock and turn it 90° counter-clockwise
to position 1.
Stowage compartment in the center
console
i A stowage compartment is located under
the cup holder at the front of the center
console.
XTo open: slide cover : forwards until it
engages.XRemove the cup holder at the front of the
center console ( Y page 288).
Stowage compartment under the
armrest
All models except E 63 AMG
XTo open: pull handle : upwards.
The armrest folds out.
E 63 AMG
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XTo open: press left-hand button ; or right-
hand button :.
The stowage compartment opens.
Stowage compartments in the rear
Stowage pockets
GWarning!
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Storage bags are located in the rear
compartment on the driver's and front-
passenger seat backrests.
Stowage areas
Parcel nets
GWarning
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
Parcel nets are located in the front-passenger
footwell and on the left and right-hand sides
of the trunk/cargo compartment.
Skibag
Unfolding the skibag and loading the
skis
GWarning
The skibag is designed for up to four pairs of
skis. Do not load the skibag with any other
objects.
Always fasten the skibag securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski bag can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.XPress release catches ; together and fold
down cover :.
XPull skibag : into the vehicle interior.
The skibag unfolds.
XOpen the trunk lid.276Stowage areasLoading, stowing and features
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XPress release button :.
The flap opens downwards.
XSlide the skis into the skibag from the
trunk.
XPull strap : tight by the loose end until the
skis are held firmly inside the skibag.
XEngage hook : in securing ring ;.XPull the strap tight by the loose end.Removing the skis and folding up the
skibag
XLoosen the two straps.XRemove hook : from securing ring ;.XTake the skis out of the skibag.XClose the flap in the trunk.XSmooth out the skibag and fold it up.XPut the skibag into the backrest.XFold the cover back up.
iYou should always close the flap in the
trunk if you do not require the skibag. This
will prevent unauthorized access to the
trunk from the vehicle interior.
Removing the skibag
GRisk of poisoning
When the skibag has been removed, always
drive with the trunk lid closed. Exhaust fumes
could otherwise enter the vehicle interior.
The skibag can be removed for cleaning or
drying.
XOpen the trunk lid.XPress release button :.
Flap ; folds down.
XPress catch = in and pull out frame ?
containing the skibag.
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Through-loading feature in the rearGWarning!
Do not transport any unsecured items in the
through-loading area.
The through-loading facility is opened from
the trunk.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.XPress release button :.
The flap opens downwards.
Through-loading feature, rear bench
seat (Sedan)
Important safety notes
GWarning!
When expanding the cargo volume, always
fold the seat backrests fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests must remain properly locked in the
upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie-down rings.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded down separately to
increase the trunk capacity.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward
iVehicles with memory function: when you
fold one or both parts of the rear seat
backrest forwards, the respective front
seat moves forward slightly, when
necessary, in order to avoid contact.
XVehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.
XOpen the trunk.XPull right-hand or left-hand rear seat
backrest release handle :.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released and the rear seat head restraints
are lowered.
XFold rear seat backrest ; forwards.XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
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Folding the rear seat backrest backXMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
XFold rear seat backrest : back until it
engages.
GWarning!
Always lock the seat backrest in its upright
position when the rear seat bench is
occupied, or the extended cargo volume is not
in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo.
iYou should always engage the rear seat
backrests if you do not need the through-
loading feature. This will prevent
unauthorized access to the trunk from the
vehicle interior.
XAdjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 105).
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
EASY-PACK through-loading feature,
rear bench seat (Wagon)
Important safety notes
GWarning!
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded forwards separately
to increase the cargo compartment capacity.
The combined cargo cover and net can
remain installed.
! When folding the rear seat backrest
forwards, ensure that there are no items
lying on the seat cushions. These items
could otherwise be damaged or could
themselves damage the rear seats.
iWhen you fold either or both parts of the
rear seat backrests forwards, the
headrests are also lowered if necessary. In
the case of vehicles with memory function,
the respective front seat is moved forwards
slightly to avoid contact with the seat
behind it.
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XVehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.
XPull the left-hand or right-hand release
handle at the rear in cargo
compartment : or at the side beside
backrests ;.
The corresponding backrest folds
forwards.
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding the rear seat backrest back
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
XFold seat backrest : back until it engages.GRisk of injury
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is
correctly engaged. Otherwise, vehicle
occupants could be injured by objects being
thrown around if you
Rbrake sharply
Rchange direction suddenly
Rare involved in an accident
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged, this
will be shown in the multifunction display in
the instrument cluster.
XAdjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 105).
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Securing cargos
Coat hooks (Sedan)
On vehicles without a through-loading feature
in the rear bench seat, six plastic hooks are
installed to the trunk floor.
Lashing eyelets
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
Rsecure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
Rdo not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
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Rdo not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
Rpad sharp edges for protection.
There are six cargo tie down rings in the
trunk/cargo compartment.
Sedan
:cargo tie down rings
Wagon
:cargo tie down rings
Bag hooks in the trunk/cargo
compartment
Important safety notes
! The bag hook can bear a maximum load
of 6.6 lbs (3 kg). Do not use it to secure a
load.
SedanXPull bag hook ; down by tab :.
Wagon
XTo open: press bag hook : (arrow).
Bag hook : slides out.
XTo close: press bag hook : until it
engages.
EASY-PACK cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
The cargo compartment cover and the cargo
net are attached to anchorages on the right
and left in the cargo compartment as a
combined cargo cover and net.
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When the tailgate is opened, the cargo
compartment cover is automatically raised to
make loading easier. It is automatically
lowered again when the tailgate is closed.
When the cargo compartment cover is
clipped in, there should be no objects
obstructing the downwards movement of the
cover in the cargo compartment when the
tailgate is closed. The cargo compartment
cover will otherwise be raised again.
Extending/retracting the luggage
compartment cover
XTo extend: pull cargo compartment
cover : back by grab handle ; and clip
it into the retainers on the left and right.
XTo retract: unhook cargo compartment
cover : from the retainers on the left and
right and guide it forwards by grab
handle ; until it is fully retracted.
Removing/installing the combined
cargo cover and net
You can reach the combined cargo cover and
net to install and remove it from the cargo
compartment and, with the seat backrest
folded forwards, from the left-hand rear door.
XEnsure that the cargo net and the cargo
compartment cover are rolled up.
XTo remove: press button ;.XFold the combined cargo cover and net
forwards on the left-hand side with the seat
backrest folded forwards and fold it
backwards with the seat backrest folded
up.
XFirst, detach the combined cargo cover and
net from left-hand catch : and then
remove it from right-hand fixture =.
XTo install: push the combined cargo cover
and net up to the stop into right-hand
fixture =.
XPlace the combined cargo cover and net
into the left-hand fixture and push it into
catch : until the combined cargo cover
and net engages.
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XEnsure that red lock status indicator ? is
no longer visible. The combined cargo
cover and net will otherwise not be locked
in place.
Attaching the combined cargo cover
and net to the seat backrest in the rear
XFold the left and right seat backrest
forwards (Y page 279).
XInsert combined cargo cover and net ;
into the two guides : and push it up to the
stop in the direction of the arrow.
! If you have attached the combined cargo
cover and net to a rear seat backrest that
is folded forwards, do not fold the backrest
back.
Cargo net (Wagon)
Important safety notes
When the vehicle is loaded with objects that
extend beyond the seat backrests, using a
cargo net is particularly important. For
reasons of safety, a cargo net should always
be used when transporting cargo.
Cargo net without cargo compartment
enlargement
XPull the cargo net up by tab : and hook it
into eyelets ;.
Cargo net with cargo compartment
enlargement
XMake sure that the cargo net is attached to
the rear seat backrest (Y page 282).
XGuide the cargo net up by tab : and hook
it into eyelets ;.
Coat hooks on the tailgate
GWarning!
The tailgate may close if too great a load is
placed on the coat hooks.
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