brakes MERCEDES-BENZ E550 4MATIC 2011 W212 Owner's Guide

Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane.
:Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you select km on the on-board computer in
the Display Unit Speed-/
Odometer (Y page 229) function, Active Lane
Keeping Assist is activated starting at a speed
of 60 km/h. If the miles display unit is
selected, the assistance range begins at
40 mph.
GWarning
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not keep
your vehicle in its lane. It is only an aid and
may detect the lane markings on the road
incorrectly or not at all.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
Rseveral or no lane markings for a single lane
are present.
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray.
Rthere is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun, or reflection from other vehicles.
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera.
Rthe lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow.
Rthe distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected.
Rthe lane markings on the road are unclear,
e.g. near roadworks.
Rthe lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge.
Rthe road is narrow and winding.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot detect
road and traffic conditions. It is not a
substitute for attentive driving. You are
responsible for the vehicle's speed, braking in
good time, and steering correctly. Always
adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions. Always pay
attention to traffic conditions and your
surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
Warning vibration in the steering wheel
A warning can be given when a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. It will warn you
by means of intermittent vibration in the
steering wheel for up to 1.5 seconds.
In order that you are warned only when
necessary and in good time if you cross the
lane marking, the system recognizes certain
conditions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
Ryou approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
Rthe road has very wide lanes, e.g. a
freeway.
Rthe system recognizes solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
Rthe road has narrow lanes.
Ryou cut the corner on a bend.
No warning vibration occurs if:
Ryou clearly and actively steer, brake, or
accelerate.
Ryou cut the corner on a sharp bend.
212Driving systemsDriving and parking
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BrakesDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
ABS and ESC
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start
assist are temporarily unavailable. The on-board voltage may be
insufficient, for example. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake may be inoperative as well. In addition, the ä,
å and ! warning lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
ABS and ESC
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
may also have failed. In addition, the ä, å and !
warning lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages241On-board computer and displaysBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 241Z

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Brakes
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds.You are driving with the parking brake engaged.XRelease the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking
characteristics may be affected.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.XEngage the parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.XEngage the parking brake.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the problem.
GWarning
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned.
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Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Exterior care
Automatic car wash
GWarning!
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried.GRisk of accident
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an
automatic car wash.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
position P automatically and locks the
wheels. You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission to N
beforehand.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:
314CareMaintenance and care
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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.
Important safety notes
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you require information on tested and
recommended tires and wheels for summer
and winter driving. Advice on purchasing and
caring for tires is also available there.
GWarning
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct.
GWarning
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used.
GWarning
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
GWarning
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires,
wheels and accessories which have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz specifically
for your vehicle. These tires have been
specially adapted for use with the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP ®
, and are
marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (AMG)
Only use Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
tires on wheels that have been specifically
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you use other tires, wheels and
accessories, Mercedes-Benz cannot
accept any responsibility for damage that
may result from this. Further information
about tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Further information about tires and
wheels can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
350Important safety notesTires and wheels
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GWarning
If the Check Tire Pressure Soon message
appears in the multifunction display, one or
more tires are significantly underinflated.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and
inflate the tires to the pressure specified on
the vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard or (where available) in the tire
pressure table.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Check all tires when cold, including the spare
tire, at least once a month. The tires should
be inflated to the recommended pressure.
This information can be found:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
or
R in the table for the tire pressure on the
inside of the fuel filler flap
GWarning!
The tire pressure loss warning system does
not provide a warning for wrongly selected tire
inflation pressures. Always adjust tire
inflation pressure according to the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's
door B-pillar or on the tire inflation pressure
label located on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The tire pressure loss warning system does
not replace regular checks of the tire inflation
pressures since a gradual pressure loss in
more than one tire cannot be detected by the
tire pressure loss warning system.
The tire pressure loss warning system is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden
dramatic loss of tire inflation pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully
applying the brakes and avoiding abrupt
steering maneuvers.
The function of the tire pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are mounted on your vehicle.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style
(cornering at high speeds or driving with
high rates of acceleration).
R you are driving with a heavy cargo (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tire pressure loss
warning system
Restart the tire pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tire pressure
R changed the wheels or tires
R mounted new wheels or tires
XBefore restarting, refer to the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the
B-pillar on the driver's side or the tire
pressure table on the inside of the fuel filler
flap to ensure the tire pressure in all four
tires is set correctly for the current
operating conditions.XObserve the notes in the section on tire
pressures ( Y page 352).GWarning
The tire pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set the
correct tire pressure.
If an incorrect tire pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tire with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2 ( Y page 149) in the ignition lock.XPress the = or ; button to select the
Service menu.356Tire pressuresTires and wheels
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Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire
pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold. For this,
the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least three hours or not have traveled more
than 1.6 km (1 mile) in this time.
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
part and more than 2.3 kilograms (5 lbs).
These optional extras, such as high-
performance brakes, level control, a roof rack
or a high-performance battery, are not
included in the unladen weight and the weight
of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires,
for example for a product recall, and thus
identify the purchasers. The TIN is made up
of the manufacturer's identity code, tire size,
tire type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Wear indicator
This is indicated by narrow bars (tread wear
bars) that are distributed over the tire tread.
If the tire tread is level with the bars, the wear
limit of 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) has been reached.
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Refrigerant of the air-conditioning
system
The air-conditioning system is filled with
R134a refrigerant and a special PAG
lubricant.
! Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or
mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could
damage the air-conditioning system.
Brake fluid
GWarning!
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air; this lowers its boiling point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
intervals can be found in the Service Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Information about approved brake
fluids can be obtained from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Coolant
Important safety notes
The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R anti-corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
The cooling system is filled with coolant at the
factory which contains antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitor that ensures protection down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 †).
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants and on
filling can be found in the Mercedes-Benz
Specifications for Service Products, MB
Approval 310.1, e.g. on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com . You
can also consult an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the cooling system will not be
sufficiently protected from corrosion, and
the boiling point will be too low.
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 †), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized system is
approximately 266 ‡ (130 †).
Your vehicle has a range of aluminum
components. Use of aluminum components
in the engine make it necessary to specifically
match the antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor in
these systems in order to protect the
aluminum parts. Using other antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitors without these
characteristics affects the service life.
The coolant must be used throughout the year
in order to maintain the necessary corrosion
protection and provide protection from
392Service products and capacitiesTechnical data
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