2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET trailer

Supplement Restraint System
see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 227
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............68 T
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 239
Tank
see Fuel tank
Technical data
E200 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................337
E2 20 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY ...........341
E2 50 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................338
E2 50 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY ...........342
E3 00 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................339
E3 50 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................339
E3 50 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY ...........342
E5 00 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................340
Notes ............................................. 330
Trailer loads ................................... 344
Tyres/wheel s................................. 324
Telephone
Accepting acall............................. 221
Display message ............................ 252
Menu (on-board computer) ............221
Number from the phone book ....... .221
Redialling ....................................... 222
Rejecting/ending acall................. 221
Telephone compartment ................265
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 212
Outside temperature ..................... .213
Setting (climate control) ................133
TEMPOMAT
Function/notes ............................. 169
Through-loading ................................ 266
Through-loading feature ...................266
Time (on-board computer) ................226
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 297
Top Tether ............................................ 55
Total distanc erecorder .................... 217
Tow-away protection ..........................68Towing
Important safety notes ..................310
With the rear axle raised ................312
Towing atrailer
Activ eBlind Spot Assist .................202
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............204
Axle load, permissible ....................345
Bulb failure indicator for LED
lamps ............................................. 209
Trailer tow hitch displa ymessage ..251
Towing away
Fitting the towing eye. ...................311
Removing the towing eye. ..............312
With both axle sonthe ground .......312
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............313
Fitting the towing eye. ...................311
Important safety notes ..................310
Removing the towing eye. ..............312
Trailer coupling
see Towing atrailer
Trailer towing
7-pin connector ............................. 209
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 198
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 291
Coupling up atrailer ...................... 207
Decoupling atrailer ....................... 207
Driving tips .................................... 204
ESP ®
................................................ 65
Folding in the bal lcoupling ............ 208
Folding out the bal lcoupling .......... 206
Important safety notes ..................204
Lights displa ymessage .................. 238
Mounting dimensions ....................343
Parking Guidance ........................... 192
Parktroni c...................................... 188
Power supply ................................. 208
Shift range ..................................... 156
Trailer loads ................................... 344
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................313
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .292
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .217 18
Index

It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
WARNING
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
describe dabove no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwis enot be abletos tabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or awhee lstarts
to spin.
When you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in acutting action, which
provide sbetter grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provide ssupport when you
brake.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
willn ot stabilise the vehicle.
X To deactivate: (Ypage 223).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. G
WARNING
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ouslyw hen the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not availa-
ble due to amalfunction.
There is an increased risk of yourv ehicle skid-
ding in certain situations.
You should alway sadapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. X
To activate:(Y page 223).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilise the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation ,ESP ®
assists you and can
detec tifthe vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h. G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident. Trail-
ers with ahigh centre of gravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of amal-
function. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect.H owever, the rear wheels can still lock,
e.g. under full braking. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident .You should therefor eadapt your Driving safety systems
65Safety
Z

Rear foglamp
X
To switc honthe rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switc hoff the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goe sout.
Vehicles with front foglamps: when the light
switch is in the Tposition, the rea rfog-
lamp can only be switched on if the foglamps
(without dipped-beam headlamps) are
switched on.
i If you switch the engine off (key in posi-
tion 1in the ignition lock) and then restart
it, the previous rear foglamp settings are
restored.
Adjusting the headlam prange (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allow
syou to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to sui tthe vehicle load. g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied 2
Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, boot laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing atrailer
X Start the engine.
X Turn headlamp range control to the posi-
tion which corresponds to the load in your
vehicle.
Headlampc leaning system The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is oper-
ated ten times while the light
sare on and the
engin eisrunning (Y page 124). When you
switc hoff the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning syste misreset and counting is
resumed from 0. Combination switch
Turns ignals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left 116
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Useful information
............................146
Running-in notes ............................... 146
Driving ............................................... 146
Manual transmission ........................153
Automatic transmission ...................154
Refuelling ........................................... 160
Parking ............................................... 165
Driving tips ........................................ 166
Driving systems ................................ 169
Trailer towing .................................... 204 145Driving and parking

Double-clutch function
E3
50 an dE500 only: when shifting down,
the double-clutch function is activ eregard-
less of the currently selected drive program.
The double-clutch function reduces load
chang ereactions and is conducive to asporty
driving style. The sound generated by the
double-clutch function depends on the drive
program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depres sthe accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shift stoalower gear
dependin gonthe engin espeed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal onc ethe
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shift sback up.
Trailer towing X
Driv eint he middle of the engin espeed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or
2(Y page 157 )dependin gonthe uphill or
downhill gradient ,even if cruise control,
DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC is acti-
vated. Program selector button
General notes The program selector butto
nallows you to
choose between differen tdriving character-
istics. Progra
mselector button Program selecto
rbutton on vehicle swithout the
"dynamic handlin gpackage with sports mode" Program selecto
rbutton on vehicle swith the
"dynamic handlin gpackage with sports mode" E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sport
ydriving style M
Manual Manual gearshifting
i
Further informatio nontheautomatic
driv eprogram . 156
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Engine oil
! Vehicles with adiesel particle filter:
If the vehicle is mostly driven for short dis-
tances, it is possible that malfunctions may
occur during the automatic cleaning of the
diesel particle filter. This can lead to engine
damage. Therefore, if you frequently drive
short distances, make sure to drive on
motorways or countr yroads for 20 minutes
at least every 500 km. Brakes
Important safet ynotes G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
brakin gonas lippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. G
WARNING
Make sure that other road users are not
endangered by your braking.
Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towin gatrailer,
you must shift to alower gear in good tim eor,
on vehicles with automatic transmission,
select shift range 1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the brakin geffect of the engine,
so less brakin gwill be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
syste mand prevent sthe brake sfrom over-
heatin gand wearing too quickly. Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brake storub by applying constan tslight
pedal pressure. This causes the brak esystem
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely.
If the brakes have been subjected to aheavy
load, do not sto pthe vehicle immediately, but
drive on for ashor twhile. This allowst he air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effective-
ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a
higher speed. This improves the grip of the
brakes.
Wet road surface If driving in heavy rain for
aprolonged period
of time without braking, there may be a
delayed reaction from the brakes when brak-
ing for the first time. This may also occur after
the vehicle has been washed.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain agreater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on awet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm
up the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt
treated roads G
WARNING
The layerofs alt on thebrake discs and the
brake pads/linings may caus eadelay in the
brakin geffect, resultin ginasignificantly lon-
ger brakin gdistance, which could lead to an
accident.
To avoid this danger, you should: Driving tips
167Driving and parking
Z

sonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness and
even death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
aw indow slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle win-
terproofed at aqualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at aMercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 319).
Driving with summer tyres Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 319).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You should drive particularlyc arefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage
neutral.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift
the transmission to position N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 320). Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains
aconstant road
speed for you. It brakes automaticallyino rder
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing atrailer, you must
shift to alower gear in good time or select
shift range 1,2or 3on vehicles with auto-
matic transmission. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for aprolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
WARNING
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time. G
WARNING
Do not use cruise control
R in traffic conditions that do not allow you to
drive at aconstant speed (e.g. heavy traffic Driving systems
169Driving and parking
Z

On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing atrailer,
you must select shift range 1,2or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine, which relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents
the brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
If as lower-moving vehicle is detected in front,
DISTRONIC PLUS causes your vehicle to
brake and maintain apreset distance to the
vehicle in front. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid designed to
assist driving. The driver remains fully respon-
sible for the vehicle's distance from other
vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for braking
in good time.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react in particular
to:
R pedestrians
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front,e .g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cle sd riving on adifferent line. Therefore,
always pa yattention to traffic conditions even
when DISTRONIC PLU Sisactivated. Other-
wise, yo umay fai ltorecognis edanger sin
time ,cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLU Scanno ttake account of road
and traffic conditions .IfDISTRONIC doe snot
recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle
in front,don ot activate DISTRONIC or, if it is
already active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R before corners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to alane with faster moving
traffic
R in complex driving situations or where lanes
are diverted, e.g. at roadworks on amotor-
way
DISTRONIC PLUS otherwise maintains the
current speed set by you or accelerates up to
the set speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of
weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, DISTRONIC PLUS:
R if the roads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip when
braking or accelerating. The vehicle could
start to skid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tancec ontrol may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognise dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
! You must deactivate the radar sensor sys-
tem in certain countries and near radio
telescope facilities. You will find further
information under "Radar sensor system"
in the index.
The radar sensor system is automatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 345).
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor system must be activated
(Y page 229) and operational. 172
Driving systemsDriving and parking