2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON snow chains

Automatic transmission
.................168
Brakes ........................................... 178
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 193
Downhill gradient ........................... 178
Driving abroad ............................... 122
Driving in winter ............................ .180
Driving on flooded road s................ 180
Driving on wet road s...................... 180
General .......................................... 178
Icy road surfaces ........................... 180
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted road s....................................... 179
New brake pads/linings ................179
Running-in tips ............................... 154
Snow chains .................................. 365
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 122
Towing atrailer .............................. 221
Tyr egrip ........................................ 180
Wet road surface ........................... 179
DVD audio (on-board computer) ......238 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................248
Function/notes ............................. 115
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 116
Function/notes ............................. 115
Switching on/off ........................... 248
EASY-PACK convenience box ...........302
EASY-PACK folding luggage-com-
partment floor ................................... 305
EASY-PACK loading sill protector ....306
EASY-PACK load-securing kit ...........303
EASY-PACK luggage compartment
management system ........................303
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 255
Function/notes ................................ 75
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................160
General information .......................158
Electrical fuses
see Fuses Electronic Brake force Distribution
see EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electroni cStability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tionS ystem)
Emergency key
Unlocking the driver's door ..............90
Emergency key element
Function/notes ................................ 84
Locking vehicle ................................ 90
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 90
Fuel filler fla p................................. 174
Emergency spare wheel
Inflating the collapsible spare
wheel ............................................. 348
Notes/data .................................... 373
Storage location ............................ 339
Stowing .......................................... 340
Emergency unlocking
Boot ................................................. 94
Tailgate ............................................ 95
Vehicle ............................................. 90
Engine
Display message ............................ 263
ECO start/stop function ................158
Engine number ............................... 383
Jump-starting ................................. 354
Running irregularl y......................... 162
Starting problems ..........................162
Starting the engine with the key ....157
Starting with KEYLESS GO .............157
Stopping ........................................ 176
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 358
Warning lamp (engine diagnos-
tics) ............................................... 285
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 381
Problem (fault) ............................... 162
Engine oil
Additives ........................................ 390
Checking the oil level ..................... 322
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 32310
Index

Adjusting the head restraint
..........107
Cleaning the cover .........................332
Correct driver's sea tposition ........104
Important safety notes ..................105
Multicontour sea t.......................... 109
Seat heating problem ....................113
Seat ventilation problem ................114
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 119
Switching sea theating on/off .......113
Switching the sea tventilation on/
off .................................................. 114
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......330
Service see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service Centre
see Qualified specialist workshop
Service menu (on-board computer) .242
Service products
AdBlue ®
special additive s.............. 388
Brake fluid ..................................... 390
Coolant (engine) ............................ 390
Engine oil ....................................... 388
Fuel ................................................ 384
Important safety notes ..................383
Washer fluid .................................. .391
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) .........249
On-board computer .......................243
Setting the air distribution ...............141
Setting the airflow ............................142
SETUP (on-board computer) .............250
Shifting to neutral (manual trans-
mission) ............................................. 164
Short journeys (diesel particle fil-
ter) ...................................................... 178
Sidebag ................................................ 46
Side marker lamp Display mes-
sage .................................................... 261
Side windows Convenience closing ........................96
Convenience opening ......................96
Important safety notes ....................95
Opening/closing .............................. 96
Problem (malfunction) .....................98
resetting .......................................... 97Skibag
................................................ 293
Sliding sunroof Important safety information ...........98
Opening/closing .............................. 99
Problem (malfunction) ...................101
Rain closing feature .........................99
Resetting ......................................... 99
see Panorama sliding sunroof
Snow chains ...................................... 365
Socket Centre console .............................. 312
Luggage compartment ...................312
Points to observe before use .........311
Rea rcompartmen t......................... 312
Spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 339
Storing ........................................... 340
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 25
Spectacles compartment .................291
Speed, controlling see Cruise control
Spee dLimit Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-
ing function .................................... 240
Displayin g...................................... 240
Display message ............................ 267
Display message in the multifunc-
tion displa y.................................... 209
Important safety notes ..................208
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the addi-
tional speedometer ........................243
Digita l............................................ 235
In the Instrument cluster .................30
Segments ...................................... 231
Selecting the unit of measure-
ment .............................................. 243
see Instrument cluster
SPEEDTRONIC
Deactivating variabl e..................... 185
Display message ............................ 271
Function/notes ............................. 183
Important safety notes ..................183
LIM indicator lamp .........................183
Permanent ..................................... 185
Selecting ........................................ 184 18
Index

Wheels
Changing/replacing .......................370
Changing awheel .......................... 344
Checking ........................................ 363
Cleaning ......................................... 328
Fitting awheel ............................... 347
Important safety notes ..................362
Removing awheel .......................... 347
Storing ........................................... 371
Tightening torque ........................... 348
Whee lsize/tyre size ...................... 371
Windowbag
Display message ............................ 259
Operation ........................................ .47
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 329
see Side windows
Windscreen
Demisting ...................................... 142
Windscreen washe rfluid
see Windscreen washer system
Windscreen washer system .............324
Notes ............................................. 391
Windscreen wipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................134
Rea rwindow wiper ........................ 133
Replacing the wiper blades ............133
Switching on/off ........................... 132
Winter operation
Important safety notes ..................364
Radiator cover ............................... 322
Slippery road surfaces ...................180
Snow chains .................................. 365
Winter tyres
Limiting the speed (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 246
M+S tyres ...................................... 364
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 329
Important safety notes ..................133
Wooden trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 332
Workshop see Qualified specialist workshop 22
Index

Saloon (example)
X
To activate: press the child-proof lock
lever up in the direction of arrow :.
X Make sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly.
X To deactivate: press the child-proof lock
lever dow ninthe direction of arrow ;.
Override feature for the rear side win-
dows X
To activate/deactivate: press button;.
If indicator lamp :is lit, operation of the
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the driv-
er's door. If indicator lamp :is off, oper-
ation is possible using the switches in the
rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems: R
ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System Plus*)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is particu-
larly the case when cornering as well as on
wet or slippery roads or when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section can neither reduce this risk nor over-
ride the laws of physics.
For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to the prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. Maintain sufficient distance from
other road users and objects on the road.
i Please note that the driving safety sys-
tems described only work as effectively as
possible when there is adequate contact
between the tyres and the road surface.
Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tyres, recommended minimum
tyre tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and
tyres" section (Y page 362).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

switched off, ESP
®
remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
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
described above no longer apply.E SP®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If 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 a cutting action, which
provides bette rgrip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support 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 ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
X To deactivate:(Y page 241).
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-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not availa-
ble due to a malfunction.
There is an increased risk of yourv ehicle skid-
ding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. X
To activate:(Y page 241).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to a stop. When pulling away again,
the engine starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before
the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
It may be best to activate SPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
Otherwise, you should only use SPORT han-
dling mode on designated race circuits. G
WARNING
Deactivate SPORT handling mode and acti-
vate ESP ®
as soon as the situations described
above no longer apply. Otherwise, SPORT
handling mode will only be able to stabilise
the vehicle to a limited degree if the vehicle
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R the engine's torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels can spin. The
spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action, which provides better grip. Driving safet
ysystems
73Safety Z

R
traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilises the vehicle to a
limited degree. X
To activate: briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluste rlights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate: briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrumen tcluster goes out.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to a stop. When pulling away again,
the engine starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before
the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again. 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
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin .The spin-
ning of the wheels results in a cutting
action, which provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; it is also
not activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
intervenes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available;
nor is it activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrumentc luster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle. 74
Driving safety systemsSafety

Tyre traction
G
WARNING
Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled at
a certain speed on dry roads, you must reduce
your speed on we toricy roads to achieve the
same road safety .You could otherwise cause
an accident.
Pay particular attention to the road conditions
at temperatures around freezing point.
If ice has formed on the road surface (e.g.
from fog), a thin film of water rapidly forms on
the ice when you brake, considerably reduc-
ing tyre traction. Drive with particular care in
such weather conditions. Driving on wet roads
Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
R
you are driving at low speeds.
R the tyres have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and
brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the maximum permissible still water depth
is 25 cm.
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace.
! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in
front or in the opposite direction create
waves. This may cause the maximum per-
missible water depth to be exceeded.
These notes must be observed under all
circumstances. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine, the electronics or the trans-
mission. Winter driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes trapped in snow,
ensure that snow is kept away from the
exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as
long as the engine is running. Otherwise, poi-
sonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness and
even death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Driving with summer tyres Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 364).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You should drive particularly carefully 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:
shift to 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 365).180
Driving tipsDriving and parking

X
Depress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3500 rpm.
The multifunctio ndisplay shows the RACE START Release brake to start. mes-
sage.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is cancel-
led. The multifunction display shows the
RACE START cancelled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The multifunction display shows the RACESTART active message.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
Drive program S+is activated. SPORT han-
dling mode remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled .The multifunction
display shows the RACE START not possi‐ ble See Owner's Manual message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a cer-
tain distance. AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height automati-
cally. All-round level control ensures the best
possible suspension and constant ground
clearance, even with a laden vehicle. When
you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered auto-
matically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption. The following vehicle levels are possible:
R
normal
R raised (vehicles without 4MATIC): the vehi-
cle is raised by about 25 mm when com-
pared with the normal level.
R raised (vehicles with 4MATIC): the vehicle
is raised by about 35 mm when compared
with the normal level.
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
10 mm when compared with the normal
level.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automati-
cally:
R at speeds above 140 km/h
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Y page 198)
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 key from the ignition lock. G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel housing or under the vehicle while low-
ering the vehicle when it is stationary. Other-
wise, limbs could become trapped. Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z