2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 BLUETEC steering

Vehicle equipment
iThis 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.
Correct driver's seat position
Observe the important safety notes on
(Y page 103).
XCheck whether you have adjusted seat =
properly.
Electrical seat adjustment (Y page 104)
When adjusting the seat, make sure:
Ryou are as far away from the driver's air
bag as possible.
Ryou are sitting in a normal upright
position.
Ryou can fasten the seat belt properly.
Ryou have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position.
Ryou have set the seat cushion angle so
that your thighs are gently supported.
Ryou can depress the pedals properly.
XCheck whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly (Y page 105).
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.
Observe the important safety notes on
(Y page 111).
XCheck whether steering wheel : is
adjusted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
(Y page 111)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure:
Ryou can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
Ryou can move your legs freely.
Ryou can see all the displays in the
instrument cluster clearly.
Observe the important safety notes on
(Y page 53).
XCheck whether you have fastened seat
belt ; properly (Y page 55).
The seat belt should:
Rfit snugly across your body
Rbe routed across the middle of your
shoulder
Rbe routed in your pelvic area across the
hip joints
XBefore starting off, adjust the rear-view
mirror and the exterior mirrors
(Y page 113) in such a way that you have
a good view of road and traffic conditions.
XVehicles with memory function: save the
seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror
settings (Y page 115).
102Correct driver's seat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 102

Seats
Important safety notes
GWarning
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control, all seat, head restraint, steering
wheel and rear view mirror adjustments, as
well as fastening of seat belts, must be done
before setting the vehicle in motion.
GWarning
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never travel in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. This could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer is
in a position that is as upright as possible and
seat belts are properly positioned on the
body.
GWarning
Your seat belt must be adjusted so that you
can correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level.
R never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.GWarning
The electrically adjustable seats can be
operated at any time. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child's
unsupervised access to a vehicle could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
GWarning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see "Children in the vehicle".
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWarning
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Seats103Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 103Z

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rdo not spill any liquids on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not to be used to dry
the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see the " Interior care" section.
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. covers, bags, seat covers,
child seats or booster seats.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects.
iThe head restraints in the front seats are
installed with the NECK-PRO system
(Y page 52). For this reason, it is not
possible to remove the head restraints
from the front seats.
Vehicles without the through-loading
feature: the head restraints cannot be
removed from the rear compartment seats.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for more information.
iRelated topics:
RThrough-loading feature in the rear
bench seat (Sedan) (Y page 278)
REASY-PACK through-loading feature in
the rear bench seat (Wagon)
(Y page 279)
Adjusting the seats:Head restraint height;Seat cushion angle=Seat height?Seat fore-and-aft adjustmentABackrest angle
iIf PRE-SAFE® is triggered, the front-
passenger seat will be moved to a better
position if it was previously in an
unfavorable position.
iYou can store the seat settings using the
memory function (Y page 115).
iVehicles with the through-loading
feature: if you fold down a rear seat
backrest, the respective front seat is
moved forwards slightly, if necessary, to
prevent contact with the backrest.
104SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 104

Adjusting the head restraints
Adjusting the angle of the head
restraints
Example: Sedan
XPush or pull the lower edge of the head
restraint in the direction of the arrow.
Adjusting the height of the head
restraints electrically
XTo adjust the height of the head
restraints: slide the button for head
restraint adjustment (Y page 104) up or
down in the direction of the arrow.
Adjusting the luxury head restraints
GWarning!
When folding back the head restraint side
bolsters, do not put your hands between the
side bolster and the cushion holder. There is
a danger of becoming trapped.
XTo adjust the side bolsters of the head
restraint: push or pull right and/or left-
hand side bolster : into the desired
position.
XTo adjust the angle of the head
restraint: push or pull the head restraint in
the direction of arrow ;.
Rear seat head restraints
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it
is as close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the back
of the head at eye level. This will reduce the
potential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints installed when the rear seats are
occupied. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
GWarning!
Make sure the rear seat head restraints
engage when placing them upright manually.
Otherwise their protective function cannot be
ensured.
The back of the head will not be supported in
the event of a collision. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. Rear seat
occupants can be seriously injured or killed.
Seats105Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 105Z

Lowering the rear seat head restraints
from the front
XMake sure that the key is in position 2 in
the ignition lock.
XPress button :.
Adjusting the height of the rear seat head
restraints
On Sedans with the through-loading feature,
you can only adjust the height of the two outer
head restraints.
Example: Sedan
If the head restraint has been lowered
completely, press release catch :.
XTo raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired height.
XTo lower: press release catch : and push
the head restraint down to the desired
position.
iIf you pull the head restraint forward
slightly, the effort required to adjust it is
reduced.
Adjusting the angle of the rear seat head
restraints
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
as possible to your head.
You can only adjust the two outer head
restraints.
Example: Sedan
XPull or push the top of the head restraint
until it is in the desired position.
Removing and installing the rear seat
head restraints8
GWarning!
Occupants should only travel sitting on seats
which have the head restraints installed. In
the event of an accident, this reduces the risk
of injury for passengers seated in the rear
compartment.
Example: Sedan
8Only for vehicles with the through-loading feature.106SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 106

XRelease the rear seat backrest and fold it
slightly forwards (Y page 278).
XTo remove: pull the head restraint up to
the stop.
XPress release catch : and pull the head
restraint out of the guides.
XTo refit: insert the head restraint so that
the notches on the bar are on the left when
viewed in the direction of travel.
XPush the head restraint down until you hear
it engage in position.
XFold back the rear seat backrest until it
engages.
Adjusting the active multicontour
seat
The active multicontour seat on the driver's
side automatically adapts the sides of the
backrest to your current driving style. You can
adjust the contour of the seat individually so
as to provide optimum support for your back
and sides.
:To adjust the seat cushion length;To switch the dynamic function on or off=To adjust the side bolsters of the seat
backrest
?To switch the massage function on or offATo adjust the contour of the backrest to
increase/decrease support
BTo adjust the height/depth of the
backrest contour
Dynamic function
The dynamic function adapts the air cushions
in the side bolsters of the seat backrest so
that ideal lateral support is ensured at all
times.
You can choose between two different levels.
Level 1 (one
indicator lamp)
Standard setting:
slightly increased
lateral support and
slow build up of air
pressure in the side
bolsters of the seat
backrest.
Level 2 (two
indicator lamps)
Sport setting:
increased lateral
support and fast
build up of pressure
in the side bolsters
of the seat backrest.
XTo switch on: press button ; once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ;
light up.
XTo switch off: press button ; repeatedly
until all indicator lamps in button ; go out.
Massage function (PULSE)
The massage function helps you to prevent
muscle tension on long journeys. You can
choose between two levels.
XTo switch on: press button ? once or
twice until the desired level is set.
One or two indicator lamps in button ?
light up. The air cushions in the lumbar
region vibrate for approximately 20
minutes.
Seats107Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 107Z

Adjusting the four-way lumbar
support
You can adjust the contour of the front seat
backrests individually to provide optimum
support for your back.
:To raise the backrest contour;To soften the backrest contour=To lower the backrest contour?To harden the backrest contour
Folding bench seat in the cargo
compartment (Wagon)
The folding bench seat in the luggage
compartment is only suitable for persons no
more than 4.6 ft (1.40 m) tall and weighing a
maximum of 110 lb (50 kg).
Maximum permissible passenger weight may
be reduced by extensive optional extras and
vehicle load. Observe the maximum gross
vehicle weight and the gross axle weight
rating, which can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 385).
The combined cargo cover and net must be
installed if you are using the folding bench
seat (Y page 282).
GRisk of injury
The rear seat backrests must be locked in the
upright position if you are using the folding
bench seat in the cargo compartment.
Do not pull away unless the head restraint in
the folding bench seat is installed correctly.
Make sure that the center of the head
restraint supports the seat occupant's head
at about eye level. This can reduce the risk of
injury to a child in the event of an accident.
Ensure that the seat belt is routed correctly
across the body and the seat belt buckle is
engaged.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. This applies even if they are secured
in a child restraint system.
Secure children as recommended; see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
GRisk of injury
Only replace damaged covers with genuine
covers.
Make sure that items of luggage and other
objects in the cargo compartment are well
secured.
Otherwise, the load could cause injury in the
event of sharp braking, a sudden change in
direction or an accident.
Folding out the folding bench seat
XMake sure that the backrests of the rear
bench seat are locked in the upright
position.
XMove the handle for the combined cargo
cover and net upwards (Y page 282).
XPull release handle : and fold the
backrest of the folding bench seat
upwards.
108SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 108

XHook the seat belts into retainers =.XPull release handle ; and fold the folding
bench seat cushion into the sitting
position.
XPush down the seat cushion until the
backrest engages fully.
XFold the head restraints upwards.
installing and removing the seat
cushion
You must remove the seat cushion if you wish
to lift the trunk floor, e.g. if the vehicle has a
flat tire.
XTo remove: fold seat cushion ; upwards
and remove it from seat cushion
guides :.
XTo install: guide seat cushion ; into seat
cushion guides : at a slight angle from the
rear =.
XFold seat cushion ; back into its original
position ? until it engages.
Folding back the folding bench seat
XPull the seat cushion upwards by tab :
and fold it back into its original position
until it engages.
XPress release button : and fold the head
restraints down.
Seats109Seats, steering wheel and mirrorsBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 109Z