2012 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS automatic transmission

General notes
Rear view camera
: is in the trunk lid handle.
The rear view camera extends, when it is
activated.
The rear view camera is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It uses guide lines to show
the area behind your vehicle in the Audio/
COMAND display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear
view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure
that the SmartKey
is in position 2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that in the audio system/
COMAND, the "Activation by R gear"
function is selected; see the separate
operating instructions for the audio
system/COMAND.
X Engage reverse gear.
Guide lines are used to show the area
behind the vehicle in the Audio/COMAND
display. To deactivate:
the rear view camera is
deactivated if you:
R select transmission position P (vehicles
with automatic transmission)
R drive forward ten meters
R shift the transmission from R to another
position (after 15 seconds)
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5 mph
(10km/h)
Displays in

the Audio/COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at
all.

The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline. Driving systems
177
Driving and parking Z
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Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsPlease Release
Parking Brake
The red
F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are using the electric parking brake for emergency braking
(Y page 150). F(USA
only)!(Canada
only)
Parking Brake See
Operator's Manual The yellow
! warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To apply:
X Switch the ignition off.
X Press the electric parking brake handle for at least ten seconds.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
! warning lamp and the red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp light up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
or
X Release the electric parking brake automatically ( Y page 150).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.204
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe red
F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and the yellow ! warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
To apply:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
If the red F (USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp
continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 320).
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Turn the front wheels towards the curb.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
! warning lamp lights up. The red F (USA
only)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about ten
seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or
released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
If it is not possible to engage the electric parking brake:
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If it is not possible to release the electric parking brake:
X Release the electric parking brake automatically ( Y page 150).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
205On-board computer and displays Z
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Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsShift to 'P' or 'N'
to Start Engine You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position R or D.
X
Shift the transmission to position P or N.Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position P before
you switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. Depress Brake to
Start Engine You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position N without depressing the brake pedal.
X
Depress the brake pedal. To Deselect P or N,
Depress Brake and
Start Engine You have attempted to shift the transmission to position
R or D
without starting the engine.
X Start the engine.
X Depress the brake pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission from position P to
the desired position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then
can the parking lock be deactivated. If you do not depress the
brake pedal, you can move the DIRECT SELECT lever but the
parking lock remains engaged.
i At transmission fluid temperatures below Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †) you
can only shift out of position P into another transmission
position when the engine is running. Apply Brake to
Shift from 'P' You have attempted to move the transmission selector lever to
position R, N or D without depressing the brake pedal.
X
Depress the brake pedal. Transmission Not
in P
Risk of Vehicle
Rolling Away The driver's door is open and the transmission is in position
R, N
or D.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 149).220
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
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Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsService Required
Do Not Shift Gears
Visit Dealer You cannot change the transmission position due to a malfunction.
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position
D is selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without shifting the
transmission from position D.
If transmission position R, N or P is selected:
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service. Only Shift
to 'P' when
Vehicle is
Stationary The vehicle is moving.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position P.Reversing Not
Possible Service
Required The automatic transmission is malfunctioning. You cannot back
up.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Transmission
Malfunction The automatic transmission is malfunctioning.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Transmission
Malfunction Stop The automatic transmission is malfunctioning.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 149).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Stop Vehicle Shift
to P Leave Engine
Running The automatic transmission has overheated.
X
Drive on carefully.
The automatic transmission
is available again when the display
message goes out.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 149).
X Wait until the automatic transmission has cooled down and the
display message has disappeared. Display messages
221
On-board computer and displays Z
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Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning
lamp comes
on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds. There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road

and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y page 149).
X Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the
malfunction.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The yellow
ABS

warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a
malfunction. BAS (Brake Assist), COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST, ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program), the HOLD function
and hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not

operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic
transmission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
225
On-board computer and displays Z
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Stowage compartment in front of the
armrest (vehicles with automatic
transmission)
X
To open: press the marking on cover :.
i You can remove
the non-slip mat and the
insert for cleaning. When removing the
insert you will have to overcome some
slight resistance.
Stowage compartment under the armrest X
To open: on vehicles with moveable
armrests, make sure that the armrest is in
the rearmost position.
X Press button : and fold the armrest up.
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment, a
USB connection and

an AUX IN connection
or a Media Interface are installed in the
stowage compartment. A Media Interface
is a universal interface for mobile audio
equipment, e.g. for an iPod ®
or MP3 player
(see the separate COMAND Operating
Instructions). Stowage compartment under the driver's
seat and front-passenger seat G
WARNING
If you exceed the maximum load for the
stowage compartment, the cover may not be
able to restrain the items. Items may be
thrown out of the stowage compartment and
hit vehicle occupants.

There is a risk of injury,
particularly in the event of sudden braking or
a sudden change in direction.
Never exceed the maximum permissible load
for the stowage compartment. Stow and
secure heavy objects in the cargo
compartment.
The maximum permissible load of the
stowage compartment is 2.6 lbs (1.5 kg). X
To open: pull handle : up and fold
cover ; forwards.
Stowage space in the rear Stowage compartment in the rear center
console238
Stowage areas
Stowage and features
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!
Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in
position N when washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed/the
airflow control is set to position 0).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at wash bays that are specially
designed for this purpose. Observe the legal
requirements in all countries concerned.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently. X
Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause

invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. 272
Care
Maintenance and care
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