2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class CABRIOLET emergency towing

Audio systemsee separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 225
see Lights
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 118
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............152
Changing gear ............................... 151
Display message ............................ 236
Driving tips .................................... 151
Emergency running mode ..............155
Kickdown ....................................... 151
Manual drive program ....................154
Problem (malfunction) ...................155
Program selector button ................151
Pulling away ................................... 147
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 155
Selector lever ................................ 149
Shift ranges ................................... 153
Starting the engine ........................146
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......152
Transmission position display ........150
Transmission positions ..................150
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 155
B
Back support see Lumbar support
Bag hook ............................................ 255
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Basic settings see Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 62
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 74
Important safety notes ....................74
Replacing ......................................... 74
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 298
Display message ............................ 227
Important safety notes ..................296
Jump starting ................................. 299
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................207
Notes/function .............................. 186
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 216
Notes ............................................. 344
Brake fluid level ................................ 278
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 223
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
BAS .................................................. 62
BAS PLUS ........................................ 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................344
Display message ............................ 214
Driving tips .................................... 161
Important safety notes ..................161
Maintenance .................................. 162
Parking brake ................................ 159
Warning lamp ................................. 241
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................21
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
AIRCAP .......................................... 283
Carpets .......................................... 287
Car wash ........................................ 280
Index5

Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 329
Temperature .................................. 325
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 331
Tire bead (definition) ......................331
Tire pressure (definition) ................331
Tire pressures (recommended) ......329
Tire size (data) ............................... 333
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 326
Tire tread ....................................... 309
Tire tread (definition) .....................331
Total load limit (definition) .............332
Traction ......................................... 324
Traction (definition) .......................332
Tread wear ..................................... 324
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 324
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................329
Unladen weight (definition) ............330
Wear indicator (definition) .............332
Wheel rim (definition) ....................330
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 58
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........301
Installing the towing eye ................301
Removing the towing eye ...............302
With the rear axle raised ................302
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......302
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............303
Important safety notes ..................301
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 302
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 286
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 201
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 201
Resetting (on-board computer) ......202Trunk
Emergency release ..........................82
Important safety guidelines .............80
Locking separately ...........................82
Opening (automatically from
inside) .............................................. 81
Opening (automatically from
outside) ............................................ 81
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 236
Opening/closing .............................. 80
Trunk partition
Display message ............................ 237
General notes .................................. 93
Opening/closing .............................. 93
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................125
Display message ............................ 222
Switching on/off ........................... 119
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................79
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 78
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 258
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 24
Display message ............................ 236
Equipment ....................................... 20
Individual settings ..........................208
Limited Warranty ............................. 24
Loading .......................................... 319
Locking (in an emergency) ...............79
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 71
Lowering ........................................ 295
Maintenance .................................... 21
Parking for a long period ................ 159
Pulling away ................................... 147
Raising ........................................... 292
Reporting problems .........................23
18Index

Towing away .................................. 301
Transporting .................................. 302
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........79
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................71
Vehicle data ................................... 346
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 346
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 346
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 79
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 339
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 290
VIN ...................................................... 339
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 242
Brakes ........................................... 241
Check Engine ................................. 245
Coolant .......................................... 246
Cruise control ................................ 164
Distance warning ........................... 248
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 248
ESP ®
.............................................. 242
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 243
Fuel tank ........................................ 245
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................168
Overview .......................................... 28
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 43
Reserve fuel ................................... 245
Seat belt ........................................ 240
SRS ................................................ 244
Tire pressure monitor ....................249
Warranty ............................................ 339
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 238
see Windshield washer system
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 295
Wheel chock ...................................... 292
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 291
Checking ........................................ 309
Cleaning ......................................... 281
Important safety notes ..................308
Interchanging/changing ................332
Mounting a wheel .......................... 294
Removing a wheel ..........................294
Storing ........................................... 333
Tightening torque ........................... 295
Wheel size/tire size .......................333
Wind deflector
see AIRCAP
Wind deflector (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 283
Window curtain air bag Display message ............................ 218
Operation ......................................... 43
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 284
see Side windows
Wind screen (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 283
Windshield Defrosting ...................................... 137
Windshield washer system .............. 277
Notes ............................................. 346
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................127
Replacing the wiper blades ............126
Switching on/off ........................... 125
Winter driving
Important safety notes ..................310
Slippery road surfaces ...................163
Snow chains .................................. 311
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 310
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 284
Important safety notes ..................126
Wooden trim (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 286Index19

Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
your distance to the preceding vehicle. The
warning sound is intended as a final caution
in which you should intercede with your own
braking inputs to avoid a potentially
dangerous situation. Do not wait for the
operation of the warning signal to intercede
with your own braking. This will result in
potentially dangerous emergency braking
which will not always result in an impact being
avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with a
maximum deceleration of 13 ft/s 2
(4 m/s 2
).
This is equivalent to approximately 40 % of
your vehicle's maximum possible
deceleration.
You need to brake yourself to prevent a
collision. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes the vehicle
to restore the set distance from the vehicle
ahead or the set speed.
GWARNING
If you do not receive visual or acoustic
warning signals during a critical traffic
situation, DISTRONIC PLUS has either not
recognized the collision risk, has been
deactivated or is malfunctioning.
Remember, whether or not DISTRONIC PLUS
is operating, it is ultimately always the drivers
responsibility to apply the brakes in order to
control the vehicle and avoid a collision.
Cruise control lever:To store the current speed or a higher
speed;To store the current speed or a lower
speed=To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS?To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speedATo set the specified minimum distance
Switching on DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
the current speed and maintaining it
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or
by towing).
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the parking brake must not be applied.
R ESP ®
must be activated but not
intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from P to D or your seat belt must be
fastened.
168Driving systemsDriving and parking

12 V sockets
Points to observe before use
The sockets can be used for accessories, e.g.
lamps or mobile phone chargers with a
maximum current draw of 180 W (15 A).
If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
i An emergency cut-out ensures that the
on-board voltage does not drop too low. If
the on-board voltage is too low, the power
to the sockets is automatically cut. This
ensures that there is sufficient power to
start the engine.
Socket in the front-compartment center
console
XTo open: slide cover : forwards until it
engages.XLift up the cover of socket ;.XTo close: press cover : briefly at the
front.
The cover moves back.Socket in the rear-compartment center
consoleXPull cover ; out by its top edge.XLift up the cover of socket :.
mbrace
Important safety notes
! A license agreement must exist in order
to activate the mbrace service. Ensure that
your system is activated and ready for use,
and press the ï MB Info call button to
register. If any of the steps mentioned is
not carried out, the system may not be
activated.
If you have questions about the activation,
contact one of the following telephone
assistance services:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
Shortly after successfully registering with the
mbrace service, a user ID and password will
be sent to you by post. You can use this
password to log in to the mbrace section
under "Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 18
.
18 USA only.Features261Stowing and featuresZ

The mbrace system is available if:
R it has been activated and is operational.
R the corresponding mobile phone network
is available for transmitting data to the
Customer Center.
R a service subscription is available.
R the starter battery is sufficiently charged.
i Determining the location of the vehicle on
a map is only possible if there is sufficient
GPS reception and the vehicle position can
be forwarded to the Customer Center.
The mbrace system
The mbrace system provides different
services, e.g.:
R automatic and manual emergency call
R Roadside Assistance call
R MB Info call
To adjust the volume during an mbrace call,
proceed as follows:
XPress the W or X button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XUse the volume controller of COMAND.
You can find further information and a
description of all available features under
"Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 19
.
System self-test
After you have switched on the ignition, the
system carries out a self-diagnosis.
GWARNING
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if one of the following conditions
occurs:
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button does
not light up during the system self-
diagnosis.
R the indicator lamp in the F Roadside
Assistance button does not light up during
the system self-diagnosis.
R The indicator lamp in the ï information
button does not light up during self-
diagnosis of the system.
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button,
F Roadside Assistance button or ï
information button continues to be lit red
after the system self-diagnosis.
R The Tele Aid Inoperative or Tele Aid
Not Activated message appears in the
multifunction display after the system self-
test.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above,
the system may not operate as expected. In
the event of an emergency, assistance must
be summoned by other means.
Have the system checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or contact
the following service hotlines:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
Emergency call
Important safety notes
! A license agreement must exist in order
to activate the mbrace service. Ensure that
your system is activated and ready for use,
and press the ï MB Info call button to
register. If any of the steps mentioned is
19 USA only.262FeaturesStowing and features

not carried out, the system may not be
activated.
If you have questions about the activation,
contact one of the following telephone
assistance services:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
An emergency call is dialed automatically if
an air bag or Emergency Tensioning Device is
triggered.
i An mbrace emergency call that has been
initiated automatically cannot be
terminated by the customer.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually.
As soon as the emergency call has been
initiated, the indicator lamp in the SOS button
flashes. The Connecting Call message
appears on the multifunction display.
The audio output is muted.
Once a connection has been established, the
Call Connected message appears in the
multifunction display.
All important information on the emergency
is transmitted, for example:
R current location of the vehicle (as
determined by the GPS system)
R vehicle identification number
R information on the type of emergency
Shortly after the emergency call has been
initiated, a voice connection is automatically
established between the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center and the vehicle
occupants. If the vehicle occupants respond,
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center attempts to get more information on
the emergency.
i If no vehicle occupant answers, an
ambulance is immediately sent to the
vehicle.GWARNING
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and no voice
connection to the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center was established, then the
mbrace system could not initiate an
emergency call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available).
The message Call Failed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be
summoned by other means.
Making an emergency call
XTo initiate an emergency call
manually: press cover : briefly to open
it.XPress SOS button ; briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button ;
flashes until the emergency call is
concluded.XWait for a voice connection to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center.XAfter the emergency call is ended, close
cover :.GWARNING
If you feel in any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the SOS button. Carefully leave the
vehicle and move to a safe location. The
Features263Stowing and featuresZ

Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
will automatically contact local emergency
officials with the vehicle's approximate
location if they receive an automatic SOS
signal and cannot make voice contact with the
vehicle occupants.
Roadside Assistance buttonXPress and hold Roadside Assistance
button : for more than two seconds.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center. The indicator
lamp in Roadside Assistance button :
flashes while the call is active. The
Connecting Call message appears in the
multifunction display. The audio output is
muted.
If a connection can be established, the Call
Connected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a cellular phone network is available and
there is sufficient GPS reception, the mbrace
system transmits data to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center, for example:
R current location of the vehicle
R vehicle identification number
i The COMAND display shows that an
mbrace call is active. During the call, you
can change to the navigation menu by
pressing the NAVI button on COMAND, for
example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.XDescribe the type of assistance needed.
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or organizes for your vehicle
to be transported to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You may be charged
for services such as repair work and/or
towing. Further details are available in your
mbrace manual.
i The mbrace system failed to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call if:
R the indicator lamp in Roadside
Assistance button : is flashing
continuously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This may be because the corresponding
mobile phone network is not available.
The Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo end a call: press the ~ button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XPress the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on COMAND.
MB Info call button
264FeaturesStowing and features