2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class CABRIOLET manual transmission

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

Display message ............................ 237
Emergency locking ........................... 79
Emergency unlocking .......................79
Important safety notes ....................77
Opening (from inside) ......................78
Draft stop ............................................. 93
Drinking and driving ......................... 160
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 152
Display ........................................... 150
Manual ........................................... 154
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................279
Symmetrical low beam ..................116
Driving on flooded roads .................. 163
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......61
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 65
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............62
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 62
Electronic brake force distribution ...64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 63
ETS (Electronic Traction System) .....63
Important safety information ...........61
Overview .......................................... 60
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 65
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................189
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 189
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............192
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................185
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 186
Cruise control ................................ 164
Display message ............................ 228
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 166
Dynamic handling package with
sports mode .................................. 175
HOLD function ............................... 176Lane Keeping Assist ......................188
Lane Tracking package ..................186
Parking Guidance ........................... 181
PARKTRONIC ................................. 178
Rear view camera .......................... 184
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................151
Brakes ........................................... 161
Break-in period .............................. 144
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 174
Downhill gradient ........................... 161
Drinking and driving .......................160
Driving abroad ............................... 116
Driving in winter ............................. 163
Driving on flooded roads ................163
Driving on wet roads ......................163
Exhaust check ............................... 161
Fuel ................................................ 160
General .......................................... 160
Hydroplaning ................................. 163
Icy road surfaces ........................... 163
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 162
Pedals ............................................ 160
Snow chains .................................. 311
Symmetrical low beam ..................116
Wet road surface ........................... 162
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 204
DVD-Video (on-board computer) ...... 204
Dynamic handling package with
sports mode ....................................... 175
E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................211
Function/notes ............................. 109
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 110
Function/notes ............................. 109
Switching on/off ........................... 211
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 215
Function/notes ................................ 64
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
8Index

PRE-SAFE®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Display message ............................ 217
Function/notes ................................ 65
Switching on/off ........................... 207
Warning lamp ................................. 248
Preventive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive
occupant safety system)
Product information ............................ 20
Program selector button .................. 151
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................147
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 23
R
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................210
Display message ............................ 229
Radio
Selecting a station .........................203
see separate operating instructions
Reading lamp ..................................... 122
Rear compartment Setting the air vents ......................141
Setting the temperature ................136
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 223
Switching on/off ........................... 118
Rear seat
Display message ............................ 237
Rear view camera
Cleaning instructions .....................285
Function/notes ............................. 184
Rear-view mirror
Anti-glare (manual) ........................110
Dipping (automatic) .......................112
Rear window blind ............................ 259
Rear window defroster Problem (malfunction) ...................139
Rear window heating
Switching on/off ........................... 138
Refueling
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27
Important safety notes ..................155
Refueling process ..........................156
see Fuel
Releasing the parking lock
manually (automatic
transmission) ..................................... 155
Remote control Garage door opener .......................267
Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 23
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 228
Warning lamp ................................. 245
see Fuel
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 139
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Reverse gear
Engaging (automatic
transmission) ................................. 149
Reversing lamps (display
message) ............................................ 224
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 21
Roll bar Display message ............................ 218
Operation ......................................... 48
Roller blind
see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 98
Rear window .................................. 259
Roof
see Soft top
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 287
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 346
Route see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 20214Index

Rthe exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the
outside.
R the exterior mirrors fold out again
automatically as soon as you unlock the
vehicle and then open the driver's or front-
passenger door.
i The mirrors do not fold out if they have
been folded in manually.
Exterior mirror out of position
If an exterior mirror has been pushed out of
position, proceed as follows:
XVehicles without electrically folding
exterior mirrors: move the exterior mirror
into the correct position manually.XVehicles with electronically folding
mirrors 4
: press the mirror-folding button
( Y page 111) repeatedly until you hear the
mirror engage in position.
The mirror housing is engaged again and
you can adjust the exterior mirrors as usual
( Y page 110).
Automatic anti-glare mirrors
GWARNING
If incident light from headlamps is prevented
from striking the sensor in the rear-view
mirror, for instance, by luggage piled too high
in the vehicle, the mirror's automatic anti-
glare function will not operate.
Incident light could then blind you. This may
distract you from the traffic conditions and,
as a result, you may cause an accident.
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
glare mode if the ignition is switched on and
incident light from headlamps strikes the
sensor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-glare mode if
reverse gear is engaged.
Parking position for the exterior
mirror on the front-passenger side
Setting and storing the parking position
You can position the front-passenger side
exterior mirror in such a way that you can see
the rear wheel on that side as soon as you
engage reverse gear. You can store this
position.
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the SmartKey is in position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress button ; for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.XEngage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.XUse adjustment button = to adjust the
exterior mirror to a position that allows you
to see the rear wheel and the curb.
The parking position is stored.
i If you shift the transmission to another
position, the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side returns to the driving
position.
i You can also store the parking position
using memory button M ? .
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2 in the ignition lock.XWith the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side activated, use
adjustment button = to adjust the4
Canada only112MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 23).
Breaking-in notes
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and bring the
vehicle up to full speed.
i You should also observe these notes on
running in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
restrictions.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
144DrivingDriving and parking

Transmission position and drive
program display:Transmission position display;Drive program display
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
! If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Select transmission position D.
Do not restrict the shift range.
Transmission positionsBPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P(Y page 158) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. In addition to
engaging the parking lock, you
must always apply the parking
brake to secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
if the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the selector lever
may be locked in position P. To
release the selector lever lock, see
"Releasing the parking lock
manually" ( Y page 155).
Have the vehicle electronics
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center,
immediately.CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.150Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Program selector button on vehicles with the
dynamic handling package
E EconomyComfortable, economical
drivingS SportSporty driving styleM ManualManual gearshifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see .
Only change from automatic drive program
E or S to manual drive program M when the
vehicle is stationary.
XPress program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program E each time the
engine is started.
Steering wheel paddle shifters:Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter;Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters
( Y page 153).
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
or the selector lever ( Y page 154).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D.
Automatic drive program
Drive program E is characterized by the
following:
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program S is characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
152Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Manual drive program
Switching on the manual drive program
The manual drive program is only available for
vehicles with the dynamic handling package.
Manual drive program M is different from
drive program S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Manual drive program M can be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gears using the steering wheel paddle
shifters or the selector lever in manual drive
program M if the transmission is in position
D . The gear selected is shown in the
multifunction display.
XPress the program selector button
( Y page 151) repeatedly until M appears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
i Vehicles with the dynamic handling
package : if the maximum engine speed for
the shift range is reached and you continue
to accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, except when manual drive
program M is selected.
XBriefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y page 152).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Downshifting
XBriefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y page 152).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
i To avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
does not shift to a lower gear if this would
result in the maximum engine speed being
exceeded.
Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
XVehicles for USA: fully depress the
accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.XVehicles for Canada: depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure
point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
i During kickdown, you cannot change gear
using the steering wheel paddle shifters or
the selector lever.
Switching off the manual drive program
XVehicles with the dynamic handling
package: press the program selector
button ( Y page 151) repeatedly until E or
S appears in the multifunction display.154Automatic transmissionDriving and parking