2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS CABRIOLET brake

cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way, traffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously .The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning button (Y page 127). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
if the vehicle is being towed with the
rear axle raised (Y page 334).
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 the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction. Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y
page 278) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 250).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident. Driving safety systems
67Safety
Z

Only deactivate ESP
®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
X To deactivate:(Y page 240).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate: (Ypage 240).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automaticallyw hen the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically .ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example :ifESP®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
star tto spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action for better
traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 277) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 252).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort .Inaddi-
tion to the brakin gfunction ,ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD functio n(Ypage 198 )and
hill start assist (Y page 162). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimise
the ris kofacollisio nwith a vehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of collision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent a collision without your
intervention.
This function will issue a warning if:
R at speeds of around 30 km/h or more, over
several seconds, the distanc emaintained
to the vehicle travelling in front is insuffi-
cient.
The · distance warning lamp then lights
up in the instrument cluster.
R at a speed of approximately 7km/h or
higher, you very quickly approach a vehicle
in front.
An intermittent warning tone will then
sound and the ·distance warning lamp
will light up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
From a speed of approximately 7km/h, if the
driver and passengers have fastened their
seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can brake the vehicle automatically at speeds up to approx-
imatel
y200 km/h.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause
unnecessary warnings or the unnecessary
intervention of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
You can prevent the intervention of the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake at any time by:
R depressing the accelerato rpedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal.
The braking action of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is
ended automatically if:
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake can also detect stationary
obstacles such as stopped or parked vehi-
cles.
If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of a collision, the system
will alert you both visually and acoustically. If
you do not brake or take evasive action, the
system will warn you by automatically braking
the vehicle gently. If there is an increased risk
of collision, preventative passenger protec-
tion measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activated
(Y page 48). If, at speeds over 30 km/h, a risk
of collision remains and you do not brake,
take evasive action or significantly acceler-
ate, automatic braking may be performed up
to a level of automatic emergency braking.
Automatic emergency braking is not per-
formed until immediately prior to an accident
that can no longer be avoided. Driving safet
ysystems
69Safety Z

G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will initially brake yourv ehi-
cle by a partial application of the brakes if a
danger of collision is detected. There may be
a collision unless you also brake. Automatic
emergency braking cannot prevent a colli-
sion. There is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot always clearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake warns you. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example, in multi-storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorcycle
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering As a result, PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in fron tand thus prevent a col-
lision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-board
computer (Y page 240).
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is activated, the
Ä symbol appears in multifunctio ndis-
play, as long as the HOL Dfunction is deac-
tivated (Y page 198). On vehicles with the
Active Parking Assist driving system, the
Ä symbol is displayed when position P
is engaged or you are driving faste rthan
35 km/h.
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be
switched on (Y page 245) and be opera-
tional.
The radar sensor system is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities in the following vehicles:
R vehicles with COMAND Online and naviga-
tion
R vehicles with Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP
PILOT
Becker ®
MAP PILOT must be connected;
see the separate operating instructions.
The radar sensor system must be switched off
using the on-board computer in the vicinity of
radio telescope facilities in the following vehi-
cles:
R vehicles without COMAND Online and nav-
igation
R vehicles without Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP PILOT
R vehicles for Australia 70
Driving safety systemsSafety

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos-
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 23). Key
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key or with KEY-
LESS-GO, the double lock function is activa-
ted as standard. It is then not possible to open
the doors from inside the vehicle.
Therefore, do not leave any people behind in
the vehicle, particularly children, elderly peo-
ple or people requiring special assistance. As
a result, they may not be able to free them-
selves in the event of an emergency. They
could be seriously or even fatally injured by
prolonged exposure to extremely high or low
temperatures, for example. In this case, res-
cuing people from outside the vehicle is diffi-
cult.
Deactivate the interior motion sensor before
you lock the vehicle. The doors can then be
opened from the inside after the vehicle has
been locked from the outside. G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
open a door from inside the vehicle at any
time, even if it has been locked
R start the vehicle using akey which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Always take the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for a short time. G
WARNING
If a key ring is too heavy or too large, the
weight acting on the key could cause it to turn
in the ignition lock or catch on the steering
wheel. This could cause the engine to be
switched off suddenly. You may lose control
of the vehicle and cause an accident. Do not
attach any heavy or large key rings to the key
that is inserted in the ignition.
R Do not keep the key:
-with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another key
- with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
- inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can affect the key's functionality.
Keep the key away from strong magnetic
fields. Otherwise, the remote control function
could be affected. 76
KeyOpening and closing

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
You have lost the emer-
gency key element. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. The engine cannot be
started using the key. the on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 330).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 331).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Only vehicles without a
DIRECT SELECT lever:
The engine cannot be
started using the key. The steering lock is mechanically blocked.
X
Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While doing
this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. The engine cannot be
started using KEYLESS-
GO. The key is in the
vehicle. Ad
oor is open. Therefore, the key cannot be detected as easily.
X Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X
Start your vehicle with the key in the ignition lock. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key or with KEY-
LESS-GO, the double lock function is activa-
ted as standard. It is then not possible to open
the doors from inside the vehicle.
Therefore, do not leave any people behind in
the vehicle, particularly children, elderly peo-
ple or people requiring special assistance. As
a result, they may not be able to free them-
selves in the event of an emergency. They
could be seriously or even fatally injured by
prolonged exposure to extremely high or low
temperatures, for example. In this case, res- cuing people from outside the vehicle is diffi-
cult.
Deactivate the interior motion sensor before
you lock the vehicle. The doors can then be
opened from the inside after the vehicle has
been locked from the outside.
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open a door from inside the vehicle at any
time, even if it has been locked
R start the vehicle using akey which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake 82
DoorsOpening and closing

i
The side windows close if you keep on
pressing the soft-top switch. Opening and closing with the key
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure nobody can be trapped or injured
by moving parts such as the soft-top linkage
or soft-top compartment cover when opening
or closing the soft top.
If there is a risk of entrapment, immediately
release the %or& button on the key.
The soft-top mechanism stops immediately.
Opening and closing The key must be close to the driver's door
handle.
X Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X To open: press and hold the %button
on the key until the soft top is fully opened.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display .The seat ven-
tilation is switched on. The rear side win-
dows open.
X To close: press and hold the &button
on the key until the soft top is fully closed.
The Top in operation message appears
in the multifunction display. The soft top
and the side windows close. Closing the soft top manually
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Remove wristwatches and any jewellery such
as rings or bracelets. You could otherwise get
caught, injured and damage the vehicle.
Always grip the soft top at the indicated grip-
ping points when closing the soft top man-
ually. You could otherwise be injured. If the soft top cannot be closed automatically,
check the following points:
R
Is the boot separator engaged
(Y page 99)?
R Are the head restraints on the rear bench
seats extended?
R Is the boot lid closed?
R Is the on-board voltage sufficient?
Start the engine if necessary.
If automatic operation still does not work, the
soft top can be closed manually.
To carry out this work, you will need the assis-
tance of another person.
i Closing the soft top manually is a com-
plex, technically demanding process which
requires a great deal of force. Only close
the soft top manually in extreme emergen-
cies. Preferably, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Closing the soft top X
Apply the parking brake.
X Open the side windows.
X Lower the head restraints automatically or
manually, see the Digital Owner's Manual,
keyword "Head restraint".
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Open the boot.
X Take the two straps out of the vehicle tool
kit (Y page 323).
X Take the Allen key out of the Owner's Man-
ual wallet and keep it with you. Example: left trim in the boot94
Soft top (Cabriolet)Opening and closing

only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/ha nd comes to
a standstill.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washe rfluid" function is oper-
ated five times (Y page 135) while the lights
are on and the engine is running. When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning system is reset and counting is
resumed from 0. Intelligent Light System
General notes The Intelligent Light System is a system that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weathe
rconditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function,
cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only
active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 243). Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. It can only
be activated when the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/ha nd switch on the tur nsignal or turn
the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. 128
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers