2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class COUPE towing

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 20At a glance ........................................... 25Safety ................................................... 35Opening/closing ................................. 69Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ..101Lights and windshield wipers ..........115Climate control ................................. 129Driving and parking ..........................143On-board computer and displays ....195Stowing and features .......................251Maintenance and care ......................273Breakdown assistance .....................289Wheels and tires ............................... 307Technical data ................................... 337
Contents3

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

Activating the HOLD functionXMake sure that the activation conditions
are met.XDepress the brake pedal.XQuickly depress the brake pedal further
until HOLD display : appears in the
multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
GWARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position D or R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD disappears
from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
GWARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
parking brake and must not be used for
parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
You will see a warning message in the
multifunction display if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off.
R the hood is opened.
Shift to 'P'XMove the selector lever to P to prevent the
vehicle from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated. The
warning message in the multifunction
display disappears.
A horn will also sound at regular intervals if
the HOLD function is activated and you:
R switch the engine off, open the driver's
door and take off your seat belt
R open the hood
The sounding of the horn alerts you to the fact
that the vehicle has been parked while the
HOLD function is still activated. If you attempt
to lock the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
The vehicle is not locked until the HOLD
function is deactivated.
Driving systems177Driving and parkingZ

Useful information ............................252
Loading guidelines ............................252
Stowage areas .................................. 252
Features ............................................. 257251Stowing and features

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).
Loading guidelines
GWARNING
Always fasten items being carried as securely
as possible. Use cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the weight
and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. Do not pile luggage or
cargo higher than the seat backrests.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Never drive a vehicle with the trunk open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
or the gross axle weight rating of the
vehicle (including occupants). The values
are specified on the vehicle identification
plate on the B-pillar of the driver's door.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the trunk as
possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie down. pad sharp edges
for protection.
Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes
GWARNING
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the trunk if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
R braking
R vehicle maneuvers
R an accident
Stowage compartments in the front
Glove box
i The glove box can be ventilated
( Y page 141).
252Stowage areasStowing and features