2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE check engine

If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
30 km/h, warning lamp :on the corre-
sponding side lights up red. This warning
always occurs when a vehicle enters the blind
spot monitoring range from behind or from
the side. When you overtake a vehicle, the
warning only occurs if the difference in speed
is less than 12 km/h.
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. Blind Spot Assist is then
deactivated.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lamp :flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, detected vehicles
are indicated by the flashing of red warning
lamp :.There are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
X Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 262) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 257) are activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing atrailer
If you attach a trailer, make sure tha tyou have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Blind Spot Assist is then
deactivated. The indicator lamp lights up yel-
low in the exterior mirrors and the message:
Blind Spot Assist currently unavail‐
able See Owner's Manual appears in the
multifunction display. i
You can deactivate the indicator lamps in
the exterior mirrors.
To do so, switch off Blind Spot Assist if:
R the key is in position 2in the ignition
lock.
R the engine is not running.
R the electrical connection to the trailer
has been established.
Lane Keeping Assist Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Lane Keeping Assist does not keep your vehi-
cle in its lane. It is only an aid and may detect
the lane markings on the road incorrectly or
not at all.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient illumination of the road, or due to
snow, rain, fog or spray.
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun, or reflection from other vehicles.
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up or cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity
of the camera
R several or no lane markings for a single lane
are present.
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow.
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected.
R the lane markings on the road are unclear,
e.g. near roadworks.
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge.
R the road is narrow and winding.
Lane Keeping Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions. It is not a substitute for
attentive driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed, braking in good time, and Driving systems
227Driving and parking
Z

Notes on towing
atrailer
General notes !
Use a drawbar noseweigh tas close as
possible to the maximum permissible nose-
weight. Do not use a noseweight of less
than 50kg, otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
Note that the payload and the rear axle load
are reduced by the actual payload.
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 383).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 447).
The maximum noseweight of the trailer draw-
bar on the ball coupling is 84 kg. The actual
noseweight may however not be higher than
the value which is given on the trailer tow
hitch or trailer identification plates. The low-
est weight applies.
Missing values for the E300 model were not
available at the time of going to print.
Please note that whe ntowing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 211), Parking Guidance
(Y page 215) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 225) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 75).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to prevent the
vehicle from gaining speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary. 236
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

X
Press the abutton.
The multifunction display shows Speed
Limit Assist.
X Press the :button.
The curren tselection is displayed.
X To activate or deactivate: pressa.
If the Speed Limit Assist message function
is activated, a detected speed limit is auto-
matically displayed for five seconds. Other
items in the multifunction display are not
shown during this time.
If Speed Limit Assist is operational and the
message function is activated, the multifunc-
tion display shows the Äsymbol when the
ignition is switched on.
Showing the distance display X
Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Distance display .
X Press the abutton.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
appears in the multifunction display
(Y page 202).
If the Sensors deactivated message
appears, the radar sensor system is deacti-
vated.
X Check whether or not the radar sensor sys-
tem is permitted to be activated
(Y page 451).
X Switch on the radar sensor system
(Y page 262).
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.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. Activating/deactivating ESP
®
on AMG vehi-
cles (Y page 74).
For further information about ESP ®
, see
(Y page 72).
X Start the engine.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
ESP .
X Press the abutton.
The curren tselection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ä warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
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
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 302).
Observe the information on display messages
(Y page 269).
Activating/deactivating the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake .
X Press the abutton.
The curren tselection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press thea
button again. 256
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Engine
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
+
Top
up coolant See
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low.
!
Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing
so (Y page 348).
X If the coolant needs topping up more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop. ? The fan motor is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the neares tqualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. ?
Coolant Stop vehi‐
cle Switch engine
off The coolan
tis too hot.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when your engine
is overheated can cause som efluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire.
Steam fro manoverheated engine can cause serious burns, which
can occur just by opening the bonnet.
This poses a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is under 120 †. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visi taqualified specialist
workshop immediately.
The reading may rise up to 120 †undernormal driving conditions
if the coolant has been filled correctly. Display messages
279On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check eng. oil
lev. when next
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Chec kthe oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 4
Add
1 litre engine
oil when next refu‐
elling AMG vehicles: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 347).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 347).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
the engine oil needs topping up more often than usual. 8
Reserve fuel level The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
Operation of the auxiliary heating is deactivated when the fuel level
drops into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 280
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
C There is only a very small amount of fuel in th
efuel tank.
The auxiliary heating canno tbe operated.
X Refuel at the nearest filling station without fail. ¸
Please
replace air
cleaner Vehicles with a diesel engine: the engine air filter is dirty and must
be replaced.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
Clean
the fuel fil‐
ter Vehicles with a diesel engine: there is water in the fuel filter. The
water must be drained off.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop See Own‐
er's Manual The AdBlue
®
level has fallen below the reserve range. Awarning
tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop No start
in .. km The AdBlue
®
level is only sufficient for the indicated distance. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Have AdBlue ®
refilled as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. ¯
Refill AdBlue at
workshop Eng.
start not possible The AdBlue
®
tan kis empty. Awarning tone also sounds. You can
no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯
Check AdBlue See
Owner's Manual The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. ¯
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible in ... km The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯
Eng.
start not pos‐
sible The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds. You can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Display messages
281On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
DISTRONIC PLUS cur‐
rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual DISTRONIC PLU
Sis temporarily inoperative. Possible causes:
R the function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the radiator trim and in the bumpers are dirty.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio sta-
tions or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
Once the causes listed abov eno longer apply, the display message
goes out.
DISTRONIC is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
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 183).
X Clean the sensors in the radiator trim and in the bumpers
(Y page 354).
X Restart the engine. DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is faulty.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may also have failed.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS
inactive You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS
--- km/h An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X
Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 195). DISTRONIC PLUS and
SPEEDTRONIC DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are faulty. A warning tone
also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Cruise control and
SPEEDTRONIC inop‐
erative SPEEDTRONIC and cruise control are malfunctioning.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. Display messages
287On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
M
or? The bonne
tis open. Awarning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The open bonne tmay then bloc kyour view when the vehicle is in
motion.
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.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
X Close the bonnet.
If the active bonnet (pedestrian protection) has been triggered:
X Reset the bonnet (Y page 344).
X Close the bonnet. Active bonnet mal‐
function See Own‐
er's Manual The active bonnet (pedestrian protection) is not active due to a
malfunction.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. C At least one door is open.
Awarning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. _
Rear left seat
backrest not
locked or
Rear right seat back‐
rest not locked Saloon with through-loading feature in the rear bench seat:
The backres
tinthe rear is not engaged on the left-hand and/or
right-hand side. Awarning tone also sounds.
X Push the backres tback until it engages. j
Check trailer
hitch lock The trailer tow hitch is no
tcorrectly engaged.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attentio ntoroad and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Allow the trailer tow hitch ball coupling to engage in the end
position (Y page 237). &
inoperative Bat‐
tery low The on-board voltage is too low. The auxiliary heating has switched
itself off or cannot be switched on (Y page 151).
X Drive for a longer distance.
The battery is being charged. The auxiliary heating is operational
again as soon as the on-board electrical system voltage is suf-
ficient. Display messages
295On-board computer and displays Z