2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN radar sensors

Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately
40 mph (70 km/h), BAS PLUS can also detect
stationary obstacles, for example stopped or
parked vehicles.
Should you approach an obstacle and BAS
PLUS has detected a risk of collision, BAS
PLUS calculates the braking force necessary
to avoid a rear-end collision.
R At speeds up to approximately
20 mph(30 km/h) : should you apply the
brakes forcefully, BAS PLUS will
automatically increase the braking force to
a level suitable for the traffic conditions.
R At speeds up to approximately
20 mph(30 km/h) : should you apply the
brakes, BAS PLUS is activated. Braking is
performed as late as possible.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
activated simultaneously.XKeep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
BAS PLUS is then deactivated.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system must be switched on and
operational, see "Radar sensor system" in the
index.
GWARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases.
There is a risk of an accident. Always pay
careful attention to the traffic situation and be
ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
GWARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R in curves
As a result, BAS PLUS cannot intervene in
critical situations. There is a risk of an
accident. Always pay careful attention to the
traffic situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
Driving safety systems65SafetyZ

GWARNING
PRE-SAFE®
Brake cannot always detect
complex traffic situations properly.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE(R) 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(R)
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
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
GWARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R in curves
As a result, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot
intervene in critical situations. There is a risk
of an accident. Always pay careful attention
to the traffic situation and be ready to brake.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
collision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
XTo activate/deactivate: activate or
deactivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-
board computer ( Y page 225).
The Ä symbol appears in the
multifunction display as long as the HOLD
function is not activated ( Y page 187).
On vehicles with Parking Guidance, the
Ä symbol is displayed when
transmission position P is selected or if you
drive faster than 22 mph(35 km/h).
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when
driving, the radar sensor system must be
switched on ( Y page 229) and operational.
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
Theft deterrent locking systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
i
The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
Theft deterrent locking systems71SafetyZ

Problems with Night View Assist PlusProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated.The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield.XReplace the wiper blades ( Y page 125).The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a
car wash.XClean the windshield ( Y page 317).There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision.XReplace the windshield.The windshield is fogged up on the inside.XDefrost the windshield ( Y page 138).The windshield is iced up.XDe-ice the windshield ( Y page 138).There is dirt on the inside of the windshield.XClean the inside of the windshield ( Y page 317).Lane Tracking package
General notes
The Lane Tracking package consists of Blind
Spot Assist ( Y page 203) and Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 205).
Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes
Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It supports you from speeds of
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. Blind Spot Assist uses
sensors in the rear bumper for monitoring
purposes.
GWARNING
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid designed to
assist driving. It may fail to detect some
vehicles and is no substitute for attentive
driving.
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions. It may fail to detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
may only detect them too late.
Monitoring may be affected by dirty sensors,
strong spray or poor visibility caused by snow,
rain or mist, for example. In this case, vehicles
are detected late or not at all.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
Driving systems203Driving and parkingZ

altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
For Blind Spot Assist to assist you when
driving, the radar sensor system must be
activated ( Y page 229) and operational.
Monitoring range of the sensors
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area shown in
the figure up to 10 ft (3 m) behind and
immediately adjacent to your vehicle.
Example: Sedan
GWARNING
Blind Spot Assist monitors certain areas in the
immediate vicinity of your vehicle. Vehicles
that approach and drive past at high speeds
are not detected. There is no display and no
warning.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if the vehicles are driving on the
inner side of their lane.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside long vehicles, such as trucks, for
a prolonged time.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free from dirt,
ice or slush around the sensors. The rear
sensors must not be covered, for example by
bicycle racks or overhanging loads. Following
a severe impact or in the event of damage to
the bumpers, have the function of the radar
sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise not
work properly.
Indicator and warning display:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator
lamp : lights up yellow in the exterior
mirrors up to a vehicle speed of 20 mph
204Driving systemsDriving and parking

Active Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are in back of the driver. A
warning display in the exterior mirrors draws
your attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. If a risk of lateral collision
is detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot Assist also uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system. Active Blind Spot Assist
supports you from speeds of approximately
20 mph (30 km/h).
GWARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist is only an aid, and
may detect vehicles/obstacles incorrectly or
not at all.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray.
R the rear and/or front sensors are dirty.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect
narrow vehicles, such as motorcycles or
bicycles, or may only detect them too late. It
cannot detect vehicles that are overtaken at
a small distance and then enter the blind spot
area.
Active Blind Spot 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
steering correctly. Always adapt your driving
style to suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions. Always pay attention to traffic
conditions and your surroundings. Otherwise,
you may fail to recognize dangers in time,
cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
For Active Blind Spot Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be activated ( Y page 229) and operational.
Monitoring area
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area
shown in the figure up to 10 ft (3 m) behind
and immediately adjacent to your vehicle. For
this purpose, Active Blind Spot Assist uses
radar sensors in the rear bumper.
Example: Sedan
GWARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors certain
areas in the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Vehicles that approach and drive past at high
speeds are not detected. No visual nor
audible warnings are emitted and the system
Driving systems207Driving and parkingZ

does not brake the vehicle to correct your
course.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if there are vehicles driving at the
inner edge of their lanes.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside long vehicles, such as trucks, for
a prolonged time.
Two Active Blind Spot Assist radar sensors
are integrated into the front and rear bumpers
respectively. An additional radar sensor is
located behind the cover in the radiator grill.
Make sure that the sensor areas on the
bumpers and the sensor cover in the radiator
grill are free of dirt, ice and slush. The rear
sensors must not be covered, for example by
cycle racks or overhanging cargo. Following
a severe impact or in the event of damage to
the bumpers, have the function of the radar
sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise
not work properly.Indicator and warning display:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
indicator lamp : lights up yellow in the
exterior mirrors up to a vehicle speed of
20 mph (30 km/h). When the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 mph (30 km/h), the indicator
lamp goes out and Active Blind Spot Assist is
ready for use.
When your speed exceeds approximately
20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp : lights up
red on the corresponding side whenever a
vehicle is detected in the blind spot
monitoring range. This warning is always
given when a vehicle enters the blind spot
monitoring range from behind or from the
side. When you are passing another vehicle,
the warning is emitted only if the difference
in speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Active Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
GWARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds
lower than 20 mph (30 km/h). The indicator
lamps in the exterior mirrors are yellow.
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
208Driving systemsDriving and parking

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsPRE-SAFE
Function Currently
Limited See Oper.
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R you switch off ESP ®
(AMG vehicles only).
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is operational again and the display message
disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R you switch ESP ®
on again (AMG vehicles only).
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XClean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grill
( Y page 317).XClean the bumpers ( Y page 317).XRestart the engine.XWait until the battery is sufficiently charged.PRE-SAFE
Functions Limited
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of accident
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is defective. BAS PLUS or the distance warning
signal may also have failed.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.238Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions¨
MalfunctionGRisk of accident
The AIRMATIC function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.
XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.HOLD
OffThe HOLD function is deactivated. The vehicle is skidding.
A warning tone also sounds.XReactivate the HOLD function later ( Y page 187).The HOLD function is deactivated. When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed, an activation condition is not fulfilled.
A warning tone also sounds.XCheck the activation conditions for the HOLD function
( Y page 187).Radar Sensors
Deactivated See
Operator's ManualThe radar sensor system is deactivated.XSwitch on the radar sensor system ( Y page 229).Lane Keeping
Assist Currently
Unavailable. See
Operator's Manual
or Lane Keeping
Assist Currently
Unavailable. See
Operator's ManualLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated
and temporarily inoperative if:
R the windshield is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R there are no lane markings for a longer period.
R the lane markings are worn, dark or covered, for example by dirt
or snow.
Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is operational
again and the display message disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system recognizes that the camera is fully operational again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the windshield.Lane Keeping
Assist Inoperative
or Active Lane
Keeping Assist
InoperativeLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.250Display messagesOn-board computer and displays