2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN warning light

GWARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
! If the coolant temperature exceeds 248 ‡(120 †) do not continue driving. The engine will
otherwise be damaged.
Driving systems
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions·
The red distance
warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in
motion. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
The warning is issued if you approach a stationary vehicle or a
vehicle driving ahead of you at too high a speed.
XBe prepared to brake immediately.XPay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
More information about DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 177) and
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 69).
270Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

All models except E 63 AMG
XTo open: pull handle : upwards.
The armrest folds out.
E 63 AMG
XTo open: press left-hand button ; or right-
hand button :.
The stowage compartment opens.
Stowage compartments in the rear
Stowage compartment in the rear
! Do not sit or lean your bodyweight on the
armrests when they are folded out as you
could damage them.
! Close the cover of the stowage
compartment before folding the rear seat
armrest back into the seat backrest.
XTo open: fold down seat armrest ;.XFold cover : of the armrest upwards.
Stowage net in the rear
:Stowage net
Stowage pockets
GWARNING
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Storage bags are located in the rear
compartment on the driver's and front-
passenger seat backrests.
276Stowage areasStowing and features

Parcel netsGWARNING
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
Parcel nets are located in the front-passenger
footwell and on the left and right-hand sides
of the trunk/cargo compartment.
Skibag
Unfolding the skibag and loading skis
GWARNING
The skibag is designed for up to four pairs of
skis. Do not load the skibag with any other
objects.
Always fasten the skibag securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski bag can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.XPress release catches ; together and fold
down cover :.XPull skibag : into the vehicle interior and
unfold it.XOpen the trunk lid.XPress release button :.
The flap opens downwards.XSlide the skis into the skibag from the
trunk.XPull strap : tight by the loose end until the
skis are held firmly inside the skibag.Stowage areas277Stowing and featuresZ

Through-loading facility in the rear
bench seat (Sedan)
Important safety notesGWARNING
When expanding the cargo volume, always
fold the seat backrests fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests must remain properly locked in the
upright position.
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.
Always use the cargo tie-down rings.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded down separately to
increase the trunk capacity.
Folding the seat backrest forward
i Vehicles with memory function: when you
fold one or both parts of the rear seat
backrest forwards, the respective front
seat moves forward slightly, when
necessary, in order to avoid contact.
XVehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.XOpen the trunk.XPull right-hand or left-hand rear seat
backrest release handle :.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released and the rear seat head restraints
are lowered.XFold rear seat backrest ; forwards.XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding the seat backrest back
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
XFold rear seat backrest : back until it
engages.Stowage areas279Stowing and featuresZ

GWARNING
Always lock the seat backrest in its upright
position when the rear seat bench is
occupied, or the extended cargo volume is not
in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the seat backrest.
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.
i You should always engage the rear seat
backrests if you do not need the through-
loading feature. This will prevent
unauthorized access to the trunk from the
vehicle interior.
XAdjust the head restraints if necessary
( Y page 101).XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
EASY-PACK through-loading facility in
the rear bench seat (Wagon)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded forwards separately
to increase the cargo compartment capacity.
The combined cargo cover and net can
remain installed.
! When folding the rear seat backrest
forwards, ensure that there are no items
lying on the seat cushions. These items
could otherwise be damaged or could
themselves damage the rear seats.
i When you fold one or both parts of the
rear seat backrests forwards, the
headrests are also lowered if necessary. In
the case of vehicles with memory function,
the respective front seat is moved forwards
slightly to avoid contact with the seat
behind it.XVehicles without memory function: if
necessary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forwards.XPull the left-hand or right-hand release
handle at the rear in cargo
compartment : or at the side beside
backrests ;.
The corresponding backrest folds
forwards.XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.280Stowage areasStowing and features

Folding the rear seat backrest backXMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
XFold seat backrest : back until it engages.GWARNING
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is
correctly engaged. Otherwise, vehicle
occupants could be injured by objects being
thrown around if you
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged, this
will be shown in the multifunction display in
the instrument cluster.
XAdjust the head restraints if necessary
( Y page 101).XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Securing cargo
Plastic hooks (Sedan)
On vehicles without a through-loading feature
in the rear bench seat, six plastic hooks are
installed to the trunk floor.
Cargo tie-down rings
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
There are six cargo tie down rings in the
trunk/cargo compartment.
Sedan
:Cargo tie down ringsStowage areas281Stowing and featuresZ

! If you have attached the combined cargo
cover and net to a rear seat backrest that
is folded forwards, do not fold the backrest
back.
Cargo net (Wagon)
Important safety notes
It is particularly important to use a safety net
if the vehicle is loaded with small objects
above the level of the backrests. For safety
reasons, always use a cargo net when
transporting loads.
Cargo net without cargo compartment
enlargement
XPull the cargo net up by tab : and hook it
into eyelets ;.
Cargo net with cargo compartment
enlargement
XMake sure that the cargo net is attached to
the rear seat backrest ( Y page 283).XGuide the cargo net up by tab : and hook
it into eyelets ;.
Coat hooks on the tailgate
GWARNING
The tailgate may close if too great a load is
placed on the coat hooks.
You and/or others could be trapped and
injured.
Only use the coat hooks for light clothing.
:Coat hooks
EASY-PACK load-securing kit (Wagon)
Components and storage
The EASY-PACK load-securing kit allows you
to use your cargo compartment for a variety
of purposes. The accessory parts are located
under the cargo compartment floor.
XOpen the EASY-PACK folding luggage-
compartment floor ( Y page 286).284Stowage areasStowing and features

EASY-PACK load-securing kit accessory parts
:Telescopic rod;Bag containing the brackets and luggage
holder=Folding box
Inserting the brackets into the loading
rail
XInsert bracket : into the center of loading
rail ?.XPress release button ; and push
bracket : into the desired position in
loading rail ?.XLet go of release button ;.XPress locking button =.
Bracket : is locked in loading rail ?.XIf necessary, fold cargo tie-down ring A
upwards.GWARNING
Distribute the load on the cargo tie down rings
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Luggage holder
The luggage holder can be used to secure
light loads against the side wall of the cargo
compartment to prevent them from moving
around.
! Only use the luggage holder to secure
cargo with a maximum weight of 15.4 lb
(7 kg) and with dimensions that the luggage
holder can safely and securely contain.
XTo install: insert two brackets A into the
left or right loading rail ( Y page 284).XPress release button : of the luggage
holder and pull the strap out slightly.XInsert luggage holder ; into brackets A
and, while doing so, press release button
= and push the luggage holder downwards
until it engages.XPress release button : of the luggage
holder and pull the strap out in the direction
of the arrow.XPlace the load between the strap and the
cargo compartment side wall.XUsing one hand, press locking button : of
the luggage holder.Stowage areas285Stowing and featuresZ