2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN automatic

Setting the air distribution
Air distribution settings¯Directs air through the defroster ventsPDirects air through the center and side
air ventsODirects the airflow through the
footwell air ventsSDirects the airflow through the center,
side and footwell air vents 16bDirects the airflow through the
defroster, center and side air vents 17
.aDirects air through the defroster and
footwell vents
i Regardless of the air distribution setting,
airflow is always directed through the side
air vents.. The side air vents can only be
closed when the controls on the side air
vents are turned downwards.
Dual-zone automatic climate control
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress switch F up or down repeatedly until
the desired symbol appears in the display
( Y page 131).
3-zone automatic climate control
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress switch I up or down repeatedly until
the desired symbol appears in the display
( Y page 133).Setting the airflow
Dual-zone automatic climate controlXTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo increase/reduce: press button G up
or down ( Y page 131).
3-zone automatic climate control
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo increase/reduce front-
compartment airflow: press button H up
or down ( Y page 133).XTo increase/reduce the rear airflow:
press button M or N(Y page 133).
Switching the ZONE function on/off
XTo switch on: press the á button.
The indicator lamp above the á button
lights up.
Dual-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is
not adopted for the front-passenger side.
3-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is
not adopted for the front-passenger side
and the rear compartment.
When the buttons for temperature, airflow or
air distribution are activated, the temperature
setting for the driver's side is not adopted for
the other climate control zones.
XTo switch off: press the á button.
The indicator lamp above the á button
goes out.
Dual-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is
adopted for the front-passenger side.
3-zone automatic climate control: the
temperature setting for the driver's side is16 USA only.
17 Coupe: Canada only.Operating the climate control system137Climate controlZ

adopted for the front-passenger side and
the rear compartment.
Defrosting the windshield
You can use this function to defrost the
windshield or to defrost the inside of the
windshield and the side windows.
i You should only select the defrosting
function until the windshield is clear again.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the ¬ button.
The indicator lamp above the ¬ button
lights up.
The climate control system switches to the
following functions:
R cooling with air dehumidification on
R high airflow 18
R high temperature 18
R air distribution to the windshield and
front side windows
R air-recirculation mode offXTo switch off: press the ¬ button.
The indicator lamp above the ¬ button
goes out. The previously selected settings
come into effect again. The cooling with air
dehumidification function remains on. Air-
recirculation mode remains deactivated.
or
XPress the à button.
The indicator lamp above the ¬ button
goes out. Airflow and air distribution are set
to automatic mode.
or
XAutomatic climate control: press
temperature button E or H up or down
( Y page 131).
Automatic climate control: press
temperature button F or J up or down
( Y page 133).orXDual-zone automatic climate control:
press switch G up or down ( Y page 131).
3-zone automatic climate control: press
button H up or down ( Y page 133).
MAX COOL maximum cooling
The MAX COOL function is only available in
vehicles for the USA.
MAX COOL is only operational when the
engine is running.
When you activate MAX COOL, climate
control switches to the following functions:
R maximum cooling
R maximum airflow
R air-recirculation mode on
XTo activate: press the Ù button.
The indicator lamp above the button lights
up.XTo deactivate: press the Ù button
again.
The indicator lamp goes out. The previously
selected settings come into effect again.
Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside
XActivate the cooling with air
dehumidification function ¿.XActivate automatic mode Ã.XIf the windows continue to fog up, activate
the defrosting function ( Y page 138).
i
You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Windows fogged up on the outside
XSwitch on the windshield wipers.XAutomatic climate control: press switch
F up or down ( Y page 131) until the18
Depending on the outside temperature.138Operating the climate control systemClimate control

P or O symbol appears in the
display.XAutomatic climate control: press button
I up or down ( Y page 133) until the
P or O symbol appears in the
display.
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivating
GWARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the window is clear as it only switches
off automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress the ¤ button.
The indicator lamp above the ¤ button
lights up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window
defroster
The rear window defroster has deactivated
itself prematurely or cannot be activated.
XSwitch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically.Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated.
The operation of air-recirculation mode is the
same for all control panels.GWARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press the ¬
button.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the g button.
The indicator lamp above the g button
lights up.
i In the event of high pollution levels 19
or at
high outside temperatures, air-
recirculation mode is automatically
activated. When air-recirculation mode is
activated automatically, the indicator lamp
above the g button does not light up.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
XTo switch off: press the g button.
The indicator lamp above the g button
goes out.19 Automatic climate control only.Operating the climate control system139Climate controlZ

iAir-recirculation mode deactivates
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures are less than about
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes if outside
temperatures are over about
41 ‡ (5 †)
Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
The residual heat function is only available in
vehicles for Canada with automatic climate
control.
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the
stationary vehicle for up to 30 minutes after
the engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the temperature that has
been set.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
i It is possible that the residual heat
function may be activated automatically an
hour after the SmartKey is removed. The
vehicle is then ventilated for 30 minutes to
dry the air-conditioning system.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock or remove it.XTo activate: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp above the Ì button
lights up.XTo switch off: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp above the Ì button
goes out.i Residual heat is deactivated
automatically:
R after about 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low
Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature). This
could cause burns or frostbite to unprotected
skin in the immediate area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between
unprotected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution
adjustment to direct the air to air vents in the
vehicle interior that are not in the immediate
area of unprotected skin.
In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R keep the air inlet between the windshield
and the hood free of blockages, such as ice,
snow or leaves.
R never cover the air vents or air intake grille
in the vehicle interior.
i For virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust
the sliders of the air vents to the center
position.
140Setting the air ventsClimate control

Setting the center air vents:Center air vent, left;Center air vent, right=Center vent thumbwheel, right?Center vent thumbwheel, leftXTo open/close: turn thumbwheels =
and ? up or down.
Setting the side air vents
XTo open/close: turn thumbwheel = up or
down.
i Side window defroster vent : is never
completely shut, even if side air vent ; is
shut.
Setting the glove box air vent
When automatic climate control is activated,
the glove box can be ventilated, for instance
to cool its contents. The level of airflow
depends on the airflow and air distribution
settings.
! Close the air vent when heating the
vehicle.
At high outside temperatures, open the air
vent and activate the "cooling with air
dehumidification" function. Otherwise,
temperature-sensitive items stored in the
glove box could be damaged.:Air vent thumbwheel;Air ventXTo open/close: turn thumbwheel :
clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Setting the rear-compartment air
vents
Setting the center vents in the rear
compartment
:Rear-compartment air vent thumbwheel;Rear-compartment air vent, rightSetting the air vents141Climate controlZ

=Rear control panel for automatic climate
control 20?Rear-compartment air vent, leftXTo open/close:
turn thumbwheel : up or
down.
Setting the B-pillar air vents
:B-pillar air vent;Thumbwheel for B-pillar air ventXTo open/close: turn thumbwheel ; to the
left or right.20 Canada only.142Setting the air ventsClimate control

Useful information ............................144
Breaking-in notes .............................. 144
Driving ............................................... 144
Automatic transmission ...................152
Refueling ............................................ 160
Parking ............................................... 167
Driving tips ........................................ 169
Driving systems ................................ 175143Driving and parking

GWARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures (below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the
maximum engine speed is restricted in
order to protect the engine. To protect the
engine and maintain smooth engine
operation, avoid driving at full throttle when
the engine is cold.
SmartKey positions
SmartKeygTo remove the SmartKey(shift the transmission to position P)1Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position3To start the engine
If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The
steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the
SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
i The SmartKey can be turned in the
ignition lock even if it is not the correct
SmartKey for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General information
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop
button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in
the vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
Driving145Driving and parkingZ