Driving and parking

AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension

~5min read

The AMG RIDE CONTROL Sport suspension in the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) combines state-of-the-art technology with sporty ride comfort. The adaptive damper control enables individual settings for Comfort, Sport and Sport+, offering an optimal driving experience on both motorways and winding country roads. Safety notes help you use these functions responsibly.

Important Safety Notes

WARNING

When the vehicle is lowered, body parts of persons located between the body and the tires or underneath the vehicle may be trapped. There is a risk of injury!

Make sure that no one is in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches or underneath the vehicle when lowering it.

WARNING

Vehicles with level control:

The vehicle lowers slightly when you

  • have selected the Comfort suspension setting and
  • lock the vehicle within 60 seconds after switching off the engine.
This can trap you or persons near the wheel arches or the underbody. There is a risk of injury!

When locking, make sure that no one is near the wheel arches or the underbody.

NOTE

The vehicle lowers by approx. 20 mm when
  • you have selected the "Comfort suspension setting"
  • you switch off the engine and then
  • lock the vehicle within approx. 60 seconds.
When parking, position your vehicle so that it does not touch down when lowered, e.g. on a curb. Otherwise your vehicle may be damaged.

Suspension setting

General notes

The electronically controlled damping system operates continuously. This improves driving safety and ride comfort.

The damping is adjusted separately for each wheel and depends on
  • your driving style, e.g. sporty
  • the road surface, e.g. bumps
  • Your individual selection: Sport, Sport + or Comfort.

Sport setting

Sport Abstimmung
Button for selecting the suspension setting
Button for storing, recalling and displaying the selected setting
Sport + setting indicator lamp
Sport setting indicator lamp
In Sport suspension setting, the firmer suspension setting provides better road contact. Select this setting for spirited driving, e.g. on winding country roads.

Buttonpress once.

  • The indicator lamplights up. The Sport setting is selected. The multifunction display shows the message AMG Ride Control SPORT .

    Sport + setting

    The Sport + setting provides the best possible road contact with a very firm suspension setup. Preferably select this setting on closed race tracks.

    When the indicator lampsandare off:

    Buttonpress twice.
  • The indicator lampsandlight up. The Sport + setting is selected. The multifunction display shows the message AMG Ride Control SPORT + . When the indicator lampis lit:

    Buttonpress once.

  • The second indicator lamplights up. The Sport + setting is selected. The multifunction display shows the message AMG Ride Control SPORT + .

    Comfort setting

    When the Comfort setting is selected, the vehicle's handling becomes more comfortable. If you prefer a comfort-oriented driving style, select this setting. Also select the Comfort setting for brisk driving without bends, e.g. on a straight motorway.

    Buttonpress repeatedly until the indicator lampsandgo out.

  • The Comfort setting is selected. The multifunction display shows the message AMG Ride Control COMFORT .

    Storing and recalling settings

    Once you have selected the suspension setting and driving program, you can store and recall your settings with the AMG button.

    Storing: AMG buttonPress and hold until a signal tone sounds.

    Recalling: AMG buttonpress.

  • The stored suspension setting and driving program are selected.Displaying: AMG buttonpress briefly.
  • Your selection appears in the multifunction display.

    Vehicle level

    Important safety information WARNING

    When the vehicle is lowered, body parts of persons located between the body and the tires or underneath the vehicle may be trapped. There is a risk of injury!

    Make sure that no one is in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches or underneath the vehicle when lowering it.

    The vehicle may lower when you press the suspension setting button or the AMG button. The vehicle also lowers when stationary.

    NOTE

    When the Sport or Sport + suspension setting is selected, the vehicle's ground clearance is reduced. Make sure that no objects become trapped and that the vehicle is not damaged, e.g. on a kerb.

    Info

    If you park the vehicle and the outside temperature changes, the rear axle ride height may change noticeably. When the temperature drops, the vehicle lowers; when it rises, the vehicle rises.

    Change in rear axle height

    This function is only available on the E 63 AMG 4MATIC.

    The rear axle ride height depends on the selected suspension setting and the driving speed.

    The rear axle ride height changes while driving depending on the selected suspension setting:
    • Comfort: +10 mm
    • Sport + and Sport: -15 mm
    When changing from Comfort to Sport or Sport +, the rear axle lowers by approx. 25 mm. When changing from Sport or Sport + to Comfort, the rear axle rises by approx. 25 mm. The height change also takes place when stationary.

    If you drive faster than 170 km/h, the rear axle height is adjusted to a medium level. This increases driving safety and reduces air resistance. If you then drive slower than 150 km/h, the rear axle height is adjusted again according to the selected suspension setting.

    Load leveling

    The vehicle can compensate for differences in ride height by raising or lowering the rear axle. This occurs, for example, when occupants get out or when luggage is loaded.

    Load leveling takes place when

    • a door, the luggage compartment lid or the tailgate is opened
    • the parked vehicle is unlocked
    For larger height changes, the engine must be running.

    The AMG RIDE CONTROL Sport suspension of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) offers a finely tuned driving feel between comfort and dynamics. Thanks to individual settings, the handling can be optimally adapted to personal preferences and road conditions.

    Precise ride height control ensures perfect road holding while also enhancing safety. In this way, the Sport suspension combines state-of-the-art technology with the demands of a premium driving experience.

  • Test yourself

    A quick Mercedes-Benz E-Class quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.