Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
On-board computer and displays

Displays and operation. Coolant temperature display

In this manual: On-board computer and displays
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~2min read

The coolant temperature display in the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) provides important information about engine temperature and helps prevent overheating. Notes on safe use at high temperatures or in mountainous terrain increase operating safety. Additional information on the tachometer and the outside temperature display supports the driver.

WARNING

If you open the hood when the engine is overheated or there is a fire in the engine compartment, you may come into contact with hot gases or other escaping operating fluids. There is a risk of injury!

Let an overheated engine cool down before you open the hood. In the event of a fire in the engine compartment, keep the hood closed and call the fire department.

The coolant temperature display is on the left in the instrument cluster.

During normal driving and with the correct coolant level, the display may rise to 120 °C.

At high outside temperatures and when driving uphill, the coolant temperature may rise up to the end of the scale.

Tachometer

Note

Do not drive in the overrev range. Otherwise you will damage the engine.

The red marking on the tachometer indicates the overrev range of the engine.

When the red marking is reached, the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the engine.

Outside Temperature Display

Pay particular attention to road conditions once temperatures are close to freezing point.

Please note that the outside temperature display shows the measured air temperature and does not detect the road surface temperature.

The outside temperature display is in the multifunction display.

A change in outside temperature is displayed with a delay.

Speedometer with segments

The segments in the speedometer show which speed range is available.
  • CRUISE CONTROL switched on:

    The segments light up from the stored speed up to the maximum speed.

  • Variable SPEEDTRONIC switched on:

    The segments light up from the start of the scale up to the selected speed limit.

  • DISTRONIC PLUS switched on:

    One or two segments light up in the range of the stored speed.

  • DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle ahead:

    The segments light up from the speed of the vehicle ahead up to the stored speed.

The coolant temperature display and the tachometer of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) help the driver keep the engine within the safe range. Important warnings help prevent overheating and engine damage.

The outside temperature display helps the driver better assess road conditions, a valuable contribution to active safety.

Question: When may the coolant temperature rise to the end of the scale?

Answer: At high outside temperatures or when driving uphill, provided the cooling system is working properly.

Question: Why doesn't the outside temperature display show the road surface temperature directly?

Answer: It measures the air temperature, not the temperature of the road surface.

Test yourself

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