Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Roadside assistance

Battery (vehicle). Important safety notes

In this manual: Roadside assistance
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
~5min read

The battery of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) requires the utmost care during maintenance and work. This section raises awareness of safety risks arising from improper handling and explains why work should only be carried out by qualified workshops.

Work on the battery, such as removing or installing it, requires special tools and expert knowledge. For this reason, always have work on the battery carried out at a qualified workshop.

WARNING

Improper work on the battery can, for example, cause a short circuit. This can restrict the function of safety-relevant systems, such as the lighting system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). The operating safety of your vehicle may be impaired.

You may lose control of the vehicle, for example:

  • when braking
  • during abrupt steering movements and/or at unsuitable speed.
There is a risk of accidents!

In the event of a short circuit or similar incident, contact a qualified workshop immediately. Do not continue driving. Always have work on the battery carried out at a qualified workshop.

Further information on ABS and ESP.

WARNING

Electrostatic charge can cause sparks and thereby ignite the easily explosive gas mixture of a battery. Risk of explosion!

Immediately before touching the battery, touch the metal bodywork to discharge any existing electrostatic charge.

The easily explosive gas mixture is produced when charging the battery and during jump-starting.

Always make sure that neither you nor the battery are electrostatically charged. Electrostatic charge arises, for example,
  • by wearing synthetic clothing
  • by clothing rubbing against the seat
  • when pulling or pushing the battery across carpets or other synthetic materials
  • when rubbing a battery with cloths or rags.
WARNING

When charging, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If you cause a short circuit or sparks occur, the hydrogen gas can ignite. Risk of explosion!

  • Always make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with vehicle parts.
  • Never place metal objects or tools on a battery.
  • When connecting and disconnecting the battery, be sure to follow the described sequence of battery terminals.
  • When jump-starting, always make sure you only connect battery terminals with identical polarity.
  • When jump-starting, be sure to follow the described sequence for connecting and disconnecting the jumper cables.
  • Do not connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running.
WARNING

Battery acid is corrosive. Risk of injury!

Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not breathe in battery gases. Do not lean over the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Rinse battery acid off immediately with plenty of clear water and seek medical attention without delay.

Environmental Note

Batteries contain pollutants. It is prohibited by law to dispose of them with household waste. They must be collected separately and sent for environmentally sound recycling.
Dispose of batteries in an environmentally responsible way. Take discharged batteries to a qualified workshop or to a used battery collection point.
Note Have the battery checked regularly at a qualified workshop.

Observe the service intervals in the service booklet or contact a qualified workshop for further information.

Always have work on the battery carried out at a qualified workshop. Should it be absolutely necessary in an exceptional case for you to disconnect the battery yourself, make sure that

  • Switch off the engine and remove the key. On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, make sure the ignition is switched off. Make sure all indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster are off. Otherwise, electronic components such as the alternator may be damaged.
  • First disconnect the negative terminal, then disconnect the positive terminal. Never swap the battery terminals. Otherwise, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
  • After disconnecting the battery, on vehicles with automatic transmission, the transmission is locked in position P. The vehicle is secured against rolling away. You cannot move the vehicle in this state.
The battery and the cover of the positive terminal must always be securely installed during operation.

Observe the safety information and protective measures when handling the battery.

Explosion hazard
Fire, open flames and smoking are prohibited when handling the battery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is corrosive. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.

Wear suitable protective clothing, especially gloves, an apron and face protection.

Rinse acid splashes off immediately with clean water. If necessary, consult a doctor.
Wear safety goggles.
Keep children away.
Observe these operating instructions.
Hybrid vehicles: Be sure to read the supplementary "HYBRID" manual, which is part of the vehicle literature. Otherwise you may not recognise hazards, for example from high voltage.

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends using only batteries that Mercedes-Benz has tested and approved for your vehicle. These batteries offer enhanced spill protection, so that occupants are not burned by acid if a battery is damaged in an accident.

The vehicle battery should always be sufficiently charged so that it reaches its full service life.

If you do not use the vehicle, the vehicle battery, like other batteries, may discharge over time. In this case, have the battery disconnected at a qualified workshop. To maintain the charge, you can also connect a charger recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a qualified workshop for further information.

If you mainly drive short distances or park the vehicle for long periods, have the battery's state of charge checked more often. If you want to take your vehicle out of service for an extended period, consult a qualified workshop.

Info

If you park the vehicle and do not need any electrical consumers, remove the key. The vehicle then draws very little power and the battery is preserved.

The tire mounting instructions for the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) support safe and correct wheel changes. From correctly positioning the jack to the wheel bolt tightening sequence, all steps are described precisely to prevent accidents and damage.

Mercedes demonstrates that the highest safety standards also apply to maintenance work. The E-Class thus remains a model of quality and responsibility.

Responsible handling of onboard tools and tire mounting contributes significantly to safety.

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