Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Safety

Theft Protection

In this manual: Safety
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 Mercedes E-Class (4th gen. W212, 2009–2016) protects what matters to you with advanced theft deterrent systems at the highest level. This article explains how the immobilizer, interior monitoring and EDW work together to keep your vehicle safe from unauthorized access. Learn how to optimize this protection with just a few simple steps.

Immobilizer

The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from being started without a matching key.

Activation with key: Remove the key from the ignition lock.

Activation with KEYLESS-GO: Switch the ignition off and open the driver's door.

Deactivation: Switch the ignition on.

When you leave the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. If the key is left in the vehicle, anyone can start the engine.

Info

When you start the engine, the immobilizer is always deactivated.

Interior monitoring

Function

If movement inside the vehicle is detected while interior monitoring is activated, a visual and audible alarm is triggered. This can happen, for example, if someone reaches into the vehicle interior.

Switching on

Make sure that
  • the side windows are closed
  • the sunroof/panoramic sunroof is closed
  • no objects, such as mascots, hang from the interior mirror or the roof grab handles.
  • This prevents a false alarm.

    Make sure that

    • the doors are closed
    • the sunroof/panoramic sunroof is closed
    • the trunk lid/tailgate is closed.

  • Only then is interior monitoring activated.

    Lock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

  • Interior monitoring activates after approx. 30 seconds.

    Switching off

    Unlock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

    or

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

  • Interior monitoring switches off automatically.

    Unlock the vehicle with the key.

    or

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

  • Interior monitoring switches off automatically.

    Unlock the vehicle with KEYLESS-GO or with the key.

    or

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

  • Interior monitoring switches off automatically.

    Deactivate

    Deaktivieren

    Remove the key from the ignition lock.

    Press the buttonpress.
  • The indicator lampflashes several times in quick succession.

    Lock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

  • Interior monitoring is deactivated. Interior monitoring remains deactivated until
    • the vehicle is unlocked again and
    • a door is opened and closed again and
    • the vehicle is locked again.
    To avoid a false alarm, deactivate interior monitoring when you lock the vehicle and
    • People or animals remain in the vehicle
    • the sunroof/panoramic sunroof remains open
    • the side windows remain open.
    Info

    UK only: Your vehicle is equipped with an additional door lock. If the vehicle has been locked with the key or with KEYLESS-GO, the doors cannot be opened from the inside. Deactivate interior monitoring before locking the vehicle. The doors can then be opened from the inside after the vehicle has been locked from the outside. Observe "Important safety notes".

    EDW (Intrusion and Theft Warning System)

    EDW (Einbruch-Diebstahl-Warnanlage)

    Activation: Lock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

  • The indicator lampflashes. The warning system activates after approx. 15 seconds.

    Deactivation: Unlock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

    or

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

    When the warning system is activated, a visual and audible alarm is triggered by opening
    • a door
    • of the vehicle with the emergency key
    • of the trunk lid/tailgate
    • of the hood
    End alarm with key: Press the buttonoron the key.
  • The alarm stops.

    or

    Remove the start/stop button from the ignition lock.

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.
  • The alarm stops.

    End alarm with KEYLESS-GO: Grasp the outside door handle. The key must be outside the vehicle.

  • The alarm stops.

    or

    Press the start/stop button on the cockpit. The key must be inside the vehicle.

  • The alarm stops.

    The alarm does not stop, even if you immediately close the trigger of the alarm, e.g. an open door.

    Towing Protection

    Function

    If the inclination of the vehicle changes while towing protection is activated, a visual and audible alarm is triggered. This can happen, for example, if the vehicle is lifted on one side.

    Switching on

    Make sure that
    • the doors are closed
    • the trunk lid/tailgate is closed.
  • Only then is towing protection activated.

    Lock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

  • Towing protection activates after approx. 30 seconds.

    Switching off

    Unlock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

    or

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

  • Towing protection switches off automatically.

    Deactivate

    Deaktivieren

    Remove the key from the ignition lock.

    Press the buttonpress.
  • The indicator lamplights up briefly.

    Lock the vehicle with the key or with KEYLESS-GO.

  • Towing protection is deactivated. Towing protection remains deactivated until
    • the vehicle is unlocked again and
    • a door is opened and closed again and
    • the vehicle is locked again.
    To avoid a false alarm, deactivate towing protection when you lock the vehicle and
    • transport it
    • load it, e.g. onto a ferry or car transporter
    • park it on a moving surface, e.g. multi-storey car park decks.

    The Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) features modern theft protection systems such as the immobilizer, EDW and interior monitoring. These measures increase vehicle security and protect against unauthorized access.

    In particular, the combined use of audible and visual warning signals in the event of an alarm makes the E-Class a reliable companion, even when it is parked unattended.

    Question: What function does towing protection have in the E-Class W212?

    Answer: It triggers an alarm if the vehicle is lifted without authorization, e.g. when towing without first deactivating the system.

    Question: When should the interior protection be deactivated?

    Answer: If people or animals remain in the vehicle, or if windows or the sunroof are open, to prevent false alarms.

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