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

Driving systems

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
~8min read

The driver assistance systems in the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) support the driver in a wide range of driving situations. This section describes typical warning messages, explains their causes and shows how to use the systems optimally. This increases safety on every journey, even if faults occur.

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and solutions
ATTENTION ASSIST: Take a break!

ATTENTION ASSIST has detected driver fatigue or increasing inattention based on certain criteria. A warning tone also sounds.

Take a break if necessary.

On longer journeys, take breaks in good time and at regular intervals so you can rest.
ATTENTION ASSIST not available ATTENTION ASSIST has failed.

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
orVehicle raising

Your vehicle is adjusting to your level selection.
orVehicle is raising, please wait briefly

The vehicle level is too low while stationary. A warning tone also sounds.

Do not drive off.
  • When the display message goes out, the vehicle level has been set.
    		•
    orSTOP Vehicle level too low You drove off while the vehicle level was too low.

    AIRMATIC adjusts the vehicle level to the selected level after a short time.

    Stop safely.

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Only drive off when the display message goes out.

    AIRMATIC is faulty. A warning tone also sounds.

    Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.

    Turn the steering wheel only slightly. Otherwise, the front fenders or tires may be damaged at large steering angles.

    Listen for scraping noises.

    Stop safely and set a higher vehicle level.

  • Depending on the fault, the vehicle may be raised.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    		•
    orMalfunction AIRMATIC has limited function. Driving behavior may be affected as a result.

    Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Traffic Sign Assist currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual

    Traffic Sign Assist is temporarily not ready for operation.

    Possible causes:
    • The windshield in the camera's field of view is dirty.
    • Visibility is impaired by heavy precipitation or fog.
    Clean the windshield.

    When the system detects full camera availability, the display message goes out.

    Traffic Sign Assist is ready for operation again.
    Traffic Sign Assist inoperative Traffic Sign Assist is faulty.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Off

    HOLD function is switched off. The vehicle has started to roll.

    A warning tone also sounds.

    Switch the HOLD function on again later.

    HOLD function is switched off. With the brake pedal depressed, an activation condition is not met.

    A warning tone also sounds.

    Check the activation conditions of the HOLD function.
    Lane Keeping Assist currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual or Active Lane Keeping Assist currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual

    Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is switched off and temporarily not ready for operation. Possible causes:

    • The windshield in the camera's field of view is dirty.
    • Visibility is impaired by heavy precipitation or fog.
    • No lane markings have been detected for some time.
    • The lane markings are worn, dark or covered, e.g. by dirt or snow.
    If the causes above do not apply, the display message goes out.

    Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is ready for operation again.

    If the display message does not go out:

    Stop safely.

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Clean the windshield.
    Lane Keeping Assist inoperative or Active Lane Keeping Assist inoperative Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is faulty.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Blind Spot Assist currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual or Active Blind Spot Assist currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual

    Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily not ready for operation. Possible causes:

    • The function is impaired by heavy precipitation.
    • The radar sensors are outside the operating temperature range.
    • The radar sensor system is temporarily not ready for operation, e.g. due to electromagnetic radiation near television and radio transmitter stations or other radiation sources.
    In addition, the yellow indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors light up.

    If the causes above do not apply, the display message goes out.

    Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is ready for operation again.

    If the display message does not go out:

    Stop safely.

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Restart the engine.
    Blind Spot Assist not available when towing a trailer, see Operator's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is switched off when towing a trailer.

    You have established the electrical connection between your vehicle and trailer.

    The display message withbutton on the steering wheel.
    Blind Spot Assist inoperative or Active Blind Spot Assist inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.

    In addition, the yellow indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors light up.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Parking assist aborted

    The driver's seat belt is not fastened and the driver's door is open.

    Repeat the parking maneuver with the driver's seat belt fastened and the driver's door closed.

    You accidentally touched the multifunction steering wheel during active steering intervention.

    During active steering intervention, make sure not to touch the multifunction steering wheel.

    The vehicle has started to skid, and an ESP intervention has taken place.

    Use Active Parking Assist again later.
    Parking assistant inoperative You have just carried out a large number of maneuvering or parking procedures.

    After approximately ten minutes, you can use Active Parking Assist again.

    Stop safely.

    Switch off the engine and restart it.

    If the multifunction display continues to show the display message:

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

    PARKTRONIC is faulty.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Parking assist ended The vehicle is at the target position. A warning tone also sounds.

    The display message goes out automatically.
    DISTRONIC PLUS off

    DISTRONIC PLUS has been switched off.

    If the system is switched off without the driver initiating it, a warning tone also sounds.
    DISTRONIC PLUS available again DISTRONIC PLUS is ready for operation again after being temporarily unavailable. You can now switch DISTRONIC PLUS on again.
    DISTRONIC PLUS currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual DISTRONIC PLUS is temporarily not ready for operation.

    Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are also temporarily not ready for operation.

    Possible causes:
    • The function is impaired by heavy precipitation.
    • The radar sensor system is temporarily not ready for operation, e.g. due to electromagnetic radiation near television and radio transmitter stations or other radiation sources.
    • The system is outside the operating temperature range.
    • The vehicle electrical system voltage is too low.
    A warning tone also sounds.

    If the causes above do not apply, the display message goes out.

    DISTRONIC PLUS is ready for operation again.

    If the display message does not go out:

    Stop safely.

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Restart the engine.
    DISTRONIC PLUS inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is faulty.

    In addition, the following may have failed:

    • BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist
    • PRE-SAFE Brake
    • Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
    A warning tone also sounds.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    DISTRONIC PLUS passive You have accelerated. DISTRONIC PLUS does not control.

    Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
    DISTRONIC PLUS - - - km/h An activation condition of DISTRONIC PLUS is not met.

    Check the activation conditions of DISTRONIC PLUS.
    DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC inoperative

    DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are defective.

    As a result, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are also unavailable.

    A warning tone also sounds.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    DTR+: Steering Assistant currently unavailable, see Operator's Manual

    The Steering Assistant and Stop&Go Pilot are temporarily unavailable. Possible causes:

    • The windshield in the camera's field of view is dirty.
    • Visibility is impaired by heavy precipitation or fog.
    • No lane markings have been detected for a long time.
    • The lane markings are worn, dark or covered, e.g. by dirt or snow.
    If the causes above do not apply, the display message goes out.

    The Steering Assistant and Stop&Go Pilot are available again.

    If the display message does not go out:

    Stop safely.

    Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

    Clean the windshield.
    DTR+: Steering Assistant not functioning The Steering Assistant and Stop&Go Pilot are defective.

    However, the DISTRONIC PLUS functions remain available.

    A warning tone also sounds.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    CRUISE CONTROL and SPEEDTRONIC not functioning

    CRUISE CONTROL and SPEEDTRONIC are defective.

    A warning tone also sounds.

    Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
    Limit - - - km/h SPEEDTRONIC cannot be activated while the accelerator pedal is pressed beyond the pressure point (kickdown).

    If the situation allows, drive faster than 30 km/h and store the speed.
    CRUISE CONTROL - - - km/h A switch-on condition for CRUISE CONTROL is not met.

    For example, you wanted to store a speed below 30 km/h.

    If the situation allows, drive faster than 30 km/h and store the speed.

    Check the switch-on conditions for CRUISE CONTROL.
    120 km/h Maximum speed exceeded Only for certain countries: You have exceeded the maximum permitted speed.

    The message 120 km/h! also appears in the multifunction display.

    Reduce your speed.

    The driver assistance systems of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) provide intelligent support for the driver. Whether ATTENTION ASSIST, DISTRONIC PLUS or AIRMATIC, each system actively contributes to safety and comfort.

    With these technologies, Mercedes shows how intelligent systems can make everyday driving easier and reduce the risk of accidents.

    Question: When is the Lane Keeping Assist temporarily unavailable?

    Answer: When the windshield is dirty, during heavy precipitation, or when lane markings are missing.

    Question: Why does AIRMATIC switch off and show "STOP Vehicle too low"?

    Answer: Due to a malfunction or if the vehicle is set too low. An authorized workshop should check the system.

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