Cleaning vehicle parts

Cleaning individual vehicle parts on the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) requires special care. This section provides practical instructions for wheels, windows, wiper blades and sensors, and shows how to avoid damage and maintain proper function.

Cleaning wheels

WARNING

The jet from a rotating nozzle (dirt blaster) can cause damage to tires or chassis components that is not visible from the outside. Damaged components may fail unexpectedly. Risk of accident!

Do not use high-pressure cleaners with rotating nozzles (dirt blasters) to clean the vehicle. Have damaged tires or chassis components replaced immediately.

NOTE

Do not use acidic wheel cleaners to remove brake dust. Otherwise, wheel bolts and brake components may be damaged.

Do not park the vehicle permanently right after cleaning, especially after cleaning the wheels with wheel cleaning agents. Wheel cleaning agents can cause severe corrosion on the brake discs and brake pads. Therefore, drive for a few minutes after cleaning. When braking, the brake discs and brake pads heat up and dry off. The vehicle can then be parked permanently.

Cleaning windows

WARNING

If the windshield wipers start moving while you clean the windshield or wiper blades, you can become trapped. Risk of injury!

Always switch off the windshield wipers and the ignition before cleaning the windshield or the wiper blades.

NOTE

Do not use dry cloths, abrasive cleaners, solvents or solvent-based cleaning agents to clean the inside of the windows. Do not touch the inside of the windows with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or a ring. Otherwise, the windows may be damaged.

Clean the water drains of the windshield and rear window at regular intervals. Environmental deposits such as leaves, blossoms and pollen may prevent water from draining. This can lead to corrosion damage and damage to electronic components.

Clean the outside and inside of the windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning agent recommended and released by Mercedes-Benz.

Cleaning wiper blades

WARNING

If the windshield wipers start moving while you clean the windshield or wiper blades, you can become trapped. Risk of injury!

Always switch off the windshield wipers and the ignition before cleaning the windshield or the wiper blades.

NOTE

Do not pull on the wiper blade. Otherwise, the wiper blade may be damaged.

Do not clean the wiper blades too often and avoid rubbing vigorously. Otherwise, the graphite coating may be damaged. This can cause wiper noise.

Hold the wiper arm when folding it back. If the wiper arm suddenly strikes the windshield, the windshield may be damaged.

Fold the wiper arms away from the windshield.

Carefully clean the wiper blades with a damp cloth.

Fold the wiper arms back before switching on the ignition.

Cleaning exterior lighting

Note

Use only cleaning agents or cleaning cloths suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning cloths can scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the exterior lights.

Clean the plastic lenses of the exterior lighting with a wet sponge and a mild cleaning agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or cleaning cloths.

Side mirror indicators

Note

Use only cleaning agents or cleaning cloths suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning cloths can scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the side mirror indicators.

Clean the plastic lenses of the side mirror indicators in the exterior mirror housing with a wet sponge and mild cleaning agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo, or with cleaning cloths.

Cleaning sensors

Note

When cleaning the sensors with a high-pressure washer, keep a distance of at least 30 cm between the vehicle and the high-pressure washer nozzle. The equipment manufacturer provides information on the correct distance.

The sensorsof the driver assistance systems with water, shampoo and a soft cloth.

Cleaning the reversing camera

Note

Do not clean the camera lens and the area around the reversing camera with a high-pressure washer.

The camera lenswith clear water and a soft cloth.

Cleaning the 360° camera

Note

Do not clean the camera lens and the area around the 360° camera with a high-pressure washer.

The camera lenswith clear water and a soft cloth.

Cleaning exhaust tailpipes

WARNING

Exhaust tailpipes and tailpipe trims can become very hot. Touching these vehicle parts can cause burns. There is a risk of injury!

Always take special care in the area of the exhaust tailpipes and tailpipe trims. Allow these vehicle parts to cool down before touching them.

NOTE

Do not clean the exhaust tailpipe with acidic cleaners, e.g. sanitary cleaners or wheel cleaners.

Swirled-up contaminants combined with road salt and aggressive environmental influences can cause flash rust to form on the surface. If you care for the exhaust tailpipe regularly, especially in winter and after washing the vehicle, the original shine can be restored.

Clean the exhaust tailpipe with a care product tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.

Cleaning the towing device

Environmental note

Dispose of oil- and grease-soaked rags in an environmentally responsible way.

NOTE

Do not clean the towing ball neck with a high-pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents.

Observe the care instructions in the towing bracket manufacturer's operating instructions.

The towing ball neck must be cleaned if it is dirty or corroded.

Remove rust deposits, e.g. with a wire brush.

Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or a brush.

After cleaning, lightly oil or grease the ball joint.lightly oil or grease.

Check the function of the towing device on the vehicle.

Info

A qualified specialist workshop can also carry out care work on the towing ball neck and towing device.

The information on winter tires and snow chains for the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) supports safe use in wintry conditions. Only suitable tires and correctly fitted chains ensure optimum traction and short braking distances on snow and ice.

Mercedes emphasizes the importance of combining technical quality with responsible driving behavior to maximize safety in winter traffic.