Maintenance and care

Interior care

~4min read

The interior of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) features high-quality materials that require careful care. This section provides detailed instructions for gently cleaning the display, plastic trim, seats and decorative elements to permanently preserve their value and appearance.

Cleaning the display

Note
Do not use any
  • alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
  • abrasive cleaning agents
  • commercially available household cleaner
These can damage the display surface. Do not apply pressure to the display surface when cleaning. This can cause irreparable damage to the display.

When cleaning, make sure that the display is switched off and has cooled down.

Clean the display surface with a commercially available microfiber cloth and a cleaner suitable for TFT/LCD displays.

Dry the display surface with a dry microfiber cloth.

Cleaning the plastic trim

WARNING

Solvent-based care and cleaning products can make the surfaces in the cockpit porous. If the airbags then deploy, plastic parts can come loose. There is a risk of injury!

Do not use solvent-based care or cleaning products to clean the cockpit.

NOTE

Never attach

  • Label
  • films
  • scent oil dispensers or similar items to plastic surfaces.
Otherwise, you may damage the plastic.
Keep cosmetics, insect repellents or sunscreens from coming into contact with the plastic trim. This preserves the appearance of the high-quality surfaces.

Clean the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.

Heavy soiling: For care, use the cleaning and care products recommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.

  • The surface may temporarily discolor. Wait until the surface is dry again.

    Cleaning the steering wheel and shift or selector lever

    Wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth or use a leather care product recommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.

    Cleaning genuine wood and decorative elements

    Note
    Do not use solvent-based cleaners such as tar removers or wheel cleaners, or polishes or waxes. Otherwise, the surface may be damaged.

    Clean the wood trim and decorative elements with a damp, lint-free cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.

    Heavy soiling: For care, use the cleaning and care products recommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.

    Cleaning seat covers

    General Notes

    Note
    Do not use a microfiber cloth to clean covers made of genuine leather, artificial leather or DINAMICA. With frequent use, it can damage the cover.

    Info

    Note that regular care is a prerequisite for preserving the look and feel of the covers over the long term.

    Genuine leather seat covers

    Leather is a natural product.

    It has natural surface characteristics, such as

    • differences in structure
    • growth and injury marks
    • slight color variations
    These are characteristics of leather and not material defects.

    NOTE

    To keep the natural appearance of the leather, observe the following cleaning instructions:

    • Carefully clean genuine leather covers with a damp cloth and wipe with a dry cloth afterwards.
    • Make sure the leather does not become soaked. Otherwise, it may become brittle or cracked.
    • For leather care, use the leather care products recommended by Mercedes-Benz. You can obtain these from a qualified specialist workshop.

    Seat covers made of other materials

    Note
    Observe the following points when cleaning:
    • Clean artificial leather covers with a cloth dampened with a 1% soap solution, e.g. dish soap.
    • Clean fabric covers with a microfiber cloth dampened with a 1% soap solution, e.g. dish soap. To avoid edge marks, rub gently and always treat complete cover sections. Then let the seat dry. The cleaning result depends on the type and age of the soiling.
    • Clean DINAMICA covers with a damp cloth. To avoid edge marks, make sure that complete cover sections are treated.

    Cleaning seat belts

    WARNING

    Seat belts can be severely weakened by bleaching or dyeing. As a result, the seat belts may tear or fail, for example in an accident. There is an increased risk of injury or death!

    Never bleach seat belts and do not dye seat belts.

    NOTE

    Do not clean seat belts with chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry seat belts by heating them above 80 °Cor in direct sunlight.

    Use clear lukewarm water and soap suds.

    Cleaning the headliner and carpets

    Headliner: For heavy soiling, use a soft brush or dry shampoo.

    Carpets: Use carpet and textile cleaning products recommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.

    The Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) requires careful interior care to maintain its premium appearance over time. Using suitable cleaning agents and materials such as microfiber cloths helps prevent damage to surfaces such as the display, plastic trim and decorative elements.

    Leather and fabric upholstery in particular require regular care with approved products to preserve its look and feel. Mercedes provides clear recommendations to ensure the safety and longevity of the interior.

    This is how the E-Class combines high comfort with well-thought-out functionality, right down to the detail.

  • Test yourself

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