Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Driving and parking

SPEEDTRONIC

In this manual: Driving and parking
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

SPEEDTRONIC in the Mercedes E-Class (4th gen., W212, 2009–2016) helps the driver maintain a set maximum speed. The system helps reduce fuel consumption and improve safety in changing driving conditions. Tips on optimal use supplement this information.

Important Safety Notes

SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically to prevent you from exceeding a set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, shift to a lower gear early. This is especially important when the vehicle is loaded. This uses engine braking, which relieves the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing out too quickly. If you also need to brake, do not apply the brake pedal continuously, but in intervals.

SPEEDTRONIC cannot reduce the accident risk of unadapted driving or override physical limits. SPEEDTRONIC cannot take road and weather conditions or traffic situations into account. SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You are responsible for safe following distance, speed, timely braking and keeping in your lane.

When changing drivers, make the driver aware of the stored speed.

You can limit the speed variably or permanently:

  • Variable for speed restrictions, e.g. in built-up areas
  • Permanent for long-term speed restrictions, e.g. when operating on winter tires
Info
The speed shown on the speedometer may differ slightly from the stored speed limit.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC

General Notes

Variable SPEEDTRONIC
Store current or higher speed
LIM indicator lamp
Store current speed or recall last stored speed
Store current or lower speed
Switch between CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC
Switch off variable SPEEDTRONIC
Use the CRUISE CONTROL lever to operate CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC.

The LIM indicator lamp on the CRUISE CONTROL lever shows which system you have selected:

  • LIM indicator lamp off: CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
  • LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

Select variable SPEEDTRONIC

Variable SPEEDTRONIC wählen

When the driver changes, point out the stored speed limit.

Check whether the LIM indicator lampis on.

If yes, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already selected.

If it is not, move the CRUISE CONTROL lever in the direction of the arrowpress.

  • The LIM indicator lampin the CRUISE CONTROL lever is on. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

    Store current speed

    Aktuelle Geschwindigkeit speichern

    Briefly push the CRUISE CONTROL lever upor briefly push it downtap.

  • The current speed is stored and shown in the multifunction display. The segments in the multifunction display light up from the start of the scale to the stored speed. With the engine running, you can limit to any speed from 30 km/h using the CRUISE CONTROL lever.

    Store current speed or recall last stored speed

    WARNING

    If you recall the stored speed and it is lower than the current speed, the vehicle will brake. If you do not know the stored speed, the vehicle may brake unexpectedly. Risk of accident!

    Consider the traffic situation before recalling the stored speed. If you do not know the stored speed, store the desired speed again.Aktuelle Geschwindigkeit speichern oder zuletzt gespeicherte Geschwindigkeit abrufen

    Briefly pull the CRUISE CONTROL lever toward you.

    Setting the speed

    Geschwindigkeit einstellen

    Adjusting in 10 km/h steps: briefly push the CRUISE CONTROL lever up past the pressure pointfor a higher speed or briefly downpress for a lower speed.

    or

    Push the CRUISE CONTROL lever past the pressure point and hold it until the desired speed is set. Upfor a higher speed, or downfor a lower speed.

    Adjusting in 1 km/h steps: briefly push the CRUISE CONTROL lever up to the pressure pointfor a higher speed or briefly downfor a lower speed, tap.

    or

    Press and hold the CRUISE CONTROL lever up to the pressure point until the desired speed is set. Upfor a higher speed, or downfor a lower speed.

    Set SPEEDTRONIC to passive

    If you press the accelerator past the pressure point (kickdown), SPEEDTRONIC is switched to passive. The message SPEEDTRONIC passive appears in the multifunction display.

    This allows you to exceed the stored speed. SPEEDTRONIC is reactivated when you

    • drive slower than the stored speed without kickdown
    • set a new speed or
    • recall the last stored speed.
    The message SPEEDTRONIC passive goes out in the multifunction display.

    Switch off variable SPEEDTRONIC

    You cannot switch off variable SPEEDTRONIC by braking.Variable SPEEDTRONIC ausschalten

    You have four options for switching off variable SPEEDTRONIC:

    Briefly push the CRUISE CONTROL lever forwardtap.

    or

    Briefly move the CRUISE CONTROL lever in the direction of the arrowpress.

  • The LIM indicator lampin the CRUISE CONTROL lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is switched off. CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

    Info

    If you switch off the engine, the last stored speed is deleted.

    Permanent SPEEDTRONIC

    Use the on-board computer to permanently limit the speed to a value between 160 km/h and the maximum speed.

    Shortly before you reach the stored speed, it is shown in the multifunction display.

    Permanent SPEEDTRONIC remains active even when variable SPEEDTRONIC is switched off.

    You cannot exceed the stored speed limit even if you press the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).

    SPEEDTRONIC in the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) helps the driver observe speed limits and thus increases safety in road traffic. The variable and permanent settings allow flexible adaptation to different driving conditions.

    This technology reflects Mercedes' aim of actively supporting the driver in safe vehicle operation.

    Question: When is permanent SPEEDTRONIC useful?

    Answer: For example, when driving on winter tires, to limit the speed permanently.

    Question: Can SPEEDTRONIC overcome physical limits?

    Answer: No, it is only an aid and does not replace the driver's responsibility.

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