🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Mercedes-Benz

Model:

E-Class Wagon

Trim:

E550 4MATIC

Year:

2012

Chassis Code:

W212

Engine Code General:

M273 (V8)

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Mid-size Luxury Station Wagon / Estate

Positioning:

The E-Class Wagon offers a blend of luxury, practicality, and performance, targeting families and individuals seeking a sophisticated and versatile premium vehicle.

Competitors:

Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5 Series Touring, Volvo V70/XC70 (though less performance-oriented).

Drivetrain:

4MATIC all-wheel drive for enhanced traction and stability in various conditions.

Engine Type:

Powerful V8 engine for strong acceleration and refined performance.

Body Style:

Station Wagon (S212 chassis code), providing significant cargo capacity and passenger versatility.

Luxury Appointments:

High-quality interior materials, advanced technology, and signature Mercedes-Benz comfort features.

📋 Manual Details

Coverage Scope:

Comprehensive owner's information for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 4MATIC Wagon.

Specific Features Covered:

Includes introduction, driver and passenger safety, instruments, controls, comfort, convenience, operation, appearance care, unexpected situations, technical information, warranty, customer relations, entertainment systems, climate controls, lights, driver controls, locks, security, seating, safety restraints, driving, customer assistance, reporting safety defects (U.S. only), cleaning, engine compartment details, engine oil, battery, fuel, air filters, part numbers, refill capacities, lubricant specifications, accessories, service information, and maintenance information.

Estimated Page Count:

Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for this model and year's owner's manual).

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine (M273 V8), 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, transmission operation and indicators.

Chassis:

Braking system (ABS, ESP), suspension, steering, wheels, and tires.

Electrical:

Lighting system (headlights, taillights, interior), instrument cluster, power accessories, fuses, and battery.

Comfort And Convenience:

Climate control (THERMATIC/THERMOTRONIC), power seats, mirrors, windows, sunroof, central locking, keyless-go, and interior features.

Infotainment:

AUDIO 20/30/50, COMAND APS navigation system (if equipped), media interface, telephone operation, and sound system.

Safety And Restraints:

Airbags, seat belts, ISOFIX child seat mounting, active safety systems (e.g., PRE-SAFE), and driver assistance systems (if equipped).

Operation:

Starting and driving the vehicle, operating all controls and features, parking, and basic driving techniques.

Maintenance:

Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, washer fluid), tire pressure, changing wiper blades, and general cleaning.

Troubleshooting:

Interpreting warning lamps and messages, addressing minor issues, and knowing when to seek professional service.

Safety And Emergency:

Emergency procedures, tire changing, jump starting, and safe vehicle operation.

Depth:

Designed for the end-user, providing essential operational and basic maintenance information. Does not include detailed repair procedures or diagnostic codes typically found in a Service Manual.

📊 Manual Specifications

Format:

PDF (Portable Document Format)

Searchability:

Typically searchable text content, allowing for quick information retrieval.

Print Quality:

High resolution, suitable for printing individual pages or the entire document.

Binding:

N/A (Digital Download)

Paper:

N/A (Digital Download)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Code:

M273.961

Engine Type:

4.7L (4663 cc) DOHC 32-valve V8

Aspiration:

Naturally Aspirated

Horsepower:

382 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

391 lb-ft @ 2800-4100 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Port Fuel Injection (SFI)

Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)

Bore X Stroke:

92.9 mm x 86.0 mm

Compression Ratio:

10.5:1

🔧 Transmission

Type:

7-speed Automatic with TouchShift

Gear Ratios Approx:

4.38 / 2.86 / 1.93 / 1.37 / 1.00 / 0.82 / 0.73 (Final Drive: 3.06)

Drive Modes:

Comfort and Sport modes, offering different shift points and throttle response.

Fluid Type:

MB Approval 236.14 Automatic Transmission Fluid (e.g., Mobil ATF 134, Pentosin ATF1)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

193.5 inches

Width:

73.7 inches

Height:

59.0 inches

Wheelbase:

115.7 inches

Cargo Volume Seats Up:

20.5 cu ft

Cargo Volume Seats Down:

67.5 cu ft

Curb Weight:

4,453 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

5,765 lbs

Standard Wheel Size:

18-inch Alloy

Standard Tire Size:

245/40R18

Bolt Pattern:

5x112

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Overall Rating:

5-Star (for sedans, wagon ratings may vary slightly but are generally excellent for the generation)

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System

Esp:

Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Crosswind Assist

Traction Control:

Standard Traction Control System (ASR)

Airbags:

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, driver knee airbag.

Seat Belts:

3-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, NECK-PRO active head restraints.

Child Seat Anchors:

ISOFIX (LATCH) system for child seat installation.

Pre Safe:

Standard PRE-SAFE® anticipatory safety system.

Optional Features:

Optional Driver Assistance Package (Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Parking Assist).

💡 Technology Features

Central Display:

Integrated color display for COMAND APS or AUDIO system, controlling navigation, audio, phone, and vehicle settings.

Navigation:

Optional COMAND APS with HDD-based navigation, traffic data, and voice control.

Audio System:

Standard AUDIO 20 CD or optional AUDIO 50 APS/COMAND APS with AM/FM, CD player, auxiliary input, and optional SiriusXM satellite radio.

Parking Assistance:

Standard PARKTRONIC parking sensors (front and rear), optional Active Parking Assist.

Lighting:

Standard LED daytime running lights, optional Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination.

Bluetooth:

Standard Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming.

Media Interface:

Optional Media Interface (MI) providing connection for external audio devices (e.g., iPod).

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months, based on flexible service intervals indicated by the vehicle's ASSYST PLUS system. Refer to manual for precise conditions.

Major Service Intervals:

Major services (e.g., spark plug replacement, transmission fluid service) typically occur around 40,000-60,000 miles, but specific recommendations depend on vehicle usage and are detailed in the manual or ASSYST PLUS.

Engine Oil:

Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-40 or equivalent meeting MB-Approval 229.5. Capacity: Approx. 8.5 US quarts (8.0 liters).

Coolant:

MB-Approval 325.0 (Blue or Green Antifreeze/Coolant). Capacity: Approx. 9.5 US quarts (9.0 liters).

Brake Fluid:

DOT 4 Plus (MB-Approval 332.0).

Power Steering Fluid:

MB-Approval 343.0 (Hydraulic Fluid).

Common Wear Items:

While generally robust, common wear items can include suspension bushings, brake pads/rotors, and potentially the serpentine belt/tensioner. Some owners report issues with the SBC hydraulic brake system on earlier models, though the M273 engine models generally had the more conventional system.

Electrical Components:

Occasional electrical gremlins or sensor issues can arise, as with many modern luxury vehicles. The manual helps diagnose dashboard warnings.

Oil Filter:

Mann-Filter HU716/2x or equivalent (verify with VIN).

Engine Air Filters:

Mann-Filter C35120/1 (x2) or equivalent (verify with VIN).

📚 Vehicle History

Brand:

Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing reputation for luxury, engineering excellence, and safety innovation dating back to the late 19th century.

E Class Lineage:

The E-Class wagon (often designated S21x) has been a staple in Mercedes-Benz's lineup, evolving from practical estate cars to sophisticated, technology-laden luxury vehicles.

W212 Generation:

The W212 generation (2010-2016) marked a significant redesign with bolder styling and enhanced technology, building upon the reputation of its predecessors.

Manufacturing Location:

Primarily manufactured in Germany (Sindelfingen).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Safety Awards:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles from this era consistently received high safety accolades from organizations like the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA. Specific awards for the 2012 wagon may vary but it would inherit the strong safety reputation of the E-Class line.

IIHS Top Safety Pick:

The W212 E-Class sedan was frequently a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, indicating excellent performance in crash testing.

Euro Ncap Rating:

Typically achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, reflecting its advanced safety features.