Cars are a lot like people. They can be the source of much joy, and an equal amount of frustration. You can also learn new things about them, no matter how long you’ve been around them. If you’d like to discover more about your W211, pay attention.
There are numerous ways in which you can mine additional functionality from your E-Class. For instance, you can use the valet key inside of your main key to lock your glove box and keep a would-be snooper at your favorite restaurant from seeing something that’s none of his or her business. The primary key will not grant him or her access to the compartment when it’s locked with the valet version.
Tired of your messenger bag or backpack flying around in your trunk? Just flip the handy pair of hooks down from the top of the luggage area.
Also, don’t forget that your sun visor can be slid out on its pole for additional ray-banning.
Click play on the following video to see all of the cool tips and tricks for using your four-door that you might not have known about previously.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
