2013 Mercedes-benz C Class Coupe Owners Manual

or discharged. X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 338). If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high. X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two

minutes.

X Try to start the engine again. If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Manual transmission 157

Problem Vehicles with a petrol engine: The engine is not run- ning smoothly and is misfiring.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical component of the engine management system. X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.

Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con- verter and damage it.

X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop.

The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant

to cool down.

X Check the coolant level (Y page 318). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary.

If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue

driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.

X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in

mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.

The coolant tempera- ture display is showing more than 120 †. The coolant warning lamp may also be on and a warning tone may sound.

Manual transmission Gear lever

! When shifting between 5th and 6th gear, you should always push the gear lever all the way to the right. Otherwise, you could shift unintentionally into 3rd or 4th gear and damage the transmission. If you shift down at too high a speed (trans- mission braking), this can cause the engine to overrev, leading to engine damage. Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients. There is otherwise a risk of damaging the clutch.

! On long and steep downhill gradients,

especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2 or 3
in good time. This uses the engine's braking effect. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from over- heating and wearing too quickly.

Gear lever Reverse gear 1 to 6 Forward gears ! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal

is depressed.

158 Automatic transmission

Shifting to neutral (N)

X Depress the clutch pedal fully. X Move the gear lever to position N :.

Engaging reverse gear ! Only shift into reverse gear R when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could damage the transmission.

i The ECO start/stop function is not avail-

able when reverse gear is engaged. For further information on the ECO start/ stop function, see (Y page 153).

X Move the gear lever firmly to the left

beyond the point of resistance and then forwards.

Gearshift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction display.

X Shift gear according to gearshift recom- mendation : when shown in the multi- function display of the instrument cluster.

Automatic transmission Important safety notes G WARNING If the engine speed is above the idling speed and you engage transmission position D or R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident. When engaging transmission position D or R, always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G WARNING The automatic transmission switches to neu- tral position N when you switch off the engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an accident. After switching off the engine, always switch to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi- cle from rolling away by applying the parking brake.

i Bear in mind that the power transmission between the engine and the transmission is interrupted when the engine is switched off. For this reason, shift the automatic transmission to P when the engine is switched off and the vehicle is at a stand- still. Apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.

Automatic transmission 159

Selector lever Overview of transmission positions

Transmission positions B Park position

Selector lever (example) j Park position with selector lever lock k Reverse gear i Neutral h Drive

Transmission position and drive pro- gram display

: Transmission position display ; Drive program display The current transmission position and drive program appear in the multifunction display.

This prevents the vehicle from roll- ing away when stopped. Do not shift the transmission into position P(Y page 169) unless the vehicle is stationary. The key can only be removed if the transmission is in position P. If the key is removed from the ignition lock, the selector lever is locked.

C Reverse gear

Only shift the transmission to R when the vehicle is stationary.

A Neutral

Do not shift the transmission to N while driving. Otherwise, the auto- matic transmission could be dam- aged. Releasing the brakes will allow you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it. If ESP® is deactivated or faulty: only shift the transmission to posi- tion N if the vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. ! Rolling in neutral N can lead to

damage to the transmission.

7 Drive

The automatic transmission changes gear automatically. All forward gears are available.

Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi- vidual gears automatically when it is in trans- mission position D. Gearshifting is deter- mined by: Ra shift range restriction, if selected Rthe selected drive program (Y page 160)

160 Automatic transmission

Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe road speed

Driving tips Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto- matic transmission shifts gear: Rlittle throttle: early upshifts Rmore throttle: late upshifts

AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch func- tion is active regardless of the currently selec- ted drive program. The double-clutch function reduces load change reactions and is condu- cive to a sporty driving style. The sound gen- erated by the double-clutch function depends on the drive program selected.

Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration. X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the

desired speed is reached. The automatic transmission shifts back up.

Towing a trailer X Drive in the middle of the engine speed

range on uphill gradients.

X Shift down to shift range 3 or

2(Y page 162) depending on the uphill or downhill gradient, even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is activated.

Program selector button General notes The program selector button allows you to choose between different driving character- istics.

Example: program selector button E Economy

Comfortable, economical driving Sporty driving style Manual gearshifting

S Sport M Manual

i For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 161).

X Press program selector button : repeat-

edly until the letter for the desired drive program appears in the multifunction dis- play.

i The automatic transmission switches to automatic drive program E each time the engine is started.

AMG vehicles

Steering wheel gearshift paddles

Automatic transmission 161

Drive program selector with manual drive program C Controlled Efficiency S Sport S+ SportPlus

Comfortable, economical driving Sporty driving style Extremely sporty driving style Manual gearshifting Optimal vehicle accelera- tion from a standstill

M Manual RS RACE START

i For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 161).

X Turn drive program selector : until the

desired drive program appears in the mul- tifunction display in the speedometer. The drive program indicator on drive pro- gram selector : lights up in red.

i The automatic transmission switches to automatic drive program C each time the engine is started.

i RS cannot be selected during normal driv-

ing. For further information on RACE START; see (Y page 190).

: Left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle ; Right-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-

dle

In the automatic drive program, you can restrict or derestrict the shift range by using the steering wheel gearshift paddles or the selector lever (Y page 162). In the manual drive program, you can change gear using the steering wheel gearshift pad- dles or the selector lever (Y page 163). i You can only change gear with the steer- ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans- mission is in position D.

Automatic drive program Drive program E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) is characterised by the following: Rcomfort-oriented engine and automatic

transmission settings.

Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from the automatic transmission shifting up sooner.

Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in

forward and reverse gears unless the accel- erator pedal is depressed fully.

Rincreased sensitivity. This improves driving

stability on slippery road surfaces, for example.

Rthe automatic transmission shifting up sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels being less likely to spin.

162 Automatic transmission

Drive program S (or, in the case of AMG vehi- cles, drive programs S and S+) is character- ised by the following: Rsporty engine and automatic transmission

settings.

Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear. Rthe automatic transmission shifting up

later.

Ras a result of the later automatic transmis- sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos- sibly being higher.

Shift ranges Introduction When the automatic transmission is in posi- tion D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict the shift range (Y page 162). The shift range selected is shown in the mul- tifunction display. The automatic transmis- sion shifts only as far as the selected gear. Shift range: = To use the engine's braking effect 5 To use the braking effect of the

engine on downhill gradients and for driving: Ron steep mountain roads Rin mountainous terrain Rin arduous conditions

4 To use the braking effect of the

engine on extremely steep downhill gradients and on long downhill stretches

Restricting the shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards

D–.

or

X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle. The automatic transmission shifts down one gear and restricts the shift range to the relevant gear.

i If the engine exceeds the maximum

engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.

i If the maximum engine speed for the shift range is reached and you continue to accel- erate, the automatic transmission shifts up, even if the shift range is restricted. This prevents the engine from overrevving.

Extending the shift range X Briefly press the selector lever to the right

towards D+.

or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle. The shift range is derestricted.

Clearing the shift range restriction X Press and hold the selector lever towards D+ until D is shown once more in the mul- tifunction display.

or X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until D is shown again in the multifunction display. The automatic transmission shifts from the current shift range directly to D.

Selecting the ideal shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards

D– and hold it in position.

or X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle and hold it in position. The automatic transmission shifts to the gear which allows optimum acceleration

Automatic transmission 163

and deceleration. To do this, the automatic transmission shifts down one or more gears.

X If the colour in the speedometer multifunc- tion display changes to red and the UP dis- play message is shown, shift up a gear.

Manual drive program Activating the manual drive program Manual drive program M can be selected using the program selector or the drive pro- gram selector button. If the transmission is in position D, you can change gear using the steering wheel gearshift paddles or the selec- tor lever in manual drive program M. X Press the program selector button

(Y page 160) repeatedly until M appears in the multifunction display.

X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program

selector (Y page 161) until M appears in the multifunction display. The indicator M on the drive program selec- tor lights up in red.

Shifting up X Briefly press the selector lever to the right

towards D+.

or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle (Y page 161). The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.

AMG vehicles ! In manual gearshift program M, the auto- matic transmission does not shift up auto- matically even when the engine limiting speed for the current gear is reached. When the engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine from overrevving. You must make sure that the engine speed does not reach the red area of the rev counter. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.

Gearshift recommendation

The gearshift recommendations assist you in adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction display. X If relevant gearshift recommendation :

appears in the multifunction display on the instrument cluster, pull on the right-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle (Y page 161). The automatic transmission shifts to rec- ommended gear ;.

Downshifting X Briefly press the selector lever to the left

towards D–.

or X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle (Y page 161). The automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear.

i If you slow down or stop without shifting

down, the automatic transmission auto- matically shifts down.

i For maximum acceleration, push the

selector lever to the left or pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until the transmission selects the optimum gear for the current speed.

164 Automatic transmission

Kickdown i AMG vehicles: it is not possible to use

kickdown in manual drive program M. You can also use kickdown for maximum acceleration in manual drive program M. X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

Deactivating the manual drive program X Vehicles without the dynamic handling

package with sports mode: press the program selector button (Y page 160) repeatedly until E or S appears in the mul- tifunction display.

X Vehicles with the dynamic handling package with sports mode: press the program selector button (Y page 160). M is no longer shown in the multifunction dis- play.

X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program selector (Y page 161) until C, S or S+ appears in the multifunction display.

Refuelling 165

Problems with the transmission Problem The transmission has problems shifting gear.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The transmission is losing oil. X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-

shop immediately.

The acceleration ability is deteriorating. The transmission no longer changes gear.

The transmission is in emergency mode. It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear. X Stop. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Switch off the engine. X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X Shift the transmission to position D or R.

If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.

X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-

shop immediately.

Releasing the parking lock manually If an electrical fault occurs, you can release the selector lever lock manually to move it out of position P. You may need to do this, for example, if you wish to tow the vehicle.

cloth) from the right-hand edge. Pull selec- tor lever gaiter : up and out.

X Press release button ; down and simul- taneously move the selector lever out of position P. The selector lever can now be moved freely until it is returned to position P.

! Do not use any sharp-edged objects to remove the selector lever gaiter from the centre console. This could damage the selector lever gaiter.

X Apply the parking brake. X Prise out selector lever gaiter : with a flat, blunt object (e.g. a screwdriver wrapped in

Refuelling Important safety notes G WARNING Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo- sion. You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling. G WARNING Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury.

166 Refuelling

Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil- dren. If you or others come into contact with fuel, observe the following: RWash the fuel off any affected areas of skin

with water and soap immediately.

RIf you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor- oughly with clean water immediately. Seek immediate medical attention.

RIf fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-

cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.

RChange any clothing that has come into

contact with fuel immediately. G WARNING Electrostatic charge can cause sparks and thereby ignite fuel vapours. There is a risk of fire and explosion. Always touch the vehicle body before opening the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump nozzle. This discharges any electrostatic charge that may have built up. G WARNING Vehicles with a diesel engine: If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running, components in the exhaust system may over- heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire. Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to diesel fuel.

! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a petrol engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could result in damage to the fuel system and the engine. The repair costs are high. Notify a qualified specialist workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.

! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the

fuel system.

! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted surfaces. You could otherwise damage the paintwork.

! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can. The fuel lines and/or the diesel injec- tion system could otherwise be blocked by particles from the fuel can.

Do not get into the vehicle again during the refuelling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge could build up again. If you overfill the fuel tank, some fuel may spray out when you remove the fuel pump nozzle. For further information on fuel and fuel quality (Y page 372).

Refuelling Opening/closing the fuel filler flap

: To open the fuel filler flap ; To insert the fuel filler cap = Tyre pressure table ? Fuel type to be refuelled The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked auto- matically when you open or close the vehicle with the key or using KEYLESS-GO. The position of the fuel filler cap 8 is dis- played in the instrument cluster. The arrow next to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehicle.

Refuelling 167

Opening X Switch off the engine. X Remove the key from the ignition lock. X KEYLESS-GO: open the driver's door.

This corresponds to key position 0: "key removed". The driver's door can be closed again.

X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of

arrow :. The fuel filler flap opens slightly.

X Open the fuel filler flap fully. X Turn the fuel filler flap anti-clockwise and

remove it.

X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder bracket on the inside of filler flap ;.

X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel

pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place and refuel.

X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle

switches off.

i Do not add any more fuel after the pump

stops filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may leak out.

Closing X Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn

clockwise until it engages audibly.

X Close the fuel filler flap. i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the

vehicle.

168 Refuelling

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank Problem Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.

The engine does not start.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty. G WARNING There is a risk of fire or explosion. X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition lock immediately and

remove it (Y page 149).

X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank of a vehicle with a diesel engine has been run com- pletely dry. X Refuel the vehicle with at least 5 litres of diesel. X Turn the ignition on for approximately ten seconds

X Start the engine continuously for a maximum of ten seconds

(Y page 149).

until it runs smoothly.

If the engine does not start: X Turn the ignition on again a maximum of ten seconds

(Y page 149).

X Start the engine again continuously for a maximum of ten sec-

onds until it runs smoothly.

The fuel filler flap can- not be opened.

If the engine does not start after three attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked. or The key battery is discharged. X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element

(Y page 84).

The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jam- med. X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Parking 169

Parking Important safety notes G WARNING Flammable material such as leaves, grass or twigs may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust gas flow. There is a risk of fire. Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate- rial can come into contact with hot vehicle components. In particular, do not park on dry grassland or harvested grain fields. G WARNING If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident. Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G WARNING If you leave children unattended in the vehi- cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in motion if, for example, they: Rrelease the parking brake Rshift the automatic transmission out of park position P or shift manual transmission into neutral

Rstart the engine In addition, they may operate vehicle equip- ment and become trapped. There is a risk of an accident and injury. When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.

! Always secure the vehicle correctly

against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or its drivetrain could be damaged.

To ensure that the vehicle is secured against rolling away unintentionally: Rthe parking brake must be applied. Ron vehicles with manual transmission,

engage first gear or reverse gear.

Ron vehicles with automatic transmission, the transmission must be in position P and the key must be removed from the ignition lock.

Ron uphill or downhill gradients, the front wheels must be turned towards the kerb.

Switching off the engine Important safety notes G WARNING The automatic transmission switches to neu- tral position N when you switch off the engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an accident. After switching off the engine, always switch to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi- cle from rolling away by applying the parking brake.

Vehicles with manual transmission X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R. X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition

lock and remove it. The immobiliser is activated.

X Firmly depress the parking brake.

Vehicles with automatic transmission X Firmly depress the parking brake. X Shift the transmission to position P. Using the key X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition

lock and remove it. The immobiliser is activated.

i The key can only be removed if the trans-

mission is in position P.

170 Parking

The brake lights do not light up when you brake the vehicle with the parking brake.

X To apply: depress parking brake ; firmly. The J indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up if the engine is running. X To release: depress the brake pedal and

keep it depressed.

X Pull release handle :.

The J indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.

Parking up the vehicle If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than four weeks, the battery may be damaged by exhaustive discharging. X Disconnect the battery or connect it to a

trickle charger.

i You can obtain information about trickle chargers from a qualified specialist work- shop.

If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer dam- age as a result of lack of use. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and

seek advice.

Using KEYLESS-GO X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 149).

The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go out.

i When the driver's door is closed, this cor- responds to key position 1. When the driv- er's door is open, this corresponds to key position 0: "key removed".

i The engine can be switched off while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for about three sec- onds. This function operates independently of the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off function.

Parking brake G WARNING If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably longer and the wheels could lock. This increa- ses the risk of skidding and an accident. Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi- cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the wheels lock, release the parking brake until the wheels begin turning again. G WARNING If you leave children unattended in the vehi- cle, they could set the vehicle in motion by, for example: Rreleasing the parking brake Rshifting an automatic transmission out of

parking position P

Rshifting a manual transmission into neutral Rstarting the engine They could also operate vehicle equipment. There is a risk of an accident and injury. When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.

Driving tips General driving tips Important safety notes G WARNING If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident. Do not switch off the ignition while driving.

ECO display The ECO display provides feedback on how economical your driving characteristics are. The ECO display assists you in achieving the most economical driving style for the selec- ted settings and prevailing conditions. Con- sumption can be significantly influenced by your driving style.

Example: ECO display The ECO display consists of three bars: RAcceleration RConstant RCoasting The percentage count is the mean value of the three bar values. The three bars and the mean value begin at the value of 50%. A higher per- centage count indicates a more economical driving style. The ECO display does not indicate the actual fuel consumption and a fixed percentage count in the ECO display does not indicate a fixed consumption figure.

Driving tips

171

In addition to driving style, the consumption is affected by many other factors, such as: Rload Rtyre pressure Rcold start Rchoice of route Rthe use of electrical consumers These factors are not included in the ECO dis- play. The evaluation of your driving style takes the following three categories into consideration: RAcceleration (evaluation of all accelera- tion processes): - The bar fills up: moderate acceleration,

especially at higher speeds

- The bar empties: sporty acceleration RConstant (assessment of driving behav- iour at all times): - The bar fills up: constant speed and

avoidance of unnecessary acceleration and deceleration

- The bar empties: fluctuations in speed RCoasting (assessment of all deceleration processes): - The bar fills up: anticipatory driving,

keeping your distance and early release of the accelerator. The vehicle can coast without use of the brakes.

- The bar empties: frequent braking

i An economical driving style involves driv-

ing at a moderate engine speed. To achieve a higher value in the categories Acceleration and Constant: Robserve the gearshift recommendation. Rdrive the vehicle in drive program E (vehi-

cles with automatic transmission). i On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g. on the motorway, only the bar for Con‐ stant will change. i The ECO display summarises the driving characteristics from the start of the journey to its completion. Therefore, there are

172 Driving tips

dynamic changes in the bars at the start of a journey. During a prolonged driving time, these changes are smaller. For more dynamic changes, perform a manual reset. For further information on the ECO display, see (Y page 223).

Braking Important safety notes G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.

Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill gradients, you must: Rshift to a lower gear in good time, or Ron vehicles with automatic transmission,

select shift range 1, 2 or 3.

Take particular note of this when driving a laden vehicle and when towing a trailer. i This also applies if you have activated

cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS- TRONIC PLUS.

This will use the braking effect of the engine, so less braking will be required to maintain vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.

Heavy and light loads G WARNING The braking system can overheat if you leave your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This increases the braking distance and could

even cause the braking system to fail. There is a risk of an accident. Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do not simultaneously depress both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal while driving.

! Depressing the brake pedal constantly

results in excessive and premature wear to the brake pads.

If heavy demands are made on the brakes, do not park the vehicle immediately. Drive on for a short while. This allows the airflow to cool the brakes more quickly. If the brakes have been used only moderately, you should occasionally test their effective- ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a higher speed. This improves the grip of the brakes.

Wet road surfaces If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain without braking, there may be a delayed reac- tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after the vehicle has been washed. You have to depress the brake pedal more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front. After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten- tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly and protecting them against corro- sion.

Limited braking performance on salt- treated roads If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of salt may form on the brake discs and pads. This can increase the braking distance con- siderably.

Driving tips

173

RBrake occasionally to remove any possible salt residue. Ensure that you do not endan- ger other road users when doing so.

RCarefully depress the brake pedal at the end of the journey and when starting the next journey.

RMaintain a much greater distance to the

vehicle in front.

New brake pads/linings New brake pads/brake pads and discs that have been replaced only achieve optimum braking effect after several hundred kilome- tres of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying greater force to the brake pedal. For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you only have brake pads/linings fitted to your vehicle which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not of an equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's operating safety.

High-performance brake system for AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is designed for high loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This is dependent on: Rspeed Rbraking force Renvironmental conditions, such as temper-

ature and humidity

The wear and tear on individual brake system components, e.g. brake pads or discs, depends on: Rthe individual driving style Rthe operating conditions For this reason, it is impossible to state a mileage (service life) that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further

information about this from your Mercedes- Benz Service Centre. New brake pads/linings and discs that have been replaced only achieve optimum braking effect after several hundred kilometres of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying greater force to the brake pedal. Always be aware of this and adapt your driving and braking accordingly during the running-in period. Excessive heavy braking results in corre- spondingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note any brake status messages in the multifunction display. If you regularly drive at high speeds, it is particularly impor- tant to have the brake system checked and maintained regularly.

Driving on wet roads Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua- planing occurring, even if: Ryou are driving at low speeds Rthe tyres have adequate tread depth For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts and brake carefully.

Driving on flooded roads If you have to drive on stretches of road on which water has collected, please bear in mind that: Rthe maximum permissible fording depth in

still water is 25 cm

Ryou should drive no faster than walking

pace

! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in front or in the opposite direction create waves. This may cause the maximum per- missible water depth to be exceeded. These notes must be observed under all circumstances. You could otherwise dam-

174 Driving systems

age the engine, the electronics or the trans- mission.

Winter driving Important safety notes G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface. G DANGER If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of fatal injury. If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area around the vehicle are clear of snow. To ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not facing into the wind.

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified specialist workshop at the onset of winter. Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 348).

Driving with summer tyres Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 348).

Slippery road surfaces G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.

This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.

You should drive particularly carefully on slip- pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera- tion, steering and braking manoeuvres. If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed: X Vehicles with manual transmission:

shift to neutral.

X Vehicles with automatic transmission:

shift the transmission to position N.

X Try to bring the vehicle under control by

using corrective steering.

i For more information on driving with

snow chains, see (Y page 349).

The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. Changes in the outside temperature are dis- played after a short delay. Indicated temperatures just above the freez- ing point do not guarantee that the road sur- face is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always adapt your driving style and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing weather conditions. You should pay special attention to road con- ditions when temperatures are around the freezing point.

Driving systems Cruise control Important safety notes Cruise control maintains a constant road speed for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid exceeding the set speed. You must select a low gear in good time on long and

steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. On vehicles with automatic transmission, select shift range 1, 2 or 3. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. Use cruise control only if road and traffic con- ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 30 km/h. If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an acci- dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control cannot take into account road, weather or traffic conditions. Cruise control is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis- tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time, and for staying in the lane. Do not use cruise control: Rin road and traffic conditions which do not

allow you to maintain a constant speed (e.g. in heavy traffic or on winding roads) Ron smooth or slippery roads. Braking or

accelerating can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle could then skid

Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,

heavy rain or snow

If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the speed stored.

Cruise control lever You can operate cruise control and variable SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever. The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control lever indicates which system you have selec- ted: RLIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is

selected.

RLIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-

TRONIC is selected.

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175

: To activate or increase speed ; LIM indicator lamp = To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

? To activate or reduce speed A To switch between cruise control and var-

iable SPEEDTRONIC

B To deactivate cruise control When you activate cruise control, the stored speed is shown in the multifunction display for five seconds. Vehicles with the 4-button multifunction steering wheel: the stored speed is then permanently displayed in the status indicator together with the ¯ sym- bol. Vehicles with the 12-button multifunc- tion steering wheel: the segments from the stored speed up to the maximum speed light up in the multifunction display.

Selecting cruise control X Check whether LIM indicator lamp ; is off. If it is off, cruise control is already selected. If it is not, press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow A. LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever goes out. Cruise control is selected.

Storing and maintaining the current speed You can store the current speed if you are driving faster than 30 km/h.

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X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired

speed.

X Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ?.

X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. Cruise control is activated. The vehicle automatically maintains the speed.

i Cruise control may be unable to maintain the stored speed on uphill gradients. The stored speed is resumed when the gradient evens out. Cruise control maintains the stored speed on downhill gradients by automatically braking the vehicle.

i Vehicles with manual transmission:

Ralways drive at adequate, but not exces-

sive, engine speeds.

Rchange gear in good time. Rif possible, do not change down several

gears at a time.

Storing the current speed and calling up the last stored speed G WARNING If you call up a stored speed and this is dif- ferent from the current speed, the vehicle accelerates or brakes. If you do not know what the stored speed is, the vehicle may accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident. Take the traffic conditions into account before calling up the stored speed. If you do not know what the stored speed is, store the desired speed again.

X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you =.

X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. The first time cruise control is activated, it stores the current speed or regulates the speed of the vehicle to the previously stored speed.

Setting a speed Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to the set speed. X Press the cruise control lever up : for a higher speed or down ? for a lower speed. X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until

the desired speed is reached.

X Release the cruise control lever.

The new speed is stored.

X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-

ments: briefly press the cruise control lever up : or down ? to the pressure point. The last stored speed increases or decrea- ses in 1 km/h increments.

X To adjust the set speed in 10 km/h

increments: press the cruise control lever briefly up : or down ? beyond the pres- sure point. The last stored speed increases or decrea- ses in 10 km/h increments.

i Cruise control is not deactivated if you depress the accelerator pedal. For exam- ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake, cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after you have fin- ished overtaking.

Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise control: X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-

wards B.

or X Brake or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the

direction of arrow A. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever lights up.

Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: Ryou depress the parking brake. Ryou are driving at less than 30 km/h. RESP® intervenes or you deactivate ESP®. Ryou shift into neutral in a vehicle with man- ual transmission while driving or depress the clutch pedal for longer than six sec- onds.

Ron vehicles with manual transmission, you

shift to a gear that is too high, and as a result the engine speed is too low.

Ron vehicles with automatic transmission,

you shift into position N while driving. If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the Cruise control off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds. i The last speed stored is cleared when you

switch off the engine.

SPEEDTRONIC Important safety notes SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that you do not exceed the set speed. You must select a low gear in good time on long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. On vehicles with automatic transmission, select shift range 1, 2 or 3. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than continuously. If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED- TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. SPEEDTRONIC cannot take into account road, weather or traffic conditions. SPEED- TRONIC is only an aid. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle

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177

speed, for braking in good time, and for stay- ing in the lane. If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the speed stored. You can set a variable or permanent limit speed: Rvariable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up

areas

Rpermanent for long-term speed restric- tions, e.g. when driving with winter tyres fitted (Y page 179)

i The speed indicated in the speedometer

may differ slightly from the limit speed stored.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC General notes With the cruise control lever, you can operate cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and vari- able SPEEDTRONIC. The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control lever indicates which system you have selec- ted: RLIM indicator lamp off: cruise control or

DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

RLIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-

TRONIC is selected.

You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running.

: To store the current speed or a higher

speed

; LIM indicator lamp

178 Driving systems

= To store the current speed and call up the

last stored speed

? To store the current speed or a lower

speed

A To switch between cruise control and var-

iable SPEEDTRONIC

B To deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC X Check whether LIM indicator lamp ; is on. If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already selected. If it is not, press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow A. LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

Storing the current speed You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running. X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the

pressure point up : or down ?. The current speed is stored. For five sec- onds, the multifunction display shows the stored speed, e.g. Limit 100 km/h. Vehicles with the 4-button multifunction steering wheel: the stored speed is perma- nently displayed in the status indicator, e.g. LIM 100 km/h. Vehicles with a 12-button multifunction steering wheel: on the speedometer, the segments from the start of the scale up to the stored speed are lit up.

Storing the current speed and calling up the last stored speed G WARNING If you call up the stored speed and it is lower than the current speed, the vehicle deceler- ates. If you do not know the stored speed, the vehicle could decelerate unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic condi- tions before calling up the stored speed. If you do not know the stored speed, store the desired speed again.

X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you =.

Making adjustments in 1 km/h incre- ments X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.

or X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the

pressure point until the desired speed is set. Press the cruise control lever up : for a higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.

Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre- ments X Briefly press the cruise control lever

beyond the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.

or X Keep the cruise control lever pressed

beyond the pressure point until the desired speed is set. Press the cruise control lever up : for a higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.

Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC It is not possible to deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC by braking. There are several ways to deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC: X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-

wards B.

or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the

direction of arrow A. LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated.

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179

Cruise control is selected.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC is automatically deactivated if: Ryou depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but only if your current speed does not differ by more than 20 km/h from the stored speed. You will hear a warning tone if this is the case.

Ron vehicles with manual transmission, if you shift to a higher gear and as a result, the engine speed is too low.

i The last speed stored is cleared when you

switch off the engine.

Permanent SPEEDTRONIC You can use the on-board computer to limit the speed permanently to a value between 160 km/h(e.g. for driving on winter tyres) and the maximum speed (Y page 233). Shortly before the stored speed is reached, it appears in the multifunction display. Permanent SPEEDTRONIC remains active, even if variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated. You cannot exceed the stored limit speed, even if you depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).

DISTRONIC PLUS Important safety notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and automatically helps you maintain the dis- tance to the vehicle detected in front. DIS- TRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that the set speed is not exceeded. You must select a low gear in good time on long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. On vehicles with automatic transmission, select shift range 1, 2 or 3. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front. G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: Rpeople or animals Rstationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-

ped or parked vehicles

Roncoming and crossing traffic As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give warnings nor intervene in such situations. There is a risk of an accident. Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden- tify other road users and complex traffic sit- uations. In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: Rgive an unnecessary warning and then

brake the vehicle

Rneither give a warning nor intervene Raccelerate unexpectedly There is a risk of an accident. Continue to drive carefully and be ready to brake, in particular when warned to do so by DISTRONIC PLUS. G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk of an accident. In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and try to take evasive action.

180 Driving systems