2011 Mercedes-benz C Class Owners Manual

X Switch on the windshield wipers. X Press the _ button repeatedly until the

O or P symbol appears in the display.

i You should only select this setting until

the windshield is clear again.

Rear window heating Activating/deactivating G Warning Any accumulation of snow and ice should be removed from the rear window before driving. Visibility could otherwise be impaired, endangering you and others.

Operating the control systems

125

The rear window heating has a high current draw. You should therefore switch it off as soon as the window is clear as it only switches off automatically after several minutes. If the battery voltage is too low, the rear window heating may switch off. X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the

ignition lock.

X Press the ¤ button.

The indicator lamp in the ¤ button lights up or goes out.

Problems with the rear window heating The rear window heating has deactivated itself prematurely or cannot be activated. X Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps or interior lighting. When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window heating is activated again automatically.

Activating/deactivating air- recirculation mode You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle from outside. The air already inside the vehicle will then be recirculated. G Warning Fogged windows impair visibility, endangering you and others. If the windows begin to fog on the inside, switching off the air recirculation mode immediately should clear interior window fogging. If interior window fogging persists, make sure the air conditioning is activated, or press the ¬ button.

X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the

ignition lock.

X To activate: press the g button.

The indicator lamp in the g button lights up.

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126 Setting the air vents

i Air-recirculation mode is activated

automatically at high outside temperatures. When air-recirculation mode is activated automatically, the indicator lamp in the g button is not lit. Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.

X To deactivate: press the g button.

The indicator lamp in the g button goes out.

i Air-recirculation mode switches off

automatically: Rafter approximately five minutes if

outside temperatures are under about 41 ‡ (5 †)

Rafter approximately five minutes if cooling with air dehumidification is deactivated

Rafter approximately 30 minutes if outside

temperatures are over about 41 ‡ (5 †)

Setting the air vents Important safety notes G Warning When operating the climate control, the air that enters the passenger compartment through the air vents can be very hot or very cold (depending on the set temperature). This could cause burns or frostbite to unprotected skin in the immediate area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient distance between unprotected parts of the body and the air vents. If necessary, use the air distribution adjustment to direct the air to air vents in the vehicle interior that are not in the immediate area of unprotected skin.

In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air through the air vents into the vehicle interior, please observe the following notes: Rkeep the air inlet between the windshield and the hood free of blockages, such as ice, snow or leaves

Rnever cover the vents or air inlet and outlet

grilles in the vehicle interior.

i For virtually draft-free ventilation, adjust

the sliders of the air vents to the center position.

Setting the center air vents

: Center air vent, left ; Center air vent, right = Center vent thumbwheel, right ? Center vent thumbwheel, left X To open/close: turn thumbwheels =

and ? up or down.

Setting the side air vents

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127

X To open/close: turn thumbwheel = up or

down.

i Side window defroster vent : is never completely shut, even if side air vent ; is shut.

Setting the rear-compartment air vents Setting the center vents in the rear compartment

Setting the air vent in the glove box When automatic climate control is activated, the glove box can be ventilated, for instance to cool its contents. The level of airflow depends on the airflow and air distribution settings. ! Close the air vent when heating the

vehicle. At high outside temperatures, open the air vent and activate the "cooling with air dehumidification" function. Otherwise, temperature-sensitive items stored in the glove box could be damaged.

: Rear-compartment air vent thumbwheel ; Rear-compartment air vent, right = Rear-compartment air vent, left X To open/close: turn thumbwheel : up or

down.

: Air vent thumbwheel ; Air vent X To open/close: turn thumbwheel :

clockwise or counter-clockwise.

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129

Vehicle equipment ............................ 130
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle 130
Driving ............................................... 130
Manual transmission ........................ 137
Automatic transmission ................... 138
Refueling ............................................ 145
Parking ............................................... 148
Driving tips ........................................ 150
Driving systems ................................ 156

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130 Driving

Vehicle equipment

i This manual describes all the standard and optional equipment of your vehicle which was available at the time of purchase. Country-specific differences are possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle may not feature all functions described here. This also refers to safety-related systems and functions.

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle The first 1000 miles (1500 km) The more you look after the engine when it is new, the happier you will be with its performance in the future. RDrive at varying vehicle speeds and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km) for this reason.

RAvoid overstraining the vehicle during this

period, e.g. driving at full throttle.

RChange gear in good time, at the latest

when the tachometer needle is 2/3 of the way to the red area in the tachometer display.

Vehicles with automatic transmission: RIdeally, drive program C should be selected for driving the first 1000 miles (1500 km).

RDo not manually shift to a lower gear to

brake the vehicle.

RIf possible, do not depress the accelerator

pedal past the point of resistance (kickdown).

ROnly select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when

driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.

After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may gradually bring the vehicle up to full road and engine speeds.

Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehicles: RFor the first 1000 miles (1500 km), do not

exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h). ROnly allow the engine to briefly reach a maximum engine speed of 4500 rpm.

RShift gears in good time. i Also observe these breaking-in notes

when the vehicle's engine or axle gear have been replaced.

i Always observe the respective limit

speeds.

AMG vehicles with rear axle locking differential Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking differential on the rear axle. Change the oil after a breaking-in period of 2000 miles(3000 km) to improve protection of the rear axle differential. This oil change extends the service life of the differential. Have the oil change carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.

Driving Important safety notes G Warning Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals' range of movement. Keep the driver's footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

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G Warning On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control. G Warning Manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is stationary before removing the SmartKey from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when the SmartKey is removed from the starter switch. G Warning It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use the engine's full performance until it has reached operating temperature. Only shift the automatic transmission to the desired drive position when the vehicle is stationary. Where possible, avoid spinning the drive wheels when pulling away on slippery roads. You could otherwise damage the drive train.

! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil

temperatures (below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the maximum engine speed is restricted in order to protect the engine. To protect the engine and maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driving at full throttle when the engine is cold.

Driving 131

SmartKey positions SmartKey

g To remove the SmartKey

Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission to position P.

1 Power supply for some consumers, such

as the windshield wipers

2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)

and drive position 3 To start the engine Once the ignition is switched on, all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. The indicator lamps of the low-beam headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog lamps only light up if the low-beam headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog lamps are switched on. If an indicator lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on, check it and replace it if necessary. If an indicator lamp does not go out after starting the engine or lights up while the vehicle is in motion, see (Y page 203). If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition lock for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned in the ignition lock. The steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the SmartKey and reinsert it in the ignition lock. The steering is locked when you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X Remove the SmartKey when the engine is

switched off. The battery may otherwise discharge.

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132 Driving

If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock, the vehicle battery may not be charged sufficiently. X Check the vehicle battery and charge if

necessary (Y page 261).

or X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 262). i The SmartKey can be turned in the

ignition lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on. The engine cannot be started.

KEYLESS-GO Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with a SmartKey with an integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a detachable Start/Stop button. The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the vehicle. Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in succession corresponds to the different key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the case if you are not depressing the brake pedal. If you depress the brake pedal and press the Start/Stop button, the engine starts immediately. The Start/Stop button can be removed from the ignition lock. Then you can insert the SmartKey in the ignition lock. i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop

button from the ignition lock when you leave the vehicle. However, you should always take the SmartKey with you when leaving the vehicle. The vehicle can be started with the Start/Stop button and the electrical equipment can be operated while the SmartKey is in the vehicle.

: Start/Stop button ; Ignition lock X Insert Start/Stop button : into ignition

lock ;.

i When you insert Start/Stop button :

into ignition lock ;, the system requires a detection time of two seconds before you can use Start/Stop button :.

X Vehicles with manual transmission: shift to

neutral.

or X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift

the transmission to position N. X Do not press the brake pedal.

Start/Stop button = USA only ? Canada only

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X Position 0: if Start/Stop button : has not yet been pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey being removed from the ignition.

X Position 1: press Start/Stop button :.

You can now activate the windshield wipers, for example.

i If you then open the driver's door when in

this position, the power supply is deactivated.

X Position 2 (ignition): press Start/Stop

button : twice.

i If you press Start/Stop button : once when in this position and the driver's door is open, the power supply is deactivated again.

As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. The indicator lamps of the low-beam headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog lamps only light up if the low-beam headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog lamps are switched on. If an indicator lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on, check it and replace it if necessary. If an indicator lamp does not go out after the engine is started or if it lights up while the vehicle is in motion, see (Y page 203).

Starting the engine Important safety notes G Warning Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these

conditions, drive only with at least one window fully open at all times.

! Do not depress the accelerator pedal

when starting the engine.

Manual transmission X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

X Fully depress the clutch pedal. X Shift to neutral N. i You can only start the engine when the

clutch pedal is fully depressed.

Automatic transmission X Shift the transmission to position P. i The transmission position display in the

multifunction display shows P.

Starting procedure with the SmartKey X Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the

ignition lock (Y page 131) and release it as soon as the engine is running.

Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine G Warning! As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave children unattended in the vehicle, as they could otherwise accidentally start the engine. When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

i The Start/Stop button can be used to

start the vehicle without inserting the SmartKey in the ignition lock. The SmartKey must be in the vehicle.

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X The Start/Stop button must be inserted in

the ignition lock.

i To start the engine with the SmartKey instead of with KEYLESS-GO, remove the Start/Stop button from the ignition lock.

X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

X Press the Start/Stop button once

(Y page 132). The engine starts.

Pulling away Manual transmission X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

X Fully depress the clutch pedal. X Shift to either 1st gear or reverse gear R. X Release the parking brake (Y page 149). X Release the brake pedal. X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently

depress the accelerator pedal. ! If a warning signal sounds and the Release the parking brake message appears in the instrument cluster, the parking brake is still applied. Release the parking brake.

! Change gear in good time and avoid

spinning the wheels. You could otherwise damage the vehicle.

i The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down. You can open the doors from the inside at any time. You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature (Y page 181).

Automatic transmission G Warning It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

i It is only possible to shift the transmission

from position P to the desired position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then is the selector lever lock released.

X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

X Shift the transmission to position D or R. X Wait until the gear change is completed

before pulling away.

X Release the parking brake (Y page 149). X Release the brake pedal. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. ! If a warning tone sounds and the Release Park. Brake message appears in the instrument cluster, the parking brake is still applied. Release the parking brake. i The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down. You can open the doors from the inside at any time. You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature (Y page 181).

i Upshifts take place at higher engine

speeds after a cold start. This helps the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature more quickly.

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Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds the vehicle for a short time after you have removed your foot from the brake pedal. This gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to roll. G Warning Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start assist. After approximately one second, hill start assist will no longer brake your vehicle and it could roll away.

X Take your foot off the brake pedal. i Once you have taken your foot off the

brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around one second.

X Pull away. Hill start assist will not function if: Ryou are pulling away on a level road or a

downhill gradient.

Ron vehicles with automatic transmission,

the transmission is in position N.

Rthe parking brake is applied. RESP® is malfunctioning.

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Problems with the engine Problem The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics. RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply. X Turn the SmartKey back to position 0 in the ignition lock before

the next attempt to start with the SmartKey.

The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter motor.

X Before the next starting attempt with KEYLESS-GO: shut all open

vehicle doors so that the signals from the SmartKey may be better received.

or X Pull the Start/Stop button out of the ignition. X Use the SmartKey to start the engine, (Y page 133) as external

radio signals cause KEYLESS-GO to malfunction. Avoid excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the battery.

If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The on-board voltage is too low because the starter battery is too weak or discharged. X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 262). 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.

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Problem The engine is not running smoothly and is misfiring.

The coolant temperature gauge shows a value above 248 ‡(120 †).

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

workshop. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter and damage it.

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 240). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.

Manual transmission Important safety notes G Warning When working on the vehicle, engage the parking brake and shift the manual transmission into the 1st gear or reverse R. The vehicle could otherwise roll away, which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Gear lever

Gear lever 1 to 6 Forward gears

Reverse

! When shifting between 5th and 6th gear, you should always push the gear lever all the way to the right. You could otherwise shift unintentionally into 3rd or 4th gear and damage the transmission. If you shift down at too high a speed (transmission braking), this can cause the engine to overrev, leading to engine damage. Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by using the clutch pedal. There is otherwise a risk of damaging the clutch.

Engaging reverse gear ! Only shift into reverse gear R when the vehicle is stationary as you can otherwise damage the transmission.

X Stop the vehicle. X Depress the clutch pedal fully. X Shift to neutral. X Move the gear lever firmly to the left

beyond the point of resistance and then forwards.

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Shift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in adopting an economical driving style. The recommended gear is shown in the multifunction display.

Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Selector lever Overview of transmission positions

X Shift gear according to the gearshift

recommendation : shown in the multifunction display of the instrument cluster.

Automatic transmission Important safety notes G Warning It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of parking position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. G Warning! Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine.

Selector lever P Park position with selector lever lock R Reverse N Neutral D Drive

Transmission position display

: Transmission position display Displays on the cover beside the selector lever also indicate the current position of the selector lever. The displays light up when the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition lock. The displays go out when the SmartKey is removed from the ignition lock.

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Drive program display

: Drive program display

Transmission positions B Park position

Do not shift the transmission into position P unless the vehicle is stationary. The parking lock should not be used as a brake when parking. In addition to engaging the parking lock, you must always apply the parking brake to secure the vehicle. The SmartKey can only be removed if the transmission is in position P. If the SmartKey is removed from the ignition lock, the selector lever is locked. In the event of a fault in the vehicle electronics, the selector lever can be locked in position P. To release the selector lever lock, see "Releasing the parking lock manually" (Y page 144).

C Reverse

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

A Neutral

Do not shift the transmission to N while driving. The transmission could otherwise be damaged. No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels. 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 position N if the vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. ! Driving in neutral N can

damage the drive train.

7 Drive

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

Gearshifting The automatic transmission shifts to the individual gears automatically when it is in transmission position D. This automatic gearshifting behavior is determined by: Ra shift range restriction, if selected Rthe selected drive program

E/S or M (vehicles with the dynamic handling package and AMG vehicles) (Y page 140)

Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe road speed

Driving tips AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch function is active regardless of the currently selected drive program. The double-clutch function reduces load change reactions and is conducive to a sporty driving style. The

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140 Automatic transmission

sound generated by the double-clutch function depends on the drive program selected.

Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration. X Vehicles for USA except AMG vehicles:

fully depress the accelerator pedal. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

X Vehicles for Canada except AMG

vehicles: depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

Working on the vehicle G Warning When working on the vehicle, engage the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into park position P. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Program selector button

Program selector button

Program selector button on AMG vehicles

Program selector button on vehicles with the dynamic handling package E Economy

Comfortable, economical driving Sporty driving style Manual gearshifting

S Sport M Manual

i For further information on "Automatic

drive program" (Y page 141).

Only change from automatic drive program E or S to manual drive program M when the vehicle is stationary. X Press program selector button :

repeatedly until the letter for the desired gearshift program appears in the multifunction display.

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

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Steering wheel paddle shifters

: Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter ; Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter In the automatic drive program, you can restrict or derestrict the shift range by using the steering wheel paddle shifters (Y page 141). In the manual drive program, you can change gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters or the selector lever (Y page 141). i You can only change gear with the

steering wheel paddle shifters when the transmission is in position D.

Automatic drive program Drive program E is characterized by the following: Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in forward and reverse gears, unless the accelerator pedal is depressed fully

Rincreased sensitivity, which improves

driving stability on slippery road surfaces, for example

Rthe automatic transmission shifting up

sooner, which results in the vehicle being driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels being less likely to spin In drive program S, the automatic transmission shifts up later.

Shift ranges Introduction When the automatic transmission is in position D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict the shift range (Y page 141). The shift range selected is shown in the multifunction display. The automatic transmission shifts only as far as the selected gear. Driving situations = You can 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 paddle

shifter. The shift range is restricted.

i In order to prevent the engine from

overrevving, the automatic transmission does not shift down when the engine speed is too high.

i If the maximum engine speed for the shift

range is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts up in order to prevent the engine from overrevving, even if the shift range is restricted.

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142 Automatic transmission

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

towards D+.

or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter. 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 multifunction display.

or X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter 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 paddle

shifter and hold it in position. The automatic transmission shifts to the gear which allows ideal acceleration and deceleration. To do this, the automatic transmission shifts down one or more gears.

Manual drive program Switching on the manual drive program The manual drive program is only available for vehicles with the dynamic handling package and for AMG vehicles. Manual drive program M is different from drive program S with regard to spontaneity, responsiveness and smoothness of gear changes.

Manual drive program M can be selected using the program selector button. You can change gears using the steering wheel paddle shifters or the selector lever in manual drive program M if the transmission is in position D. The gear selected is shown in the multifunction display. X Press program selector button

(Y page 140) repeatedly until M appears in the multifunction display.

Upshifting i Vehicles with the dynamic handling

package: if the maximum engine speed for the shift range is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts up, except when manual program M is selected.

Vehicles with AMG engines X Briefly press the selector lever to the right

towards D+.

or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 141). The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.

AMG vehicles: before the engine speed reaches the red area, you will see an upshift indicator in the multifunction display.

: Gear indicator ; Upshift indicator

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Switching off the manual drive program X AMG vehicles: press the program selector button (Y page 140) repeatedly until E or S appears in the multifunction display. X Vehicles with the dynamic handling package: press the program selector button (Y page 140). M is no longer shown in the multifunction display.

Downshifting X Briefly press the selector lever to the left

towards D–.

or X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 141). The automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear.

i If you brake the vehicle or stop without shifting down, the automatic transmission will shift down to a gear that will allow the vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.

i Vehicles with the dynamic handling

package: to avoid overrevving the engine when downshifting, the automatic transmission does not shift to a lower gear if this would result in the maximum engine speed being exceeded.

i If you desire maximum acceleration, push the selector lever to the left or pull and hold the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the transmission shifts to the optimal gear for the current speed.

Kickdown i Vehicles with an AMG engine: 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 Vehicles for USA: fully depress the

accelerator pedal. The automatic transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

X Vehicles for Canada: depress the

accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point. The automatic transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed. i During kickdown, you cannot change gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters or the selector lever.

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Problems with the transmission Problem The acceleration ability is deteriorating. The transmission no longer changes gear.

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The transmission is in emergency mode. It is only possible to shift into 2nd gear and reverse gear. X Stop the vehicle. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Switch off the engine. X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine. X Shift the transmission to position D or R.

If D is selected, the transmission shifts into 2nd gear; if R is selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.

X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist

workshop immediately.

Releasing the parking lock manually In the event of an electrical malfunction, it is possible to release the selector lever lock manually to move it out of position P, e.g. if you wish to tow the vehicle away.

! Do not use any sharp-edged objects to

remove the selector lever cover in the center console. This can damage the selector lever cover.

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

cloth) from the right-hand edge, pulling it up and out.

X Press release button ; down and

simultaneously move the selector lever out of position P. The selector lever can now be moved freely until it is returned to position P.

Transfer case This section is only valid for vehicles with 4- wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always transmitted to both axles. ! Performance tests may only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system or transfer case could otherwise be damaged. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for a performance test. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.

! If the parking brake is being tested on a brake dynamometer, the ignition must be switched off (SmartKey or Start/Stop button in position 0 or 1), as ESP® will otherwise automatically intervene. The brake system could otherwise be damaged.

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Refueling Important safety notes G Warning Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It burns violently and can cause serious personal injury. Never allow sparks, flames or smoking materials near gasoline. Turn off the engine before refueling. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing contact. Direct skin contact with fuels and the inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to your health. G Warning Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pressure in the system which could cause a gas discharge. This could cause the gasoline to spray back out when removing the fuel pump nozzle, which could cause personal injury. G Warning! C 300 and C 300 Sport with automatic transmission: Flexible Fuel Vehicles (identified by a label reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on the fuel filler flap): Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Ethanol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited or if you come into contact with it or inhale fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of ethanol fumes and skin contact with ethanol. Extinguish all open flames before refueling. Never smoke or create sparks close to ethanol.

! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel system and engine.

! Do not switch on the ignition if you

accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify a qualified specialist workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.

gasoline Fuel grade ! You should only refuel with unleaded premium-grade gasoline as this avoids damaging the catalytic converter. Flexible fuel vehicles (recognizable by the sticker Premium gasoline or E85 only! on the inside of the fuel filler flap) can be refueled with E85. For further information on flexible fuel, see "Fuel". If engine running problems are apparent, have the cause checked immediately and repaired. Excess unburned fuel can otherwise enter the catalytic converter, leading to overheating and possibly causing a fire.

i Only refuel with unleaded premium-grade gasoline with a specified minimum octane number of 91 (average value of 96 RON/ 86 MON). Usually you will find information about the fuel grade on the pump. If you cannot find the label on the gasoline pump, ask the gas station staff. C 300 and C 300 Sport with automatic transmission: you can recognize flexible fuel vehicles by the sticker Premium gasoline or E85 only! on the inside of the fuel filler flap. You can find further information under "Fuel" (Y page 306), by consulting an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or visiting http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).

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Refueling Fuel filler flap The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked automatically when you open or close the vehicle with the SmartKey or using KEYLESS- GO. The position of the fuel filler flap is to the rear on the right. The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed in the instrument cluster 8. The arrow next to the gas pump indicates the side of the vehicle.

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. X Turn the fuel filler cap counter-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 and refuel. X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle

switches off.

! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the

fuel system.

Closing X Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly engages.

i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the vehicle. A locking pin otherwise prevents the fuel filler flap from closing after the vehicle has been locked. X Close the fuel filler flap.

Emergency fuel filler flap release G Warning! Avoid contact with the vehicle walls as they may contain sharp edges. Otherwise, you could injure yourself while releasing the fuel filler flap.

The emergency release is located behind the side trim panel in the trunk. X Open the trunk lid. X Open the right-hand side trim panel

(Y page 268).

: To open the fuel filler flap ; To insert the fuel filler cap = Tire pressure table ? Fuel type

Opening X Switch off the engine. i When the engine is running and the fuel

filler flap is open, the ; engine diagnostics warning lamp may light up. For further information on warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster, see (Y page 210).

X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition

lock. KEYLESS-GO: the driver's door is open. This returns the ignition to position 0, which corresponds to the SmartKey being

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X Pull emergency release : in the direction

of the arrow. The fuel filler flap is unlocked.

X Open the fuel filler flap.

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

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions G Risk of explosion or fire The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective. X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 131) in the ignition lock

immediately and remove it.

The fuel filler flap cannot be opened.

X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked. or The key batteries are discharged. X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 73). X Open the trunk lid. X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 146).

The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jammed. X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 146).

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Parking Important safety notes G Warning Do not park this vehicle in areas where combustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system. These materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. Vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury or damage to the vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the following before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle: RKeep right foot on the brake pedal. REngage the parking brake.

RManual transmission: Shift the manual

transmission into 1st gear or reverse gear R.

RAutomatic transmission: Shift the

automatic transmission into park position P.

RSlowly release the brake pedal. RWhen parked on an incline, always turn the

front wheels towards the road curb.

RTurn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 0 and remove it from the ignition lock or press the KEYLESS-GO Start/Stop button.

RTake the SmartKey with you and lock the

vehicle when leaving.

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G Warning Manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is stationary before removing the SmartKey from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when the SmartKey is removed from the starter switch.

Switching off the engine Important safety notes G Warning Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

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

ignition lock and remove it. The immobilizer is activated.

X Apply the parking brake firmly.

Vehicles with automatic transmission X Apply the parking brake firmly. X Shift the transmission to position P. Using the SmartKey X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the

ignition lock and remove it. The immobilizer is activated.

i The SmartKey can only be removed if the

transmission is in position P.

Using KEYLESS-GO X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 132). When the driver's door is closed, the Start/ Stop button is in position 1. When the driver's door is opened, the Start/Stop

button moves to position 0. This corresponds to removing the SmartKey.

If you attempt to turn off the engine when the selector lever is not in position P, a warning signal sounds. Observe the messages in the multifunction display. i In an emergency, you can turn off the engine while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for three seconds.

If you have started the engine with the Start/ Stop button and it cannot be switched off as described: X remove the Start/Stop button from the

ignition lock.

X insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.

The engine stops. The ignition lock is in position 0.

Parking brake G Warning Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. G Warning When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or shift the automatic transmission out of park position P (manual transmission: shift into the neutral position), either of which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

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Driving tips General driving tips Important safety notes G Warning Please do not forget that your primary responsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver's attention to the road must always be his/her primary focus when driving. For your safety and the safety of others, we recommend that you pull over to a safe location and stop before placing or taking a telephone call. If you use the telephone18 while driving, please use the hands-free device and only use the telephone when road, weather and traffic conditions permit. Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a mobile telephone while driving a vehicle. Only operate the audio system or COMAND18 (Cockpit Management and Data System) if road, weather and traffic conditions permit. Otherwise, you may not be able to observe traffic conditions and could endanger yourself and others. Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.

Drive sensibly – save fuel To save fuel, observe the following notes: X Keep tires at the recommended inflation

pressures.

X Remove unnecessary cargo. X Remove the roof rack when not in use. X Maintain a low engine speed until the

engine is warm.

X Avoid frequent acceleration and

deceleration.

X Have all maintenance work performed at

the service intervals specified in the

X To apply: depress parking brake ; firmly. When the engine is running, the $ (USA only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.

X To release: depress the brake pedal and

keep it depressed.