engine MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2016 Repair Manual

Problems with the engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics. R
There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
Before attempting to start the engine again: X
Turn the SmartKey back to position 0 in the ignition lock.
or X
Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out. X
Try to start the engine again ( Y
page 148). 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 engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged. X
Jump-start the vehicle ( Y
page 352).
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
Try to start the engine again ( Y
page 148).
If the engine still does not start: X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. 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 converter
and damage it. X
Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
gauge shows a value
above 248 ‡ (120 †). 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 333). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary. Driving 153
Driving and parking Z

DYNAMIC SELECT switch
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG
vehicles an d PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles) Use th e DYNAMI C SELECT switch to chang e th e
drive program. Dependin g on th e drive program
selecte d th e followin g vehicle characteristics
will change: R
th e drive (engin e and transmissio n manage-
ment) R
th e suspensio nR
th e steerin gR
th e availabilit y of th e EC O start/sto p functionR
th e climat e control:-
th e climat e contro l setting s-
th e rea r window defroster operation period-
th e performanc e of th e seat heatin g
Each time you start th e engin e wit h th e Smart -
Key or th e Start/Sto p button, drive program C is
activated. Fo r further information about startin g
th e engine, see ( Y
page 148).
X
Push DYNAMI C SELECT switch C forwar d or
bac k until th e desire d drive program is selec -
ted.
The status icon of th e selecte d drive program
is shown in th e multifunction display.
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d briefly in th e multimedia syste m
display.
i In a fe w countries, th e EC O start/sto p func-
tion is deactivated at th e factory due to th e
available fue l grade. In this case, th e EC O
start/sto p function is no t available in any
drive program, regardles s of th e display in th e
multimedia syste m display. Available drive programs:
I Individual Individual setting s
S+ Spor t Plus Particularly sport y drivin g
characteristics
S Spor t Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics
E Econom y Particularly economical
drivin g characteristics
Additional information fo r drive programs
( Y
page 159).
You can also chang e gear yoursel f usin g th e
steerin g whee l paddle shifters . Fo r further infor-
mation on th e manual drive program
( Y
page 161).
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRIDInformation on th e DYNAMI C SELECT switch on
PLU G ‑ IN HYBRID vehicles ( Y
page 229).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
General information Selec t th e drive program usin g th e DYNAMI C
SELECT switch .
Available drive programs:
RAC E
(S ‑ MODEL ) Driving characteristics suit -
able fo r th e racetrac k
S+ Spor t Plus Particularly sport y drivin g
characteristics
S Spor t Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics
I Individual Individual setting s
Dependin g on th e drive program selecte d th e
followin g vehicle characteristics will change: R
th e drive (engin e management)R
th e transmissio n managemen t154
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Driving and parking

R
ESP ®
R
the suspension R
the position of the exhaust flap R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function R
the driver assistance systems R
the availability of gliding mode
Further information for automatic drive program
characteristics ( Y
page 159).
Additionally, in drive program I you can config-
ure the respective vehicle characteristics using
the multimedia system. You can find informa-
tion about this in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program C is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see ( Y
page 148).
Selecting the drive program
X
Push DYNAMIC SELECT switch C forward or
back until the desired drive program is selec-
ted.
The status icon of the selected drive program
is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed briefly in the multimedia system
display.
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor-
mation on the manual drive program
( Y
page 161). Additional settings
C
Position of the exhaust flap ( Y
page 152)D
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 150)

After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P . Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles ( Y
page 44).
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]
Park position with parking lock^
Reverse gear\\
Neutral[
Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion P , R , N or D appears in the transmission
position display in the multifunction display
( Y
page 157).
Engaging park position P
! If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is moving, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from D to R , from R to D or
directly to P . The automatic transmission
could otherwise be damaged. X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction
of arrow P . Engaging park position P automatically Park position P is automatically engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door R
the driver's door is opened when the vehicle is
stationary or driving at very low speed and the
transmission is in position D or R
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position P if the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. Observe the information on
the HOLD function ( Y
page 195) and on
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 189).
Engaging reverse gear R
! Only shift the automatic transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary. X
If the transmission is in position D or N : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first
point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up past the first point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
( Y
page 150).
Shifting to neutral N
G WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could: R
open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users. R
get out and disrupt traffic. R
operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they: R
release the parking brake. R
shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P R
Start the engine.156
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. X
If the transmission is in position D or R : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the
first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position R or D , the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to N automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to P automatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to P automat-
ically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the vehicle
cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing
system: X
Vehicles with the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
All vehicles: switch the ignition on.X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position R or N : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first
point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever down past the first point of resistance. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
C
Status symbol drive program D
Transmission position

Transmission positions E Park position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion P when the vehicle is stationary
( Y
page 156). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
Park position P is automatically
engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key R
you switch off the engine using the
key or using the Start/Stop button
and open the driver's door or front-
passenger door R
the driver's door is opened when
the vehicle is stationary or driving
at very low speed and the trans-
mission is in position D or R
If the vehicle electronics are malfunc-
tioning, the transmission may be
locked in position P . Have the vehicle
electronics checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
F Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion R when the vehicle is stationary. D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position N if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position R or D , the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D . This automatic gear shifting
behavior is determined by: R
the selected drive program R
the position of the accelerator pedal R
the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear: R
little throttle: early upshifts R
more throttle: late upshifts
Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch function
is active regardless of the currently selected
drive program. The double-clutch function158
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

reduces load change reactions and is conducive
to a sporty driving style. The sound generated 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 automatic 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.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions D and R
can help to free a vehicle that has become stuck
in mud or snow.
The vehicle's engine management restricts
switching between transmission positions D
and R to speeds up to a maximum of 5 mph
(9 km/h).
To shift back and forth between transmission
positions D and R , move the DIRECT SELECT
lever up and down past the point of resistance.
Gliding mode (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Gliding mode is characterized by the following: R
the combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train. R
the engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed. R
status icon C goes out and status icon C is
displayed in the multifunction display
( Y
page 157).
In drive program C , you can deactivate and acti-
vate gliding mode using the ECO button
( Y
page 151). Gliding mode can be activated under the follow-
ing conditions: R
the speed is within a suitable range. R
the course of the road is suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients. R
you are no longer depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Gliding mode is deactivated under the following
conditions: R
you depress the accelerator pedal. R
you depress the brake pedal. R
you use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch
the transmission position ( Y
page 156).R
you switch to drive program RACE
(S ‑ MODEL), S+ or S ( Y
page 154).R
you activate manual gearshifting
( Y
page 161). R
you leave the suitable speed range.
i If you have selected the "Comfort" setting
for the drive (engine management) in drive
program I , you can also activate gliding mode.
You can find information about this in the Dig-
ital Operator's Manual.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program I the following properties of the
drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspension R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function R
the climate control:
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program I using the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M (manual) setting for the
drive.Automatic transmission 159
Driving and parking Z

R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIRMATIC). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus) Drive program S+ is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics. R
the vehicle pulling away in first gear. R
the automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIRMATIC). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S (Sport) Drive program S is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics. R
the vehicle pulling away in first gear. R
the automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits hard springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIRMATIC). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program C is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics. R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle having improved driving stability,
for example on slippery road surfaces. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin. R
gliding mode is available. R
the ECO start/stop function is available.
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program I the following properties of the
drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine management) R
the transmission management R
ESP ®
( Y
page 73) R
the suspension R
activation of the exhaust flap
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program I using the steering w heel paddles,
s elect the M (manual) setting for the trans-
mission.
Manual gear shifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D .
Depending on which paddle shifter is pulled, the
automatic transmission immediately shifts into
the next gear down or up, if permitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual shift-
ing, you have two options: R
temporary setting R
permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D .
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically.Automatic transmission 161
Driving an d parking Z

Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D .X
Pull steering wheel paddle shifter C or D .
Further information on activating manual gear-
shifting on PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
( Y
page 229).
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun
phase or when driving on steep terrain. X
To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D and hold it in place.
or X
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or X
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
the drive program.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D . X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.X
To deactivate: press button C .
or X
If position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I : shift to drive program I with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch.
Indicator lamp D goes out.
Shifting gears
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up in order to
prevent engine damage. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.162
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift to recommended gear D according to
gearshift recommendation C when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
! The automatic transmission does not shift
up automatically even when the engine limit-
ing 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. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display. X
When message C appears in the multifunc-
tion display, pull on the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter. Kickdown X
For maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting.Automatic transmission 163
Driving and parking Z