steering MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class 2011 W204 Owner's Manual

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 18At a glance ........................................... 23Safety ................................................... 33Opening and closing ...........................69Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....91Lights and windshield wipers ..........105Climate control ................................. 119Driving and parking ..........................129On-board computer and displays ....165Loading, stowing and features ........215Maintenance and care ......................237Breakdown assistance .....................251Tires and wheels ............................... 269Technical data ................................... 301
Contents3BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 3

BatteryCharging ........................................ 261
Checking (SmartKey) .......................74
Display message ............................ 196
Important safety guidelines
(SmartKey) ....................................... 74
Jump-starting ................................. 262
Replacing (SmartKey) ......................74
Safety notes .................................. 259
Belt
see Seat belts
Brake fluid
Notes ............................................. 309
Brake fluid level ................................ 242
Brake lamp (display message) ......... 192
Brakes ABS .................................................. 62
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) .........................309
Display message ............................ 190
High-performance brake system ....153
Important safety notes ..................151
Maintenance .................................. 152
Parking brake ................................ 149
Warning lamp ................................. 203
Breakdown
see Accident (notes)
see Flat tire
Bulbs
Backup lamp .................................. 115
Brake lamp .................................... 115
High-beam headlamps ...................113
Low-beam headlamps ....................113
Overview ........................................ 112
Parking lamps ................................ 114
Rear fog lamp ................................ 115
Replacing ....................................... 114
Side marker lamp .......................... 115
Standing lamps (front) ...................114
Tail lamp ........................................ 115
Turn signal lamp ............................ 115
Turn signals (front) ......................... 114C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) .........21
California
Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................19
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Care
Carpets .......................................... 249
Car wash ........................................ 244
Display ........................................... 247
Gear or selector lever ....................248
Headlamps ..................................... 246
Matte finish ................................... 245
Notes ............................................. 243
Paint .............................................. 245
Plastic trim .................................... 247
Power washer ................................ 244
Rear view camera .......................... 247
Roof lining ...................................... 249
Seat belt ........................................ 249
Seat covers .................................... 248
Sensors ......................................... 247
Steering wheel ............................... 248
Tail pipes ....................................... 247
Trim strips ..................................... 248
Washing by hand ........................... 244
Wheels ........................................... 245
Windows ........................................ 246
Wiper blades .................................. 246
Wooden trim .................................. 248
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 219
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 175
Center console ..................................... 29
Central locking Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 181
SmartKey ......................................... 70
Changing bulbs
Headlamps ..................................... 111
Changing gears .................................. 139
Changing the programming SmartKey ......................................... 73Index5BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 5

Multifunction steering wheelOperating the on-board computer . 167
Overview .......................................... 28
N
Navigation On-board computer .......................174
see separate operating instructions
NECK-PRO head restraints (except
AMG vehicles) Operation ......................................... 49
Resetting triggered ..........................50
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 130
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 45
Operation ......................................... 41
System self-test ............................... 44
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................55
System overview .............................. 34
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 307
Odometer ........................................... 170
Off-road 4MATIC .......................................... 159
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 171
Assistance menu ........................... 178
Audio menu ................................... 175
Convenience submenu ..................181
Display messages ..........................183
Factory settings ............................. 182
Important safety notes ..................166
Instrument cluster submenu ..........178
Lighting submenu .......................... 180
Message memory .......................... 183
Navigation menu ............................ 174
Operating video DVD .....................176
Operation ....................................... 167
Overview of menus ........................169
Service menu ................................. 178
Settings menu ............................... 178
Standard display submenu ............170
Telephone menu ............................ 176
Time/Date submenu .....................179
Trip menu ...................................... 170
Vehicle submenu ........................... 181
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 114
Operating system see On-board computer
Outside temperature
Display ........................................... 167
Overhead control panel
Overview .......................................... 30
Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................60
P
Paint code number ............................ 303
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 245
Panic alarm .......................................... 61
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 89
Resetting ......................................... 90
Parking ............................................... 148
Parking aid PARKTRONIC ................................. 159
Rear view camera .......................... 162
Parking brake .................................... 149
Parking lamp (display message) ...... 193
Parking lock Releasing manually (automatic
transmission) ................................. 144
Parking position
Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side ............................... 101
PARKTRONIC
Activating/deactivating .................161
Function/notes ............................. 159
Malfunction .................................... 162
Problem ......................................... 162
Range of the sensors .....................159
Warning display ............................. 160
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only Canada) ............................. 46
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SPORT handling modeActivating/deactivating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 64
Warning lamp ................................. 208
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 185
Introduction ..................................... 34
Warning lamp ................................. 209
Warning lamp (function) ................... 34
Standard display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 170
Starting the engine Important safety notes ..................133
Station
see Radio
Steering (display message) .............. 201
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) .....................98
Adjusting (manually) ........................98
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 167
Cleaning ......................................... 248
Important safety notes ....................98
Memory function (storing
settings) ........................................... 98
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 102
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 141
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 217
Glove box ....................................... 216
Stowage space
Cup holders ................................... 220
Important safety information .........216
Stowage well
Trunk floor (under) .........................219
Submenu (on-board computer)
Convenience .................................. 181
Factory setting ............................... 182
Instrument cluster .........................178
Lights ............................................. 180
Standard display ............................ 170
Time/Date ..................................... 179
Vehicle ........................................... 181
Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Sun visor ............................................ 221Supplemental Restraint System
see SRS
Surround lighting (on-board
computer) .......................................... 180
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 67
T
Tachometer ........................................ 167
Tailgate Display message (12-button
multifunction steering wheel) ........200
Tail lamps (Display message) ........... 192
Tank content Fuel gauge ....................................... 26
Technical data ................................... 302
C 250 ............................................. 311
C 250 4MATIC ............................... 311
C 300 ............................................. 311
C 300 4MATIC ............................... 312
C 350 .................................... 312, 313
C 350 4MATIC ............................... 312
Tires/wheels ................................. 293
TELEAID
Call priority .................................... 230
Display message ............................ 185
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 230
Emergency call .............................. 227
Important safety notes ..................226
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............231
MB info call button ........................229
Remote vehicle locking ..................231
Roadside Assistance button ..........229
Self-test ......................................... 227
System .......................................... 227
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............231
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 176
Display message ............................ 201
Menu (on-board computer) ............176
Number from the phone book ........ 177
Redialing ........................................ 177
Rejecting/ending a call .................177
Telephone compartment .................. 217
Temperature Coolant .......................................... 166
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 171
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Exterior view ....................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 25
Instrument cluster ..............................26
Multifunction steering wheel .............28
Center console .................................... 29
Overhead control panel ......................30
Door control panel .............................. 3123At a glanceBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 23

CockpitFunctionPage:Steering wheel paddle
shifters
141
;Cruise control lever156=Instrument cluster26?HornAPARKTRONIC warning
display (Canada only)
159
BOverhead control panel30COperates the automatic
climate control system
120
DIgnition lock131Start/Stop button132FunctionPageEAdjusts the steering wheel
manually
98
FAdjusts the steering wheel
electrically
98
GCombination switch108HParking brake148IOn-board diagnostics
socketJOpens the hood238KReleases the parking brake148LLight switch106Cockpit25At a glanceBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 25

Multifunction steering wheelFunctionPage:Multifunction display168;COMAND/audio system;
see the separate operating
instructions=~6Makes/accepts or rejects/
ends a call
176
WXAdjusts the volume or
operates the RACETIMER in
AMG vehicles
172
8Mute??Activates voice control; see
the separate operating
instructionsFunctionPageA%Back or deactivates voice
controlB=;Selects a menu1699:Selects the submenu or
scrolls through lists
169
aConfirms selections and
hides display messages28Multifunction steering wheelAt a glance
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Door control panelFunctionPage:Opens the door78;%& Locks/unlocks
the vehicle
78
=Adjusts the seat electrically94?r 45=
Stores settings for the seat,
exterior mirrors and
steering wheel
102
A7 Zª\
Adjusts and folds the
exterior mirrors in/out
electrically
100
BW Opens/closes the
side windows
84
Cn Activates/
deactivates the override
feature for the side
windows in the rear
compartment
60
Do Unlocks the trunk lid81Door control panel31At a glanceBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 31

GWarning
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the 6 SRS warning lamp:
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out approximately 4 seconds
after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise the SRS
may not be activated when it is needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or fatal
injury. The SRS might also deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could
also result in injury.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for details. USA only: Call our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags
GWarning
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, front-passenger front air bag
cover, outer sides of the seat backrests,
door trim panels, or door frame trims.
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only beOccupant safety35SafetyBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 35Z

performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, Mercedes-Benz
strongly recommends that you inform the
subsequent owner that the vehicle is
equipped with SRS. Also refer them to the
applicable section in the Operator's Manual.
Air bags
Important safety notes
GWarning
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
R frontal impacts (driver's and front-
passenger front air bags and driver's knee
bag)
R side impacts (side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags and pelvis air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door.
GWarning
To reduce the risk of injuries during front air
bag inflation, the driver and front-passenger
must always be seated correctly and have
their seat belts fastened accordingly.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision, you must always be in the normal
seat position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure
that it is correctly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver's seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can
increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front air
bag inflates.
R Adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
36Occupant safetySafety
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