MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2016 Owners Manual

front will then not be maintained. You will be
driving at the speed you determine by the
position of the accelerator pedal.
You can also activate DISTRONIC PLUS when
stationary. The lowest speed that can be set is
20 mph (30 km/h). X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you

R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected. R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
For further information on deactivating
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 191).
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is
stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum dis-
tance, your vehicle will come to a standstill at
a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in
front. The specified minimum distance is set
using the control on the cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to position P if:R
the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open. R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matical ly switched off by the ECO start/stop
functi on.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission may
also shift into position P automatically.
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever up C for a
higher speed or down D for a lower speed.X
To adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly press the cruise control lever up C or down D to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D the last speed stored is
increased or reduced. X
To adjust the set speed in 5 mph incre-
ments (1 0 km/h increments): briefly press
the cruise control lever up C or down D to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up C or down D , the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
i If you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC
PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished overtak-
ing.
Setting a specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in front,
dependent on vehicle speed. You can see this
distance in the multifunction display
( Y
page 191).
i Make sure that you maintain the minimum
distance to the vehicle in front as required by
law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front
if necessary.
X
To increase: turn control D in direction

DISTRONI C PLUS display s in th e instru -
ment cluste rDisplay s in th e speedometer
If DISTRONIC PLU S detects a vehicle in front,
segments between th e speed of th e vehicle in
fron t C and stored speed D ligh t up.
Vehicles wit h th e Drivin g Assistance Plu s
package: th e segments likewis e ligh t up if a
vehicle in fron t is detecte d in th e fas t lane.
i Fo r design reasons, th e speed displaye d in
th e speedometer may diffe r slightly from th e
speed set fo r DISTRONIC PLUS.
Display when DISTRONI C PLUS is deacti -
vate d
C
Vehicle in front, if detecte d
D
Distanc e indicator , curren t distanc e to th e
vehicle in fron t

multifunction display for approximately five sec-
onds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactivated
if: R
you engage the electric parking brake or if the
vehicle is automatically secured with the elec-
tric parking brake R
ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R
the transmission is in the P , R or N positionR
you pull the cruise control lever towards you
in order to pull away and the front-passenger
door or one of the rear doors is open R
the vehicle is skidding R
you activate Active Parking Assist
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC
PLUS Off message in the multifunction display
for approximately five seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations: R
Cornering, entering and exiting a bend: the
ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehicles
when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may
brake unexpectedly or late. R
Driving on a different line: DISTRONIC PLUS
may not detect vehicles which are not driving
in the middle of their lane. The distance to the
vehicle in front will be too short. R
Other vehicles changing lane: DISTRONIC
PLUS has not detected the vehicle cutting in
yet. The distance to this vehicle will be too
short. R
Narrow vehicles: DISTRONIC PLUS does not
detect the vehicle in front on the edge of the
road because of its narrow width. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short. R
Obstacles and stationary vehicles:
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these. R
Crossing vehicles: DISTRONIC PLUS may mis-
takenly detect vehicles that are crossing your
lane. Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic
lights with crossing traffic, for example, could
cause your vehicle to pull away unintention-
ally.
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot aids you in keeping the vehicle in
the center of the driving lane by means of mod-
erate steering interventions at speeds of
0 - 125 mph (0 - 200 km/h).
It monitors the area in front of your vehicle by
means of multifunction camera C , at the top of
the windshield.
In a speed range from 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h),
Stop&Go Pilot focuses on the vehicle in front,
taking into account lane markings, e.g. when
following vehicles in a traffic jam.
At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h),
Steering Assist focuses on clear lane markings
(left and right), only focusing on the vehicle in
front if clear lane markings are not present.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot do not pro-
vide any support if these conditions do not exist.
DISTRONIC PLUS must be active in order for the
function to be available.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DISTRONIC
PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor192
Driving systems
Driving and parking

override the laws of physics. It cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot is only an aid. You are responsible
for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehi-
cle speed, for braking in good time and for stay-
ing in your lane.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot does not detect road and traffic
conditions. If you are following a vehicle which is
driving towards the edge of the road, your vehi-
cle could come into contact with the curb or
other road boundaries. Be particularly aware of
other road users, e.g. cyclists, that are directly
next to your vehicle.
Obstacles such as traffic pylons on the lane or
projecting out into the lane are not detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g. after
intentionally driving over a lane marking, can be
corrected at any time if you steer slightly in the
opposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot cannot continuously keep your
vehicle in lane. In some cases, the steering
intervention is not sufficient to bring the vehicle
back to the lane. In such cases, you must steer
the vehicle yourself to ensure that it does not
leave the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if: R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficient
illumination of the road, or due to snow, rain,
fog or spray R
there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic, the
sun or reflections (e.g. when the road surface
is wet) R
the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicin-
ity of the camera R
there are no, several or unclear lane markings
for a lane, e.g. in areas with road construction
work R
the lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
ered up, e.g. by dirt or snow R
the distance to the vehicle in front is too small
and the lane markings thus cannot be detec-
ted R
the lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge R
the road is narrow and winding R
there are strong shadows cast on the road The syst em is switched to passive and no longer
assist s you by performing steering interventions
if: R
you actively change lane R
you switch on the turn signal R
take your hands off the steering wheel or do
not steer for a prolonged period of time
i Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are acti-
vated again automatically after a lane change
is completed.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot do not pro-
vide any support: R
on very sharp corners R
when a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety notes
for DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 187).
The steering interventions are carried out with a
limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with
a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears in the multifunction display. If you have
still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel after five seconds at the
latest, a warning tone also sounds to remind you
to take control of the vehicle. Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot are switched to passive.
DISTRONIC PLUS remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot
X
Press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The DTR+:
Steering Assist. On message appears inDriving systems 193
Driving and parking Z

the multifunction display. Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot are activated.
Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activa-
ted but is not ready for a steering intervention,
steering wheel symbol C appears in gray. If the
system provides you with support by means of
steering interventions, symbol C is shown in
green.
Deactivating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Press button D .
Indicator lamp C goes out. The DTR+:
Steering Assist. Off message appears in
the multifunction display. Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot are deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated or not
available, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are
deactivated automatically.
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes
G WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. R
the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with. R
the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function is
activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in
certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function ( Y
page 195).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all of the
following conditions are fulfilled: R
the vehicle is stationary. R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function. R
the driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened. R
the electric parking brake is released. R
the transmission is in position D , R or N .R
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.194
Driving system s
Dr ivi ng an d parking

Activating the HOLD function X
Mak e sur e that th e activation condition s are
met .X
Depress th e brak e pedal .X
Quickl y depress th e brak e pedal further
until C appear s in th e multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th e brak e pedal .
i If depressing th e brak e pedal th e first time
does no t activat e th e HOLD function , wait
briefl y and then tr y again .
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if: R
you accelerate and th e transmission is in
position D or R .R
th e transmission is in position P .R
you depress th e brak e pedal again wit h a cer-
tai n amount of pressur e until C disappear s
from th e multifunction display.R
you secure th e vehicl e usin g th e electric park -
ing brake. R
you activat e DISTRONI C PLUS.
i Afte r a time, th e electric parking brak e
secures th e vehicl e and relieves th e servic e
brake.
When th e HOLD function is activated, th e trans -
mission is shifte d automatically to position P if:R
th e driver's seat belt is no t fastene d and th e
driver's door is open .R
th e engin e is switched off , unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th e ECO start/sto p
function . The electric parking brak e secures th e vehicl e
automatically if th e HOLD function is activated
when th e vehicl e is stationary and :R
a system malfunction occurs. R
th e powe r supply is no t sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, then th e transmission
may be shifte d int o position P automatically.
RACE START
Import ant safety notes
i RACE START mus t no t be used on normal
roads. RACE START mus t only be activated
and used on dedicate d road circuits, outside
of public road use.
i RACE START is only available in
Mercedes ‑ A MG vehicles.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration from
a standing start . Fo r this, a suitably high-grip
road surfac e is required, alon g wit h th e tires and
vehicl e bein g in proper operating condition .
G WARNIN G
If you use RACE START , individual tires may
start to spin and th e vehicl e could skid.
Dependin g on th e selected ES P ®
mode, there
is an increased ris k of skiddin g and having an
accident. Mak e sur e that no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of th e vehicle.
i Observ e th e safet y note s on drivin g safet y
systems ( Y
page 68).
Be sur e to read th e safet y note s and informa-
tion on ES P ®
( Y
page 73).
Conditions for activati onYou can activat e RACE START if: R
th e door s are closed. R
th e engin e is runnin g and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
16 0 ‡ (71 †). This is th e cas e when th e oil
temperature gauge in th e multifunction dis-
play is shown in white. R
th e drive program S , S+ or Race is selected.
( Y
page 154) R
th e steering whee l is in th e straight-ahead
position .Driving systems 195
Driving and parking Z

R
the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is
depressed (left foot). R
the transmission is in position D .
Activating RACE START
i When manual mode ( Y
page 161) is active,
the transmission automatically shifts up to
RACE START in the drive program. This func-
tion supports maximum acceleration with
RACE START. After going through an acceler-
ating process once from a stationary position,
this function is automatically deactivated. X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed. X
Pull and hold both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers ( Y
page 161).
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears in
the multifunction display. X
Release both steering wheel paddle shifters
( Y
page 161).
i If the activation conditions are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is canceled. The RACE
START Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display. X
To cancel: pull the left steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 161).
or X
To confirm: pull the right steering wheel pad-
dle shifter ( Y
page 161).
The RACE START Available Depress gas
pedal. message appears in the multifunction
display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator pedal
fully within two seconds, RACE START is can-
celed. The RACE START Not Possible See
Operator's Manual message appears in the
multifunction display. X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to start
message appears in the multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal within
five seconds, RACE START is canceled. The RACE START Canceled message appears in
the multifunction display. X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation.
The RACE START Active message appears in
the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph (Can-
ada: 50 km/h).
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal during RACE
START or if any of the activation conditions are
no longer fulfilled. The RACE START Not Pos‐
sible See Operator's Manual or RACE
START Canceled message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available again
after the vehicle has been driven a certain
distance.
AIRMATIC
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. All-round
level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control
and the Adaptive Damping System ADS.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.196
Driving system s
Dr ivi ng an d parking

i If one of the doors is open, the vehicle is not
lowered.
Vehicle level Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels below a speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). Select the "Normal" setting
for normal road surfaces and "Raised" for driving
with snow chains or on particularly poor road
surfaces. Your selection remains stored even if
you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 0.6 in (15 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Rising message appears in the
multifunction display.
i The message disappears after ten seconds,
irrespective of the level reached. If necessary,
the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you: R
drive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h). R
drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h).
The "Raised level" remains active when you are
not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is lit:X
Press button C . Suspension settings General notes The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface condition, e.g. bumps R
your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning In the "Sport" and "Sport Plus" drive programs,
the firmer suspension setting ensures even bet-
ter contact with the road. Select this mode when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding
country roads. X
The vehicle is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
Comfort tuning In the "Economy" and "Comfort" drive programs,
the driving characteristics of your vehicle are
more comfortable. Therefore, select this mode if
you favor a more comfortable driving style.
Select comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of high-
way. X
The vehicle is raised to the normal level.
When driving at speeds above 80 mph
(125 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered by 0.6 in (15 mm) in the E and C drive pro-
grams. When driving at speeds below 50 mph
(80 km/h) the vehicle is raised again.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.Driving systems 197
Driving and parking Z

The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface condition, e.g. bumps R
your individual selection of Sport, Sport + or
Comfort
The suspension setting is adjusted using the
corresponding button in the center console.
i The mode can also be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch ( Y
page 154).
This is only possible if: R
using the AMG adaptive sport suspension
system button on the center console, and R
using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch, the
same mode is selected for the chassis. This
is the case, for example, when both are set
to Comfort mode.
Each time you start the engine with the ignition
key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort mode is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see ( Y
page 148).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode when employing a
sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads. X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp