air condition MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2016 Owner's Manual

In addition to driving style, the actual consump-
tion is affected by other factors, such as: R
load R
tire pressure R
cold start R
choice of route R
electrical consumers switched on
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-
play.
An economical driving style specially requires
driving at moderate engine speeds.
Achieving a higher value in the categories
"Acceleration" and "Constant": R
observe the gearshift recommendations. R
drive in drive program E .
On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g. on the
highway, only the outer area for "constant" will
change.
The ECO display summarizes the driving style
from the start of the journey to its completion.
Therefore, there are more marked changes in
the outer areas at the start of a journey. On lon-
ger journeys, there are fewer changes. For more
marked changes, perform a manual rest
( Y
page 241).
For further information on the ECO display, see
( Y
page 240).
Braking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting early
to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive wear
of the brakes. When you take advantage of the engine brak-
ing effect, a drive wheel may not turn for some
time, e.g. on a slippery road surface. This
could cause damage to the drive train. This
type of damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
G WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive
on for a short while. This allows the airflow to
cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.182
Driving tips
Driving and parking

aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain more information on this from a
qualified specialist workshop.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note
any brake status messages in the multifunction
display. Especially for high performance driving,
it is important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if: R
you drive at low speeds. R
the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner: R
lower your speed. R
avoid ruts. R
avoid sudden steering movements. R
brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
! Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in front
or in the opposite direction create waves. This
may cause the maximum permissible water
depth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result in
damage to the engine, electrical systems and
transmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that: R
in the case of standing water, the water level
may be no higher than the lower edge of the
vehicle body R
you should drive no faster than at a walking
pace Winter driving
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed: X
Shift the transmission to position N .
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always
adapt your driving style an d drive at a speed to
suit
the prevailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.184
Driving tips
Driving and parking

If you fail to adapt your driving style, DISTRONIC
PLUS can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. DISTRONIC PLUS is only an
aid. You are responsible for the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehicle
in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpectedly
accelerate the vehicle to the stored speed.
This speed may: R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane or
an exit lane R
be so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the left (left-hand drive coun-
tries) R
be so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right (right-hand drive
countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Cruise control lever
C
To activate or increase speed D
To activate or reduce speed

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

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

! Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area around
your vehicle using six sensors in the front
bumper and six sensors in the rear bumper.
PARKTRONIC indicates visually and audibly the
distance between your vehicle and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. When maneuvering, parking or pulling
out of a parking space, make sure that there are
no persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC
does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC
to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you: R
switch on the ignition R
shift the transmission to position D , R or N PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Range of the sensors General notes PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are: R
below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects. R
above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps.
C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)Driving systems 199
Driving and parking Z

Switching on Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Blind Spot Assist
( Y
page 248) is activated in the on-board
computer. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps C in the exterior mirrors light
up red until the engine is started.
Display in the assistance graphic
When Blind Spot Assist is activated, gray radar
waves propagating backwards appear next to
the vehicle in the assistance display in the mul-
tifunction display. Above a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h), the color of the radar waves in the
assistance display changes to green C . Blind
Spot Assist is then ready for use.
Lane Keeping Assist
General notes
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in front of
your vehicle by means of multifunction cam-
era C which is attached behind the top of the
windshield. Active Lane Keeping Assist detects
lane markings on the road and can warn you
before you leave your lane unintentionally. This function is available in the range between
40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and 200 km/h).
A warning may be given if a front wheel passes
over a lane marking. It will warn you by means of
intermittent vibration in the steering wheel for
up to 1.5 seconds.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Lane Keeping Assist may not always clearly
recognize lane markings.
In this case, Lane Keeping Assist may: R
give an unnecessary warning R
not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and stay in lane, in particular if
warned by Lane Keeping Assist.
G WARNING
The Lane Keeping Assist warning does not
return the vehicle to the original lane. There is
a risk of an accident.
You should always steer, brake or accelerate
yourself, in particular if warned by Lane Keep-
ing Assist.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Lane Keep-
ing Assist can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Lane
Keeping Assist cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Lane Keep-
ing Assist is merely 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.
The Lane Keeping Assist does not keep the vehi-
cle in 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 camera218
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Important safety notes
G WARNIN G
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen t integrate d in th e vehi-
cle while driving , you will be distracte d from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of th e vehicle. Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Only operate th e equipmen t when th e traffic
situation permits. If you are no t sur e that this
is possible , park th e vehicl e payin g attention
to traffic condition s and operate th e equip-
men t when th e vehicl e is stationary.
You must observ e th e legal requirements for th e
country in whic h you are currentl y driving when
operating th e on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only :
G WARNIN G
If th e instrumen t cluste r has faile d or mal-
functioned, you may no t recognize function
restriction s in systems relevan t to safety. The
operating safet y of your vehicl e may be
impaired . Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Pull ove r as soo n as it is saf e to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, excep t PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
G WARNIN G
If th e instrumen t cluste r has faile d or mal-
functioned, you may no t recognize function
restriction s in systems relevan t to safety. The
operating safet y of your vehicl e may be
impaired . Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav e th e vehicl e checke d
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If th e operating safet y of your vehicl e is
impaired , pull ove r as soo n as it is saf e to do so.
Contac t a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows message s or
warning s from certain systems in th e multifunc-
tion display. You should therefor e mak e sur e
your vehicl e is operating safely at all times . Fo r an overview, see th e instrumen t panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 36).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in th e instrumen t cluster, in th e dis-
plays and th e control s in th e vehicl e interior can
be adjusted usin g brightness control knob C .X
Turn brightness control knob C up or down .
If you tur n th e ligh t switch ( Y
page 118) to th e
` , X or X position , th e brightness
will depend upon th e brightness of th e ambi -
en t light.
i The ligh t sensor in th e instrumen t cluste r
automatically control s th e brightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight, th e displays in th e instrumen t
cluste r are illuminated. A dimming function is
no t possibl e in daylight.
Speedometer with segments The speedometer is divided int o segments on
Mercedes-AM G vehicles or vehicles wit h
DISTRONI C PLUS.
The segments in th e speedometer indicat e
whic h spee d range is available. R
Cruis e control activated ( Y
page 185):
The segments ligh t up from th e store d spee d
to th e type-tested maximum speed. R
DISTRONI C PLU S activated ( Y
page 186):
On e or two segments in th e set spee d range
ligh t up. R
DISTRONI C PLU S detects a vehicl e in fron t
that is driving at a slower spee d than th e
store d speed:Displays and operation 235
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up and th e red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no t possibl e to apply th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
' (USA
only)
M ( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level There is no t enough brak e flui d in th e brak e fluid reservoir .
In addition , th e ' (US A only) or M (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th e instrumen t cluste r and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNIN G
The braking effec t may be impaired.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 177).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .X
Do no t add brak e fluid . This does no t correc t th e malfunction .
& Check Brake Pad Wea r The brak e pads/linings hav e reached their wear limit.
US A only: th e ' red brak e system warning lamp is lit while th e
engin e is running. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
S Inoperative On e or mor e main features of th e mbrace system are malfunctioning .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
Collision Preven ‐
tio n Assist Plu s
Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator' s
Manual COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is temporarily no t operational.
Possibl e causes are: R
th e radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti c radiation emitted by nearby TV or radi o station s or
other source s of electromagneti c radiation .R
th e system is outside th e operating temperature range.R
th e on-boar d voltag e is to o low.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is operational again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 177).X
Restart th e engine. Display messages 26 1
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Collision Preven ‐
tio n Assist Plu s
Inoperative COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is temporarily inoperative due
to a malfunction . Adaptive Brake Assis t may also hav e failed.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐
tiv e See Operator' s
Manual Importan t function s of PRE-SAF E ®
hav e failed. Al l other occupant
safet y systems , e.g. air bags , remain available.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Functions
Currently Limite d
See Operator' s Man ‐
ual PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S or PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative.
Possibl e causes are: R
function is impaire d due to heav y rain or snow.R
th e radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti c radiation emitted by nearby TV or radi o station s or
other source s of electromagneti c radiation .R
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: ES P ®
is deactivatedR
th e system is outside th e operating temperature range.R
th e on-boar d voltag e is to o low.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears.
PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S and PRE ‑ S AF E ®
Brake are operational again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 177).X
Restart th e engine.X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: switch ES P ®
on again ( Y
page 74) .
PRE-SAFE Functions
Limite d See Opera‐
tor's Manual PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S or PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake is unavailable due to a mal-
function . BA S PLU S wit h Cross-Traffic Assis t may also hav e failed.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.262
Display messages
On-board computer and displays