ECU MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2016 Owner's Guide

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.
The engine can be switched off in an emergency
while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and
holding the Start/Stop button for three sec-
onds. This function operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off
function.
Electric parking brake
General notes
G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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 unsupervised in the vehicle.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in
the system, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake. X
If this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it rolling
away. X
Shift the automatic transmission to position
P .
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a function
test at regular intervals while the engine is switched off. The sounds that can b e heard while
th
is is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually X
To apply: push handle C .
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed. X
To release: pull handle C .
The red I (USA only) or $ (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released: R
when the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock ( Y
page 146) or R
if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position P
and: R
the engine is switched off or R
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened.
To prevent the electric parking brake from being
automatically applied, pull handle C .178
Parking
Driving an d parking

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

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

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
that are parallel to the direction of travel and
at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your vehi-
cle R
that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider than
your vehicle
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the size of a parking space if it is at
right angles to the direction of travel. You will
need to judge whether your vehicle will fit into
the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see the parking symbol as a
status indicator in the instrument cluster. When
a parking space has been detected, an arrow
towards the right or the left also appears. By
default, Active Parking Assist only displays park-
ing spaces on the front-passenger side. Parking
spaces on the driver's side are displayed as
soon as the turn signal on the driver's side is
activated. When parking on the driver's side,
this must remain switched on until you acknowl-
edge the use of Active Parking Assist by press-
ing the v button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel. The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are driv-
ing past it, and until you are approximately 50 ft
(15 m) away from it.
Parking
G WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if: R
there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply. 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.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away. i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time. X
Stop the vehicle when the parking space sym-
bol shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster. X
Shift the transmission to position R .
The Start Park Assist?Yes: OKNo: 8
message appears in the multifunction display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or X
To park using Active Parking Assist: press
the v button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake at all
times. When backing up, drive at a speed
below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Oth-
erwise Active Parking Assist will be canceled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D Observe
Surroundings message appears in the multi-
function display. X
Shift the transmission to position D while the
vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away. X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
front border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight parking
spaces.204
Driving systems
Driving and parking

drive system automatically selects the most effi-
cient operating mode for every driving situation.
Drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
To save fuel in HYBRID mode, the hybrid drive
system switches off the combustion engine as
often as possible during the journey when power
output requirements are low. When power out-
put requirements are low, the electric motor
powers the vehicle. When power output require-
ments are high, the combustion engine is auto-
matically switched on. The engine is usually
switched off when the vehicle is stationary. Con-
sequently, there is usually no engine idling as
with combustion engine vehicles.
For pulling away and accelerating, the electric
motor supports the internal combustion engine
using the power stored in the high-voltage bat-
tery. In addition, the power is used for partially
electric driving, operation of the electric coolant
compressor and to support the 12 V on-board
electrical system. In this way the hybrid drive
system helps to reduce your vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
Observe the driving tips on plug-in hybrid oper-
ation ( Y
page 230).
Recuperative Brake System If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is ini-
tiated. The electric motor is operated as a gen-
erator when in overrun mode and when you
brake. Hybrid technology converts the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores
it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System ( Y
page 45).
Important safety notes If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function and you open the driver's door: R
a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and R
a warning tone sounds
Further information ( Y
page 272).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the combustion engine is switched off and R
the READY indicator in the instrument cluster
lights up If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the vehicle
may pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of the
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 231).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations. This is the case, for example, when
you are parking and your vehicle is not seen by
other road users.
This requires you to adopt a particularly antici-
patory driving style, as it is necessary to allow
for the possibility that other road users may
behave erratically.
Displays and operation
Electric motor performance display
The power display for the electric motor is loca-
ted on the right-hand side of the instrument
cluster. R
Area C to D (E-DRIVE):
This shows the electric output from the elec-
tric motor, e.g. during electric operation or in
boost mode.
When the motor is switched on, the display is
at limit C . With increasing pressure on the
accelerator pedal the display fills up from C
to D .
Driving with the electric motor: when the
display reaches limit D , the combustion
engine is switched on. If the display is
approaching limit D and you remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal, the display
empties again. The combustion engine is not
switched on. At low speeds, you can therebyPLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 225
Driving and parking Z

Overrun mode or braking There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating: R
energy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
( Y
page 225). The electric motor operates as
a generator and stores the recovered energy
in the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor This increases the energy recovery tak-
ing place ( Y
page 225) The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov-
ered energy in the high-voltage battery. R
when the brakes are applied with greater
force, the service brakes are also used to slow
the vehicle down. The two systems work
together
Urban driving Energy is recuperated during frequent deceler-
ation and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 120 km/ h.
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 231).
Driving on inter-urban roads The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads: R
rapid acceleration (boost mode) R
constant energy consumption R
energy recuperation R
electric operation mode
A great deal of recovered energy may be avail-
able, depending on the route profile. This
reduces consumption and emissions.
Highway driving
During highway driving, fuel consumption and
emissions are favorably influenced in particular
by reduced power losses.
If the driver removes his foot from the acceler-
ator pedal in drive program E and a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded, the combustion
engine is automatically switched off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 231). ECO start/stop function General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the inter-
nal combustion engine off automatically when
the vehicle stops moving and at high speeds
( Y
page 232).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in
drive programs C and E . Electric-only operation
is only possible in drive programs C and E . Addi-
tional information for drive programs
( Y
page 229).
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when: R
the driver removes his foot from the acceler-
ator in drive program E and a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded ( Y
page 232)R
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature R
the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed R
the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance R
the hood is closed and engaged properly R
the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently R
no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if: R
the self-diagnosis function of the engine con-
trol unit is still active R
there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
tem R
the climate control of the vehicle requires it R
the high-voltage battery is being charged
( Y
page 227) R
automatic emissions tests are runningPLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 231
Driving and parking Z

Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning. X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up. X
Shift the transmission to P .X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Start the engine.
The hybrid drive system is malfunctioning. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Recuperative Brake System Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.
G Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play ( Y
page 255). X
Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster ( Y
page 288) .PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 233
Driving and parking Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The yellow $ warning lamp and th e red I (US A only) or $
(Canada only) indicator lamp ligh t up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
or X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e automatically ( Y
page 178).
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Do no t drive on .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
The red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and th e yellow $ warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning .
To release: X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Releas e th e electric parking brak e manually.
To apply : X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Apply th e electric parking brak e manually.
If th e red I (US A only) or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp con-
tinue s to flash: X
Do no t drive on .X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 380).X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Turn th e fron t wheels toward s th e curb.X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 25 9
On-board computer and displays Z