towing MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET 2021 Owner's Guide

L
symbol appears inthe media display and
th eve hicle can be braked automatically.
If th era dar sensors are obstructed byvehicles
or other objects, de tection is not possible.
Cross Traf fic Alert is acti veunder thefo llowing
conditions:
R ifth eve hicle is reve rsing at a walking pace.
R manoeuvring assis tance is acti vated
( / page 219).
% Also obse rveth e instructions on Blind Spot
Assist and Active Blind Spot Assi st
( / page 195).
Sy stem limits
Cross Traf fic Alert is not available on inclines.
Cross Traf fic Alert is not available when driving
with a trailer. Ac
tivating or deactivating manoeuv ring
assistant
Multimedia sy stem:
4 Vehicle 5
k Assistance
5 Camera & Park. Assist
5 Manoeuvring assist. #
Activate Oor deacti vate ª the function.
% Manoeuvring assis tance mu stbe active for
th e function of Drive AwayAssi st
( / page 218) and Cross Traf fic Alert
(/ page 218). Tr
ailer hitch Note
s on trailer operation *
NO
TEMercedes-AMG vehicles #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. Obser
vethefo llowing no tes on theto ngue
we ight:
R Do not use a tongue weight that exceeds or
fa lls below the permissible tongue weight
R Use a tongue weight as close as possible to
th e maximum tongue weight
Do not exceed thefo llowing values:
R Perm issible towing capacity
R Perm issible rear axle load of theto wing vehi‐
cle
R Perm issible gross weight of theto wing vehi‐
cle
R Perm issible grossweight of the trailer
R Maximum permissible speed of the trailer
Ensure thefo llowing before starting a journey:
R The tyre pressure on there ar axle of theto w‐
ing vehicle is set for a maximum load
R The lighting of the connected trailer is opera‐
tional Driving and parking
219

When using a bicycle
rack , set the tyre pressure
fo r increased load on there ar axle of theve hicle.
Fu rther information on the tyre pressure can be
fo und in the tyre pressure table (/ page 397).
Note s on loading
The lar gerth e dis tance between the load's
cent reof gr avity and the ball head, the greater
th e load on the trailer hitch.
Therefore, obser vethefo llowing no tes:
R mount heavy bicycles as close totheve hicle
as possible
R always distribute the load on the bicycle rack
as eve nly as possible across theve hicle's
longitudinal axis
Mercedes-Benz recommends removing all
de tach able parts from bicycles (e.g. bask ets,
ch ild seats, rech arge able bat teries) before load‐
ing them onto the bicycle rack . This will impr ove
th e aerodynamic resis tance and centre of gr avity
of the bicycle rack.
Alw ays secure the bicycles topreve ntthem from
moving around and check them at regular inter‐
va ls to ensure that they are secure. Do not use
tarp aulins or other co vers. The driv‐
ing characteristics and rear view may be
impaired. In addition, aerodynamic resis tance
and the load on the trailer hitch will increase. Load distribution on
the bicycle rack
1 Vertical dis tance between centre of gr avity
and ball head
2 Horizon tal dis tance between centre of gr av‐
ity and ball head
3 The centre of gr avity is on theve hicle's
centre axis Obse
rveth efo llowing information when you are
loading the bicycle rack with up tothre e bicy‐
cles:
Loading the bicycle rack To
tal weight
of bicycle
rack and
load Max. dis‐
tance
1 1 Max. dis‐
tance
2 2
Up to75 kg 420 mm 300 mm Ve
hicle towing instructions
The vehicle is not suitable forth e use of tow bar
sy stems that are used forflat towing or ding hy
to wing, forex ample. Attach ing and using tow bar
sy stems can lead todamage on theve hicle.
When you are towing a vehicle with tow bar sys‐
te ms, safe driving characteristics cannot be
guaranteed forth eto wing vehicle or theto wed
ve hicle. The vehicle-trailer combination may
swer vefrom side toside. Comply with the per‐
mitted towing me thods (/ page 386) and the
instructions forto wing with bo thaxles on the
ground ( /page 387). Driving and parking
225

*
NO
TEDama gefrom auto matic braking If one of
thefo llowing functions is switched
on, theve hicle brakes automatically in cer‐
ta in situations:
R Active Brake Assi st
R Active Dis tance Assi stDISTRONIC
R HOLD function
R Active Parking Assist
To avo id damage totheve hicle, deactivate
th ese sy stems in thefo llowing or similar sit‐
uations: #
during towing #
in a car wash *
NO
TEDama gedue tounsuitable car
wa sh #
Before driving into a car wash make
sure that the car wash is suitable for
th eve hicle dimensions. #
Ensure there is suf ficient ground clear‐
ance between the underbody and the
guide rails of the car wash. #
Ensure that the clearance width of the
car wash, in particular the width of the
guide rails, is suf ficient. To
avo id damage to yourvehicle when using a
car wash, ensure thefo llowing beforehand:
R toavoid possible water ingress in theve hicle,
it is preferable touse car washes which allow
th e high-pressure pre-cleaning tobe deacti‐
va ted (specification forth e cabriolet pro‐
gram).
R avoid any hot-wax treatment.
R make sure that the wind deflector on the
windscreen has been retracted.
R Active Dis tance Assi stDISTRONIC is deacti‐
va ted.
R the HOLD function is switched off.
R the 360° Camera or there ve rsing camera is
switched off. R
the side windo wsand soft top are closed
comple tely.
R the blo werfo rth eve ntilation and heating is
switched off.
R the windscreen wiper switch is in position
g.
R theke y is at a minimum dis tance of 3 m
aw ay from theve hicle. Otherwise the boot lid
could open unintentionall y.
R for car washes with a con veyo r sy stem:
- neutral iis engaged.
- ifyo uwo uld like tolea vetheve hicle while
it is being washed, make sure theke y is
located in theve hicle. The park position
j isotherwise automatically engaged.
% If, af terth e car wash, youre mo vethewax
from the windscreen and wiper rubbers, this
will pr event smearing and reduce wiper
noise. Maintenance and care
363

#
Clean draught stop net 1with a damp clo th
in conjunction with the care products and
cleaning agents recommended and appr oved
fo r Mercedes-Benz. Cleaning
thefo lding draught stop*
NO
TEDama getothe net due tousing a
high-pressure cleaner #
Never use a high-p ressure cleaner to
clean the net of the wind deflector. Re
quirements:
R Make sure that the no tes on the cor rect
ins tallation and stowing location of thefo ld‐
ing draught stop are obser ved (/ page 85). #
Clean folding draught stop net with a damp
clo thin conjunction with the care products
and cleaning agents recommended and
appr ovedfo r Mercedes-Benz. Note
s on care of car parts &
WARNING Risk of entrapment if the
windscreen wipers are swit ched on while
th e windscreen is being cleaned
If th e windscreen wipers are set in motion
while you are cleaning the windscreen or
wiper blades, you can be trapped bythe
wiper arm. #
Alw ays switch off the windscreen wip‐
ers and the ignition before cleaning the
windscreen or wiper blades. &
WARNING Risk of bu rns from theta il‐
pipe and tailpipe trims
The exhaust tailpipe and tailpipe trims can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of theve hicle, you could
burn yourself. #
Alw ays be particular lycareful around
th eta ilpipe and theta ilpipe trims and
supervise children especially closely in
th is area. #
Allow vehicle parts tocool down before
to uching them. To
avo id damage totheve hicle, obser vethe
no tes on cleaning and care of thefo llowing vehi‐
cle parts:
Wheels and rims
R Use wate r and acid-free alloy wheel cleaners.
R Do not use acidic alloy wheel cleaners to
re mo vebrake dust. This could damage wheel
bolts and brake components.
R Toavo id cor rosion of the brake disks and
brakepads, drive theve hicle for a few 368
Maintenance and care

Fu
rther information can be obtained at a quali‐
fi ed specialist workshop.
Charging #
Connect positive contact 3oftheve hicle to
th e positive term inal of thech arge r using the
ch arging cable. Alw ays begin with positive
contact 3oftheve hicle. #
Connect the negative term inal of thech arger
and ear thpoint 4ontheve hicle with the
ch arging cable. Start with thech arge r. #
Start thech arging process.
When thech arging process is comple te:#
First,re mo vethech arging cable from ear th
point 4and the negative term inal of the
ch arge r,th en from positive conta ct3 and
th e positive term inal of thech arge r.Begin
ea ch time wi th the conta cts oftheve hicle. #
Afterre moving thech arging cable, close
co ver2 of positive contact 3.#
Close co ver1.
Fu rther information can be obtained at a quali‐
fi ed specialist workshop. Re
placing the 12V battery #
Obser vethe no tes on the12 V battery
(/ page 381).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you ha vethe
12 V battery replaced at a qualified specialist
wo rkshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Obser vethefo llowing no tes if youwa ntto
re place the battery yourself:
R Alw aysre place a faulty bat tery with a battery
which meets the specific vehicle require‐
ments.
The vehicle is equipped with an AGMtech nol‐
ogy battery (Absorbent Glass Mat) or a li th‐
ium-ion batter y.Fu llve hicle functionality is
only guaranteed with an AGM battery or lith‐
ium-ion batter y.Fo r saf etyre asons,
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you on ly
use bat teries which ha vebeen tested and
appr ovedfo ryo ur vehicle byMercedes-Benz.
R Carryove r de tach able parts, such as vent
hoses, elbow fittings or term inal co vers from
th e battery being replaced. R
Make sure that theve nt hose is al ways con‐
nected tothe original opening on the side of
th e batter y.
Fit any existing or supplied cell caps.
Otherwise, gases or battery acid could
escape.
R Make sure that de tach able parts are recon‐
nected in the same way. To
w- starting or towing away Pe
rm itted towing me thods *
NO
TEDama gefrom auto matic braking If one of
thefo llowing functions is switched
on, theve hicle brakes automatically in cer‐
ta in situations:
R Active Brake Assi st
R Active Dis tance Assi stDISTRONIC
R HOLD function
R Active Parking Assist 386
Breakdown assis tance

To
avo id damage totheve hicle, deactivate
th ese sy stems in thefo llowing or similar sit‐
uations: #
During towing #
In a car wash Mercedes-Benz
recommends transporting your
ve hicle in the case of a breakdown, rath er than
to wing it away.
Fo rto wing, use a tow rope or tow bar with bo th
axles on the ground. Do not use tow bar sys‐
te ms.
* NO
TEDama getotheve hicle due to tow‐
ing away incor rectly #
Obser vethe instructions and no tes on
to wing away. Ve
hicles with manual transmission Pe
rm itted towing me thods
Bo th axles on
th e ground Ye
s, maximum 50 km at
50 km/h
Fr ont axle
ra ised Ye
s, maximum 50 km at
50 km/h
Re ar axle
ra ised Ye
s, maximum 50 km at
50 km/h Ve
hicles with automatic transmission Pe
rm itted towing me thods
Bo th axles on
th e ground Ye
s, maximum 50 km at
50 km/h
Fr ont axle
ra ised No
Re ar axle
ra ised Ye
s, if thesteering wheel is
fi xe d in the cent reposition
with a steering wheel lock 4MATIC
vehicles Pe
rm itted towing me thods
Bo th axles on
th e ground Ye
s, maximum 50 km at
50 km/h
Fr ont axle
ra ised No
Re ar axle
ra ised No To
wing with a raised axle: towing should be
per form ed byato wing compan y. To
wing theve hicle with bo thaxles on the
gr ound #
Obser vethe no tes on the permitted towing
me thods (/ page 386). #
Make sure that the battery is connected and
ch arge d.
Obser vethefo llowing points when the battery is
dischar ged:
R the engine cann otbe star ted Breakdown assis
tance 387

R
the electric parking brake cann otbe released
or applied
R vehicles with automatic transmission: the
automatic transmission cannot be shif tedto
position iorj
% Vehicles with automatic transmission: if
th e automatic transmission cann otbe shif‐
te dto position i, orthe multifunction dis‐
play in the instrument clus ter does not show
anything, ha vetheve hicle transpor tedaw ay
( / page 389). A towing vehicle with lifting
equipment is requiredforve hicle transpor ta‐
tion.
* NO
TEDama gedue to to wing away at
exc essively high speeds or over long dis‐
ta nces The driv
etra in could be damaged when tow‐
ing at excessively high speeds or over long
dis tances. #
Atowing speed of 50 km/h must not
be exc eeded. #
Atowing dis tance of 50 km must not be
exc eeded. &
WARNING Risk of accident when towing
a ve hicle which is too heavy
If ano ther vehicle is tow- star ted or towed
aw ay, its weight must not exceed the permis‐
sible gross mass of your ow nve hicle, other‐
wise thefo llowing could occur:
R theto wing eye may become de tach ed.
R theve hicle/trailer combination may
swer veoreve nov erturn. #
If ano ther vehicle is tow- star ted or
to we daw ay, its weight must not exceed
th e permissible gross mass of your own
ve hicle. If a
vehicle must be tow- star ted or towe daw ay,
its permissible gross weight must not exceed the
permissible gross weight of theto wing vehicle. #
Information on the permissible gross mass of
th eve hicle can be found on theve hicle iden‐
tification plate (/ page414). #
Vehicles with automatic transmission: do
not open the driver's door or front passenger
door, otherwise the automatic transmission
automatically shifts toposition j. #
Fittheto wing eye (/ page 390). #
Fasten theto w bar.
* NO
TEDama gedue toincor rect connec‐
tion of theto w bar #
Onlyconnect theto w rope or tow bar to
th eto wing eyes. #
Deactivate the automatic locking mechanism
(/ page 78). #
Do not activate the HOLD function. #
Deactivate tow- aw ay protection
(/ page 93). #
Deactivate Active Brake Assi st
( / page 193). #
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission toposition
i. #
Release the electric parking brake. 388
Breakdown assis tance

&
WARNING Risk of accident due tolimi‐
te d saf ety-re lated functions during the
to wing process
Saf ety-re lated functions are limited or no lon‐
ge rav ailable in thefo llowing situations:
R the ignition is switched off.
R the brake sy stem or po werst eering sys‐
te m is malfunctioning.
R the energy supply or the on-board electri‐
cal sy stem is malfunctioning.
When your vehicle is then towe daw ay, signif‐
icantly more ef fort may be requ ired tosteer
and brake than is no rmally requ ired. #
Use a tow bar. #
Make sure that thesteering wheel can
mo vefreely before towing theve hicle
aw ay. *
NO
TEDama gedue toexcessive tracti ve
po wer If
yo u pull away sharpl y,the tractive po wer
may be too high and theve hicles could be
damaged. #
Pull away slowly and smoo thly. Loading the
vehicle for transport #
Obser vethe no tes on towing away
( / page 387). #
Connect theto w bar totheto wing eye in
order toload theve hicle.
% You can also attach theto w bar tothe trailer
hitch. #
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission toposition
i.
% Ve
hicles with automatic transmission:
th e automatic transmission may be loc ked in
position jintheeve nt of dama getothe
electrical sy stem. Toshift toi , pr ovide the on-board electrical sy
stem with po wer
( / page 384). #
Load theve hicle onto the transpor ter. #
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission toposition
j. #
Use the electric parking brake tosecure the
ve hicle against rolling away. #
Only secure theve hicle bythe wheels.
Ve hicles with ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping
Sy stem PLUS) &
WARNING Risk of an accident when
transporting vehicles with Adaptive
Damping Sy stem PLUS
When transporting vehicles with Adaptive
Damping Sy stem PLUS, theve hicle/trailer
combination may begin torock andstart to
skid. #
When transporting, ensure that:
R theve hicle has been loaded onto
th e transpor ter cor rectly Breakdown assis
tance 389

R
theve hicle is secured at all four
wheels with suitable tensioning
st ra ps
R the maximum permissible speed of
60 km/h is not exceeded when
transporting *
NO
TEDama getotheve hicle from secur‐
ing it incor rectly #
After loading, theve hicle must be
secured on all four wheels. Otherwise,
th eve hicle could be damaged. #
A minimum dis tance of 20 cm up wards
and 10cm down wards must be kept to
th e transport platform. #
Secure theve hicle on all four wheels af ter
loading. 4MATIC
vehicles/ vehicles with automatic
transmission #
Make sure that the front and rear axles come
to rest on the same transpor tation vehicle.
* NO
TEDama getothe driv etra in due to
incor rect positioning #
Do not position theve hicle abo vethe
connection point of the transport vehi‐
cle. To
wing eyesto rage location The
towing eye is located in thestow age space
under the boot floor. Installing
theto wing eye #
Press the mark on co ver1 inwa rds and
re mo ve. 390
Breakdown assis tance

#
Screw intheto wing eyeclockwise as far as it
will go and tighten.
Ve hicles with a trailer hitch: vehicles with a
trailer hitch do not ha veare ar brac ketfo rthe
to wing eye. Fasten theto w bar tothe trailer
hitch. #
Make sure that co ver1 engages in the
bumper when youre mo vetheto wing eye.
* NO
TEDama getotheve hicle due to
incor rect use of theto wing eye When a
towing eye is used toreco ver a vehi‐
cle, theve hicle may be damaged in the proc‐
ess. #
Only use theto wing eyeto to waw ay or
to w start theve hicle. *
NO
TEDama getotheve hicle due to
incor rect use of theto wing eye or trailer
hitch When a
towing eye or trailer hitch is used to
re co ver a vehicle, theve hicle may be dam‐
aged in the process. #
Do not use theto wing eye or trailer
hitch to towtheve hicle during reco very. To
w starting theve hicle (eme rgency engine
st art) Ve
hicles with automatic transmission
* NO
TEDama getothe automatic trans‐
mission due to tow-starting The automatic transmission may be damaged
in the process of tow- starting vehicles with
automatic transmission. #
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow- star ted. #
Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be tow- star ted. Electrical fuses
Note
s on electrical fuses &
WARNING Risk of accident and inju ry
due to ov erloaded lines
If yo u manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
yo ure place it with a fuse with a higher
amperage, the electric line could be overloa‐
ded.
This could result in a fire. #
Alw aysre place faulty fuses with speci‐
fi ed new fuses conta iningthe cor rect
amperage. *
NO
TEDama gedue toincor rect fuses Electrical components or sy
stems may be
damaged byincor rect fuses, or their func‐
tionality may be significant lyimpaired. Breakdown assis
tance 391