MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS ESTATE 2014 Owners Manual

Driving using the internal combustion
engine and boost mode If you rapidly depress the accelerator, the
electric motor supports the internal combus-
tion engine by providing additional torque.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
red.
Driving using the internal combustion
engine and energy recuperation The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle.
The electric motor is being operated as an
alternator, e.g. in overrun mode and when
braking (Y page 282). The kinetic energy of
the vehicle is converted into electrical energy. The high-voltage battery is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green. Driving using the internal combustion
engine and charging the high-voltage bat-
tery The internal combustion engine powers the
vehicle. The internal combustion engine also
drives the electric motor. The electric motor
is operating as an alternator. The high-voltage battery is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Driving using the electric motor The electric motor powers the vehicle. The
high-voltage battery supplies the electric
motor with electrical energy.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green.278
Hybrid operationDriving and pa
rking

Driving using the electric motor and
charging the high-voltage battery The electric motor is being operated as an
alternator, e.g. in overrun mode and when
braking. The kinetic energy of the vehicle is
converted into electrical energy. The high-
voltage battery is charging.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green. The combustion engine is shown in
dark grey.
Displaying the total range The approximate range is based on the cur-
rent driving style.
X Use Ñ on the steering wheel to call up
the list of menus.
X Press the :or9 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Trip
Trip menu.
X Confirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
X Press :or9 to select the approxi-
mate total range. Displaying fuel consumption and gen-
erated electrical energy :
Fuel consumption
; Electrical energy generated
Every bar of the graph displays the average
value for one minute.
Fuel consumption indicator :may differ
from the indicator in the From start From starttrip
computer in the Trip
Tripmenu.
To reset values: the values are reset along
with the From start
From start trip computer
(Y page 301).
X To select Consumption
Consumption: turn and press the
controller.
The Audio 20/COMAND Online display
shows fuel consumption :and electrical
energy generated ;for the last
15 minutes driven. Starting the engine
READY indicator X
Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal. Hybrid operation
279Driving and parking Z

X
Observe the notes on starting the engine
(Y page 187).
X Turn the key to position 3in the ignition
lock (Y page 188) or press the Start/Stop
button once (Y page 188).
The vehicle is operational when READY indi-
cator :lights up.
Noiseless start The vehicle starts in electric mode without the
internal combustion engine. The internal
combustion engine starts only after the
power demanded by the driver exceeds the
available power that the electric motor can
currently provide.
Noiseless start operation is dependent on the
outside temperature and the operating tem-
perature of the internal combustion engine.
The vehicle is operational when READY indi-
cator :lights up. Pulling away
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the brake pedal.
Further information on pulling away
(Y page 189). Driving
AGILITY SELECT switch Drive programs
Use the AGILITY SELECT switch to change the
drive program. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected, the following vehicle charac-
teristics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension
R the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion (Y page 282)
R the climate control settings
- THERMATIC (1-zone) (Y page 153)
- THERMATIC (2-zone) (Y page 157)
- THERMOTRONIC (3-zone) (Y page 160)
R the rear window heating operation period
(Y page 167)
R the performance of the seat heating
(Y page 123)
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. If the ignition is switched off for more than four
hours, drive program Cis activated when the
engine is next started. X
Push AGILITY SELECT switch :up or down
until the desired drive program is selected. The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. After five seconds
the display goes out and the status icon of
the selected drive program appears.
In addition, the current drive program set-
tings are displayed in the Audio 20/
COMAND Online display.
Available drive programs: I
Individual Individual settings
S+
Sport Plus R
Extremely sporty driving
style with boost mode
R Electric-only drive is not
possible
R The ECO start/stop
function is not available 280
Hybrid operationDriving and parking

S
Sport R
Sporty driving style with
boost mode
R Electric-only drive is not
possible
R The ECO start/stop
function is not available C
Comfort R
Comfortable, economi-
cal driving style
R Electric-only drive is
possible
R The ECO start/stop
function is available E
Eco R
Particularly economical
driving style
R Electric operation mode
is used as often as pos-
sible
R The ECO start/stop
function is available Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 201).
Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles,
you can temporarily change gear yourself.
Further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (Y page 281).
Manual gearshifting
Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles,
you can temporarily change gear yourself.
The transmission must be in position D. Elec-
tric-only operation is not possible when man-
ually changing gear.
Activating when driving with the electric
motor:
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 202).
The combustion engine is switched on.
Manual gearshifting is activated tempora-
rily. The selected gear and Mappear in the
multifunction display.
Pulling on the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle when manual gear chang- ing is not active switches to overrun mode
(Y page 283).
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine:
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 202).
Manual gearshifting is activated tempora-
rily. The selected gear and Mappear in the
multifunction display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when manually changing gear.
Further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (Y page 202).
Driving tips General driving tips
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent
and sudden acceleration as well as abrupt
braking.
During partial electric drive, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position Dand
braking, the electric motor operates as an
alternator.
To reduce fuel consumption, use:
R recuperative braking (Y page 273)
R overrun mode (Y page 283) or extended
overrun mode (Y page 283)
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (Y page 282).
Additional driving tips (Y page 215).
Stationary vehicle
If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion
engine is, for the most part, switched off.
Automatic climate control continues to func-
tion. The electro-mechanically assisted steer-
ing gear allows use of the power steering
without loss of comfort. Hybrid operation
281Driving and parking Z

Acceleration
Depending on the operating mode, pulling
away and driving under low load conditions
are performed:
R entirely by electric propulsion
R in combination with the internal combus-
tion engine
When accelerating under increased load or at full load, boost mode is utilised. The electric
motor supports the internal combustion
engine by providing additional torque when
the accelerator is depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes
when the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
R When coasting and decelerating, energy
recuperation is already taking place
(Y page 273). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R When braking gently, the electric motor
increases the deceleration of the vehicle.
Energy recuperation is increased
(Y page 273). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R Under heavy braking, the service brake is
also used to slow down the vehicle. Both
systems work together.
Driving in the city
Energy is recuperated during frequent decel-
eration and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric
motor alone up to a speed of approximately
35 km/h, e.g.:
R while approaching a traffic light
R in stop-and-start traffic
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
alone only when all conditions for the auto-
matic engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 283). Driving on inter-urban roads
Three phases are possible when driving on
inter-urban roads:
R rapid acceleration (boost mode)
R constant energy consumption
R energy recuperation
Depending on the characteristics of the
route, there may be a lot of recuperated
energy available. This reduces consumption
and emissions.
Driving on the motorway
When driving on a motorway, the following
have a particularly positive effect on fuel con- sumption and emissions:
R the decrease in wasted power when using
recuperative braking
R the decrease in wasted power in overrun
mode when the combustion engine is
switched off
Manoeuvring and turning
The hybrid drive makes it possible to manoeu-
vre and turn solely using the electric motor.
ECO start/stop function General notes
The ECO start/stop function switches the
internal combustion engine off automatically
when the vehicle stops moving and at high
speeds (Y
page 283).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the
automatic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive programs C,Eand I. Electric-only
operation is only possible in drive programs C
and E. 282
Hybrid operationDriving and pa
rking

Automatic engine switch-off
The internal combustion engine is switched
off automatically if:
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator pedal and a speed of 160 km/h is
not exceeded (Y page 283)
R the combustion engine and the transmis-
sion have reached operating temperature
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, main- tain the current speed for a limited distance
R the bonnet is closed and engaged properly
R the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently
R there are no faults in the hybrid system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if:
R the self-diagnosis function of the engine
control unit is still active
R the climate control of the vehicle requires it
R the high-voltage battery is being charged
(Y page 277)
R automatic emissions tests are running
R the operating temperature of the engine,
transmission and catalytic converter has
not yet been reached
Automatic engine start
The internal combustion engine, which has
been automatically switched-off, starts auto-
matically in certain situations, when:
R the power demand from the driver via the
accelerator pedal is greater than the elec-
tric motor alone can provide
R the driver switches to drive program Sor S
+
R the driver has activated manual gearshift-
ing R
the charge level of the high-voltage battery
has reached the lower limit
R the settings of the automatic climate con-
trol require it, e.g. at external temperatures
above 30 †
Overrun mode
This operating mode is available in the speed
range below 160 km/h.
The combustion engine is switched off and is disconnected from the drive train.
The electric motor:
R simulates an overrun torque which is equiv-
alent to the overrun torque of the combus-
tion engine
R functions as a generator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consum- ers and charges the high-voltage battery
Extended overrun mode
Overrun mode allows you to increase the
vehicle range.
When the vehicle is in overrun operating
mode: X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
Energy recuperation is reduced to the min-
imal amount of energy required. The vehi-
cle rolls faster and further, e.g. on long and steep downhill gradients or while coasting
towards a set of traffic lights.
You can see the reduction in energy recuper-
ation in the electric motor CHARGE display
(Y page 275).
The "extended overrun" operating mode is
deactivated again if:
R the combustion engine starts
R you depress the brake pedal Hybrid operation
283Driving and parking Z

Parking
X Apply the electric parking brake.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
automatic transmission to P.
X Switch the ignition off.
The READY indicator in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Further information on parking and switching off the internal combustion engine
(Y page 212). 284
Hybrid operationDriving and parking

Problems with hybrid operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 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, the self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid
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 combus-
tion engine. The READY
indicator in the multi-
function display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
X Move the transmission selector lever to P.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Start the engine. The hybrid system is malfunctioning.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Hybrid system
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions The hybrid system was
deactivated automati-
cally. You have been in an accident.
The hybrid system remains deactivated if:
R the internal combustion engine cannot be restarted after a few
seconds.
R the red SRS warning lamp 6in the instrument cluster is lit.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The hybrid system was
deactivated automati-
cally. The multifunction
display also shows a
display message. An electrical short circuit has occurred in the hybrid system or an
electrical connection has been disconnected.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 316).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Hybrid operation
285Driving and parking Z

Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion by increasing speed. Decrease your
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-
essary. G
WARNING
If the maximum the permissible load for a car- rier system is exceeded, the carrier could
come loose from the vehicle and endanger
other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never exceed the permissible noseweight
when using a carrier.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball cou-
pling may cause damage to the following: R your vehicle
R the trailer
R the ball coupling
R the trailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could
become unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the min- imum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unsta- ble.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R make sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
R use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-
sible to the maximum noseweight R
do not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
R do not use a noseweight lower than the
minimum noseweight
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech- nical data" (Y page 480). G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer. 286
Towing a trailerDriving an
d parking

The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling char-
acteristics. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly. Maintain a safe distance. Drive care-
fully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a max-
imum load; see the tyre pressure table in the
fuel filler flap (Y page 436).
On vehicles without level control, the height
of the ball coupling will alter according to the load placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a
trailer with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find fitting dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 478).
When towing a trailer, the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated. The èECO sym-
bol appears yellow in the multifunction dis-
play. For further information on the ECO
start/stop function; see (Y page 190).
Driving tips Observe the notes on ESP
®
trailer stabilisa-
tion (Y page 83).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/ trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the trailer's documents to see what the max-
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle (Y page 480). If you utilise any
of the added maximum rear axle load when
towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion may not exceed a maximum speed of
100 km/h for reasons concerning the oper-
ating permit. This also applies in countries in
which the permissible maximum speed for
vehicle/trailer combinations is above
100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if cruise control, DISTRONIC
PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC are activated.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea Towing a trailer
287Driving and parking Z