ESP MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2011 Owners Manual

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ABS is temporarily unavailable. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
,
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive
brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are also
deactivated.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the on-board voltage may be
insufficient, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds. G
Risk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS,B AS, BAS PLUS, ESP®
, PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive
brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for example, are not
available either.
The brake system continue sto function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 294
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
J֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP
®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are malfunctioning. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS,
EBD, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start
assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, for
example, are not available either.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ÷
The yellow ESP
®
warn-
ing lamp flashes while
the vehicle is in motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Accelerate more gently during the journey.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Vehicles with a 12-button multifunction steering wheel only: do
not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (Y page 75). å
Vehicles with a 12-but-
ton multifunction steer-
ing wheel only:
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are deactivated. ESP ®
will not
stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if awheel starts to spin.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 75).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
295On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
M
AMG vehicles only:
The yellow SPORT han-
dling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
G
Risk of accident
SPORT handling mode is activated. ESP ®
only stabilises the vehi-
cle in extreme situations. ESP ®
intervention may not be able to
provide sufficient assistance in such situations, and the vehicle
may start to skid.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 75).
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. ֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and ESP ®
trailer
stabilisation are not available due to a malfunction .ESP ®
will not
stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if awheel starts to spin.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 296
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
֌
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily not available.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel
starts to spin.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight steer-
ing movements, at a speed above 20 km/h.
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. J
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds.
You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. 6
The red SRS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are malfunctioning. The airbags or belt ten-
sioners may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event of
an accident, may not be triggered at all.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
297On-board computer and displays Z

ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent. G
WARNING
Always drive with the boot lid closed. Exhaust
fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle inte-
rior.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded down separately to
increase the boot capacity.
Folding the seat backrest forwards !
Before you fold down the rear seat back-
rest, remove the side head restraints for
the integrated child seat; see the "Side
head restraints for integrated child seat"
section. The side head restraints could oth-
erwise be damaged.
X Move the driver's or front-passenge rseat
forward if necessary.
X Open the boot.
X Pull right-hand or left-hand rear seat back-
rest release handle :.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released.
X Fully insert the rear seat backrest head
restraints. X
Fold rear seat backrest ;forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding back the seat backrest X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged.
X Fold rear seat backrest :back until it
engages. G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is cor-
rectly engaged. Otherwise, vehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident Stowage areas
305Stowing and features
Z

If the rear seat backrest is not engaged, this
will be shown in the multifunction display in
the instrument cluster.
i You should always engage the rear seat
backrests if you do not need the through-
loading feature. This will prevent unauthor-
ised access to the boot from the vehicle
interior.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 107).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Enlarging the luggage compartment
(Estate)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the luggage compartment unless
they are secured.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent.
When using the enlarged luggage compart-
ment, always clip in the safety net.
When transporting objects in the luggage
compartment, the combined luggage cover
and net (luggage compartment cover and
safety net) must be attached to the rear seat
backrest. G
WARNING
Always drive with the tailgate closed. Exhaust
fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle inte-
rior.
! Before you fold down the rear seat back-
rest, remove the side head restraints for
the integrated child seat; see the "Side
head restraints for integrated child seat" section. The side head restraints could oth-
erwise be damaged.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded forward sseparately to
increase the luggage compartment capacity.
Folding the rear seat backrest forward If the combined luggage cover and net is fit-
ted with the luggage compartment cover and
safety net, both rear seat backrests can be
folded forwards only if you first fold the right-
hand rear seat backrest forwards. Otherwise,
only the right-hand backrest can be folded
forwards individually.
X
Fully insert the backrest head restraints
(Y page 107).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Pull left-hand or right-hand release han-
dle ;of the seat backrest forwards.
Corresponding seat backrest :is
released.
X Fold seat backrest :forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. 306
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
With your other hand, let the strap go slowly
until the load is secured.
X Make sure that locking button ?on brack-
ets Ais pressed.
This keeps brackets Ain place on the
loading rail.
X To remove: press release button =on
respective bracket Aand remove luggage
holder ;by pulling upwards and out.
Telescopic rod The telescopic rod can be used to secure the
load against the rear seats to preven
titfrom
moving around. X
To install: insert one bracket ;into both
the left and the right loading rails and slide
it to the desired position (Y page 310).
X Insert telescopic rod :into brackets ;
and press downwards until it engages.
X Make sure that locking button =on brack-
ets ;is pressed.
This keeps brackets ;in place on the
loading rail.
X To remove: press release button ?on
respective bracket ;and remove tele-
scopic rod :by pulling it upwards and out. Stowage well under the bootf
loor
The TIREFIT kit, the vehicle tool kit ,etc. are
located in the stowage compartment. X
To open: pull handle :upwards. X
Hoo khandle :into rain trough ;.
! Remove the handle again before closing
the boot lid and snap it in tightly to prevent
the handle flap from protruding. Otherwise,
you could damage the handle. Stowage well under the luggage com-
partment floor (Estate)
G
WARNING
Never drive with the luggag ecompartment
floor open.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occupants
could be injured by object sbeing thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak-
ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent.
Ar emovable insert under the luggage com-
partmen tfloor contains the parts of the EASY-
PACK load-securing kit and a folding box.
TIREFIT, the vehicle tool kit, etc. are stored
beneath this insert. 312
Stowage areasStowing and features

the necessary service work has been carried
out.
You can obtain further information, e.g.
regarding service work, fro maMercedes-
Benz Service Centre or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play has been inadvertently reset, this set-
ting can be corrected at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise
lead to increased wear and damage to the
major assemblies or the vehicle.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Mercedes-Benz Service24h" section
of the Service Booklet. Care
Notes on care
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up. Care of the exterior
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, following a car wash, drive with
particular care until the brakes are dry.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (OFF button is depressed).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper Care
327Maintenance and care Z

Cleaning the exhaust tail pipes
Impurities combined with th
eeffects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
tail pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
! Do not clea nthe exhaust tail pipes with
alkaline-based cleaning agents, such as
wheel cleaner.
X Cleant he exhaust tail pipes with a chrome
care product tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X Remove rust, e.g. with a wire brush.
X Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or
a brush.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high-
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents. X
After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling :.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
! Observe the note on care provided by the
trailer manufacturer.
i You can also have the maintenance work
on the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch
carried out by a qualified specialist work-
shop. H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner. Interior care
Cleaning the display X
Before cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
X Cleant he display surface using a commer-
cially-available microfibre cloth and TFT/
LCD display cleaner.
X Dry the display surface using a dry micro-
fibre cloth.
! For cleaning, do not use any of the fol-
lowing:
R alcohol-based thinner or petrol
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household clean-
ing agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to irrepara-
ble damage to the display.
Cleaning the plastic trim G
WARNING
When cleaning the steering wheel boss and
dashboard, do not use cockpit sprays or
cleaning agents containing solvents. Cleaning
agents containing solvents cause the surface
to become porous, and as aresult plastic
parts may break away and be thrown around
the interior when an airbag is deployed, which
may result in severe injuries.
! Do not affix the following to plastic surfa-
ces:
R stickers
R films
R scented oil bottles or similar items
You could otherwise damage the plastic. Care
331Maintenance and care Z

carry ou
tthe work required. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particular,
work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Correct the tyre pressure if it is still at least
130 kPa (1.3 bar/20 psi) (for the values,
see the fuel filler flap).
X To increase the tyre pressure: switch on
the tyre inflation compressor. Example: TIREFIT kit, version 2
X
To reduce the tyre pressure: press pres-
sure release button :next to pressure
gauge ;.
X TIREFIT kit version 1: pull the tyre sealant
bottle from the recess of the tyre inflation
compressor.
X TIREFIT kit version 1: unscrew the hose
from the tyre inflation compressor to the
flange of the tyre sealant bottle. TIREFIT kit version 2 X
TIREFIT kit version 2: to remove the tyre
sealant bottle from the tyre inflation com-
pressor, press together the locking tabs on
the yellow cap.
X TIREFIT kit version 2: pull the tyre sealant
bottle out of the tyre inflation compressor.
The filler hose stays on the tyre sealant
bottle.
X Stow the tyre sealant bottle, the tyre infla-
tion compressor and the warning triangle.
X Drive to the nearest workshop and have the
tyre changed there.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle and the filler
hose replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. H
Environmental note
Have the used tyre sealant bottle disposed of
professionally, e.g. at aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X Have the tyre sealant bottle replaced every
four years at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Changing
awheel and fitting the spare
wheel
Preparing the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheel and tyre size of the emergency
spare wheel/spare wheel may diffe rto that of
the damaged wheel. When using an emer-
gency spare wheel/spare wheel the handling
characteristics of the vehicle may change.
Adapt your style of driving accordingly.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel that dif-
fers in size.
Only use an emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel of a differing size briefly and do not
switch off ESP ®
. Flat tyre
341Breakdown assistance
Z