automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2011 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2011, Model line: C-CLASS SALOON, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2011Pages: 401, PDF Size: 9.74 MB
Page 154 of 401
Useful information
............................152
Running-in notes ............................... 152
Driving ............................................... 152
Manual transmission ........................160
Automatic transmission ...................161
Refuelling ........................................... 168
Parking ............................................... 174
Driving tips ........................................ 175
Driving systems ................................ 178
Towing atrailer ................................. 215 151Driving and parking
Page 155 of 401
Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviations are possible. Please
note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all features described. This also
applies to safety-relevan tsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 28).Running-in notes
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
New brake pads/linings only have optimal
braking performance after several hundred
kilometres .Until then, compensate for this by
applying greate rforce to the brake pedal. This
also applies when brake pads/linings or
brake discs have been changed. The first 1,500 km
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Therefore, drive at varying speeds and
engine speeds for the first 1,500 km.
R Avoid heavy loads on the engine during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the rev counter needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the rev counter dis-
play.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle. Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R
If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance (kick-
down).
R Only select shift ranges 3,2or 1when driv-
ing slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,500 km, you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds.
Additional running-in notes for AMG vehicles:
R do not drive at speeds above 140 km/hf or
the first 1,500 km.
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
i You should also observe these notes on
running in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. AMG vehicles with rear axle locking
differential
Your vehicle is fitted with a self-locking dif-
ferential on the rear axle. Change the oil after
a running-in period of 3,000 km to improve
protection of the rear axle differential. This oil
change extends the service life of the differ-
ential. Have the oil change carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre for this purpose. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not place any objects in the driver's foot-
well. If you use a floormat or carpet in the
driver's footwell, make sure that it is correctly
secured and that there is sufficient clearance
for the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another.
Loose objects or the floormats could other-
wise get caught between the pedals if you 152
DrivingDriving and parking
Page 156 of 401
accelerate or brake suddenly. You will then
no tb e able to brake, declutch or accelerate
as intended. This could lead to accidents and
injury. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil tempera-
tures (below +20 †), the maximum engine
speed is restricted in order to protec tthe
engine. To protect the engine and maintain
smooth engine operation, avoid driving at
full throttle when the engine is cold. Key positions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
If the key is at position 0in the ignition lock
for a longer period, it can no longer be turned
in the ignition lock. The steering is then
locked. To unlock it, remove the key and rein-
sert it into the ignition lock.
The steering wheel is locked when the key is
removed from the ignition lock.
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle
it can still be turned in the ignition lock.
However, the ignition will not be switched
on The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a key featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the key must be in the
vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignition lock. This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal. Driving
153Driving and parking Z
Page 158 of 401
Automatic transmission
X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the key i
To start the engine using the key instead
of KEYLESS-GO ,pull th eStart/Stop button
ou toft he ignition lock.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 153) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To startad iesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 153).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe key to position 3
(Y page 153) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: you can also use the touch-start func-
tion. To do this, turn the key to position 3
(Y page 153) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically.
Using KEYLESS-GO to startt he engineG
WARNING
You rvehicle can be started using a valid KEY-
LESS-GO key. For this reason, children should
never be left unsupervised in the vehicle.
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving it for a
short time.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting the key into the ignition lock. The key must
be in the vehicle and the Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock. This
mode for starting the engine operates inde-
pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To star tapetrol engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 153) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 153) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 175).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerato rpedal.
! Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle.
i Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style (Y page 161).
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 242). Driving
155Driving and parking Z
Page 159 of 401
Automatic transmission
i
It is only possible to shif tthe transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the selector lever lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 175).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 242).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill starta ssist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your vehi-
cle and it could roll away.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away. Hill start assist will not function if:
R
you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.
The engine starts automatically when you pull
away again. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. If all condi-
tions for automatic engine switch-off are ful-
filled (Y
page 157), the ¤ECO symbol is
shown in green in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤ECO
symbol is shown in yellow.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 158), ECO symbol ¤is not
shown. G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off and the ECO sym-
bol is shown in green in the multifunction dis-
play, the engine has been switched off auto-
matically. All of the vehicle's systems remain
active. If you open the door, unfasten your
seat belt or remove your foot from the brake
pedal, the engine will automatically start .The
vehicle may begin moving. You could suffer
serious or even fatal injury or cause an acci-
dent resulting in injury or death.
Never leave the vehicle while the ECO symbol
in the multifunction display is shown in green
or yellow. Always secure the vehicle against
rolling away before leaving it. 156
DrivingDriving and parking
Page 160 of 401
!
Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is only switched off if:
R
the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the vehicle is not being steered.
R the driver's door is closed and the seat belt
is fastened.
i The engine can be switched off automat-
ically a maximum of four times (first stop
and three subsequent stops) in succession.
The ¤ ECO symbol is shown in yellow in
the multifunction display after the engine
has been started automaticallyf or the
fourth time. The engine can only be
switched off automatically again when the
¤ ECO symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop func-
tion can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (Y page 158). Vehicles with manual transmission The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X
Brake the vehicle until it comes to a stand-
still.
X Engage neutral N(Ypage 161) (follow
gearshift instruction :to engage neutral
N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off automati-
cally. It is then not necessary to continue
applying the brakes during the automatic
stop phase. When you depress the accel-
erator pedal, the engine starts automati-
cally and the braking effect of the HOLD
function is deactivated. Depress the accel-
erator pedal carefully, as the engine must
be started first.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if:
R
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
by pressing the ECO button.
R the vehicle starts to roll. Driving
157Driving and parking Z
Page 161 of 401
R
the brake syste mrequires this.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the driv-
er's door is opened.
R the bonnet is opened.
R you shift the transmission from position D
to R.
R you steer the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R depress the clutch pedal
R depress the accelerator pedal
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brakes when in transmission
position Dor N, unless the HOLD function
is activated or
R engage reverse gear Ror
R depress the accelerator pedal
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function Deactivating
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ ECO symbol in the multifunction dis-
play go out.
Activating
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
are fulfilled, the ¤ECO symbol appears
in green in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤
ECO symbol is shown in yellow in the mul-
tifunction display. If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine will
then not be switched off automatically when
the vehicle stops.
i The ECO start/stop function is activated
each time the engine is switched on. 158
DrivingDriving and parking
Page 164 of 401
!
When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. Otherwise, you could
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the
clutch.
! On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is ladenort owing
a trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2or3
in good time. This uses the engine's braking
effect .This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. Shifting to neutral N
X
Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Move the gear lever to position N:.Neutral N with ECO start/stop func-
tion activated
In neutral N, the engine is switched off if the
vehicle speed is below a certain threshold and
the clutch pedal is not depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (Y page 156). Engaging reverse gear
! Only shift into reverse gear Rwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could
damage the transmission.
i The ECO start/stop function is not avail-
able when reverse gear is engaged.
For further information on the ECO start/
stop function, see (Y page 156).
X Move the gear lever firmly to the left
beyond the point of resistance and then
forwards. Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display. X
Shift gear according to gearshift recom-
mendation :shown in the multifunction
display of the instrumentc luster. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movemen tofthe pedals must not be
impaired in any way.D o not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als. Automatic transmission
161Driving and parking
Z
Page 165 of 401
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another.
G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery roa dsurface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
i Bear in mind that th epower transmission
between the engine and the transmission
is interrupted when the engine is switched
off. Therefore, to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, shift the automatic transmis-
sion to position Pand apply the parking
brake when the engine is switched off and
the vehicle is stationary. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever (example)
P Park position with selector lever lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
:
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. Transmission positions
B
Park position
Prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped. Do not shift
the transmission into position
P
(Y page 174) unless the vehicle is
stationary.
The key can only be removed if the
transmission is in position P. If the
key is removed from the ignition
lock, the selector lever is locked. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 162
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking
Page 166 of 401
A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g .to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D.This automatic gearshift-
ing behaviouri s determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program (Y page 163)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch func-
tion is active regardless of the currently selec-
ted drive program. The double-clutch function reduces load change reactions and is condu-
cive to a sporty driving style. The sound gen-
erated by the double-clutch function depends
on the drive program selected.
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or
2(Y page 165) depending on the uphill or
downhill gradient, even if cruise control or
SPEEDTRONIC is activated. Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving character-
istics.
Example: program selector button Automatic transmission
163Driving and parking Z