ESP MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2011 Manual PDF

style to suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions. Always pay attention to traffic
conditions and your surroundings. Otherwise,
you may fail to recognise dangers in time,
cause an accident and injure yourselfa
nd oth-
ers.
The rada rsensor system is automatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 389).
For Active Blind Spot Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be activated (Y page 242) and operational.
Monitoring range
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to three metres behind your vehicle and
directly nextt o your vehicle as shown in the
diagram. For this purpose, Active Blind Spot
Assist uses radar sensors in the rear bumper. Example: Saloon
G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors certain
areas in the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Vehicles that approach and drive past at high
speeds are not detected. No visual nor audi-
ble warnings are emitted and the system does
not brake the vehicle to correct your course.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be pos-
sible to monitor the complete width of the neighbouring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
the edge of their lane that is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if there are vehicles at the edge
of their lane nearest your vehicle.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when driv-
ing close to crash barriers or similar solid
lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside long vehicles, such as lorries, for
a prolonged time.
Two Active Blind Spot Assist radar sensors
are integrated into the front and rear bumpers
respectively. An additional radar sensor is
located behind the cover in the radiator grille.
Make sure that the bumpers are free of dirt,
ice or slush around the sensors. The rear sen-
sors must not be covered, e.g. by bicycle
racks or overhanging loads. Following a
severe impact or in the event of damage to
the bumpers, have the function of the radar
sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise
not work properly. 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking

users or obstacles. You can, for example,
countersteer gently or depress the accelera-
to
rp edal at any time to cancel inappropriate
braking action.
You are responsible for the vehicle's speed,
correct steering and for braking in good time.
Always adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
Either a very slight course-correcting brake
application, or none at all, may occur if:
R there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, on both sides of your vehicle.
R a vehicle approaches too closely on the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you brake or accelerate decisively.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
R ESP ®
is deactivated.
R a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre is
detected.
Activating Active Blind Spot Assist
X On vehicles without a navigation system,
make sure that the Becker ®
MAP PILOT is
connected; see the separate operating
instructions for Audio 20.
X Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 242) and Active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 238)a re activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps :light up red in the exte-
rior mirrors for approximately 1.5 seconds
and then turn yellow. Trailer towing
If you attach a trailer, make sure that you have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot Assist is
then deactivated. The indicator lamp in the
exterior mirrors lights up yellow, and the
Active Blind Spot Assist currently unavailable See Owner's Manual mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Active Lane Keeping Assist Important safety notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area
in front of yourv
ehicle by means of a camera
at the top of the windscreen. Active Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane. :
Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you have selected the Display unit Speed-/odometer (Y
page 239) function in
the on-board computer and select km as the
unit of measurement, Active Lane Keeping
Assist is active from speeds of 60 km/h. If
the miles display unit is selected, the assis-
tance range begins at 40 mph. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not keep
your vehicle in its lane. It is only an aid and 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking

may detect the lane markings on the road
incorrectly or not at all.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R
several or no lane markings for a single lane
are present.
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient illumination of the road, or due to
snow, rain, fog or spray.
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun, or reflection from other vehicles.
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up or cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity
of the camera.
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow.
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected.
R the lane markings on the road are unclear,
e.g. near roadworks.
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge.
R the road is narrow and winding.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot detect
road and traffic conditions. It is not a substi-
tute for attentive driving. You are responsible
for the vehicle's speed, braking in good time,
and steering correctly. Always adapt your
driving style to suitt he prevailing road and
weather conditions.A lways pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings. Oth-
erwise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
Warning vibration in the steering wheel
A warning may be given if a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. You will the nbe
warned by means of an intermittent vibration
in the steering wheel for up to 1. 5seconds.
In order that you are warned only when nec-
essary and in good time if you cross the lane marking, the system recognises certain con-
ditions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
R
you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
R the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a motor-
way.
R the system recognises solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you cut the corner on a bend.
No warning vibration occurs if:
R you clearly and actively steer, brake, or
accelerate.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
R you have switched on the turn signals. In
this event, the warnings are suppressed for
a certain period of time.
Lane-correcting brake application
If you leave your lane under certain circum-
stances, the vehicle will brake briefly on one
side. This is designed to help you bring the
vehicle back into the original lane.
This function is available in the range between
60 km/h and 200 km/h.
A lane-correcting brake application can only
be made after driving over a solid, recognis-
able lane marking. Befor ethis, a warning
must be emitted by means of intermittent
vibration in the steering wheel. In addition, a
lane with lane markings on both sides must
be recognised. The brake application also
slightly reduces driving speed.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
the following appears in the multifunction dis-
play: Driving systems
213Driving and parking Z

Example: vehicles with automatic transmission
i
A further lane-correcting brake applica-
tion can only occur after your vehicle has
returned to the original lane. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not keep
your vehicle in its lane. It is only an aid
designed to assist driving .Itis not a substitute
for attentive driving. Corrective braking may
not always be sufficient to return your vehicle
to its original lane. In such cases, you must
steer the vehicle yourselft o ensure that it
does not leave the lane.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot detect the
current traffic situation or other road users.
Ensure at all times that there is sufficient lat-
eral distance between you and other road
users or obstacles. In rare cases, broken lines
or certain structures on the road surface may
be detected by the system as solid lane mark-
ings. You can, for example, countersteer gen-
tly at any time to cancel inappropriate braking
action, e.g. if you intentionally drive across a
solid lane marking.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take
weather conditions into account.
You are responsible for the vehicle's speed,
correc tsteering and for braking in good time.
Always adap tyour driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others. No lane-correcting brake application occurs
if:
R
you clearly and actively steer, brake, or
accelerate.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
R you have switched on the turn signals.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration.
R on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the
electrical connection to the trailer has been
correctly established.
R ESP ®
is deactivated.
R the transmission is not in position D.
R a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre
has been detected and displayed.
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
road and traffic conditions. An inappropriate
brake application may be interrupted at any
time if:
R you steer slightly in the opposite direction.
R you use a turn signal.
R you clearly brake or accelerate.
Al ane-correcting brake applicatio nis inter-
rupted automatically if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R lane markings can no longer be recognised.
Activating Active Lane Keeping Assist Example: vehicles with automatic transmission214
Driving systemsDriving and parking

General information
i
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximu mload; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 361).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 387).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch
and trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 196), parking guidance
(Y page 199) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 205) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 77).
In Germany, the maximum permissible speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations depends on
the type of trailer, and is either 80 km/h or
100 km/h. In some countries, higher maxi-
mum speeds are permissible for vehicle/
trailer combinations. Before beginning the
journey, check the trailer's documents to see
what the maximum permitted speed is.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating 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.
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 consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must shift to a lower gear in good time, or on
vehicles with automatic transmission, select
the shift range 1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously. 216
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics fro
maqualified
specialist workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 2or 0respectively. Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message may be that
the curren thas falle nbelow the minimum
of 50 milliamperes (mA).
To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed a minimum current of
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General information If your trailer has a 7-pin connector, you can
connect it to the 13-pin socket on the ball
coupling using an adapter or, if necessary, an
adapter cable. Both of these can be obtained
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Fitting the adapter X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the connector with lug :into
groove ;on the socket and turn the con-
nector clockwise to the stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties.
! Make sure that there is sufficien tcable
play so that the cable canno tbecome
detached when cornering. 220
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

G
WARNING
At temperatures just above freezing point, the
street may be icy, especially in wooded areas
or on bridges. If you do not adapt yourd riving
style to the conditions, the vehicle could skid.
For this reason, adapt yourd riving style and
speed to the weather conditions.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock. You can use the on-board computer to
call up informatio nrelating to your vehicle
and to make and adjust settings.
i You can have certain functions set at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Example:
R automatic door lock
R speed limit for winter tyres
You can obtain information about this at
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. :
Multifunction display
; W Increases the volume
= X Decreases the volume
? C Scrolls through lists/adjusts val-
ues/confirms display messages
A V Selects a menu
i If you press and hold the Vbutton, the
standard display appears.
i In the Day. driv. lights: menu, you
can use the WorX button to switch
the function on or
off .Y
ou cannot adjust
the volume when in the Day. driv. lights: menu.
Multifunction display
To activate the multifunction display:
R switch on the ignition.
R switch on the lights.
R open the driver's door. Displays and operation (4-button multifunction steering wheel)
223On-board computer and displays Z

Outside temperature display
The outside temperature display is in the mul-
tifunction display (Y page 228). G
WARNING
At temperatures just above freezing point, the
street may be icy, especially in wooded areas
or on bridges. If you do not adapt your driving
style to the conditions ,the vehicle could skid.
For this reason, adapt your driving style and
speed to the weather conditions.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
Cruise control (Y page 178) activated:
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC (Y page 180) activa-
ted:
The segments light up from the start of the
scale to the selected limit speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 183) activated:
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the vehi-
cle in front and the stored speed light up. Operating the on-board computer
Overview The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. :
Multifunction display
; Switches on LINGUATRONIC; see the sep-
arate operating instructions
= Right control panel
? Left control panel
A Back button
Left control panel =
; R
Calls up the menu and menu bar 9
:
Press briefly:
R
Scrolls through lists
R Selects a submenu or function
R In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track or
a video scene
R In the Tel (telephone) menu:
switches to the phone book and
selects a name or telephone
number Displays and operation (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
227On-board computer and displays Z

second. After a short time, the rapid scroll
speeds up.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the
button or reach the end of the list.
X If only one telephone number is stored
for a name: press the6ora button
to start dialling.
or
X If there is more than one number for a
particular name: press the6ora
button to display the numbers.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
number you want to dial.
X Press the 6ora button to start dial-
ling.
or
X If you do not want to make a call: press
the ~ or% button.
Redialling The on-board computer saves the last names
or numbers dialled in the redial memory.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Tel menu.
X Press the 6button to switch to the
redial memory.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
desired name or number.
X Press the 6ora button to start dial-
ling.
or
X If you do not want to make a call: press
the ~ or% button. Assistance menu
Introduction In the
Assist. menu you can:
R display Speed Limit Assist and activate/
deactivate the message function of Speed
Limit Assist
R show the distance display
R activate/deactivate ESP ®
R activate/deactivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R activate/deactivate ATTENTION ASSIST
R activate/deactivate Blind Spot Assist or
Active Blind Spot Assist
R activate/deactivate Lane Keeping Assist or
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Speed Limit Assist Displaying Speed Limit Assist
In the
Speed Lim. Asst. function, a detec-
ted speed limit is displayed under certain
conditions (Y page 204).
X Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.
X Press 9or: to select Speed Lim.
Asst. .
X Press a.
The multifunction display shows Speed
Limit Assist.
Activating/deactivating the Speed Limit
Assist message function
You can set Speed Limit Assist (Y page 204)
to display a detected speed limit automati-
cally for five seconds. Other messages in the
multifunction display will be faded out for this
length of time. 236
Displays and operation (12-button multifunction steering wheel)On-board computer and displays

X
Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.
X Press 9or: to select Speed Lim.
Asst. .
X Press a.
The multifunction display shows Speed
Limit Assist.
X Press :.
The curren tselection is displayed.
X To activate or deactivate: pressa.
If Speed Limit Assist is operational and the
message function is activated, the multifunc-
tion display shows the Äsymbol when the
ignition is switched on.
Showing distance display This function is only available with DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
X
Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Distance display .
X Press a.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
(Y page 189) appears in the multifunction
display.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If the ÷ warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R Under no circumstances should you deac-
tivate ESP ®
.
R When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
R Adapt your driving style to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
The vehicle may otherwise begin to skid.
If you drive too fast, ESP ®
cannot reduce the
risk of an accident. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics. Activating/deactivating ESP
®
on AMG vehi-
cles (Y page 76).
For further information about ESP ®
, see
(Y page 75).
X Start the engine.
X Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
ESP .
X Press the abutton.
X To deactivate: pressaagain.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. G
WARNING
If the å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the engine is running,
ESP ®
is deactivated or is unavailable due to a
malfunction. The risk that your vehicle may
start to skid then increases in certain situa-
tions.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: pressaagain.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Activating/deactivating the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press =or; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.
X Press 9or: to select PreSafe Brake .
X Press the abutton.
The curren tselection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: pressa
again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 78) is acti-
vated, the multifunction display shows the Displays and operation (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
237On-board computer and displays Z