maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2012 User Guide

ASS
YST PLUS se rvice inter val display Fu
nction of the ASS YST PLUS se rvice inter val
displ ay The ASS
YST PLUS service inter val display on the
instrument display pr ovides information on the
re maining time or dis tance be fore the next
service due date.
Yo u can hide this service display using the back
button on the left-hand side of thesteering
wheel.
Depending on how theve hicle is used, the
ASS YST PLUS service inter val display may
shor tenth e service inter val, e.g. in thefo llowing
cases:
R mainly short-dis tance driving
R when the engine is of ten le ftidling for long
periods
R intheeve nt of frequent cold start phases
R vehicles with a diesel particulate filter: in
th eev ent of frequently inter rupted rege nera‐
tion of the diesel particulate filter Mercedes-Benz
recommends avoiding such
operating conditions.
Yo u can obtain information concerning the serv‐
icing of your vehicle from a qualified specialist
wo rkshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Displaying
the service due da te On-board computer:
4 Service 5
ASSYST PLUS
The next service due date is displa yed. #
Toexitth e displa y:press the back button
on the left-hand side of thesteering wheel.
Bear in mind thefo llowing related topic:
R Operating the on-board computer
(/ page 246). Infor
mation on regular maintenance work *
NO
TEPremature wearthro ugh failure to
obser veservice due dates Maintenance
workwhich is not car ried out at
th eright time or incomple tely can le adto
inc reased wear and damage totheve hicle. #
Adhere tothe prescribed service inter‐
va ls. #
Alw ays ha vethe prescribed mainte‐
nance workcar ried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Special service
requ irements The prescribed service inter
val is based on nor‐
mal operation of theve hicle. Maintenance work
will need tobe per form ed more of ten if theve hi‐
cle is operated under arduous conditions or
increased loads.
The ASS YST PLUS service inter val display is only
an aid. The driver of theve hicle bears responsi‐
bility as rega rdsto whe ther maintenance work
needs tobe per form ed more of tenth an speci‐ 372
Maintenance and care
Internal use only

fi
ed based on the actual operating conditions
and/or loads.
Examples of arduous operating conditions:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi‐
ate stops
R mainly short-dis tance driving
R frequent operation in mountainous terrain or
on poor road sur faces
R when the engine is of ten le ftidling for long
periods
R operation in particula rly dusty conditions
and/or if air-recirculation mode is frequently
used
In these or similar operating conditions, ha vethe
interior air filter, engine air cleaner, engine oil
and oil filter etc. changed more frequent ly. The
ty re s must be checked more frequently if the
ve hicle is operated under increased loads. Fur‐
th er information can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop. Battery disconnection periods
The ASS
YST PLUS service inter val display can
calculate the service due date only when the
battery is connec ted. #
Notedown the service due date displa yed on
th e instrument display before disconnecting
th e battery (/ page372). Engine com
partment Ac
tive bonn et(pedestrian pr otection) Operation of
the active bonnet (pedestrian
pr otection)
In cer tain accident situations, the actuation of
th e active bonn etreduces therisk of injury to
pedestrians. The rear area of the bonn etis
ra ised byappr oximately 85 mm.
Fo rth e drive tothewo rkshop, reset the actuated
active bonn etyourself (/ page373).
Af terth e active bonn ethas been actuated,
pedestrian pr otection may be limited.
Ha ve the full functionality of the active bonn et
re stored in a qualified specialist workshop. Re
setting the active bonnet &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. Maintenance and care
373
Internal use only

#
With your hand flat, push down active bonnet
1 inthe area around the hinges on bo th
sides (ar rows).
In doing so, the actuator is depressurised
and you may hear a hissing sound.
The engine bonnet must en gage in position. #
Ifth e active bonn etcan be raised slight lyat
th ere ar in the area of the hinges, repeat the
st ep until it engages cor rectl y. Opening and closing
the bonnet &
WARNING Risk of accident due todriv‐
ing with the bonn etunlo cked
The bonn etmay open and block your vie w. #
Neverre lease the bonn etwhen driving. #
Before every trip, ensure that the
engine bonn etis loc ked. &
WARNING Risk of accident and inju ry
when opening and closing the bonn et
The bonnet may suddenly drop into the end
position.
There is a risk of injury for an yone in the
engine bonn et's range of mo vement. #
Do not open or close the bonn etifth ere
is a person in the bonn et's range of
mo vement. &
WARNING Risk of burn s when opening
th e bonn et
If yo u open the bonn etwhen the engine has
ove rheated or when there is a fire inthe
engine compartment, thefo llowing situations
may occur:
R You could come into contact with hot
ga ses.
R You could come into contact with other
hot, escaping operating fluids. #
Before opening the bonn et, allow the
engine tocool down. #
Intheeve nt of a fire inthe engine com‐
partment, keep the bonn etclosed and
call thefire service. &
WARNING Risk of injury duetomoving
parts
Components in the engine compartment may
continue running or start up sudden ly,even if
th e ignition is switched off.
Make sure of thefo llowing before per form ing
ta sks in the engine compartmen t: #
Switch the ignition off. #
Neverre ach into the danger zone sur‐
ro unding moving co mponents, e.g. the
ro tation area of thefa n. #
Remo vejewe llery and watches. #
Keep items of clo thing and hair away
from moving parts. 374
Maintenance and care
Internal use only

&
WARNING Risk of injury fromtouching
co mp onents under voltage
The ignition sy stem and the fuel injection
sy stem workunder high voltage. You could
re cei vean electric shoc k. #
Neverto uch co mponents of the ignition
sy stem or the fuel injection sy stem
when the ignition is switched on. &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. &
WARNING Risk of injury from usingthe
windscreen wipers while the engine bon‐
net is open
When the engine bonn etis open, and the
windscreen wipers are set in motion, you can
be trapped bythe wiper linkage. #
Alw ays switch off the windscreen wip‐
ers and ignition before opening the
engine bonn et. *
NO
TEPlug-in hybrid #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. Opens the bonnet
#
Torelease the bonn et, pull on handle 1. Maintenance and care
375
Internal use only

#
Push handle 1ofthe bonn etcatch up wards
and lift the bonn etuntil it opens automati‐
call y.
Closing the bonnet #
Lowe rth e bonn etto a height of around
20 cm and then allow it tofall, applying a lit‐
tle forc e as you let it go. #
Ifth e bonn etcan still be lif ted slightl y,open
th e bonn etagain and close it with a little
more forc e until it engages cor rectly. Engine oil
Che
cking the engine oil le vel using the oil
dip stick &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. *
NO
TEPlug-in hybrid #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. Re
quirements:
R The engine has an oil dipstic k.If not, the
engine oil le vel can be checked only with the
on-board computer (/ page377) .
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be
ins talled in the engine compartment in dif fere nt
locations.
The waiting time before checking the oil le vel
when the engine is at normal operating temp era‐
ture is five minutes. 376
Maintenance and care
Internal use only

#
Drain off any excess engine oil that has been
added. Todo so, consult a qualified specialist
wo rkshop.
R For engine oil level turn on ignition #
Switch on the ignition tocheck the engine oil
le ve l.
R Engine oil level System inoperative : The oil
le ve l sensor is defective or not connecte d.#
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
R Engine oil level System currently unavail. #
Close the bonn et.
To pping up engine oil &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. &
WARNING Risk offire and injury from
engine oil
If engine oil comes into con tact with hot
component parts in the engine compart‐
ment, it may ignite. #
Make sure that no engine oil is spilled
next tothefiller opening. #
Allow the engine tocool off and thor‐
oughly clean the engine oil from compo‐
nent parts before starting theve hicle. *
NO
TEEngine damage causedbyan
incor rect oil filter, incor rect oil or addi‐
tives #
Do not use engine oils or oil filters
which do not cor respond tothe specifi‐
cations explicitly prescribed forthe
service inter vals. #
Follow the instructions on the service
inter val display forch anging the engine
oil and obser vethe prescribed change
inter vals. #
Do not use additives. *
NO
TEDama gecaused bytopping up too
much engine oil To
o much engine oil can damage the engine
or the catalytic con verter. #
Have excess engine oil remo ved at a
qu alified specialist workshop. %
Depending on driving style, theve hicle con‐
sumes up to0.8 litr e of oil pe r10 00 km. The
oil consum ption may be higher than this
when theve hicle is new or if you frequently
drive at high engine speeds. 378
Maintenance and care
Internal use only

#
Turn cap 1anti-clockwise and remo veit. #
Top up the engine oil. #
Replace cap 1and turn it clockwise until it
engages. #
Check the oil le vel again (/ page376). Checking
the coolant le vel &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. &
WARNING Risk of scalding from hot
coolant
If yo u open the cap, you could be scalded. #
Let the mo tor cool down before opening
th e cap. #
When opening the cap, wear pr otective
gl ove s and saf etygl asses. #
Open the cap slowly torelease pres‐
sure. #
Park theve hicle on a le vel sur face. #
Check the coolant temp erature display in the
instrument clus ter.
The coolant temp erature must be below
70°C. #
Slowly turn cap 1anti-clockwise torelease
ove rpressure. Maintenance and care
37 9
Internal use only

#
Continue turning cap 1anti-clockwise and
re mo veit.
The coolant le vel is cor rect in thefo llowing
cases:
R Ifth e engine is cold, the coolant is up to
mar ker bar 2.
R Ifth e engine is warm,th e coolant is up to
1. 5 cm overth e mar ker bar 2. #
If necessar y,top up with coolant that has
been appr ovedfo r Mercedes-Benz.
% Further information on coolant
(/ page 438) To
pping up the windsc reen washer sy stem &
WARNING Risk of burn s from hot com‐
ponent parts in the engine compartment
Cer tain component parts in the engine com‐
partment can be very hot, e.g. the engine,
th e cooler and parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Allow the engine tocool down and only
to uch co mponent parts described in
th efo llowing. &
WARNING ‑ Risk of fire and injury due to
windscreen washer concentrate
Wi ndsc reen washer concentrate is highly
fl ammable. It could ignite if it comes into
con tact with hot engine component parts or
th eex haust sy stem. #
Make sure that no windscre enwasher
concentrate spills out next tothefiller
opening. #
Remo vecap 1bytheta b. #
Top up thewa sher fluid.
% Further information about the windscreen
wa sher fluid (/ page 439) 380
Maintenance and care
Internal use only

Ke
eping the air-water duct free #
Keep the area between the bonn etand the
windscreen free of deposits, e.g. ice, snow
and lea ves. Cleaning and care
Information on
washing theve hicle in a car
wa sh &
WARNING Risk of an accident due to
re duced braking po wer af terwa shing the
ve hicle
Braking ef ficiency is reduced af terwa shing
th eve hicle. #
Afterth eve hicle has been washed,
brake carefully while paying attention to
th e traf fic conditions until braking
po we r has been fully restored. *
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 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 sliding sun roof are
comple tely closed.
R the blo werfo rth eve ntilation/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 unintentionally. Maintenance and care
381
Internal use only

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. Information on using a high-p
ressure cleaner &
WARNING Risk of an accident when
using high-pressure cleane rswith round-
spray nozzles
The wate r jet can cause extern ally invisible
damage.
Components damaged in this wa y may unex‐
pec tedly fail. #
Do not use a high-pressure cleaner with
round-spr aynozzles. #
Have damaged tyres or chassis parts
re placed immediatel y. To
avo id damage to yourvehicle, obser vethefo l‐
lowing when using a high-pressure cleaner:
R The key is at a minimum distance of 3 m
aw ay from theve hicle. Otherwise the boot lid
could open unintentionall y.
R Maintain a dis tance of at least 30 cm tothe
ve hicle.
R Vehicles with decora tivefoil: parts of your
ve hicle are co vered with a decorative foil.
Maintain a dis tance of at least 70 cm
between thefo il-c ove red parts of theve hicle
and the nozzle of the high-pressure cleaner.
Mo vethe high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around whilst cleaning. The waterte mp era‐
ture of the high-pressure cleaner must not
exc eed 60°C.
R Obser vethe information on the cor rect dis‐
tan ce in the equipment manufacturer's oper‐
ating instructions.
R Do not direct the nozzle of the high-pressure
cleaner directly at sensitive parts, e.g. tyres, ga
ps, elect rical components, batteries, light
sou rces and ventilation slits. Wa
shing theve hicle byhand *
NO
TEEngine damage duetowa ter
ing ress #
Take care not topoint thewate r jet
directly towa rdsth e air inlet grille below
th e bonn et. obser
vethe legal requ irements, e.g. in a number
of countries, washing byhand is only permitted
in specially designated wash ba ys. #
Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. car shampoo. #
Washtheve hicle with luk ewarmwate r using
a soft car sponge. When doing so, do not
ex pose theve hicle todirect sunlight. #
Carefully hose theve hicle off with water and
dry using a chamois.
% Obse rveth e no tes on the care of car parts
(/ page 384). 382
Maintenance and care
Internal use only