suspension MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2012 Owners Manual

1
#! Turn signal lights →
127
2 R Rear fog light →
12 6
3 K High beam →
127
L Low beam →
12 5
T Standing lights →
12 5
4 ÿ Coolant temp erature →
502
5 Coolant temp erature display →
24 5
6 L Distance warning →
507
7 ü Seat belt →
500
8 h Tyre pressure monitoring sy stem →
511
9 Ù Powe rst eering →
501
A ! Electric pa rking brake (yellow) →
505
B ! Electric parking brake (red) →
505
C 6 Restra int sy stem →
500 D
ï Trailer hit ch →
501
E J Brakes (red) →
505
F 8 Reser vefuel with fuel filler flap location
indicator →
502
G Fuel le vel →
24 5
H ä Suspension →
507
I J Brakes (yellow) →
505
J # Electrical fault →
502
K ; Engine diagnostics →
502
L % Diesel engine: preglow
M ! ABS →
508
N å ESP®
OFF →
508
÷ ESP®
→
508 At
aglance – Indicator and warning lamps (widesc reen cockpit) 13
Internal use only

#
When driving on unpa vedro ads or off-
ro ad, regular lych eck theve hicle under‐
side. #
Remo vetrapped plants or other flam‐
mable material, in particular. #
Ifth ere is damage, consult a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. *
NO
TEDama getotheve hicle due todriv‐
ing toofast and due toimpacts tothe
ve hicle underbody or suspension compo‐
nents In
thefo llowing situations, in particular, there
is a risk of damage totheve hicle:
R theve hicle becomes grounded, e.g. on a
high kerb or an unpa vedro ad
R theve hicle is driven toofast over an
obs tacle, e.g. a kerb, speed bump or pot‐
hole
R a heavy object strike sth e underbody or
suspension components In situations such as
these, damage tothe
body, underbody, suspension components,
wheels or tyres may not be visible. Compo‐
nents damaged in this wa y can unexpecte dly
fa il or, in the case of an accident, may no lon‐
ge r absorb there sulting forc e as intended.
If th e underbody panelling is damaged, flam‐
mable materials such as lea ves, grass or
twigs can collect between the underbody and
th e underbody panelling. These materials
may ignite if they come into contact wi thhot
parts of theex haust sy stem. #
Have theve hicle checked and repaired
immediately at a qualified specialist
wo rkshop.
or #
If driving saf ety is impaired while con‐
tinuing your journe y,pull over and stop
th eve hicle immediatel y,while paying
attention toroad and traf fic conditions,
and contact a qualified specialist work‐
shop. Ve
hicles with a 48 V on-board electrical sys‐
te m (EQ Boo sttech nology) &
DANG ER Risk of fata l injury bytouching
damaged high-voltage co mponents
Ve hicles with a 48 V on-board electrical sys‐
te m contain individual high-voltage compo‐
nents. These high-voltage components are
under high voltage.
If yo u modify co mponent parts of these high-
vo ltage components or touch damaged com‐
ponent parts, you may be electrocuted.
High voltage components may be damaged
in an accident, although the damage may not
be visible. #
Never per form modifications tocompo‐
nent pa rts of high-voltage components. #
Neverto uch damaged co mponent parts
of high-voltage components. #
Neverto uch co mponent parts of high-
vo ltage components af ter an accident. 24
General no tes
Internal use only

data can also be used
toexamine the cus tom‐
er's warranty and guarantee claims.
Fa ult memories in theve hicle can be reset by a
service outlet or at your requ est as part of repair
or maintenance work.
Con venience and inf otainment functions
Yo u can store con venience settings and individ‐
ual settings in theve hicle and change or reset
th em at any time.
Depending on theve hicle equipment, this
includes thefo llowing settings, forex ample:
R seat and steering wheel positions
R suspension and climate control settings
R individual settings, such as interior lighting
Depending on the selected equipment, you can
import data into vehicle inf otainment functions
yo urself.
Depending on theve hicle equipment, this
includes thefo llowing data, forex ample:
R multimedia data, such as music, films or pho‐
to sfo r playback in an integrated multimedia
sy stem R
address book data for use in connection with
an integrated hands-free sy stem or an inte‐
grated navigation sy stem
R entered navigation destinations
R data about the use of Internet services
These data for con venience and inf otainment
functions may be sa ved locally in theve hicle or
th ey may be located on a device which you ha ve
connected totheve hicle, such as a smartphone,
USB flash drive or MP3 pla yer.If yo u ha ve
entered these data yourself, you can dele tethem
at any time.
This data is transmit ted from theve hicle tothird
parties only at your requ est. This applies, in par‐
ticular, when you use online services in accord‐
ance with the settings that you ha veselected.
Smartphone integ ration (e.g. Android Autoor
Apple CarPlay)
If yo ur vehicle is accordingly equipped, you can
connect your smartphone or ano ther mobile end
device totheve hicle. You can then control them
by means of the control elements integrated in
th eve hicle. Images and audio from the smart‐
phone can be output via the multimedia sy stem. Cer
tain information is simultaneously transfer‐
re dto yo ur smartphone. Depending on the type
and integration, this includes position data, the
day/night mode and other general vehicle sta‐
tuses. For more information please consult the
Owner's Manual of theve hicle/inf otainment sys‐
te m.
This integration allows the use of selected
smartphone apps, such as navigation or music
pla yer apps. There is no fur ther interaction
between the smartphone and theve hicle; in par‐
ticular, vehicle data is not directly accessible.
The type of additional data processing is de ter‐
mined bythe pr ovider of the app being used.
Which settings you can make, if an y,depends on
th e specific app and the operating sy stem of
yo ur smartphone. Online services
Wi
reless network connection
If yo ur vehicle has a wireless network connec‐
tion, it enables data tobe exc hanged between
yo ur vehicle and additional sy stems. The wire‐
less network connection is made possible bythe Gene
ral no tes 35
Internal use only

B
Sport+
R particular lysporty driving
R emphasises theve hicle's ownove rste ering
and under steering characteristics for a more
active driving style
R only suitable for good road conditions, a dry
ro ad sur face and a clear stre tch of road
C Sport
R continues toofferst ability but with a sporty
setup
R allowsthe sporty driver a more active driving
st yle
R only suitable for good road conditions, a dry
ro ad sur face and a clear stre tch of road
A Comfort
R com fortable and economical driving
R balance between traction and stability
R recommended for all road conditions
; Eco
R particular lyeconomical driving R
balance between traction and stability
R recommended for all road conditions
Depending on the drive program, thefo llowing
sy stems change their characteristics:
R drive
-
engine and transmission management
- Active Dis tance Assi stDISTRONIC
R ESP ®
R vehicles with AIRMATIC or DYNA MIC
BO DY CONT ROL:suspension
R electric po werst eering Selecting
the drive prog ram #
Press DYNA MIC SELECT switch 1forw ards
or backwards.
The drive prog ram selected appears in the
multifunction displa y.16 6
Driving and pa rking
Internal use only

&
WARNING Risk of accident despite inter‐
ve ntion of Active Lane Keeping Assist
Ac tive Lane Keeping Assist does not de tect
traf fic conditions or road users. The sy stem
may make an inappropriate brake applica‐
tion.
The brake application can be inter rupte d at
any time, forex ample, bysteering slightly in
th e opposite direction. #
Alw ays make sure that there is suf fi‐
cient dist ancetothe side forot her traf‐
fi c or obs tacles. &
WARNING Risk of accident despite Lane
Ke eping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist cannot always clearly
de tect lane markings.
In such cases, Lane Keeping Assist can:
R give an unnecessary warning
R not give a warning #
Alw ays pay particular attention tothe
traf fic situation and keep within the lane, especially if
Active Lane Keeping
Assist alerts you. Be sure
toobser vethe sy stem limitations of
Ac tive Lane Keeping Assist. #
Press button 2.
If indicator lamp 1lights up, Active Lane
Ke eping Assist is activated, the lane mark‐
ings are shown as light in the assis tance graphic. When
Active Lane Keeping Assist is
active, the lane markings are shown in green
in the assis tance graphic.
Setting Active Lane Keeping Assist
Multimedia sy stem:
4 Vehicle 5
k Assistance
5 Act. Lane Keep. Assist
Ac tivating/deactivating the warning #
Activate Oor deacti vate ª Lane depart.
warning.
Yo u do not recei veany warning when leaving
a lane if the lane keeping warning sy stem is
deactivated. DY
NA MIC BODY CONT ROL function DY
NA MIC BODY CONTROL continuously adjusts
th ech aracteristics of the suspension dampers to
th e cur rent operating and driving conditions.
The da mping is tuned individually for each wheel
and is af fected bythefo llowing factors:
R The road sur face conditions
R Vehicle load 218
Driving and pa rking
Internal use only

R
The drive program selected
R The driving style
The drive program can be adjus ted using the
DY NA MIC SELECT switch. AIRMATIC
Fu
nction of AIRMATIC
AIRMATIC is an air suspension sy stem with varia‐
ble damping for impr oved driving comfort. The
all-round le vel control sy stem ensures the best
possible suspension and const ant ground clear‐
ance, even wi tha laden vehicle. When driving at
speed, theve hicle is lo wered automatically to
impr ovedriving saf ety and toreduce fuel con‐
sum ption. You also ha vethe option of manually
adjusting theve hicle le vel.
AIRMATIC includes thefo llowing components
and functions:
R Air suspension with automatic le vel control
R Speed-dependent lo wering toreduce fuel
consum ption
R Manually selec table high le vel setting for
greater ground clearance R
ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping Sy stem with
const ant damping forc e adjustment)
R DYNA MIC SELECT switch and le vel button
Av ailable suspension settings
A (Comfort)
R The suspension setting is comfor table.
R The vehicle is set tothe normal le vel.
R When driving at speeds abo ve125 km/h the
ve hicle is lo wered.
R When driving at speeds below 80 km/h, the
ve hicle is raised again.
; (Econo my)
R The suspension setting is comfor table.
R The vehicle is set tothe low le vel.
R The vehicle is not lo wered any fur ther if you
are tr avelling at higher speeds.
C (Sport)
R The suspension setting is firm er.
R The vehicle is set tothe low le vel. R
The vehicle is not lo wered any fur ther if you
are tra velling at higher speeds.
B (Sport Plus)
R The suspension setting is evenfirm er.
R The vehicle is set tothe low le vel.
R The vehicle is not lo wered any fur ther if you
are tra velling at higher speeds.
% Operation with a trailer or bicycle rack:if
transport equipment, such as a trailer or a
bicycle rack , is attached tothe trailer hitch
and the electrical connection has been cor‐
re ctly es tablished, theve hicle remains at
normal le vel ir respective of speed or the
drive prog ram selected.
Setting theve hicle le vel &
WARNING Risk of accident because
ve hicle le vel is too high
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
The vehicle can drift outwards, forex ample,
when steering or cornering. Driving and parking
219
Internal use only

Sy
stem limits
The 360° Camera will not function or will only
partially function in thefo llowing situations:
R The doors are open.
R The side mir rors are folded in.
R The boot lid is open.
R There is heavy rain, snow or fog.
R The light conditions are poor, e.g. at night.
R Cameras, or vehicle components in which
th e cameras are fitted, are dama ged, dirty or
co vered. Obser vethe information on vehicle
sensors and cameras (/ page186).
Do not use the 360° Camera under such circum‐
st ances. You could otherwise injure others or
collide with objects when parking or manoeu‐
vring theve hicle.
On vehicles with height-adjus table suspension or
if th eve hicle is car rying a heavy load, leaving the
st andard height can result in inaccuracies in the
guide lines and in the display of thege nerated
ima ges, depending on tech nical conditions. %
The contrast of the display may be impaired
by abrupt, direct sunlight or by other light
sources, e.g. when driving out of a garage . In
th is case, pay particular attention.
% Have the display repaired or replaced if, for
ex ample, pixel er rors considerably restrict its
use.
See the no tes on cleaning the 360° Camera
(/ page 384). Calling up
the 360° Camera view using the
button #
Press button 1.
The image from the 360° Camera is shown in
th e media displa y. #
Inthe multimedia sy stem, select the desired
vie w. 226
Driving and parking
Internal use only

Ac
tive Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute foryo ur attention tothe sur roundings.
The responsibility for safe manoeuvring and
parking remains with you. Make sure that no
persons, animals or objects etc. are in the
manoeuvring range.
Ac tive Parking Assist will be cancelled in thefo l‐
lowing situations:
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deacti vated.
R You begin steering.
R You apply the parking brake.
R You en gage transmission position j.
R ESP ®
inter venes.
R You open the doors or the boot lid while driv‐
ing.
Sy stem limits
If th eex terior lighting is malfunctioning, Active
Pa rking Assist is not available.
Objects located abo veor below the de tection
ra nge of the sensors, e.g. overhanging loads,
ove rhangs or loading ramp s of goods vehicles, or
th e borders of parking spaces, are not de tected
du ring measu rement of the parking space. These are also
then not take n into account when calcu‐
lating the parking procedure. In some circum‐
st ances, Active Parking Assist may therefore
guide you into the parking space incor rectl y. &
WARNING Risk of accident due to
objects located abo veor below the
de tection range of Active Parking Assist
If th ere are objects abo veor below the
de tection range, thefo llowing situations may
arise:
R Active Parking Assist may steer too early.
R The vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects.
This could cause a collision. #
Inthese situations, do not use Active
Pa rking Assist. Extreme
weather conditions, such as sn owor
heavy rain, may lead toa parking space being
measured inaccuratel y.Pa rking spaces that are
partial ly occupied bytrailer dr awbars might not
be identified as such or be measured incor rectly. Only use
Active Parking Assist on le vel, high- grip
ground.
Do not use Active Parking Assist in thefo llowing
situations:
R Inextreme weather conditions such as ice,
pac ked snow or in heavy rain.
R When transporting a load that pr otru des
be yond theve hicle.
R Onsteep uphill or downhill gradients of more
th an appr oximately 15%.
R When snow chains are fitted.
R When a trailer or bicycle rack is attached.
R Direct lyafte r a tyre change or when spare
tyres are fitted.
R Ifth e tyre pressure is too low or too high.
R Ifth e suspension is out of alignment, e.g.
af te r bottoming out on a kerb.
Ac tive Parking Assist may also display parking
spaces that are not suitable for parking, such as:
R Parking spaces where parking is prohibited.
R Parking spaces on unsuitable sur faces. 232
Driving and park ing
Internal use only

On-board computer:
4 Service 5
Tyres #
Swipe down wards on Touch Control on the
left-hand side of thesteering wheel.
The Use current tyre pressures as new refer-
ence values? message is shown in the multi‐
function displa y.#
Torestart, press Touch Control on the left-
hand side of thesteering wheel.
The Tyre press. monitor restarted message is
shown in the multifunction displa y.
Cur rent wa rning messages are dele ted and
th eye llow h warning lamp goes out.
Af teryo u ha vebeen driving for a few
minutes, the sy stem checks whe ther the cur‐
re nt tyre pressures are wi thin the specified
ra nge. The cur rent tyre pressures are then
accep ted as refere nce values and monitored.
Be sure toalso pay attention tothefo llowing
re lated topic:
R Notes on tyre pressure (/ page411) Wheel
change Note
s on selecting, fitting and replacing
tyres *
NO
TEMercedes-AMG vehicles #
Obser vethe no tes in the Supplement.
Yo u could otherwise failto recognise
dangers. &
WARNING Risk of accident due toincor‐
re ct dimensions of wheels and tyres
If wheels and tyres of the wrong size are
used, the wheel brakes or wheel suspension
components may become damaged. #
Alw aysre place wheels and tyres with
th ose that fulfil the specifications of the
original part.
When replacing wheels, make sure tofit the
cor rect:
R Designation
R Type When
replacing tyres, make sure tofit the
cor rect:
R Designation
R Manufactu rer
R Type &
WARNING Risk of injury thro ugh exceed‐
ing the specified tyre load-bearing capa‐
city or the permissible speed rating
Exceeding the load-bearing capacity of the
tyres can lead totyre dama geand could
cause the tyres toexplode. #
Therefore, only use tyre types and sizes
appr ovedfo ryo ur vehicle model. #
Obser vethe tyre load-bearing capacity
ra ting and speed rating requ iredfor
yo ur vehicle. 414
Wheels and tyres
Internal use only

If
th e tyre's maximum speed is below that of
th eve hicle, this must be indicated byan
appropriate label in the driver's field of
vision.
R Run in new tyres at moderate speeds forthe
fi rs t10 0 km.
R Replace the tyres af ter six years at the latest,
re ga rdless of wear.
R When replacing with tyres that do not
fe ature run-flat characteristics: vehicles
with MOExtended tyres are not equipped
with a TIREFIT kit at thefa ctor y.Equip the
ve hicle with a TIREFIT kit af terre placing with
tyres that do not feature run-flat characteris‐
tics, e.g. winter tyres.
% You can permanently limit the maximum
ve hicle speed for driving with winter tyres
(/ page 196).
Fo r more information on wheels and tyres, con‐
ta ct a qualified specialist workshop.
Be sure toalso obse rveth efo llowing fur ther
re lated subjects:
R Notes on tyre pressure (/ page411) R
Tyre pressure table (/ page412)
R Notes on the emer gency spa rewheel
(/ page 424) Note
s on inter changing wheels &
WARNING Risk of injury thro ugh dif fer‐
ent wheel sizes
Inter changing the front and rear wheels can
se verely impair the driving characteristics.
The disk brakes or wheel suspension compo‐
nents may also be damaged. #
Onlyinter change the front and rear
wheels if the wheels and tyres ha vethe
same dimensions. Inter
changing the front and rear wheels if the
wheels or tyres ha vediffere nt dimensions can
re nder thege neral operating pe rmit in valid.
The wear pat tern s on the front and rear wheels
dif fer:
R front wheels wear more on the tyre shoulder R
rear wheels wear more in the cent reofthe
tyre
Do not drive wi thtyres that ha vetoo little tread
dep th. This significantly reduces traction on wet
ro ads (aquaplaning).
On vehicles with the same front and rear wheel
size, you can inter change the wheels every
5000 to10,000 km, depending on thewe ar.
Ensure the direction of rotation is maintained for
th e wheels.
Obser vethe instructions and saf ety no tes on
"Changing a wheel" when doing so
(/ page 418). Note
s onstoring wheels When
storing wheels, obser vethefo llowing
no tes:
R Afterre moving wheels, store them in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place.
R Protect the tyres from conta ct withoil,
grease or fuel. Wheels and tyres
417
Internal use only