warning MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON 2014 Owner's Manual

R
work on electronic components
R work on the hybrid system
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles. The quality or safety of the vehicle is
improved as a result of the inspection.
Mercedes-Benz can only inform you about
vehicle checks if it has your registration data.
It is possible that your vehicle has not yet
been registered in your name in the following
cases:
R if your vehicle was not purchased at an
authorised specialist dealer.
R if your vehicle has not yet been examined at
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Inform Mercedes-Benz as soon as possible
about any change in address or vehicle own-
ership. You can do this at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, for example. Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognise certain dangers. Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv-ing your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the technical data in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles Implied warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions are not covered either by
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty.
Data stored in the vehicle
A wide range of electronic components in
your vehicle contain data memories.
These data memories temporarily or perma-
nently store technical information about:
R the vehicle's operating state
R events
R faults
In general, this technical information docu-
ments the state of a component, a module, a
system or the surroundings.
These include, for example:
R operating conditions of system compo-
nents, e.g. fluid levels
R the vehicle's status messages and those of
its individual components, e.g. number of
wheel revolutions/speed, deceleration in
movement, lateral acceleration, accelera-
tor pedal position
R malfunctions and defects in important sys-
tem components, e.g. lights, brakes
R vehicle reactions and operating conditions
in special driving situations, e.g. airbag
deployment, intervention of stability con-
trol systems
R ambient conditions, e.g. outside tempera-
ture
This data is of an exclusively technical nature and can be used to:
R assist in detecting and rectifying faults and
defects
R analyse vehicle functions, e.g. after an acci-
dent
R optimise vehicle functions 28
Introduction

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
å
ESP®
OFF 357
;
÷
ESP® 357
=
·
Distance warning 363
?
Ð
Power steering 365
A
#!
Turn signals 137
B
!
Electric parking brake
(yellow) 359
C
!
ABS 355
D
;
Engine diagnostics 360
E
%
Diesel engine: pre-
glow 183
F
!
Electric parking brake
(red) 359
G
J
Brakes (red) 353
H
?
Coolant 360 Function Page
I
J
Brakes (yellow) 353
J
6
Restraint system 44
K
ü
Seat belt 351
L
K
Main-beam head-
lamps 137
M
L
Dipped-beam head-
lamps 135
N
8
Reserve fuel 360
O
T
Side lamps, licence
plate and instrument clus-
ter lighting 136
P
N
This lamp has no func-
tion Q
R
Rear foglamp 135
R
h
Tyre pressure monitor 364
i
Information on warning and indicator
lamps in hybrid vehicles can be found in the
"Hybrid drive" section (Y page 272). Instrument cluster
35At a glance

Centre console
Centre console, upper section
Function Page
:
Climate control systems 150
;
£
Hazard warning
lamps 137
=
Vehicle functions/system
settings button (see the
separate operating instruc-
tions) ?
Telephone button (see the
separate operating instruc-
tions) A
PASSENGER AIRBAG indi-
cator lamp
46
ATA indicator lamp 85 Function Page
B
Analogue clock
C
Media button (see the sep-
arate operating instruc-
tions)
D
Radio button (see the sep-
arate operating instruc-
tions) E
Navigation button (see the
separate operating instruc-
tions)
F
þ
Inserts/ejects a
CD/DVD (see the separate
operating instructions) Centre console
37At a glance

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 27). Hybrid vehicles
General notes
Hybrid technology combines a fuel-efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor. Important safety notes
Danger of electric shock G
DANGER
The vehicle's high voltage electrical system is under high voltage. If you modify components
in the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system or touch damaged components, you may be
electrocuted. The components in the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system may be
damaged in an accident, although the damage
is not visible. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Do not touch any high-voltage components
after an accident and never modify the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system. Have the vehicle towed away after an accident and the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
checked by a qualified specialist workshop. When towing a vehicle after an accident, be
sure to observe the following sections:
R Transporting the vehicle (Y page 423)
R Towing the vehicle with the rear axle raised
(Y page 422)
R Towing the vehicle with both axles on the
ground (Y page 422)
Read the safety instructions on towing and
tow-starting (Y page 420). All components of the hybrid system are
marked with yellow warning stickers that
warn you of the danger of high voltage. The
cables of the vehicle's high-voltage electrical
system are orange in colour.
The ignition must be switched off when car-
rying out general tasks, such as changing
bulbs or checking the coolant level.
Automatic deactivation of the hybrid
system G
DANGER
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle deceleration. This can
effect belt tensioners or airbags, for example. In addition, the vehicle's high-voltage electri-
cal system may not be deactivated as inten-
ded in the event of an accident. Touching
damaged components of the vehicle's high-
voltage electrical system could result in an
electric shock. There is an increased risk of
injury, possibly even fatal. 42
Hybrid vehiclesSafety

Have the restraint system checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. After an accident, immediately
switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
If components of the restraint system are
activated during an accident, the hybrid sys-
tem is automatically deactivated.
The hybrid system is not activated when the
vehicle is started if:
R a short circuit is detected in the hybrid sys-
tem.
R a hybrid system electrical connection is
disconnected.
This ensures that you do not come into con-
tact with high voltage.
Manual deactivation of the hybrid sys-
tem The hybrid system can be deactivated man-
ually using the high voltage switch-off device.
! To prevent damage to the hybrid system
please observe the following instructions:
R only deactivate the hybrid system man-
ually in the following situations.
R work on the hybrid system may only be
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop, even when it has been deactivated
manually.
R if the 6 restraint system warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up after an
accident.
R if the vehicle is badly damaged, e.g. after an
accident, and the restraint system compo-
nents were not activated.
R if the vehicle is badly damaged and has to
be towed or transported.
X If possible, move the vehicle out of the
danger zone: shift the automatic transmis-
sion into position N.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Roll the vehicle to a safe place and park it
safely. Get assistance from others if necessary.
The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning. There is therefore a risk of being
locked out if the vehicle is being pushed or
tested on a dynamometer.
X Switch the ignition off.
X Shift the automatic transmission to park
position P.
Apply the electric parking brake
(Y page 209).
Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away (Y page 439).
X To use the high-voltage switch-off
device: open the bonnet. X
Press release clip :in the direction of the
arrow and pull it out.
X Pull high voltage switch-off device ;apart
until it engages in the stop position.
High-voltage battery G
WARNING
In the event of a vehicle fire, the internal pres- sure of the high-voltage battery could exceeda critical value. In this case, flammable gas
escapes through a vent valve in the vehicle's
underbody. The gas can ignite. There is a risk
of injury.
Leave the danger area immediately. Secure
the danger area at a suitable distance, whilst
observing legal requirements. Hybrid vehicles
43Safety Z

G
WARNING
If the housing of the high-voltage battery has
been damaged, electrolyte and gases may
leak out. These are poisonous and caustic.
There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Immediately rinse electrolyte splashes off
with water and seek medical attention
straight away.
! Exhaustive discharge caused by the vehi-
cle standing idle for lengthy periods can
damage the high-voltage battery.
If the vehicle is idle for lengthy periods, run
it for a few minutes once every six weeks to
charge up the high-voltage battery.
During the charging process, switch off all
electrical consumers, e.g. the automatic
climate control or the seat heating.
Information on charging the high-voltage bat-
tery (Y page 416).
Engine compartment Before opening the bonnet:
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to park
position P.
X Switch the ignition off.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-func-
tion or KEYLESS ‑GO
X Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
X Observe the warning notes on the risk of
electric shock (Y page 42).
X Observe the warning notes about the bon-
net (Y page 391). RBS driving safety system (Recupera-
tive Brake System)
RBS supports you when braking with an elec-
tronically-controlled brake boost mode and enables the recovery of kinetic energy (recu-
peration).
For further information on the RBS system
(Y page 269). Panic alarm
X
To activate: press!button :for
approximately one second.
An alarm sounds and the exterior lighting
flashes.
X To deactivate: press!button :
again.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
or, in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-func-
tion or KEYLESS ‑GO
X Press the Start/Stop button.
The key must be in the vehicle.
The panic alarm function is only available in
certain countries. Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system
The restraint system reduces the risk of vehi- cle occupants coming into contact with parts
of the vehicle's interior in the event of an
accident. The restraint system can also
reduce the forces to which vehicle occupants
are subjected during an accident. 44
Occupant safetySafety

The restraint system includes the:
R seat belt system
R airbags
R child restraint system
R child seat securing system
The components of the restraint system work
in conjunction with each other. They can only
offer protection if all vehicle occupants
always:
R have the seat belt correctly fastened
(Y page 48)
R have the seat and head restraint adjusted
properly (Y page 119)
As the driver, you must also make sure that
the steering wheel is also adjusted properly.
Observe the information on the correct driv-
er's seat position (Y page 118).
In addition, you must make sure that the air-
bags can inflate properly if they are deployed (Y page 51).
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt and, as an additional safety device,
increases protection for vehicle occupants in
applicable accident situations. The airbags
are not deployed, for example, in the event of an accident in which sufficient protection is
offered by the seat belt. In addition, only
those airbags, which in the applicable acci-
dent situations offer additional protection,
are deployed in the event of an accident.
However, the seat belt and airbag generally
do not protect against objects penetrating
the vehicle from the outside.
Information on how the restraint system
operates can be found under "Deployment of
belt tensioners and airbags" (Y page 60).
See "Children in the vehicle" for further infor- mation on children travelling in the vehicle as
well as on child restraint systems
(Y page 63). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the restraint system is modified, it may no
longer work as intended. The restraint system
may then not perform its intended protective function by failing in an accident or triggering
unexpectedly, for example. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify an airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, con- tact an authorised Mercedes-Benz Centre. Restraint system warning lamp
The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at regular intervals while the engine is run-
ning. Therefore, malfunctions can be detec-
ted in good time.
The 6 restraint system warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up when the igni- tion is switched on. It goes out no later than afew seconds after the engine is started. The
components of the restraint system are in
operational readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the 6
restraint system warning lamp:
R does not light up after the ignition is
switched on
R does not go out after a few seconds with
the engine running
R lights up again while the engine is running
All vehicles, except hybrid vehicles: G
WARNING
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with a high rate of vehicle deceleration. This can
effect belt tensioners or airbags, for example. Occupant safety
45Safety
Z

as on "Seat belts" (Y
page 47) and "Air-
bags" (Y page 51). There you can also find
information on the correct seat position. Seat belts
Introduction A correctly fastened seatbelt is the most
effective means of restraining the movement
of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision or if the vehicle overturns. This reduces the
risk of vehicle occupants coming into contact
with parts of the vehicle interior or being
thrown from the vehicle. Additionally, the
seat belt helps to keep the vehicle occupant
in the best position in relation to the airbag.
The seat belt system consists of:
R seat belts
R belt tensioners for the front seat belts and
the outer seat belts in the rear
R belt force limiters for the front seat belts
and the outer seat belts in the rear
If the seat belt is pulled too quickly or sud-
denly from the belt outlet, the inertia reel will
lock. The belt strap cannot be pulled out fur-
ther.
In an impact, the belt tensioner tightens the
belt to pull it close to the body. It does not pull the vehicle occupants back in the direction of
the seat backrest.
The belt tensioner cannot compensate for the
seat position being incorrect or for a seat belt being routed or worn incorrectly.
If the seat belt is also fitted with a belt force
limiter and this is triggered, the force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant is
reduced.
The belt force limiters on the front seats are
synchronised with the front airbags, which
take on a part of the deceleration force. This
reduces the forces to which vehicle occu-
pants are subjected during an accident.
! If the co-driver's seat is not occupied, do
not engage the seat belt tongue in the buckle on the co-driver's seat. Otherwise,
the belt tensioner could be triggered in the
event of an accident and would have to be
replaced.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The seat belt cannot perform its intended pro- tective function if it is not fastened correctly. Also, an improperly fastened seat belt can
cause additional injuries in the event of an
accident, sudden braking or abrupt changes
of direction. There is an increased risk of
injury, possibly even fatal.
Always make sure that all vehicle occupants
are wearing their seat belt properly and are
seated correctly. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seatbelt is routed
across the centre of your shoulder. G
WARNING
Persons under 1.50 mtall cannot wear the
seat belts correctly without a suitable, addi-
tional restraint system. The seat belt cannot
perform its intended protective function if it is not fastened correctly. Also, an improperly
fastened seat belt can cause additional inju-
ries in the event of an accident, sudden brak-
ing or abrupt changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Secure persons less than 1.50 mtall in a suit-
able restraint system. Occupant safety
47Safety Z

If a child younger than 12 years old and under
1.50 m in height is travelling in the vehicle:
R always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for this Mercedes-Benz
vehicle. The child restraint system must be appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child
R be sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes on the automatic front-
passenger front airbag deactivation system (Y page 54)
R always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Children in the vehicle" in this
Owner's Manual (Y page 63) in addition
to the child restraint system manufactur-
er's installation instructions G
WARNING
Seat belts cannot protect as intended, if:
R they are damaged, have been modified, are
extremely dirty, bleached or dyed
R the seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
R modifications have been made to the belt
tensioners, belt anchorages or inertia reels
Seat belts may sustain non-visible damage in an accident, e.g. due to glass splinters. Modi-
fied or damaged seat belts can tear or fail, for example in the event of an accident. Modified
seat belt tensioners may be deployed unin-
tentionally or fail to be deployed when
required. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Never modify safety belts, seat belt tension-
ers, seat belt anchorages and inertia reels.
Ensure that seat belts are not damaged or
worn and are clean. After an accident, have
the seat belts checked immediately at a quali- fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use seat belts which have been approved
specifically for your vehicle by Mercedes-
Benz. Any such modifications could invalidate the vehicle's general operating permit. Correct seat belt use Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(Y
page 47).
All vehicle occupants must be wearing the
seat belt correctly before beginning the jour- ney. Also make sure that all vehicle occu-
pants are always wearing the seat belt cor-
rectly while the vehicle is in motion.
When fastening the seat belt, always make
sure that:
R the seat belt tongue is only inserted to the
belt buckle belonging to that seat.
R the seat belt is tight across your body.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing, e.g. a winter
coat.
R the seat belt is not twisted.
Only then can forces which occur be dis-
tributed across the surface of the seat belt.
R the shoulder section of the belt is always
routed across the centre of your shoulder.
The shoulder section of the seat belt should
not touch your neck nor be routed under
your arm. If possible, adjust the seat belt to
the appropriate height.
R the lap belt passes across your lap as
tightly and as low down as possible.
The lap must always be routed across your
hip joints and never across your abdomen.
This applies particularly to pregnant
women. If necessary, press the lap belt
down into your hip joints and pull tight with the shoulder section of the belt.
R the seat belt is not routed across sharp,
pointed or fragile objects.
If you have such items located on or in your
clothing, e.g. pens, keys or spectacles,
store these in a suitable place.
R only one person is using a seat belt.
Infants and children must never travel sit-
ting on the lap of a vehicle occupant. In the
event of an accident, they could be crushed 48
Occupant safetySafety

mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt. Dam-
aged seat belts can no longer fulfil their
protective function and must be replaced.
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. X
Press release button :, hold belt
tongue ;firmly and guide it back towards
belt outlet =.
Seat belt adjustment The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. This
function adjusts the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt to the upper body of the
occupants.
The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle
and
R the ignition is switched on
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a certain
tightening force if any slack is detected
between the vehicle occupant and the seat
belt. Do not hold on to the seat belt tightly
while it is adjusting.
You can switch the seat-belt adjustment on
and off using COMAND Online or Audio 20.
Information on activating and deactivating
the seat-belt adjustment function can be
found in the Digital Owner's Manual or in the separate COMAND Online or Audio 20 oper-
ating instructions.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
7 seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder for all vehicle occu-
pants to fasten their seat belts. It may light up continuously or flash. A warning tone may
also sound.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone switches off as soon as the driver and co-driver have fastened their seat
belts.
i For more information on the
7seat
belt warning lamp, see the "Warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" section (Y page 351).
Rear seat belt status indicator The rear seat belt status indicator is only
available for certain countries.
For approximately 30 seconds, the rear seat
belt status indicator informs you which rear
seat belt is not fastened.
The rear seat belt status indicator appears if:
R you drive off and reach a speed of approx-
imately 10 km/h.
R the rear passengers fasten or unfasten
their seat belts while the vehicle is in
motion.
R someone gets in or out of the vehicle and
you pull away again. 50
Occupant safetySafety