removed without putting other road users
at risk
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake disc
Brake service
! The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds. Observe additional messages in
the multifunction display that may appear.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 61).
High-performance brake system
The high-performance brake system is only
available on C 63 AMG.
256Driving instructionsOperation
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XSwitch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control system
appears ( Y page 121).XPress button = or ; on the
multifunction steering wheel to select the
Service menu.XPress button : or 9 to select
ASSYST PLUS .XPress button a on the multifunction
steering wheel to confirm.
The maintenance service indicator display
with the maintenance service deadline
appears in the multifunction display.
i If the battery was disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in the
count shown by the maintenance service
indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
maintenance service indicator message or
maintenance service indicator display.
Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service on
your vehicle is not carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the
maintenance service indicator reset.
The automotive maintenance facility carrying
out the maintenance service will find the
information for resetting the maintenance
service indicator in the maintenance-relevant
literature for your vehicle.
Such literature is available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the maintenance service indicator was
reset inadvertently, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset the maintenance service
indicator if the proper maintenance service
has been performed. Not following the
proper maintenance service as described
in the Maintenance Booklet will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Notes
Regular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle.
GWarning!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! When cleaning the vehicle, do not use
scouring agents. Never apply strong force
and only use a soft, wet cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface to be cleaned.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
R Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping
260Vehicle careOperation
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Vehicle equipment
iThis Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and
replace missing/expired items.
Depending on the equipment configuration,
the first-aid kit will be located either in the
open storage department in the trunk or
behind the cover panel on the left-hand side
of the trunk.
XTurn lock : counterclockwise.XFold down cover ;.
The first aid kit can be removed.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the space
underneath the trunk floor.
iVehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
RCollapsible wheel chock20
RFuse chart
RJack20
RPair of gloves20
RTowing eye bolt
RWheel wrench20
XOpen the trunk (Y page 75).XLift the trunk floor using the floor handle.XEngage the floor handle on the upper trunk
lip.
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
floor handle from the upper trunk lip and
lower the trunk floor before closing the
trunk.
:Tab;Removing vehicle tool kit box=Vehicle tool kit box cover?Opening vehicle tool kit box coverATabBVehicle tool kitCVehicle tool kit boxDLuggage bowl20Vehicles with spare wheel only.268Where will I find ...?Practical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)ABS and
ESC
Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d and the
yellow ABS indicator lamp ! come on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start
assist system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)ABS and
ESC
Currently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d and the
yellow ABS indicator lamp ! come on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start
assist system are unavailable.
The self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.XDrive a short distance with added caution at a vehicle speed
of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ESP ®
is available again.
If the message does not disappear:
XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
280Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)ABS and
ESC
Currently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d and the
yellow ABS indicator lamp ! come on.
The brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and
the hill-start assist system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS,
the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start assist system are
operational again and the message should disappear.
If the message does not disappear:
XHave the alternator and the battery checked.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)EBD, ABS,
and ESC
Inoperativ
e See
Operator's
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d and the
yellow ABS indicator lamp ! come on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the EBP, and the ESP ®
are
unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
$
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only)Release
Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake engaged. In addition
an acoustic warning sounds.XRelease the parking brake.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display281Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 281Z
Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷ESC
Inoperativ
e See
Operator's
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d comes on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start assist
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
÷ESC
Currently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator's
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d comes on.
The brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start
assist system are not available.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the
ESP ®
is operational again and the message in the
multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:
XHave the alternator and the battery checked.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display283Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 283Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷ESC
Currently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator's
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d comes on.
The self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
BAS, the ESP ®
, and the hill-start assist system available.XDrive a short distance with added caution at a vehicle speed
of above 12 mph (20 km/h).
When the message disappears, the ESP ®
is available again.
If the message does not disappear:
XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
÷ESC
Currently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator's
ManualIf the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d flashes while driving
and this message appears, the Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) has switched off to prevent overheating of the
drive wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the Electronic Traction
System (ETS/4-ETS) switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disappears and the
ESP ®
warning lamp d goes out.GTele Aid
Inoperativ
eOne or more main functions of the Tele Aid system are
malfunctioning.XHave the Tele Aid system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.6SRS
Malfunctio
n Service
RequiredThere is a malfunction in the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS). The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
could deploy unexpectedly or fail to activate in an accident.XDrive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.6Front
Left SRS
Malfunctio
n Service
RequiredComponents of the driver’s supplemental restraint system
may not work properly.XDrive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.284Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Bulbs
You can replace the following bulbs yourself:
Halogen headlampsType:Low-beam lamp: H7 55 W;Turn signal lamp: 3457ABi-Xenon headlampsType:Turn signal lamp: Turn signal lamp:
3457A
Rear lampsType:Passenger side: Tail lamp P 21 W
Driver’s side: Tail lamp and rear fog lamp
P 21 W
;Side marker lamp: W 5 W=Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W?Tail lamp, brake lamp: P 21 WATail lamp, brake lamp: P 21 WBBackup lamp: P 21 WNotes on bulb replacement
! Do not replace LEDs or bulbs not
described in this section. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs, the bulbs or
parts of the vehicle. Only have the LEDs and
bulbs replaced at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
314Replacing bulbsPractical hints
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