2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class warning lights

ESP®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravelGWarning!
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ä warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
XTo deactivate: (Y page 178).
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.GWarning
When the å ESP OFF warning lamp lights
up, ESP is switched off.
When the ä ESP warning lamp and the
å ESP OFF warning lamp are on
continuously, ESP is not operational due to a
malfunction.
When ESP is switched off or not operational,
the vehicle's stability during standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road conditions/weather conditions and to
the non-operating status of ESP.
! Avoid spinning a drive wheel for an
extended period with ESP switched off. This
could cause serious damage to the drive
train.XTo activate: (Y page 178).
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles)
Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
GWarning
The SPORT handling mode should not be
switched on during normal driving.
Switching on the SPORT handling mode will
result in the following:
R no restriction to the engine torque
R system supported traction control is
limited
The SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on closed tracks when the vehicle's
own natural oversteer and understeer
characteristics are desired and requires a
highly skilled and experienced driver able to
handle these critical driving situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on the SPORT handling mode.
Do not switch on the SPORT handling when a
spare wheel is mounted.
SPORT handling mode is active automatically
as long as the engine is running.
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It may be best to activate SPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravelGWarning
Switch off the SPORT handling mode and
switch on the ESP ®
immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the SPORT handling
mode will only stabilize the vehicle to a limited
extent when it is starting to skid or a wheel is
spinning.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R the engine's torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels can spin. The
spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action, which provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the ä
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
XTo activate: briefly press button :.
The M warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The SPORT handling mode message appears in the multifunction
display.XTo deactivate: briefly press button :.
The M warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®
GWarning!
The ESP
®
should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
R no restriction to engine torque
R loss of system-supported traction control
"ESP ®
OFF" is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP ®
.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
GWarning!
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
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If you deactivate ESP®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin. The
spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action, which provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ä warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.XTo deactivate: press button : until the
å warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
The message ESC-OFF appears in the
multifunction display.GWarning
When the å ESP OFF warning lamp lights
up, ESP is switched off.
When the ä ESP warning lamp and the
å ESP OFF warning lamp are on
continuously, ESP is not operational due to a
malfunction.
When ESP is switched off or not operational,
the vehicle's stability during standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road conditions/weather conditions and to
the non-operating status of ESP.
! Avoid spinning a drive wheel for an
extended period with ESP switched off. This
could cause serious damage to the drive
train.XTo activate: briefly press button :.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. The message ESC-ON
appears in the multifunction display.
EBD
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 61).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
GWarning!
If the EBD malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics.
Adaptive Brake
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also features the hill start assist
function ( Y page 135). For further
information, see Driving tips ( Y page 152).
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
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SmartKey battery
Important safety notes
It is advisable to have batteries replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWarning!
Batteries are toxic and contain caustic
substances. For this reason, keep batteries
out of the reach of children.
If a battery has been swallowed, visit a doctor
immediately.
GWarning
SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. Check with
your local government's disposal guidelines.
California residents, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/
index.cfm .
Checking the battery
XPress the & or % button.
The SmartKey battery is working properly if
battery charge indicator lamp : lights up
briefly.
If battery charge indicator lamp : does not
light up briefly during the test, the SmartKey
battery is discharged.
XReplace the SmartKey battery
( Y page 74).i
You can obtain a SmartKey battery at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
signal range of the vehicle, pressing the
& or % button results in the vehicle
being locked or unlocked respectively.
Changing the battery
You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
XTake the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey ( Y page 73).XPress mechanical key ; into the opening
in the SmartKey in the direction of the
arrow until battery tray cover : opens. Do
not hold the cover closed while doing so.XRemove the cover of the battery tray.XRepeatedly tap the SmartKey against your
palm until battery = falls out.XInsert the new battery with the positive
pole facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth to
do so.74SmartKeyOpening and closing
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XAnti-glare mode: flick anti-glare
switch : forwards or back.
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
GWarning
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
The exterior mirrors are automatically heated
if the rear window defroster is switched on
and the outside temperature is low.
XMake sure that the key is in position 1 or
2 in the ignition lock.
XPress button : for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button ; for the right-hand
exterior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button = as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
XPress adjustment button = up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior
mirror is set to a position which provides
you with a good overview of traffic
conditions.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically
This function is only available in vehicles for
Canada.
! Fold in the exterior mirrors when driving
the vehicle into an automatic car wash. The
mirrors could otherwise be damaged.
XMake sure that the key is in position 1 or
2 in the ignition lock.
XBriefly press button :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
iMake sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while the vehicle is
in motion as they may otherwise vibrate.
iIf you are driving faster than
9 mph(15 km/h), you can no longer fold in
the exterior mirrors.
Resetting the exterior mirrors
This function is only available in vehicles for
Canada.
If the battery has been disconnected or
completely discharged, the exterior mirrors
must be reset. The exterior mirrors will
otherwise not fold in when you select the
"Fold in mirrors when locking" function in the
on-board computer (Y page 182).
XMake sure that the key is in position 1 in
the ignition lock.
XBriefly press button :.100MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
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Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. In these countries, the daytime
running lamps are automatically switched on
when the engine is started.
Notes on driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents oncoming traffic
from being dazzled. Symmetrical lights do not
illuminate as large an area of the edge of the
road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border when
returning.
Light switch
Operation1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument lighting4 cAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 LLow-beam/high-beam headlampsBRRear fog lampCNFront fog lamps
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch ( Y page 108).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking
lamps/standing lamps) switches off
automatically if you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the key in
position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
XTurn the light switch to c.106Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers
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Fog lamps and rear fog lamps
Front fog lamps
Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the
"fog lamps" function.
GWarning!
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to L before you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
XTo switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the key in the ignition lock to position 2 or
start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L or c.XPress the N button.
The green N indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo switch off the front fog lamps: press
the N button.
The green N indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Rear fog lamp
XTo switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2 or start
the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L or c.
When the light switch is set to c, the
rear fog lamp only lights up if the low-beam
headlamps are switched on.
XPress the R button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
R button.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Combination switch
Turn signals
:High-beam headlamps;Right turn signal=High beam flasher?Left turn signalXTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
High-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the key in the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L or c.XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the c position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
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The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
XTo switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher
XTo switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1 or 2 or start the engine.
XPull the combination switch briefly in the
direction of arrow =.
Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on:
Rif an air bag is deployed
Rthe vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill.
XTo switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
XTo switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamp switches off
automatically after full brake application if the
vehicle then reaches a speed above
6 mph (10 km/h) again.
iThe hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated ten times while the lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 116). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0.
Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the
steering movements of the front wheels. In
this way, relevant areas remain illuminated
while driving. This allows you to recognize
pedestrians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
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