2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class automatic

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.
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the happier you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Ideally, drive program C should be selected
for driving the first 1000 miles (1500 km).
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may
gradually bring the vehicle up to full road and
engine speeds.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R For the first 1000 miles (1500 km), do not
exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h).
R Only allow the engine to briefly reach a
maximum engine speed of 4500 rpm.
R Shift gears in good time.
i Also observe these breaking-in notes
when the vehicle's engine or axle gear have
been replaced.
i Always observe the respective limit
speeds.
AMG vehicles with rear axle locking
differential
Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking
differential on the rear axle. Change the oil
after a breaking-in period of
2000 miles(3000 km) to improve protection
of the rear axle differential. This oil change
extends the service life of the differential.
Have the oil change carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWarning
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
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GWarning
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWarning
Manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is
stationary before removing the SmartKey
from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be
steered when the SmartKey is removed from
the starter switch.
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures (below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the
maximum engine speed is restricted in
order to protect the engine. To protect the
engine and maintain smooth engine
operation, avoid driving at full throttle when
the engine is cold.
SmartKey positions
SmartKeygTo remove the SmartKey
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P.1Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position3To start the engine
Once the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. The indicator lamps of the low-beam
headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn
signal lamps or front fog lamps only light up
if the low-beam headlamps, high-beam
headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog
lamps are switched on. If an indicator lamp
does not light up when the ignition is switched
on, check it and replace it if necessary. If an
indicator lamp does not go out after starting
the engine or lights up while the vehicle is in
motion, see ( Y page 203).
If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The
steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the
SmartKey and reinsert it in the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XRemove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
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If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the vehicle battery may not be charged
sufficiently.XCheck the vehicle battery and charge if
necessary ( Y page 261).
or
XJump-start the vehicle ( Y page 262).
i
The SmartKey can be turned in the
ignition lock even if it is not the correct
SmartKey for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey with an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignition lock. This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts
immediately.
The Start/Stop button can be removed from
the ignition lock. Then you can insert the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. However, you should
always take the SmartKey with you when
leaving the vehicle. The vehicle can be
started with the Start/Stop button and the
electrical equipment can be operated while
the SmartKey is in the vehicle.
:Start/Stop button;Ignition lockXInsert Start/Stop button : into ignition
lock ;.
i
When you insert Start/Stop button :
into ignition lock ;, the system requires a
detection time of two seconds before you
can use Start/Stop button :.
XVehicles with manual transmission: shift to
neutral.
or
XVehicles with automatic transmission: shift
the transmission to position N.XDo not press the brake pedal.
Start/Stop button
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XPosition 0: if Start/Stop button : has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
SmartKey being removed from the ignition.XPosition 1: press Start/Stop button :.
You can now activate the windshield
wipers, for example.
i If you then open the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is
deactivated.
XPosition 2 (ignition): press Start/Stop
button : twice.
i
If you press Start/Stop button : once
when in this position and the driver's door
is open, the power supply is deactivated
again.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. The indicator lamps of the low-beam
headlamps, high-beam headlamps, turn
signal lamps or front fog lamps only light up
if the low-beam headlamps, high-beam
headlamps, turn signal lamps or front fog
lamps are switched on. If an indicator lamp
does not light up when the ignition is switched
on, check it and replace it if necessary. If an
indicator lamp does not go out after the
engine is started or if it lights up while the
vehicle is in motion, see ( Y page 203).
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWarning
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Manual transmissionXDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XFully depress the clutch pedal.XShift to neutral N.
i
You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic transmission
XShift the transmission to position P.
i
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3 in the
ignition lock (Y page 131) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
GWarning!
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle without inserting the
SmartKey in the ignition lock. The
SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
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XThe Start/Stop button must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
i To start the engine with the SmartKey
instead of with KEYLESS-GO, remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XPress the Start/Stop button once
( Y page 132).
The engine starts.
Pulling away
Manual transmission
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XFully depress the clutch pedal.XShift to either 1st gear or reverse gear R.XRelease the parking brake ( Y page 149).XRelease the brake pedal.XSlowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerator pedal.
! If a warning signal sounds and the
Release the parking brake message
appears in the instrument cluster, the
parking brake is still applied. Release the
parking brake.
! Change gear in good time and avoid
spinning the wheels. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature ( Y page 181).
Automatic transmissionGWarning
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position P to the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the selector lever lock released.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XShift the transmission to position D or R.XWait until the gear change is completed
before pulling away.XRelease the parking brake ( Y page 149).XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
!
If a warning tone sounds and the
Release Park. Brake message appears
in the instrument cluster, the parking brake
is still applied. Release the parking brake.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature ( Y page 181).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
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Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
GWarning
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your
vehicle and it could roll away.
XTake your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
XPull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
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Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
XShift gear according to the gearshift
recommendation : shown in the
multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
GWarning!
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N automatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position P before turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions
Selector lever
PPark position with selector lever lockRReverseNNeutralDDrive
Transmission position display
:Transmission position display
Displays on the cover beside the selector
lever also indicate the current position of the
selector lever.
The displays light up when the SmartKey is
inserted in the ignition lock. The displays go
out when the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock.
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Drive program display:Drive program display
Transmission positions
BPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P unless the vehicle is
stationary. The parking lock should
not be used as a brake when
parking. In addition to engaging the
parking lock, you must always
apply the parking brake to secure
the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
if the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
In the event of a fault in the vehicle
electronics, the selector lever can
be locked in position P. To release
the selector lever lock, see
"Releasing the parking lock
manually" ( Y page 144).CReverse
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Driving in neutral N can
damage the drive train.7Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Gearshifting
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program
E/S or M (vehicles with the dynamic
handling package and AMG vehicles)
( Y page 140)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
Driving tips
AMG vehicles
When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive to a sporty driving style. The
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