2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class child seat

Child-proof locksRear doors ....................................... 60
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 55
Restraint systems ............................ 56
Child seat
Automatic recognition .....................46
Automatic recognition/air bag
deactivation, self-test ......................48
Display message ............................ 185
LATCH-type (ISOFIX ) child seat
anchors ............................................ 58
Special seat belt retractor ...............58
Top Tether ....................................... 59
Troubleshooting ............................... 49
Cigarette lighter ................................ 224
Classification system for
occupants (OCS) Faults ............................................... 45
Operation ......................................... 41
System self-test ............................... 44
Climate control
Activating/deactivating .................122
Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode .........................125
Controlling automatically ...............123
Cooling with air dehumidification ..122
Defrosting the windshield ..............124
Demisting the windows .................. 125
Dual-zone automatic climate
control ........................................... 121
Important safety information .........120
Indicator lamp ................................ 123
Maximum cooling .......................... 124
Problems with "cooling with air
dehumidification" ........................... 123
Problems with the rear window
heating .......................................... 125
Refrigerant ..................................... 309
Setting the air distribution .............123
Setting the airflow .........................124
Setting the air vents ......................126
Setting the temperature ................123
Switching the MONO function on/
off .................................................. 124
Switching the rear window
heating on/off ............................... 125
Clock (on-board computer) ............... 179Cockpit ................................................. 25
Combination switch .......................... 108
Compass ............................................ 235
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 170
Convenience closing feature .............. 84
Convenience opening feature ............ 84
Coolant (engine) Checking the level .........................240
Display message ............................ 194
Notes ............................................. 310
Temperature (on-board computer) . 171
Temperature gauge ........................ 166
Warning lamp ................................. 210
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering light (display message) ... 191
Crash-responsive emergency
lighting ............................................... 111
Cruise control Cruise control lever .......................156
Display message ............................ 197
Function/notes ............................. 156
Cup holder ......................................... 220
Center console .............................. 221
Rear compartment .........................221
Current fuel consumption (on-
board computer) ............................... 170
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ............................................... 21
Customer Relations Department ....... 21
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Date (on-board computer) ................ 179
Daytime running lamps Display message ............................ 194
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 180
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 180
Interior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 180
Digital speedometer ......................... 171
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 247
6IndexBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 6

Fuse box in the engine
compartment ................................. 267
Fuse box in the trunk .....................268
Notes ............................................. 266
G
Garage door opener Clearing the memory .....................235
Notes ............................................. 232
Opening/closing the garage door ..234
Programming the remote control ...232
Gear indicator (on-board
computer) .......................................... 171
Gear lever ........................................... 137
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 248
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ......... 302
Genuine wood trim and trim strips
(cleaning instructions) ...................... 248
Glove box ........................................... 216
H
Headlamp cleaning system .............. 109
Adding washer fluid .......................241
Notes ............................................. 310
Headlamp mode (daytime driving)
see Daytime running lamps
Headlamps
Cleaning ......................................... 246
Misting up ...................................... 110
Head restraints
Adjusting (electrically) .....................96
Adjusting (manually) ........................95
Adjusting (rear) ................................ 96
Installing/removing (rear) ................96
see NECK-PRO head restraints
(except AMG vehicles)
Heating
see Climate control
High beam flasher ............................. 109
Hill start assist .................................. 135
Hood Closing ........................................... 239
Display message ............................ 200
Opening ......................................... 238
Hydroplaning ..................................... 154
I
Immobilizer .......................................... 66
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 26
Submenu (on-board computer) ......178
Warning and indicator lamps ...........27
Instrument cluster lighting ................ 26
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster lighting
Interior lighting
Automatic control ..........................111
Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 180
Emergency lighting ........................111
Manual control ............................... 111
Reading lamp ................................. 110
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 253
Using ............................................. 256
Jump-starting ..................................... 262
K
KEYLESS-GO Button ............................................ 132
Convenience closing feature ............85
Display message ............................ 202
Locking ............................................ 71
Starting the engine ........................133
Unlocking ......................................... 71
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 132
SmartKey ....................................... 131
Kickdown ................................... 140, 143
Knee bag .............................................. 38
L
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 58
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 193
Index9BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 9

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp (only USA) ................................... 41
Pedals ................................................. 151
Permanent display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 179
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 247
Power washers .................................. 244
Power windows see Side windows
Product information ............................ 18
Program selector button .................. 140
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................134
Manual transmission ...................... 134
R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 172
Radio Changing stations (on-board
computer) ...................................... 175
see separate operating instructions
Range (on-board computer) ............. 170
Rear compartment Setting the airflow .........................124
Setting the air vents ......................127
Rear fog lamp (display message) ..... 193
Rear seat backrest Display message ............................ 201
Folding forwards/back ..................218
Rear seat backrest (display
message) ............................................ 201
Rear view camera Function/notes ............................. 162
Rear view camera (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 247
Rear-view mirror Anti-glare (manual) ..........................99
Dipping (automatic) .......................101
Rear window blind ............................ 222
Rear window heating Malfunction .................................... 125
Switching on/off ........................... 125
Refueling ............................................ 145
Remote control
Programming (garage door
opener) .......................................... 232
Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 21
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 197
Warning lamp ................................. 210
Restraint systems
see SRS
Reverse gear
Engaging (manual transmission) ....137
Reversing lamp (display message) .. 193
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 19
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Opening/closing .............................. 89
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 89
Rear side windows .........................222
Rear window .................................. 222
Roof carrier ........................................ 220
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 249
Route see Route guidance (on-board
computer)
Route guidance (on-board
computer) .......................................... 174
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................55
Child restraint systems ....................56
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 41
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 34
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
Seat backrest
Adaptive ........................................... 97
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 53
Belt force limiters ............................ 54
Cleaning ......................................... 249
12IndexBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 12

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.
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER air bag OFF indicator lamp
- USA only: front passenger seat with
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Canada only: front passenger seat with
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the systems work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWarning
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 55) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the 6 SRS warning lamp
is not lit while the engine is running.
34Occupant safetySafety
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 34

performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, Mercedes-Benz
strongly recommends that you inform the
subsequent owner that the vehicle is
equipped with SRS. Also refer them to the
applicable section in the Operator's Manual.
Air bags
Important safety notes
GWarning
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
R frontal impacts (driver's and front-
passenger front air bags and driver's knee
bag)
R side impacts (side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags and pelvis air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door.
GWarning
To reduce the risk of injuries during front air
bag inflation, the driver and front-passenger
must always be seated correctly and have
their seat belts fastened accordingly.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision, you must always be in the normal
seat position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure
that it is correctly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver's seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can
increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front air
bag inflates.
R Adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
36Occupant safetySafety
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 36

impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
child restraint, infant restraint or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child.
R Canada only: children under 12 years may
only sit in the front-passenger seat if they
are seated in a child restraint system which
is compatible with BabySmart™ and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the child
restraint system is installed properly, the
front-passenger front air bag is deactivated
in conjunction with the BabySmart™
system installed in the vehicle. Otherwise,
the child could be struck by the air bag
when it inflates in a crash. This could lead
to serious or fatal injuries.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.GWarning
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1)Always sit as upright as possible
and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.(2)Always wear seat belts properly.The air bags are only deployed if the airbag
control unit detects the need for deployment.
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver
and passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags offer supplemental protection but
are not a substitute for seat belts. All vehicle
occupants must fasten their seat belts
regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with airbags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bagsGWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 36).
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
Occupant safety37SafetyBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 37Z

Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
Rregardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
Rindependently of seat belt use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
How the Occupant Classification
System works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is
standard equipment in the USA.
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 45 indicator lamp.
With the 45 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
Rthe side impact air bag
Rthe pelvis air bag
Rthe window curtain air bag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
Rwith the seat belt properly fastened
Rin a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
Rwith their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front passenger seat, the seat cover, or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the 45 indicator lamp
to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.
GWarning
If the 45 indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 45
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
front passenger seat occupant as weighing as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
Occupant safety41SafetyBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 41Z

12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated. This indicates that the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 45 indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated. This indicates that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
45 indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started. Depending on occupant weight
sensor readings from the seat, it will then
remain illuminated or go out. With the
45 indicator lamp illuminated, the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
With the 45 indicator lamp out, the
front passenger front air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 45 indicator lamp will
illuminate for approximately six seconds
when the engine is started and then go out.
This indicates that the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
If the 45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 45 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the impact exceeds a predetermined
triggering threshold
R independent of the side impact air bag or
pelvis air bagIf the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by the OCS
For further information, see the section
regarding air bag display messages
( Y page 187).GWarning
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower anchors
and Top Tether strap, fully in accordance with
the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
42Occupant safetySafety
BA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 42