2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON brake sensor

High-performance brake system
....177
Important safety notes ..................175
Parking brake ................................ 175
Warning lamp ................................. 293
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs C
Calling up a fault see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Automatic car wash .......................327
Carpets .......................................... 332
Display ........................................... 331
Exterior lighting ............................. 330
Gea rors elector lever .................... 332
High-pressure cleaner .................... 328
Matt paintwork .............................. 329
Notes ............................................. 327
Paint .............................................. 328
Plastic trim .................................... 331
Reversing camera ..........................330
Roof lining ...................................... 332
Seat bel t........................................ 332
Seat cover ..................................... 332
Sensors ......................................... 330
Steering wheel ............................... 332
Tai lpipes ....................................... 331
Trim pieces .................................... 332
Washing by hand ........................... 328
Wheels ........................................... 328
Windows ........................................ 329
Wiper blades .................................. 329
Wooden trim .................................. 332
Car key
see Key
Car wash (care) ................................. 327
CD player/CD changer (12-button
multifunction steering wheel) .......... 234Cell phone
see Mobile phone
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 242
Locking/unlocking (key ).................. 84
Centre console ..................................... 42
Changing bulbs Brake lamps ................................... 128
Cornering light function .................127
Dipped-bea mheadlamps ............... 126
Important safety notes ..................125
Main-beam headlamps ................... 127
Overview of bul btypes .................. 126
Parking lamps (front) .....................127
Reversing lamps ............................ 128
Standing lamps .............................. 127
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................71
Rea rdoors ....................................... 71
Children
Fastening seat belts ......................... 64
In the vehicle ................................... 57
Restraint systems ............................ 57
Child seat
Automatic recognition .....................59
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunctio nsteering wheel) ..............260
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................253
Integrated ........................................ 63
Integrated, ICS padded pla ytable ....65
Integrated, side head restraints .......66
Integrated, storing ........................... 67
ISOFIX .............................................. 60
On the front-passenger sea t............ 58
Problem (malfunction) .....................63
Recommendations ...........................70
Suitable positions ............................ 68
Cigarette lighter ................................ 317
Cleaning Trailer tow hitch ............................. 331
Climate control
Activating/deactivating rear win-
dow heating ................................... 141
Auxiliary heating/ventilation .......... 143
Controlling automatically ...............138 Index
7

Parking lamp
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............266
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................263
Parking lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 127
Switching on/off ........................... 118
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ......127
PARKTRONIC Deactivating/activating .................198
Driving system ............................... 196
Function/notes ............................. 196
Problem (fault) ............................... 199
Sensor range ................................. 196
Trailer towing ................................. 198
Warning displa y............................. 197
PASSENGE RAIRBAG OFF warning
lamp ...................................................... 59
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC (permanen tfour-
wheel drive)
Petrol .................................................. 169
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) .331
Power windows see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(preventative occupant
protection) Display message (12-button mul-
tifunctio nsteering wheel) ..............258
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................252
PRE-SAFE ®
(preventive occupant
safety system) Operation ........................................ .51
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Function/notes ................................ 78
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............259
Switching on/off ........................... 237
Warning lamp ................................. 300 Preventive occupant safety sys-
tem
see PRE-SAFE ®
(preventive occu-
pant safety system)
Program selector button ..................163
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................156
Manual transmission ..................... .155 Q
Qualifie dspecialis tworkshop ...........28 R
RACE START (AMG vehicles) .............194
RACETIMER (on-board computer) ....245
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................242
Country overview ........................... 389
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunctio nsteering wheel) ..............274
Radiator cover ................................... 323
Radio Selecting a station (12-button
multifunctio nsteering wheel) ........233
see separate operating instructions
Rain closing feature
Panorama sliding sunroo f.............. 101
Sliding sunroo f............................... 100
Range (fuel)
Displaying (12-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel )....................... 231
Displaying (4-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel) .......................226
Reading lamp ..................................... 124
Rear bench seat Folding the backres tforwards/
back ............................................... 305
Rear compartment
Setting the airflow .........................139
Setting the airv ents...................... 148
Rear-compartment seat belt sta-
tus indicator ........................................ 5618
Index

Seat belt
Activating/deactivating seat-belt
adjustment (12-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel) .......................244
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger sea tbelt ......................... 55
Adjusting the height ......................... 55
Belt force limiter .............................. 56
Belt tensioner .................................. 56
Cleaning ......................................... 332
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunctio nsteering wheel) ..............259
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................252
Fastening ......................................... 55
Important safety guidelines .............53
Rea rseat belt status indicator .........56
Releasing ......................................... 56
Warning lamp (function) ................... 56
Seat belts
Warning lamp ................................. 291
Seats
Adjusting (electrically). ..................106
Adjusting (manually and electri-
cally) .............................................. 106
Adjusting lumba rsuppor t.............. 109
Adjusting the 4-way lumba rsup-
por t................................................ 109
Adjusting the head restraint ..........107
Cleaning the cover .........................332
Correct driver's sea tposition ........104
Important safety notes ..................105
Multicontour sea t.......................... 108
Seat heating problem ....................110
Seat ventilation problem ................110
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 115
Switching sea theating on/off .......109
Switching the sea tventilation on/
off .................................................. 110
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......330
Service see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service menu (12-button multi-
function steering wheel) ..................238Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 383
Coolant (engine) ............................ 383
Engine oil ....................................... 381
Fuel ................................................ 380
Important safety notes ..................379
Settings
Factory (12-button multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 244
On-board computer (12-button
multifunctio nsteering wheel) ........238
Setting the air distribution ...............139
Setting the airflow ............................139
SETUP (on-board computer) .............245
Shifting to neutral (manual trans-
mission) ............................................. 161
Sidebag ................................................ 50
Side marker lamp Display message (12-button mul-
tifunctio nsteering wheel) ..............266
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................263
Side windows
Convenience closing ........................97
Convenience opening ......................97
Important safety notes ....................96
Opening/closing .............................. 97
Problem (malfunction) .....................99
resetting .......................................... 98
Sliding sunroof
Important safety information ...........99
Opening/closing ............................ 100
Problem (malfunction) ...................102
Rain closing feature .......................100
Resetting ....................................... 100
see Panorama sliding sunroof
Snow chains ...................................... 360
Socket Centre console .............................. 317
Luggage compartment ...................318
Points to observe before use .........317
Rea rcompartmen t......................... 318
Spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 336
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 28
Spectacles compartment .................30320
Index

This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi-
cle when braking and the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. G
WARNING
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect .You
might otherwise not be able to stop the vehi-
cle in time and could cause an accident.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and smoothly. BAS (Brake Assist)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 72). BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
WARNING
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and the stopping distance may
increase. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System Plus)
BAS PLUS is only available on vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 72).
BAS PLUS assists you in braking during haz-
ardous situations at speeds above 30 km/h
and uses the radar sensor system to evaluate
the traffic situation.
With the help of the radar sensor system, BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the
path of your vehicle for an extended period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, BAS
PLUS may also detect stationary obstacles,
for example, stopped or parked vehicles.
Should you approach an obstacle and BAS
PLUS has detected a ris kofcollision, BAS
PLUS calculates the braking force necessary
to avoid a rear-end collision. Should you apply
the brakes forcefully, BAS PLUS can auto-
matically increase the braking force to a level
suitable for the traffic conditions.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high brak-
ing force, preventative passenger protection Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

measures (PRE-SAFE
®
) are activated simul-
taneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any dange rofarear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
BAS PLUS is then deactivated.
Vehicles with COMAND and navigation sys-
tem: the rada rsensor system is switched off
automatically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities (Y page 389).
Vehicles without COMAND and a navigation
system and vehicles for Australia: the radar
sensor system and on-board computer must
be switched off in the vicinity of radio tele-
scope facilities ( Ypage 242).
For BASP LUS to assist you when driving, the
radars ensor system must be switched on and
operational; see "Rada rsensor system" in the
index. G
WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases.
There is a risk of an accident. Always pay
careful attention to the traffic situation and be
ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in multi-storey car parks R
a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, BAS PLUS may not intervene in
critical situations. There is a risk of an acci-
dent .Always pay careful attention to the traf-
fic situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle.
If BA SPLUS is not available due to a malfunc-
tion in the radars ensor system, the brake
system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/ho rifbraking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way, traffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically.Ift he
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously.T he hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 121).74
Driving safety systemsSafety

If the driver and passengers have fastened
their seat belts, PRE-SAFE
®
Brake can also
can also perform the following at speeds of
above approximately 30 km/h:
R brake the vehicle automatically from a
speed of up to approximately 200 km/h
R trigger preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) (Y page 51)
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause
unnecessary warnings or the unnecessary
intervention of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake. To end this,
you can either depress the accelerator pedal
further, activate kickdown or release the
brake pedal.
The braking action of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is
ended automatically if:
R you drive slower than approximately
15 km/h.
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle.
With the help of the radars ensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also detec tstationary
obstacles, for example stopped or parked
vehicles.
If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of a collision, the system
will initially alert you both visually and acous-
tically. If you do not brake or take evasive
action, the syste mwill warn you by automat-
ically braking the vehicle gently. If there is an
increased risk of collision, preventative
passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)
are activated (Y page 51). If the risk of colli-
sion remains and you do not brake, take eva-
sive action or accelerate significantly, the
vehicle may perform automatic emergency
braking. Automatic emergency braking is not performed until immediately prior to an acci-
dent that can no longer be avoided. G
WARNING
Even if PRE-SAFE ®
Brake slows the vehicle
before an imminent rear-end collision, the
system cannot avert a collision without the
intervention of the driver. There is a risk of an
accident. Brake according to the situation or
take evasive action. Delayed intervention by
the driver can lead to an accident. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot always clearly iden-
tify objects and complex traffic conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warnin gand then
brake the vehicle
R not give a warning or intervene
There is a ris kofanaccident. Always pay par-
ticula rattention to the traffi csituation and be
ready to brake, especially if PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
warns you. Terminate the intervention in a
non-critical driving situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in multi-storey car parks
R a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle travelling in front on a different
line G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering Driving safety systems
79Safety
Z

As a result, PRE-SAFE
®
Brake may not give
warnings or intervene in critical situations.
There is a ris kofanaccident. Always pay
careful attention to the traffi csituation and be
ready to brake.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a col-
lision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
X To activate/deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-board
computer (Y page 237).
The Ä symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display as long as the HOL Dfunction
is not activated (Y page 193).
On vehicles with parking guidance, the
Ä symbol is displayed when Pis
engaged or you are driving faste rthan
35 km/h.
Vehicles with COMAND and navigation sys-
tem: the radar sensor system is switched off
automatically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities (Y page 389).
Vehicles without COMAND and a navigation
system and vehicles for Australia: the radar
sensor system and on-board computer must
be switched off in the vicinity of radio tele-
scope facilities (Y page 242).
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be
switched on (Y page 242) and be opera-
tional.
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key. X
To activate with the key: remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R the boot lid/tailgate
R the bonnet
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example. X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes .The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately 15 sec-
onds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key or KEYLESS-GO. 80
Anti-theft systemsSafety

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviations are possible. Please
note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all features described. This also
applies to safety-relevan tsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 28).Key
Key functions
Locking an dunlocking centrally The key centrally locks/unlocks:
R
the doors
R the boot lid/tailgate
R the fuel filler flap G
WARNING
Only for the United Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key, the double lock
function is activated as standard. It is then not
possible to open the doors from inside the
vehicle.
Therefore, do not leave any people behind in
the vehicle, particularly children, elderly peo-
ple or people in need of special assistance if
the vehicle has been locked with the key. As
a result, they may not be able to free them-
selves in the event of an emergency. As a
result, they could be seriously or even fatally
injured by prolonged exposure to extremely
high or low temperatures, for example. In this
case, rescuing people from outside the vehi-
cle is difficult.
Deactivate the interior motion sensor before
you lock the vehicle with the key. The doors
can then be opened from the inside after the vehicle has been locked from the outside with
the key. G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open a door from inside the vehicle at any
time, even if it has been locked
R start the vehicle using akey which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Always take the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for a short time. G
WARNING
If a key ring is too heavy or too large, the
weight acting on the key could cause it to turn
in the ignition lock or catch on the steering
wheel. This could cause the engine to be
switched off suddenly. You may lose control
of the vehicle and cause an accident. Do not
attach any heavy or large key rings to the key
that is inserted in the ignition. :
& To lock the vehicle
; F To unlock the boot lid/tailgate
= % To unlock the vehicle
When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page 241).84
KeyOpening and closing