2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON brake

Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion. G
Risk of accident
The distance to the vehicle in fron tis too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw arning tone also
sounds. G
Ris
kofa ccident
The warning is issued if you approach a stationary vehicle or a
vehicle driving ahead of you at too high a speed.
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
More information about DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 183) and
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 78). Tyres
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
h
The yellow tyre pres-
sure monitor warning
lamp is on. G
Ris
kofa ccident
The tyre pressure monito rhas detected a loss of pressure in at
least one of the tyres.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudde nsteering or braking
manoeuvres .Pay attentio nto the traffic conditions as you do
so.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Check the tyre pressure. If necessary, correc tthe tyre pressure
(Y page 363).
X If necessary, change a wheel (Y page 365).300
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

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).Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Secure and position the load as described in
the loading guidelines.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could
be injured by the load being throw naround in
the event of sharp braking, a sudden change
in direction or an accident.
You will find further informatio ninthe "Secur-
ing a load" section.
Even if you follow all the loading guidelines,
the load will increase the risk of injury in the
event of an accident. G
WARNING
Keep the boot lid/tailgate closed while the
vehicle is in operation. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter the vehicle interior and poi-
son you.
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. For this reason, you
should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants).
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the boot/luggage
compartmenta s possible.
R the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear or
front seat backrests. Make sure that the
seat backrests are securely locked into
place.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. Pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Load restraints are available at any quali-
fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The stowage compartments must be closed
when items are stored in them. Luggage nets
are not designed to secure heavy items of
luggage.
You or other vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Sharp-edged and fragile objects must not be
placed in the luggage net.
Do not place hard objects in the map pockets.
Objects must not protrude from the map
pockets. 302
Stowage areasStowing and features

X
To open: press left-hand button ;or right-
hand button :.
The stowage compartment opens.
Stowage compartment under the front
seats G
WARNING
Only load the stowage compartment with the
maximu mpermissible load of 1.5 kg. Other-
wise, the transported load could, for example,
be thrown out of the stowage compartment if
you change direction suddenly or brake
sharply and could injure you or others.
i On vehicles with a fire extinguisher
instead of a stowage compartment, the fire
extinguisher is installed under the driver's
seat. X
To open: pull handle :up and fold
cover ;forwards. Rear stowage compartments Stowage compartment in the rear com-
partment
X
To open: fold down seat armrest ;.
X Fold cover :of the armrest upwards. Luggage nets
G
WARNING
Only place lightweight objects in the luggage
net. Do not use it to transport heavy, sharp-
edged or fragile objects. The luggage net can-
not secure the objects sufficiently in the event
of an accident.
Luggage nets are located in the front-
passenger footwell, on the rear of the driver's
and front-passenger seat backrests and on
the left-hand side in the boot (Saloon) or on
the left and right-hand side of the luggage
compartment (Estate). Through-loading facility in the rear
bench seat
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside the
vehicle or in the boot unless they are secured.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around the vehicle in the event of sharp brak- 304
Stowage areasStowing and features

ing, a sudden change in direction or an acci-
dent. G
WARNING
Always drive with the boot lid closed. Exhaust
fumes could otherwise enter the vehicle inte-
rior.
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat backr-
ests can be folded down separately to
increase the boot capacity.
Folding the seat backrest forwards !
Before you fold down the rear seat back-
rest, remove the side head restraints for
the integrated child seat; see the "Side
head restraints for integrated child seat"
section. The side head restraints could oth-
erwise be damaged.
X Move the driver's or front-passenge rseat
forward if necessary.
X Open the boot.
X Pull right-hand or left-hand rear seat back-
rest release handle :.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released.
X Fully insert the rear seat backrest head
restraints. X
Fold rear seat backrest ;forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
Folding back the seat backrest X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged.
X Fold rear seat backrest :back until it
engages. G
WARNING
Make sure that the rear seat backrest is cor-
rectly engaged. Otherwise, vehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident Stowage areas
305Stowing and features
Z

Folding the rear seat backrest back
X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be dam-
aged.
X Fold seat backrest :bac kuntil it engages.
Red lock status indicator ;is no longer
visible. G
WARNING
Make sure that the seat backrest is correctly
engaged .The red lock verification indicators
on the left and right sides should no longer be
visible. If they are visible, the backrests are
not locked in position.
Occupants could otherwise be injured in the
event of an accident, e.g. by objects being
thrown forwards through the vehicle interior
from the luggage compartment.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 107).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Securing
aload
Lashing eyelets G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly. Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R
brake sharply
R change directio nsuddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R do no tuse elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
There are four lashing eyelets in the boot or
luggage compartment. Saloon with through-loading feature in the rear
bench seat
:
Lashing eyelets Estate without EASY-PACK load-securing kit
:
Lashing eyelets Stowage areas
307Stowing and features Z

EASY-PACK load-securing kit accessory parts
: Brackets
; Luggage holder
= Telescopic rod
Inserting the brackets into the loading
rail X
Insert bracket :into the centre of loading
rail ?.
X Press release button ;and push
bracket :into the desired positio ninload-
ing rail ?.
X Let go of release button ;.
X Press locking button =.
Bracket :is locked in loading rail ?.
X If necessary, fold lashing eyelet A
upwards. G
WARNING
Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly. Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if you:
R
brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Luggage holder The luggage holder can be used to secure
light loads against the side wall of the luggage
compartment to prevent them from moving
around.
!
Only use the luggage holder to secure
loads with a maximum weight of 7kg and
with dimensions that the luggage holder
can safely and securely contain. X
To install: insert two brackets Ainto the
left or right loading rail (Y page 310).
X Press release button :of the luggage
holder and pull the strap out slightly.
X Insert luggage holder ;into brackets A
and press down until it engages.
X Press release button :of the luggage
holder and pull the strap out in the direction
of the arrow.
X Place the load between the strap and the
luggage compartment side wall.
X Using one hand, press locking button :of
the luggage holder. Stowage areas
311Stowing and features Z

Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Keep the cup holder closed while the vehicle
is in motion .Otherwise, vehicle occupants
could be injured by objects being thrown
around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Only use the cup holders for containers of a
suitable size and which have lids .The drinks
could otherwise spill.
Cup holders should not be used for hot drinks.
You may otherwise scald yourself.
Cup holder in the front centre console :
Cup holders
; Cover
X To open: slide cover ;back. Removing and fitting the cup holder
Removing X
Pry groove ;away carefully on the front-
passenger side using a suitable tool until
lug =becomes visible.
X Pull the cup holder upwards slightly, to the
stop.
X Pry groove :away carefully on the driver's
side using a suitable tool. At the same time,
pull the cup holder upwards slightly, to the
stop.
X Pry groove on driver's side :and front-
passenger side ;away alternately. When
doing so, lift the cup holder upwards until
it can be removed.
Fitting X
Insert left-hand and right-hand grooves ;
of the cup holder into lateral springs =.
Insert the cup holder so that the wedge of 314
FeaturesStowing and features

the necessary service work has been carried
out.
You can obtain further information, e.g.
regarding service work, fro maMercedes-
Benz Service Centre or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the ASSYST PLUS service interval dis-
play has been inadvertently reset, this set-
ting can be corrected at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise
lead to increased wear and damage to the
major assemblies or the vehicle.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Mercedes-Benz Service24h" section
of the Service Booklet. Care
Notes on care
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked up. Care of the exterior
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, following a car wash, drive with
particular care until the brakes are dry.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is in position Nwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehi-
cle could be damaged if the transmission is
in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
R the blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (OFF button is depressed).
R the windscreen wiper switch is at posi-
tion 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper Care
327Maintenance and care Z