2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON Owners Manual

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).Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
Fo rreasons of safety, Mercedes-Benzr ecom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, operation of the headlamps varies due
to legal requirements and self-imposed obli-
gations. Notes on driving abroad
Convert to symmetrical dipped beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical dipped beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is reg-
istered. This prevents glare to oncoming traf-
fic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate as
large an area of the edge of the carriageway.
Convert the headlamps as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries
(Y page 240).
Convert to asymmetrical dipped beam
after returning: convert the headlamps back
to asymmetrical dipped beam as soon as pos-
sible after crossing the border when returning
(Y page 240). If the headlamps are converted to symmetri-
cal dipped beam, the "motorway mode" and
"extended range foglamps" functions (Intelli-
gent Light System) are not available. Light switch
Operation 1W
Left-hand parking lamps
2X Right-hand parking lamps
3T Side lamps, licence plate and instru-
ment cluster lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
driving lights
5L Dipped-beam/main-beam head-
lamps
BR Rear foglamp
CN Foglamps 8
The turn signals, main-beam headlamps and
the headlamp flasher are operated using the
combination switch (Y page 120).
! Switch off the side lamps and parking
lamp when you leave the vehicle. This pre-
vents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the side lamps/
parking lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the key in posi-
tion 0
8 Only vehicles with fron tfoglamps have the "Foglamps" function. 118
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the lights witch toÃ.
Dipped-beam headlamps X
To switch on the dipped-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Daytime driving lights You can activate or deactivate the daytime
driving lights function using the on-board
computer (Y page 239).
X To activate the daytime driving lights:
you can activate the daytime driving lights
function using the on-board computer
(vehicles with a 12-butto nmultifunction
steering wheel).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
When the engine is on :depending on the
ambient light conditions, the daytime driv-
ing lights or the parking and dipped-beam
headlamps are switched on.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Automatic headlamp mode X
To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
Key in position 1in the ignition lock: the
side lamps are switched on or off automat-
ically depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
driving lights 9
or the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on or off automatically. When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the
Lindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. G
WARNING
If the light switch is set to Ã, the dipped-
beam headlamps will not come on automati-
cally if it is foggy. This could endanger you and
others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
Foglamps Only vehicles with fron
tfoglamps have the
"Foglamps" function. G
WARNING
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to Lbefore you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
X To switch on the foglamps: turn the key
in the ignition lock to position 2or start the
engine.
X Turn the light switch to T,Lor
Ã.
X Press the Nbutton.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front foglamps: press
the N button.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Rear foglamp X
To switch on the rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
9 Only if daytime driving lights have been activated via the on-board computer. Exterior lighting
119Lights and windscreen wipers Z

X
Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Vehicles with frontf oglamps: when the light
switch is in the Tposition, the rear fog-
lamp can only be switched on if the foglamps
(without dipped-beam headlamps) are
switched on.
Adjusting the headlam prange (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allows you to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to sui tthe vehicle load. Headlamp range control
g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied
2 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, luggage compart-
ment/boot laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing a trailer
X Start the engine.
X Turn headlamp range control to the posi-
tion which corresponds to the load in your
vehicle. Headlampc
leaning system The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is oper-
ated ten times while the lights are on and the
engine is running (Y
page 129). Combination switch
Turn signals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?.
Main-beam headlamps X
To switch on the main-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ. 120
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the main-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the main-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
X To switch off the main-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1or 2or start the engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/ha nd comes to
a standstill.
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All tur nsignals flash. If you now switch on
a tur nsignal using the combination switch, only the tur
nsignal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after full brake applica-
tion.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Intelligent Light System
Active light function The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps accordin
gto the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function Exterior lighting
121Lights and windscreen wipers Z

The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. It can only
be activated when the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/h, the cornering light function is
activated either by the turn signal or by the
steering wheel being turned.
R if you are driving at speeds between
40 km/h and 70 km/h ,the cornering light
function is activated by the steering wheel
being turned.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R
if you are driving at speeds above
110 km/h and do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m
R if you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation. Extended range foglamps
The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the driver and improve
the illumination of the edge of the carriage-
way.
Active:
if you are driving at speeds below
70 km/h and you switch on the rear foglamp
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
100 km/h or if you switch off the rear foglamp
following activation Adaptive Highbeam Assist
You can use this function to set the head-
lamps to change between dipped beam and
main beam automatically .The system recog-
nises vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
travelling in front of your vehicle, and conse-
quently switches the headlamps from main
beam to dipped beam.
The system automatically adapts the dipped-
beam headlamp range depending on the dis-
tance to the other vehicle. Once the system
no longer detects any other vehicles, it reac-
tivates the main-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windscreen near the overhead control
panel. 122
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

X
To activate: activate the Adaptive High-
beam Assist functio nusing the on-board
computer (Y page 240).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :(Ypage 120).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the dipped-beam headlamps, the _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you are driving at speeds above
45 km/h:
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
55 km/h and no other road users are rec-
ognised:
the main-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
45 km/h or other road users are recog-
nised or the roads are adequately lit:
the main-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
designed to assist driving. The driver is
responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, vision and traffic con-
ditions.
The system may be impaired or deactivated:
R if there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R if the area of the windscreen around the
optical sensor is dirty, misted up or covered
up, e.g. by a sticker
The system may not recognise the following
road users:
R road users that have no lighting, e.g. pedes-
trians
R road users that have poor lighting, e.g.
cyclists
R road users whose lighting is not clearly visi-
ble, e.g. road users behind a crash barrier
R on rare occasions: road users that have
lights that may be recognised too late or not
at all
The automatic main-beam headlamps will not
be deactivated, or they may be activated
despite road users travelling in front of or
approaching the vehicle.
Thus, you could cause an accident and injure
yourselfa nd others. Alway sobserve traffic
conditions and, if necessary, dip the lights
manually. Headlamps misted up inside
The headlamps may mist up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity. Exterior lighting
123Lights and windscreen wipers Z

X
Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes, depend-
ing on the length of the journey and the
weather conditions (humidity and temper-
ature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialis tworkshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:
u To switch the rear interior lighting
on/off
; | To switch the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
= p To switch the right-hand front read-
ing lamp on/off
? c To switch the front interior lighting
on/off
A p To switch the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:
p To switch the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
; p To switch the left-hand reading lamp
on/off Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging, the interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
except for when the key is in position
2in the
ignition lock.
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on/off: press the|button.
When the automatic interior lighting con-
trol is activated, the button is flush with the
overhead control panel.
The interior lighting automatically switches
on if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove the key from the ignition lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when the key is removed from the ignition
lock. You can activate this delayed switch-off
using the on-board computer (Y page 241).124
Interior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Manual interior lighting control
X
To switch the front interior lighting on/
off: press the cbutton.
X To switch the rear interior lighting on/
off: press the ubutton.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the pbutton. Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting is activated automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
X To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or
X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
key. Changing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs If yourv
ehicle is equipped with xenon bulbs,
you can recognise this by the following: the
cone of light from the xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine. G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric con-
tacts on xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from xenon bulbs.
Do not change xenon bulbs yourself, but have
them replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety or
on safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs There are bulbs other than the xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y
page 126). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benzr ecommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety or
on safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when fitting.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly. G
WARNING
Bulbs and lights can become very hot. For this
reason, allow them to cool down before
changing them. Otherwise, you could burn
yourself when you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children .Oth-
erwise, they could damage them, for example,
and injure themselves. Changing bulbs
125Lights andwindscreen wipers
Z