2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SALOON engine

accelerate or brake suddenly. You will then
no tb e able to brake, declutch or accelerate
as intended. This could lead to accidents and
injury. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil tempera-
tures (below +20 †), the maximum engine
speed is restricted in order to protec tthe
engine. To protect the engine and maintain
smooth engine operation, avoid driving at
full throttle when the engine is cold. Key positions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
If the key is at position 0in the ignition lock
for a longer period, it can no longer be turned
in the ignition lock. The steering is then
locked. To unlock it, remove the key and rein-
sert it into the ignition lock.
The steering wheel is locked when the key is
removed from the ignition lock.
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle
it can still be turned in the ignition lock.
However, the ignition will not be switched
on The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a key featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the key 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. Driving
153Driving and parking Z

If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
X
Position 0: if Start/Stop button :has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
key being removed from the ignition.
X Position 1: press Start/Stop button :.
You can now activate the windscree nwip-
ers, for example.
i If you the nopen the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is deactiva-
ted.
X Position 2(ignition): press Start/Stop but-
ton :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.
Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-
mal using the key.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. X
Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
i When you insert Start/Stop button :
into ignition lock ;, the system needs
approximately two seconds recognition
time before you can use Start/Stop but-
ton :. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Never leave the engine running in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide. Inhaling exhaust fumes consti-
tutes a health hazard and could lead to loss
of consciousness or even death.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i Vehicles with apetrol engine: the cat-
alytic converter is preheated for up to 30
seconds after a cold start .The sound of the
engine may change during this time.
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
i You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed. 154
DrivingDriving and parking

Automatic transmission
X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the key i
To start the engine using the key instead
of KEYLESS-GO ,pull th eStart/Stop button
ou toft he ignition lock.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 153) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To startad iesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 153).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe key to position 3
(Y page 153) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: you can also use the touch-start func-
tion. To do this, turn the key to position 3
(Y page 153) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically.
Using KEYLESS-GO to startt he engineG
WARNING
You rvehicle can be started using a valid KEY-
LESS-GO key. For this reason, children should
never be left 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.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting the key into the ignition lock. The key must
be in the vehicle and the Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock. This
mode for starting the engine operates inde-
pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To star tapetrol engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 153) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 153) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 175).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerato rpedal.
! Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle.
i Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style (Y page 161).
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 lock-
ing feature (Y page 242). Driving
155Driving and parking Z

Automatic transmission
i
It is only possible to shif tthe transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the selector lever lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 175).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 242).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill starta ssist 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. G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your vehi-
cle and it could roll away.
X Take 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.
X Pull 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. ECO start/stop function
General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.
The engine starts automatically when you pull
away again. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. If all condi-
tions for automatic engine switch-off are ful-
filled (Y
page 157), the ¤ECO symbol is
shown in green in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤ECO
symbol is shown in yellow.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 158), ECO symbol ¤is not
shown. G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off and the ECO sym-
bol is shown in green in the multifunction dis-
play, the engine has been switched off auto-
matically. All of the vehicle's systems remain
active. If you open the door, unfasten your
seat belt or remove your foot from the brake
pedal, the engine will automatically start .The
vehicle may begin moving. You could suffer
serious or even fatal injury or cause an acci-
dent resulting in injury or death.
Never leave the vehicle while the ECO symbol
in the multifunction display is shown in green
or yellow. Always secure the vehicle against
rolling away before leaving it. 156
DrivingDriving and parking

!
Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is only switched off if:
R
the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the vehicle is not being steered.
R the driver's door is closed and the seat belt
is fastened.
i The engine can be switched off automat-
ically a maximum of four times (first stop
and three subsequent stops) in succession.
The ¤ ECO symbol is shown in yellow in
the multifunction display after the engine
has been started automaticallyf or the
fourth time. The engine can only be
switched off automatically again when the
¤ ECO symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop func-
tion can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (Y page 158). Vehicles with manual transmission The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X
Brake the vehicle until it comes to a stand-
still.
X Engage neutral N(Ypage 161) (follow
gearshift instruction :to engage neutral
N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off automati-
cally. It is then not necessary to continue
applying the brakes during the automatic
stop phase. When you depress the accel-
erator pedal, the engine starts automati-
cally and the braking effect of the HOLD
function is deactivated. Depress the accel-
erator pedal carefully, as the engine must
be started first.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if:
R
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
by pressing the ECO button.
R the vehicle starts to roll. Driving
157Driving and parking Z

R
the brake syste mrequires this.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the driv-
er's door is opened.
R the bonnet is opened.
R you shift the transmission from position D
to R.
R you steer the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R depress the clutch pedal
R depress the accelerator pedal
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brakes when in transmission
position Dor N, unless the HOLD function
is activated or
R engage reverse gear Ror
R depress the accelerator pedal
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function Deactivating
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ ECO symbol in the multifunction dis-
play go out.
Activating
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
are fulfilled, the ¤ECO symbol appears
in green in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤
ECO symbol is shown in yellow in the mul-
tifunction display. If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine will
then not be switched off automatically when
the vehicle stops.
i The ECO start/stop function is activated
each time the engine is switched on. 158
DrivingDriving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engine does not
start. The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 193) or DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 183).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the key in the
ignition back to position 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 154). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. The engine does not
start
.The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display shows 0. The fuel tank is empty.
X
Refuel the vehicle. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 350).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Driving
159Driving and parking Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warning lamp
may also be lit and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 324). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
At coolant temperatures under 120 †, drive on to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. to a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Manual transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
Gear lever
Gear lever
!
Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed. 160
Manual transmissionDriving and parking