2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class COUPE ESP

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 23).
Important safety notes
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
( Y page 29).
GWARNING
A driver's attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
GWARNING
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
Rmalfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.GWARNING
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner's and/or driver's
responsibility to maintain the vehicle's
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the
malfunction and warning messages.
Displays and operation
Coolant temperature display
GWARNING
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the left-hand side.
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant
temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †).
182Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

! If the coolant temperature is too high a
display message is shown.
If the coolant temperature rises above
248 ‡(120 †), do not drive any further as
this could damage the engine.
Tachometer
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display ( Y page 184).
GWARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
Cruise control ( Y page 146) activated:
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 148) activated:
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in front and the stored speed light up.
Operating the on-board computer
Overview
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
:Multifunction display;To switch on the Voice Control System;
see the separate operating instructions=Right control panel?Left control panelABack buttonDisplays and operation183On-board computer and displaysZ

Assistance menu
Introduction
In the DriveAssist. menu you can:
R show the distance display
R activate/deactivate ESP ®
R activate/deactivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R activate/deactivate ATTENTION ASSIST
R activate/deactivate Blind Spot Assist or
Active Blind Spot Assist
R activate/deactivate Lane Keeping Assist or
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Showing the distance display
This function is only available with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Distance Display .XPress a.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
( Y page 155) appears in the multifunction
display.Deactivating/activating ESP ®GWARNING
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. Proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®
on AMG
vehicles ( Y page 60).
For further information about ESP ®
, see
( Y page 59).
XStart the engine.XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the Assist. menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
ESP .XPress the a button.XTo deactivate: press a again.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on.GWARNING
When the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp is lit,
ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational,
vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP ®
.
192Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 to select the
Auto. Mirror Folding function.
If the Auto. Mirror Folding function is
activated, the vehicle's exterior mirror is
displayed in red in the multifunction
display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Resetting to factory settings
For safety reasons, the Day Lights function
in the Lights submenu is only reset when the
vehicle is stationary.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Factory Setting submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.
The Reset All Settings? message
appears.XPress the : or 9 button to select
No or Yes .XPress the a button to confirm the
selection.
If you select Yes, the multifunction display
shows a confirmation message.
AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.:Digital speedometer;Gear indicator=Upshift indicator?Engine oil temperatureACoolant temperature
Upshift indicator UP = indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator UP = fades out other
messages until you have shifted up.
When the engine oil temperature is below
80 †, the oil temperature is shown in blue.
Avoid driving at full engine output during this
time.
SETUP
SETUP shows the drive program, the ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode and the
SPORT handling mode.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.:Drive program (C/S/S+/M);ESP®
mode ( ON/OFF ) or SPORT handling
mode ( SPORT)
RACETIMER
Displaying and starting RACETIMER
GWARNING
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
You can use the RACETIMER to store lap
times.
198Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
General notes
GWARNING
All categories of messages contain important information which should be taken note of and,
where a malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property damage or personal injury.
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
Display messages with graphic displays may be shown in simplified form in the Operator's
Manual and may differ from the messages shown in the multifunction display.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in
this Operator's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on the HOLD function
( Y page 159) and parking ( Y page 140).
Hiding display messages
You can hide some display messages with a low priority.
XPress the a or % button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
Display messages with a high priority are shown in red.
You cannot hide display messages of the highest priority. The multifunction display shows
these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been remedied.
Message memory
The message memory allows you to call up previous display messages.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel to select the Serv. menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows 2 Messages, for example.XPress the 9 or : button to select the entry, e.g. 2 Messages.XConfirm with a.XPress the 9 or : button to scroll through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
Display messages201On-board computer and displaysZ

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), the HOLD function and hill start
assist are temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
For example, the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.202Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only), ÷, å
and ! warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages203On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable
due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the
HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Check Brake Pad
WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA
only) J (Canada
only)
Release Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake applied. A warning tone also
sounds.XRelease the parking brake.204Display messagesOn-board computer and displays