2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class COUPE warning light

cover in the closed position, when not in use.
Otherwise, you could suffer an electric shock
and be seriously or even fatally injured.GWARNING
Any device that you connect must have a
suitable plug and meet U.S. standards. Never
pull at a cable to disconnect a plug from a
115 V AC power socket. Never use a damaged
connection cable. The 115 V AC power socket
must never be connected to another 115 V
AC power source. Do not use a converter with
an earthed plug for the 115 V AC power
socket. This could cause serious injury to you
and/or other people.
GWARNING
If the 115V AC socket is damaged or torn out
of the trim, do not use or touch the 115V AC
socket. Using a 115V AC socket that is
damaged or torn out of the trim could cause
serious personal injury to you and/or others.
115 V socket : provides an alternating
voltage of 115 V, so that small electronic
devices can be connected. These devices,
such as games consoles, chargers and
laptops, together should not consume more
than a maximum of 150 W.
Requirements for operation of these devices:
R the plug of the electronic device must be
inserted fully into 115 V power socket :.
R the maximum wattage of the device to be
connected must not exceed 150 W.
R the on-board power supply is within a
permissible volt range.XOpen flap =.XInsert the plug of the electronic device into
115 V power socket :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up.
If indicator lamp ; does not light up,
consult the section on malfunctions.XTo turn off: disconnect the plug from 115 V
power socket :.
Ensure that you do not pull on the cord.XClose flap =.
Possible causes of malfunction:
R the on-board power supply is not within a
permissible volt range.
R the temperature of the DC/AC converter is
temporarily too high.
R some small electronic devices have a
constant nominal power of less than
150 W, but a very high inrush current.
These devices will not work. If you connect
such a device, 115 V power socket : will
not supply it with power.
If indicator lamp ; still does not light up,
contact a specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
mbrace
Important safety notes
! A license agreement must exist in order
to activate the mbrace service. Ensure that
your system is activated and ready for use,
and press the ï MB Info call button to
register. If any of the steps mentioned is
not carried out, the system may not be
activated.
250FeaturesStowing and features

If you have questions about the activation,
contact one of the following telephone
assistance services:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
Shortly after successfully registering with the
mbrace service, a user ID and password will
be sent to you by post. You can use this
password to log in to the mbrace section
under "Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 13
.
The mbrace system is available if:
R it has been activated and is operational.
R the corresponding mobile phone network
is available for transmitting data to the
Customer Center.
R a service subscription is available.
R the starter battery is sufficiently charged.
i Determining the location of the vehicle on
a map is only possible if there is sufficient
GPS reception and the vehicle position can
be forwarded to the Customer Center.
The mbrace system
The mbrace system provides different
services, e.g.:
R automatic and manual emergency call
R Roadside Assistance call
R MB Info call
To adjust the volume during an mbrace call,
proceed as follows:
XPress the W or X button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XUse the volume controller of the audio
system.You can find further information and a
description of all available features under
"Owners Online" at http://
www.mbusa.com 14
.
System self-test
After you have switched on the ignition, the
system carries out a self-diagnosis.
GWARNING
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if one of the following conditions
occurs:
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button does
not light up during the system self-
diagnosis.
R the indicator lamp in the F Roadside
Assistance button does not light up during
the system self-diagnosis.
R The indicator lamp in the ï information
button does not light up during self-
diagnosis of the system.
R the indicator lamp in the SOS button,
F Roadside Assistance button or ï
information button continues to be lit red
after the system self-diagnosis.
R The Tele Aid Inoperative or Tele Aid
Not Activated message appears in the
multifunction display after the system self-
test.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above,
the system may not operate as expected. In
the event of an emergency, assistance must
be summoned by other means.
Have the system checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or contact
the following service hotlines:
R USA: Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center under
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
or 1-888-990-9007
R Canada: Customer Service at
1-888-923-8367
13 USA only.
14 USA only.Features251Stowing and featuresZ

XPull release lever : for the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
XReach into the gap, pull hood catch
handle ; up and lift the hood.
Once you have lifted the hood about
15 inches (40 cm), it is automatically
opened the rest of the way and held open
by the gas-filled struts.
Closing the hood
GWARNING
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force.Engine oil
Notes on the oil level
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts. (0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
XPark the vehicle on a level surface.
To check the oil level with the engine at
normal operating temperature, switch the
engine off and wait for approximately five
minutes.XPull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.XWipe off oil dipstick :.XSlowly slide oil dipstick : into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark = and
MAX mark ;, the oil level is correct.XIf the oil level has sunk to MIN mark = or
below, add
0.55 to 1.1 US qt (0.5 to 1.0 liter) engine oil.
Adding engine oil
GWARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
Engine compartment265Maintenance and careZ

HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park 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
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Exterior care
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried.
GWARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an
automatic car wash.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in position N when washing
your vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The
vehicle could be damaged if the
transmission is in another position.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0 .
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all
countries concerned.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.XUse a soft sponge to clean.XUse a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.XDo not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet.XUse plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
270CareMaintenance and care

Power washersGWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park 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
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.Care271Maintenance and careZ

Matte finish care
If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
! Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable
materials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs performed
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the windows
GWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
! Only fold the windshield wipers away from
the windshield when vertical. Otherwise,
you will damage the hood.XClean the inside and outside of the
windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windshield and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain
circumstances prevent water from draining
away. This can lead to corrosion damage
and damage to electronic components.
Cleaning the wiper blades
GWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
! Only fold the windshield wipers away from
the windshield when vertical. Otherwise,
you will damage the hood.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
272CareMaintenance and care

! Observe the following when cleaning:
R clean genuine leather covers carefully
with a damp cloth and then wipe the
covers down with a dry cloth. Make sure
that the leather does not become
soaked. It may otherwise become rough
and cracked. Only use leather care
agents that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. You can
obtain these from a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
R clean artificial leather covers with a cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1%
detergent (e.g. dish washing liquid).
R clean cloth covers with a microfiber cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1%
detergent (e.g. dish washing liquid). Rub
carefully and always wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
Leave the seat to dry afterwards.
Cleaning results depend on the type of
dirt and how long it has been there.
R clean Alcantara® covers with a damp
cloth. Make sure you wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
i Note that regular care is essential to
ensure that the appearance and comfort of
the covers is retained over time.
Cleaning the seat beltsXUse clean, lukewarm water and soap
solution.
! Do not clean the seat belts using chemical
cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat belts
by warming them above 176 ‡ (80 †) or
placing them in direct sunlight.
GWARNING
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash, they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Cleaning the headliner and carpetsXHeadliner: use a soft brush or a cleaning
agent recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz to remove heavy soiling.XCarpets: use the carpet and textile
cleaning agents recommended and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Care275Maintenance and careZ

GWARNING
Have the emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel replaced with a new wheel as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Vehicles without a spare wheel/
emergency spare wheel are not equipped
with a tire-change tool kit at the factory. For
more information on which tools are
required to perform a wheel change on your
vehicle, e.g. wheel chock, lug wrench or
alignment bolt, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XPrepare the vehicle as described
( Y page 279).XRemove the following items (depending on
the vehicle's equipment) from the stowage
well under the trunk floor:
R the emergency spare wheel
R the folding wheel chock
R the lug wrench
R the jackXSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
GWARNING
Only jack up the vehicle on level ground or on
slight inclines/declines. The vehicle could
otherwise fall off the jack and injure you or
others.
If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock,
it can be found in the vehicle tool kit
( Y page 278).
The folding wheel chock is an additional
securing measure to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, for example when changing a
wheel.XFold both plates upwards :.XFold out lower plate ;.XGuide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
the openings in base plate =.
Securing the vehicle on level ground
XOn level ground: place chocks or other
suitable items under the front and rear of
the wheel that is diagonally opposite the
wheel you wish to change.
Securing the vehicle on slight downhill gradients
280Flat tireBreakdown assistance