2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN Owner's Manual

If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safety
Safety notes
GWARNING
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle's electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function when the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWARNING
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that damage
to your vehicle has occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers.
R slow down carefully.
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
Introduction23Z

On-board diagnostics interfaceGWARNING
If you connect equipment to the on-board
diagnostics interface, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This can
impair the operating safety of your vehicle
while driving. There is a risk of accident.
Do not connect any equipment to the on-
board diagnostics interface.
GWARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables which
are connected to the on-board diagnostics
interface can obstruct the area around the
pedals. The equipment or the cables could get
between the pedals in the event of sudden
braking or acceleration. You may then no
longer be able to brake, operate the clutch or
accelerate as intended. There is a risk of
accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver footwell.
Connecting equipment to the on-board
diagnostics interface can lead to emissions
monitoring information being reset. This may
lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements at the next special emissions
test or main inspection.
If the engine is switched off and equipment
on the on-board diagnostic interface is used,
the starter battery may discharge.
The on-board diagnostics interface is only
intended for the connection of diagnostic
equipment at a qualified specialist workshop.
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the service booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components
Proper use
GWARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers
and be injured.
The proper use of the vehicle requires that
you familiarize yourself with the following
information and rules:
R safety notes in this Operator's Manual
R technical data in this Operator's Manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem
again with a Mercedes-Benz Center or
contact us at one of the following addresses.
24Introduction

In the USA
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting malfunctions relevant to
safety
USA only:
The following text is reproduced as required
of all manufacturers according to Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
Reporting safety defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov ; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA Headquarters,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590.
You can obtain additional information about
vehicle safety from:
http://www.safercar.gov .
Limited Warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions are not covered either by
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty of
Daimler AG.
Data stored in the vehicle
Information about electronic data
acquisition in the vehicle
( Including notice pursuant to California Code
§ 9951)
Your vehicle records electronic data. If your
vehicle is equipped with mbrace 1
, data is
transmitted in the event of an accident.
This information helps, for example, to test
vehicle systems after an accident and to
continually improve vehicle safety.
Daimler AG can access this data and submit
it:
R for safety research or vehicle diagnosis
purposes
R with the consent of the vehicle owner
R on the instruction of prosecuting
authorities
R for use in arbitration of disputes that
involve Daimler AG, its affiliates or its sales
and service organizations
R as otherwise required or permitted by law.
1The system is called TELE AID in Canada.Introduction25Z

Please observe the mbrace1
purchase
agreement for further details on the recording
and transfer of data by this system.1 The system is called TELE AID in Canada.26Introduction

Cockpit ................................................. 28
Instrument cluster ..............................29
Multifunction steering wheel .............31
Center console .................................... 32
Overhead control panel ......................33
Door control panel .............................. 3427At a glance

CockpitFunctionPage:Steering wheel paddle
shifters
145
;Cruise control lever160=Instrument cluster29?HornAPARKTRONIC warning
display (Canada only)
175
BOverhead control panel33CClimate control systems122DIgnition lock137Start/Stop button137FunctionPageEAdjusts the steering wheel
manually
99
FAdjusts the steering wheel
electrically
99
GCombination switch109HParking brake154IOn-board diagnostic
interface
24
JOpens the hood278KReleases the parking brake154LLight switch10628CockpitAt a glance

Instrument cluster
Displays and controls
FunctionPage:Fuel gauge;Coolant temperature194=Speedometer with
segments
195
?Multifunction display196FunctionPageATachometer195BInstrument cluster lighting
brightness control: turn
clockwise or counter-
clockwiseInstrument cluster29At a glance

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:÷ ESP®243M
SPORT handling
mode in AMG vehicles
244
;Distance warning249=ESP ®
OFF243?Brakes (USA only)241ABrakes (Canada only)241BTurn signal109CABS242DSRS245ECheck engine246FunctionPageFTire pressure monitor250GSeat belt239HESP ®
on AMG vehicles243ICoolant247JRear fog lamp108KHigh-beam headlamps109LLow-beam headlamps107MFront fog lamps108NReserve fuel24630Instrument clusterAt a glance