2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN Engine light

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roadsGWARNING
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs.
Servicing the brakes
! If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. This work
should be carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
GWARNING
If brake pads or brake fluid other than those
recommended are used, the braking
properties of the vehicle can be degraded to
an extent that safe braking is substantially
impaired. This could result in an accident.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you are
planning to have the vehicle tested on such
a dynamometer, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to obtain further
information first. Otherwise, you could
damage the drive train or the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the ignition
lock or Start/Stop button in position 0 or
1 ) while the parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition system must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the
ignition lock or Start/Stop button in
position 0 or 1) when:
R testing the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
If your brake system is subject only to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals by pressing firmly on the brake pedal
at high speeds. This improves the grip of the
brake pads.
Driving tips157Driving and parkingZ

To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle
winterproofed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 312).
Driving with summer tires
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 312).
Slippery road surfaces
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.
GWARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
i
For more information on driving with
snow chains, see ( Y page 313).
GWARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1 , 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
set any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
GWARNING
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle's speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The "Resume" function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Driving systems159Driving and parkingZ

The calibration of the suspension depends
on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R your individual selection; see the following
description
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic
transmission, the dynamic handling package
with sports mode also includes steering
wheel paddle shifters ( Y page 145) with a
manual drive program ( Y page 147).
Example: position of dynamic handling package
with sports mode button
XStart the engine.
Sports tuning
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
Your selection remains stored until you
switch off the engine.
XPress button ;.
Indicator lamp : lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. Depending
on the engine output, the accelerator pedal
is more responsive. On vehicles with
automatic transmission, drive program S is
selected.Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.
XPress button ;.
Indicator lamp : goes out. Comfortable
suspension tuning is selected. On vehicles
with automatic transmission, drive
program E is selected.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the parking brake is not applied.
R the hood is closed.
R the transmission is in position D, R or N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
172Driving systemsDriving and parking

iIf the engine has been switched off, it
cannot be started again until the HOLD
function has been deactivated.
If there is a malfunction in the system or
power supply while the HOLD function is
activated, the Brake immediately message
is shown in the multifunction display.
Immediately depress the brake firmly until
the warning message in the multifunction
display goes out.
You can also shift the transmission to position
P . This deactivates the HOLD function.
RACE START
Important safety notes
i RACE START is only available in AMG
vehicles.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
GWARNING
RACE START is only available when SPORT
handling mode is activated. SPORT handling
mode only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited
extent in the event of swerving or wheelspin.
RACE START should only be used on specially
designated roads. Always adapt your speed
and driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions.
Conditions for activation
RACE START can be activated when:
R the doors are closed.
R the engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
( Y page 62)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot,
and keep it depressed.XTurn the drive program selector clockwise
( Y page 144) until the RS lamp lights up.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN message.
i
If the conditions for activation are no
longer fulfilled, RACE START is canceled.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START canceled message.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift
paddle ( Y page 145).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel
shift paddle ( Y page 145).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START available Depress
accelerator message.
i
If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The multifunction
display shows the RACE START not
possible See Operator's Manual
message.
XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed increases to
approximately 4000 rpm.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Release brake to start
message.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within seven seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START canceled message.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.174Driving systemsDriving and parking

Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is
located on the headliner in the rear
compartment.
Warning display for the front area
:Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle;Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness = light up.
The selected transmission position
determines which warning display is active
when the engine is running.
Transmission
positionWarning displayDFront area activatedR , N or the vehicle
is rolling
backwardsRear and front areas
activatedPNo areas activatedOne or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC:Indicator lamp;To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp : lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Parking Guidance is also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2
in the ignition lock.
Driving systems177Driving and parkingZ

! 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 196).
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 159) activated:
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 161) 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 operation195On-board computer and displaysZ

Lights
Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Day Lights
function and the light switch is in the c or
à position, the daytime running lamps are
switched on automatically during the day
when the engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the low-beam headlamps
R the parking lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamps
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Day Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights: function
has been switched on, the cone of light and
the W symbol in the multifunction
display are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress : or 9 to select the Adapt.
Highbeam function.
If the Adapt. Highbeam function has been
switched on, the cone of light and the
_ symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.Activating/deactivating surround
lighting and exterior lighting delayed
switch-off
If you have activated the Surround
Lighting function and the light switch is in
the c or à position, the following
functions are active when it is dark:
R Surround lighting: the exterior lighting
remains lit for 40 seconds after unlocking
with the SmartKey. The exterior lighting
switches off when you open the driver's
door.
R Exterior lighting delayed switch-off: the
exterior lighting remains lit for 60 seconds
after the engine has been switched off. If
you close all the doors, the exterior lighting
goes off after 15 seconds.
If you activate the Surround Lighting
function, the following light up depending on
the vehicle's equipment:
R the parking lamps
R the fog lamps
R the daytime running lamps
R the side marker lamps
R the surround lighting in the exterior mirrorsXPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Surround lighting function.
When the Surround Lighting function is
activated, the light cone and the area
around the vehicle are displayed in red in
the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.Menus and submenus207On-board computer and displaysZ

Deactivating delayed switch-off of the
exterior lighting temporarily:XBefore leaving the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock and back to position 0.
The exterior lighting delayed switch-off is
deactivated.
Delayed switch-off of the exterior lighting is
reactivated the next time you start the
engine.
Activating/deactivating the interior
lighting delayed switch-off
If you activate the Light. delay function,
the interior lighting remains on for 20
seconds after you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Light. Delay function.
When the Light. Delay function is
activated, the vehicle interior is displayed
in red in the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Vehicle
Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking feature
If you select the Auto. Door Locks
function, the vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of around 9 mph (15 km/h).
i For further information on the automatic
locking feature, see ( Y page 78).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Vehicle submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Auto. Door Locks function.
When the Auto. Door Locks function is
activated, the vehicle doors are displayed
in red in the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you activate the Acoustic Lock function,
an audible signal sounds depending on the
vehicle's date of manufacture:
R when locking
or
R once when unlocking and three times when
locking
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Vehicle submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Lock function is activated,
the & symbol in the multifunction
display lights up red.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
The following systems are switched off when
the radar sensor system is deactivated:
R DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 161)
R BAS PLUS ( Y page 60)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 65)
208Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays