2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN service

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
Therefore, you cannot base any claims on the
illustrations or text content in this Operator's
Manual.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Service Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. When you sell the vehicle, always pass
the documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company2045843582 É2045843582ÇËÍ

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 263
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 175
4MATIC off-road system ................... 175
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 214
Function/notes ................................ 59
Important safety notes ....................59
Warning lamp ................................. 242
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 126
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 205
Function/information ....................187
Active Driving Assistance package . 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 205
Display message ............................ 229
Function/information ....................190
Active light function ......................... 110
Active Light System Display message ............................ 224
Active service system PLUS
see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 64
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 225
Function/notes ............................. 110
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 207
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 349
Air bags Display message ............................ 221
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 39
Important safety notes ....................38
Knee bag .......................................... 40
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 42
Pelvis air bag ................................... 41
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Side impact air bag ..........................40
Window curtain air bag ....................42
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIR FLOW ........................................... 127
Air pressure see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 132
Important safety notes ..................131
Rear ............................................... 133
Setting ........................................... 131
Setting the center air vents ...........132
Setting the side air vents ...............132
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Alertness Assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 210
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ashtray ............................................... 262
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 204
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................67
Function ........................................... 67
Switching off the alarm ....................67
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................205
Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ............................. 182
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 201
Audio system see separate operating instructions 4Index

COMANDsee separate operating instructions
Combination switch .......................... 109
Compass Calibrating ..................................... 276
Calling up ....................................... 275
Setting ........................................... 275
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 199
Convenience closing feature .............. 84
Convenience opening feature ............ 84
Coolant (engine) Checking the level .........................280
Display message ............................ 225
Notes ............................................. 350
Temperature (on-board computer) . 210
Temperature gauge ........................ 194
Warning lamp ................................. 247
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering light function
Changing bulbs .............................. 115
Display message ............................ 222
Function/notes ............................. 110
Crash-responsive emergency
lighting ............................................... 113
Cruise control Cruise control lever .......................160
Deactivating ................................... 161
Display message ............................ 233
Driving system ............................... 159
Function/notes ............................. 159
Important safety notes ..................159
LIM indicator lamp .........................160
Setting a speed .............................. 160
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 160
Cup holder
Center console .............................. 260
Important safety notes ..................259
Rear compartment .........................260
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 25
Customer Relations Department ....... 25D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data
see Technical data
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 224
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 207
Switching on/off (switch) ..............107
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 207
Interior lighting .............................. 208
Digital speedometer ......................... 199
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 288
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....213
Driving systems ............................. 228
Engine ............................................ 225
General notes ................................ 213
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........213
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 238
Lights ............................................. 222
Safety systems .............................. 214
Service interval display ..................282
SmartKey ....................................... 238
Tires ............................................... 233
Vehicle ........................................... 236
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 204
Distance recorder ............................. 199
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 249
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 169
Display message ............................ 231
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 168
Driving tips .................................... 170
Function/notes ............................. 161
Important safety notes ..................161
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 168
Warning lamp ................................. 249Index7

DoorsAutomatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 208
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 78
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 70
Control panel ................................... 34
Display message ............................ 237
Emergency locking ........................... 79
Emergency unlocking .......................79
Important safety notes ....................77
Opening (from inside) ......................78
Drinking and driving ......................... 155
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 146
Display ........................................... 143
Manual ........................................... 147
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........210
Drive program selector ..................... 145
Driver's door see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................283
Symmetrical low beam ..................106
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving on flooded roads .................. 158
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......59
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 64
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............59
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 60
Electronic brake force distribution ...64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 61
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 61
Important safety information ...........59
Overview .......................................... 58
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 65Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................187
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 187
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............190
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................182
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 183
Cruise control ................................ 159
Display message ............................ 228
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 161
Dynamic handling package with
sports mode .................................. 171
HOLD function ............................... 172
Lane Keeping Assist ......................185
Lane Tracking package ..................183
Parking Guidance ........................... 178
PARKTRONIC ................................. 175
RACE START (AMG vehicles) ..........174
Rear view camera .......................... 181
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................144
Brakes ........................................... 156
Break-in period .............................. 136
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 170
Downhill gradient ........................... 156
Drinking and driving .......................155
Driving abroad ............................... 106
Driving in winter ............................. 158
Driving on flooded roads ................158
Driving on wet roads ......................158
Exhaust check ............................... 156
Fuel ................................................ 155
General .......................................... 155
Hydroplaning ................................. 158
Icy road surfaces ........................... 159
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 157
Pedals ............................................ 155
Snow chains .................................. 313
Symmetrical low beam ..................106
Wet road surface ........................... 156
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 202
DVD video (on-board computer) ...... 202
Dynamic handling package with
sports mode ....................................... 1718Index

E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................209
Function/notes ............................. 100
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 101
Function/notes ............................. 100
Switching on/off ........................... 209
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 216
Function/notes ................................ 64
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 79
Fuel filler flap ................................. 151
Trunk ............................................... 82
Vehicle ............................................. 79
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 293
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 52
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....21
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 246
Display message ............................ 225
Emergency starting ........................305
Engine number ............................... 344
Irregular running ............................ 141
Starting problems ..........................141
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 139
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............139
Switching off .................................. 153
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................141Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 279
Additives ........................................ 349
Checking the oil level ..................... 279
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 279
Display message ............................ 227
Filling capacity ............................... 346
Notes about oil grades ................... 349
Notes on oil level/consumption ....279
Temperature (on-board computer) . 210
Viscosity ........................................ 349
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) AMG menu (on-board computer) ...210
Deactivating/activating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 62
Deactivating/activating (except
AMG vehicles) ................................ 204
Deactivating/activating (notes;
except AMG vehicles) ......................62
Display message ............................ 214
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 61
Function/notes ................................ 61
Important safety information ...........61
Warning lamp ................................. 243
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 61
Exhaust check ................................... 156
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 287
Exterior lighting see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 101
Dipping (automatic) .......................102
Folding in/out (automatically) .......102
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........101
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 209
Out of position (troubleshooting) ...102
Setting ........................................... 102
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 103
Storing the parking position ..........102
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 255Index9

High-beam headlamps ...................109
Light switch ................................... 106
Low-beam headlamps ....................107
Parking lamps ................................ 106
Rear fog lamp ................................ 108
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 207
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 207
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................107
Switching the exterior lighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer) ............................ 207
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........207
Turn signals ................................... 109
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 225
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 160
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 164
Loading guidelines ............................ 254
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 78
Emergency locking ........................... 79
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 78
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 208
Low-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 114
Display message ............................ 222
Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 106
Switching on/off ........................... 107
Lumbar support
Adjusting ......................................... 97
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support ............................................ 97
Luxury head restraints ....................... 96M
M+S tires ............................................ 312
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Malfunction message
see Display messages
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 285
mbrace Call priority .................................... 268
Display message ............................ 218
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 269
Emergency call .............................. 266
Important safety notes ..................264
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............270
MB info call button ........................268
Remote vehicle locking ..................270
Roadside Assistance button ..........267
Search & Send ............................... 269
Self-test ......................................... 265
System .......................................... 265
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............269
Mechanical key
Function/notes ................................ 73
Locking vehicle ................................ 79
Unlocking the driver's door ..............79
Memory card (audio) ......................... 202
Memory function ............................... 103
Message memory (on-board
computer) .......................................... 213
Messages see Display messages
Mirrors
see Exterior mirrors
see Rear-view mirror
see Vanity mirror
Mobile phone
Menu (on-board computer) ............202
Modifying the programming
(SmartKey) ........................................... 73
MOExtended run-flat system ........... 297
MP3 Operation ....................................... 202
see separate operating instructions 12Index

Multifunction displayFunction/notes ............................. 196
Permanent display .........................206
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board computer . 195
Overview .......................................... 31
Multifunction steering wheel (4
buttons) see 4-button multifunction
steering wheel
N
Navigation Menu (on-board computer) ............200
see separate operating instructions
NECK-PRO head restraints
Operation ......................................... 47
Resetting after being triggered ........47
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Operation ......................................... 47
Resetting after being triggered ........47
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 136
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 46
Operation ......................................... 42
System self-test ............................... 45
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................53
System overview .............................. 36
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 348
Odometer ........................................... 199
see Trip odometer
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 210
Assistance menu ........................... 204
Audio menu ................................... 201
Convenience submenu ..................209
Displaying a service message ........283
Display messages ..........................213
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 168
Factory settings submenu .............210
Important safety notes ..................194
Instrument cluster submenu ..........206
Lighting submenu .......................... 207
Menu overview .............................. 198
Message memory .......................... 213
Navigation menu ............................ 200
Operation ....................................... 195
RACETIMER ................................... 211
Service menu ................................. 206
Settings menu ............................... 206
Standard display ............................ 199
Telephone menu ............................ 202
Trip menu ...................................... 199
Vehicle submenu ........................... 208
Video DVD operation .....................202
On-board diagnostics interface .......... 24
Opening and closing the side trim
panels ................................................. 115
Operating safety On-board diagnostics interface ........24
Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside temperature display ........... 195
Overhead control panel ...................... 33
Override feature Rear side windows ...........................57
P
Paint code number ............................ 343
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 285
Panic alarm .......................................... 58
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 87
Opening/closing the roller
sunblind ........................................... 88
Problem (malfunction) .....................89
Resetting ......................................... 88
Panorama sliding sunroof
Important safety notes ....................86
Parcel net ........................................... 256
Parking ............................................... 153
Important safety notes ..................153
Parking brake ................................ 154
Index13

Remote controlGarage door opener .......................270
Reporting safety defects .................... 25
Reserve (fuel tank) see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 228
Warning lamp ................................. 246
see Fuel
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 131
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Reverse gear
Engaging (automatic
transmission) ................................. 142
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 22
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 88
Rear side windows .........................261
Rear window .................................. 261
Roof carrier ........................................ 259
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 289
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 351
Route see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 200
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................53
Child restraint systems ....................53
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 42
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 36
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
Seat belts
Adjusting the height ......................... 51
Belt force limiters ............................ 52
Cleaning ......................................... 289
Correct usage .................................. 49
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 52
Fastening ......................................... 50
Important safety guidelines .............48
Releasing ......................................... 51
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Special seat belt retractor ...............55
Warning lamp ................................. 239
Warning lamp (function) ................... 51
Seats
Adaptive seat backrests (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 97
Adjusting (electrically) .....................94
Adjusting (manually and
electrically) ...................................... 94
Adjusting lumbar support ................97
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar
support ............................................ 97
Adjusting the head restraint ............95
Cleaning the cover .........................288
Correct driver's seat position ........... 92
Important safety notes ....................93
Seat heating problem ......................98
Seat ventilation problem ..................99
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 103
Switching seat heating on/off .........98
Switching seat ventilation on/off ....98
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 287
Service see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........283
Hiding service messages ...............283
Notes ............................................. 283
Service messages ..........................282
Service menu (on-board computer) . 206
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 350
Capacities ...................................... 346
Coolant (engine) ............................ 350
Engine oil ....................................... 349
Fuel ................................................ 347
Important safety notes ..................344
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 350
Washer fluid ................................... 351Index15