2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN manual transmission

Transmission position and drive
program display 0002
Transmission positio ndisplay
0003 Drive program display
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators nex tto the selector
lever.
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock. Transmission positions
0003
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P(Ypage 158) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. Always apply the
parking brake in addition to the
parking lock in order to secure the
vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
if the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the selector lever
may be locked in position P. To
release a locked selector lever, see
"Manual override of parking lock"
(Y page 155). 0004
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic transmission
149Driving and parking Z

0002
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g .to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train. 0009
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program: (Y page 150)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive to a sporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected. Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up. Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
Example: program selector button
E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 151).
Only change from automatic drive program
E or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0002
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display. 150
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

i
When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
AMG vehicles Drive program selecto
rwith manual drive program C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
S+
SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 151).
Only change from automatic drive program C,
S or S+ to manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Turn drive program selector 0002until the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selector 0002lights up in red.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program Ceach time the
engine is started. i
RScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 177). Steering wheel paddle shifters
0002
Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
0003 Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 152).
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
or the selector lever (Y page 153).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmission settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully Automatic transmission
151Driving and parking Z

Selecting the ideal shift range
X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on the manual drive program The manual drive program is only available for
vehicles with the dynamic handling package
and for AMG vehicles.
Manual drive program Mdiffers from drive
program S(or, in the case of AMG vehicles,
drive programs Sand S+) with regard to:
R spontaneity
R responsiveness
R smoothness of the gear changes
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 150) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program
selector (Y page 151) until Mappears in the
multifunction display.
The indicator Mon the drive program
selector lights up in red.
Upshifting i
Vehicles with the dynamic handling
package: if the maximum engine speed for
the shift range is reached and you continue
to accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up. If manual drive program Mhas
been selected, the automatic transmission
does not switch up. X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 151).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
AMG vehicles
! In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator appears in the
multifunction display. 0002
Gear indicator
0003 Upshift indicator
Downshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 151).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again. Automatic transmission
153Driving and parking Z

i
Vehicles with the dynamic handling
package : to avoid overrevving the engine
when downshifting, the automatic
transmission does not shift to a lowe rgear
if this would result in the maximum engine
speed being exceeded.
i If you desire maximum acceleration, push
the selector lever to the left or pull and hold
the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
until the transmission shifts to the optimal
gear for the curren tspeed.
Kickdown i
AMG vehicles: it is not possible to use
kickdown in manual drive program M.
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
i During kickdown, you cannot change gear
using the steering wheel paddle shifters or
the selector lever.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Vehicles with the dynamic handling
package: press the program selector
button (Y page 150). Mis no longer shown
in the multifunction display.
X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program
selector (Y page 151) until C,Sor S+
appears in the multifunction display. 154
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. Releasing the parking lock manually
In the event of an electrical malfunction, it is
possible to release the selector lever lock
manually to move it out of position P.This is
the case, for example, if you wish to tow the
vehicle away. !
Do not use any sharp-edged objects to
remove the selector lever gaiter from the
center console. This could damage the
selector lever gaiter.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Pry off selector lever gaiter 0002with a flat,
blunt object (e.g. a screwdriver wrapped in cloth) from the right-hand edge. Pull
selector lever gaiter
0002up and out.
X Press release button 0003down and
simultaneously move the selector lever out
of position P.
The selector lever can now be moved freely
until it is returned to position P. Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
! If the parking brake is being tested on a
brake dynamometer, the ignition must be
switched off (SmartKey or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1), as ESP ®
will Automatic transmission
155Driving and parking Z

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle. The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
G WARNING
Risk of explosion or fire.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove
it immediately (Y page 141).
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 76).
X Open the trunk lid.
X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release
(Y page 157). The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If flammable materials such as leaves, grass
or twigs are exposed to prolonged contact to
parts of the exhaust system that heat up, they
could ignite. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect.Y
ou will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. 158
ParkingDriving and parking

As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapte rinthe Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "VehicularR adar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any
warranties, and is no tpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. Cruise control lever 0002
To store the curren tspeed or a higher
speed
0003 To store the curren tspeed or a lower
speed
0022 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0021 To store the curren tspeed or call up the
last stored speed
001F To set the specified minimum distance
Switching on DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
and maintaining the current speed Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the parking brake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the hood must be closed.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
Activating while driving
You can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS when
driving at speeds below 20 mph (30k m/h) if
the vehicle in front has been detected and is Driving systems
169Driving and parking Z