2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN towing

Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshops
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 227
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 146
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) ..........................145
Automatic headlamp mode ..............111
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............151
Changing gea r............................... 150
Display message ............................ 238
Driving tips .................................... 150
Emergency running mode ..............155
Kickdow n....................................... 150
Manual drive program ....................153
Overview ........................................ 148
Problem (malfunction) ...................155
Progra mselecto rbutton ................ 150
Pulling away ................................... 144
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 155
Selector leve r................................ 148
Shift range s................................... 152
Starting the engine ........................143
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......151
Transmission position displa y........ 149
Transmissio npositions .................. 149
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 155 B
Backup lamp Changing bulbs .............................. 120
Display message ............................ 226
Bag hook ............................................ 260
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................65
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 65
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 77
Important safety notes ....................76
Replacing ......................................... 77Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 300
Display message ............................ 229
Important safety notes ..................298
Jump starting ................................. 302
Blin dSpot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................208
Display message ............................ 232
Notes/function .............................. 186
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 219
Notes ............................................. 352
Brake lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 120
Display message ............................ 225
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 64
BAS .................................................. 65
BAS PLUS ........................................ 65
Brake fluid (notes) .........................352
Display message ............................ 217
Driving tips .................................... 162
High-performance brake system ....164
Important safety notes ..................162
Maintenance .................................. 163
Parking brake ................................ 159
Warning lamp ................................. 244
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 293
Car wash ........................................ 287 Index
5

Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................333
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................331
Bar (definition) ............................... 331
Changing awheel .......................... 334
Characteristics .............................. 331
Checking ........................................ 311
Definition of terms .........................331
Direction of rotatio n...................... 334
Display message ............................ 236
Distributio nofthe vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................333
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .330
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............331
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 332
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 332
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................332
Important safety notes ..................310
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......331
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........332
Labeling (overview )........................ 327
Load bearing index (definition) ......333
Load index ..................................... 330
Load index (definition) ...................332
M+S tires ....................................... 312
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 332
Maximum load on a tire (definition) 332
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 332
Maximum tire loa d......................... 325
Maximum tire load (definition) .......332
MOExtended tires ..........................297
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 333
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 332
Replacing ....................................... 334
Service life ..................................... 312
Sidewall (definition) .......................333
Speed rating (definition) ................332Storing
........................................... 334
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 331
Summer tires ................................. 312
Temperature .................................. 327
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 333
Tire bea d(definition) ...................... 333
Tire pressure (definition) ................333
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 331
Tire size (data) ............................... 338
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 328
Tire tread ....................................... 311
Tire tread (definition) .....................333
Total load limit (definition) .............333
Traction ......................................... 326
Traction (definition) .......................333
Trea dwear ..................................... 326
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s...................................... 326
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s(definition) .................... 331
Unladen weight (definition) ............332
Wea rindicato r(definition) .............333
Whee lrim (definition ).................... 331
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 62
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........304
Installing the towing eye ................305
Removing the towing eye. ..............305
With the rear axle raised ................305
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......305
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............306
Important safety notes ..................304
Transfer case ..................................... 155
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................306
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .292
Trip computer (on-board computer) 201
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 201
Resetting (on-board computer) ......202
see Trip odometer 18
Index

Trunk
Emergency release ..........................84
Important safety notes ....................82
Locking separatel y........................... 84
Opening (automatically from
inside) .............................................. 83
Opening (automatically from
outside) ............................................ 83
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 239
Opening/closing .............................. 82
Opening dimensions ......................355
Trunk load (maximum) ......................355
Turn signals Display message ............................ 224
Switching on/off ........................... 112
see Turn signals
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 80 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........262
Vehicle Data acquisition ............................... 26
Display message ............................ 238
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking .......................81
Equipment ....................................... 22
Individua lsettings .......................... 208
Limited Warranty ............................. 26
Loading .......................................... 321
Locking (in an emergency) ...............81
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 74
Lowering ........................................ 338
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 160
Pulling away ................................... 144
Raising ........................................... 335
Reporting problems .........................26
Securing from rolling away ............335 Towing away
.................................. 304
Transporting .................................. 306
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........81
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................74
Vehicle data ................................... 355
Vehicle data ....................................... 355
Vehicle dimensions ...........................355
Vehicle emergency locking ................81
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............346
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 296
Video (DVD) ........................................ 205
VIN ...................................................... 346 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 244
Brakes ........................................... 244
Check Engine ................................. 250
Coolant .......................................... 251
Distance warning ........................... 253
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 253
ESP ®
.............................................. 246
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 247
Fuel tank ........................................ 250
Overview .......................................... 32
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 47
Reserve fuel ................................... 250
Seat bel t........................................ 242
SPORT handling mode ...................247
SRS ................................................ 249
Tire pressure monitor ....................254
Warranty ............................................ 346
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 240
Wheel bol ttightening torque ...........338
Wheel chock ...................................... 335
Wheels Changing awheel .......................... 334
Checking ........................................ 311
Cleaning ......................................... 289
Cleaning (warning) .........................334
Emergency spare wheel .................342
Important safety notes ..................310
Interchanging/changing ................334 Index
19

In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R
dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radars ources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the fron tend of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 64).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP
®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 64).
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 64). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
(Y page 305) when towing the
vehicle with a raised rear axle.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
R accelerate unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes yourv ehicle with up
to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this
braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS
warns you visually and audibly .There is a risk
of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
R be so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you when
driving, the radar sensor system must be:
R activated (Y page 211)
R operational
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients. 168
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Example: positio
nofdynamic handling package
with sports mode button
X Start the engine.
Sports tuning The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures eve nbetter 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.
X Press button 0003.
Indicator lamp 0002lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. Depending
on the engine output, the accelerator pedal
is more responsive. On vehicles with
automatic transmission, drive program Sis
selected.
Comfort tuning In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X
Press button 0003.
Indicator lamp 0002goes out. Comfortable
suspension tuning is selected. On vehicles
with automatic transmission ,drive
program Eis selected. HOLD function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator peda lorthe brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 177).
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. 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerato rpedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasoni csensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detec tsuch objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damag ethe vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front and four
sensors in the rear. Driving systems
179Driving and parking Z

immediately after pressing the SOS button,
you do not know if mbrace has successfully
made the emergency call. In this situation,
seek additional assistance by other means.
Roadside Assistance button X
Press Roadside Assistance button 0002.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center. The indicator
lamp in Roadside Assistance button 0002
flashes while the call is active. The
Connecting Call message appears on
the multifunction display. The audio output
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the CallConnected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a cellular phone network is available and
there is sufficien tGPS reception, the mbrace
system transmits data to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center, for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
i The display of the audio system or
COMAND shows that an mbrace call is
active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on COMAND, for example.
Voice output is not available.
Av oice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the vehicle remote malfunction
diagnosis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance center can ascertain the nature of
the problem (Y
page 273).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or arranges for your vehicle
to be transported to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You may be charged
for services such as repair work and/or
towing. Further details are available in your
mbrace manual.
i The mbrace system failed to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call if:
R the indicator lamp for Roadside
Assistance call button 0002is flashing
continuously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This may be because the corresponding
mobile phone network is not available.
The Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To end acall: press the 0009button on the
multifunctio nsteering wheel.
or
X Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on the audio syste moron
COMAND.
MB Info call button 270
FeaturesStowage and featu
res