2015 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN towing

Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 258
Notes ............................................. 401
Brake force distribution, elec-
tronic
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 265
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 70
BAS .................................................. 67
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 67
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 401
Display message ............................ 251
EBD .................................................. 73
Hill start assist ............................... 160
HOLD function ............................... 196
Important safety notes .................. 180
Maintenance .................................. 181
Parking brake ................................ 176
Riding tips ...................................... 180
Warning lamp ................................. 285
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 32
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 231C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 24
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Camera
see 360° camera
Car
see Vehicle Care
360° camera ................................. 335
AIRPANEL ...................................... 334
Carpets .......................................... 337
Car wash ........................................ 330
Display ........................................... 336
Exhaust pipe .................................. 335
Exterior lights ................................ 333
Gear or selector lever .................... 336
Interior ........................................... 336
Matte finish ................................... 332
Note s............................................. 329
Paint .............................................. 332
Plastic trim .................................... 336
Power washer ................................ 331
Rear view camera .......................... 334
Roof lining ...................................... 337
Seat belt ........................................ 337
Seat cove r..................................... 337
Sensors ......................................... 334
Steering wheel ............................... 336
Trim pieces .................................... 336
Washing by hand ........................... 331
Wheels ........................................... 333
Windows ........................................ 333
Wiper blades .................................. 333
Wooden trim .................................. 336
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 303
Car key see SmartKey
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 241
Center console Lower section .................................. 37
Upper section .................................. 36
Central locking
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey )........ 81
Changing bulbs
High-beam headlamp s................... 132
Low-beam headlamp s.................... 131
Reversing lamps ............................ 132
Turn signals (front) ......................... 132
Turn signals (rear) .......................... 132
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 64
Rear doors ....................................... 65 6
Index

Labeling (overview) ........................ 375
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 380
Load index .....................................3
77
Load index (definition) ................... 379
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 379
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 380
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................ .380
Maximum tire load ......................... 377
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 380
MOExtended tires .......................... 360
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 380
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) .......................................... .380
Replacing ....................................... 381
Service life ..................................... 360
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 380
Speed rating (definition) ................ 379
Storing .......................................... .381
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 378
Summer tires in winter .................. 360
Temperature .................................. 374
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 380
Tire bead (definition) ..................... .380
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 380
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 379
Tire size (data) ............................... 386
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity, speed rating .................... 375
Tire tread ....................................... 359
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 380
Total load limit (definition) ............. 381
Traction ......................................... 374
Traction (definition) ....................... 380
Tread wea r..................................... 374
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 373
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 379
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 380
Wheel and tire combination ........... 388
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 379
see Flat tire Top Tether
............................................ 62
Towing away Important safety guidelines ........... 351
Installing the towing eye ................ 352
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 354
Removing the towing eye ............... 353
With both axles on the ground ....... 353
With the rear axle raised ................ 353
Towing eye ......................................... 340
Tow-starting Emergency engine starting ............ 354
Important safety notes .................. 351
Transfer case ..................................... 171
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 166
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ...................... 166
Transporting the vehicle .................. 353
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 336
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 237
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 236
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 237
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 96
Important safety notes .................... 90
Locking separately ........................... 96
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 95
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 92
Opening/closing (from outside,
HANDS-FREE ACCESS) .................... 93
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 91
Opening (automatically from
inside) .............................................. 95
Opening (automatically from out-
side) ................................................. 93
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 280
Obstacle recognition ........................ 91
Opening/closing .............................. 90
Opening dimensions ...................... 403 Index
19

Trunk load (maximum)
...................... 403
Turn signals Changing bulbs (front) ................... 132
Changing bulbs (rear ).................... 132
Display message ............................ 264
Switching on/of f........................... 126
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking ....................... 88
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 87 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 308
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Display message ............................ 280
Equipment ....................................... 23
Individual settings .......................... 244
Limited Warranty ............................. 27
Loading .......................................... 369
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 89
Locking (SmartKey ).......................... 81
Lowering ........................................ 386
Maintenance .................................... 24
Operating safety .............................. 25
Parking for a long period ................ 177
Pulling away ................................... 160
Raising ........................................... 382
Reporting problems ......................... 27
Securing from rolling away ............ 382
Towing away .................................. 351
Transporting .................................. 353
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 88
Unlocking (SmartKey )...................... 81
Vehicle data ................................... 403
Vehicle data
Roof load (maximum) ..................... 403
Trunk load (maximum) ................... 403
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 403
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 89Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 396
Vehicle level AIRMATIC ...................................... 198
Display message ............................ 271
Vehicle maintenance
see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 340
Video Operating the DVD ......................... 241
VIN ...................................................... 396 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 286
Brakes ........................................... 285
Check Engine ................................. 291
Coolant .......................................... 291
Distance warning ........................... 293
ESP ®
.............................................. 288
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 289
Overview .......................................... 34
Parking brake ................................ 290
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 43
Reserve fue l................................... 291
Restraint system ............................ 290
Seat belt ........................................ 284
Steering ......................................... 295
Tire pressure monitor .................... 294
Warranty .............................................. 23
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 282
Wheel and tire combination
see Tires
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 386
Wheel chock ...................................... 382
Wheels Changing a whee l.......................... 381
Checking ........................................ 359
Cleaning ......................................... 333
Important safety notes .................. 358
Interchanging/changing ................ 381
Mounting a new whee l................... 385
Mounting a whee l.......................... 381
Removing a whee l.......................... 385 20
Index

Removing a child restraint system/deactivat-
ing the special seat belt retractor:
X Make sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc- tions.
X Press the belt buckle release button, hold
the belt tongue and guide it back towards
the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is deactiva-
ted. Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint sys-
tems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the correct child restraint system from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor- rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor- rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" (Y page 298). G
WARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
Securing systems for the child restraint sys-
tem are:
R the seat belt system
R the ISOFIX (LATCH-type) securing rings
R the Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe
the information on the "Occupant Classifica-
tion System (OCS)" (Y page 51). There you
will also find information on deactivating the
front-passenger front air bag. Child
ren in the vehi cle
61Safety Z

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 66).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehi-
cles with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 trans-
ferred 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" sec-
tion (Y page 66). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! If you test the parking brake using a brake
dynamometer, switch the ignition off.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on ESP ®
(Y page 353).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the warning lamp 00BB
in the instrument cluster lights up and:
R the vehicle is moving
R the ECO start/stop function is activated
If the 00E5 warning lamp lights up continu-
ously, ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunc-
tion.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 288) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 251). Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®
function properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
If the
00E5 ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts automati-
cally when the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. Example: if ESP®
was deactivated before
the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 66).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident. 72
Driving safety systemsSafety

005C
Neutral
005B Drive
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the Smart-
Key and remove the SmartKey.
R you switch off the engine using the Start/
Stop button and open the driver's door.
R you open the driver's door when the vehicle
is stationary or driving at very low speed
and the transmission is in position Dor R.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary.
X If the transmission is in position Dor N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up past the first point of
resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-
mation on the ECO start/stop function
(Y page 161).
Shifting to neutral N G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment. Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
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 or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of
resistance.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open one of
the front doors or remove the SmartKey from
the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to P.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open one of the front doors, the automatic
transmission shifts to P.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system:
Using the SmartKey:
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock. Automatic transmission
165Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. 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.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against rolling away unintentionally:
R the electric parking brake must be applied.
R the transmission must be in position Pand
the SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock.
R the front wheels must be turned towards
the curb on steep uphill or downhill gradi-
ents.
R the empty vehicle must be secured at the
front axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients.
R a laden vehicle must also be secured at the
rear axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi- cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X With the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (Y page 157).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to SmartKey position 1. When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
SmartKey position 0: "SmartKey removed".
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open one of
the front doors or remove the SmartKey from
the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to P.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open one of the front doors, the automatic
transmission shifts to P.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system:
Using the SmartKey:
X Switch on the ignition.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock. Parking
175Driving and parking Z

!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing 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 accel-
erating 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 there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R there is snow or heavy rain
R there is interference by other radar sources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi- cle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpect-
edly 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 in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-hand drive
countries)
R be so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0043
To activate or increase speed
0044 To activate or reduce speed
0087 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0085 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
0083 To set the specified minimum distance
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp 0043is off. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z