2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET technical data

Towing a trailer
If you couple up a trailer, make sure that you
have correctly established the electrical con-
nection. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion by increasing speed. Decrease your
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-
essary. G
WARNING
If the maximum permissible load for a carrier system is exceeded, the carrier could come
loose from the vehicle and endanger other
road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Never exceed the maximum permissible load
when using a carrier.
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may be necessary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis.
Retrofitting a trailer tow hitch is only permissible
if a trailer load is specified in your vehicle docu-
ments. If this is not the case, then the vehicle is not approved for towing a trailer.
For more information, please contact a qualifiedspecialist workshop.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling
may cause damage.
Damage may be caused to the following:
R towing vehicle
R trailer R
ball coupling
R trailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could become
unstable.
The vehicle/trailer combination could also
become unstable if the noseweight used is lower
than the minimum permissible noseweight.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R make sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
R use a noseweight as close as possible to the
maximum noseweight
R do not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
R do not use a noseweight lower than the min-
imum noseweight
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the type plates for the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (Y page 369). G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
When reversing the towing vehicle, make sure
there is nobody between the trailer and the vehi- cle. Towing a trailer
213Driving and parking Z

Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different to when driving
without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This can impair the vehicle's handling charac-
teristics. Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Maintain a safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination. Notes on towing a trailer
General notes Towing a trailer is not possible with
Mercedes
‑AMG vehicles.
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a maxi-
mum load. Further information on the tyre pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 345).
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (Y page 369).
Driving tips Observe the information on ESP
®
trailer stabili-
sation (Y page 75).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (Y page 369). In the event of increased
rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may not exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the maximum
permissible speed for car/trailer combinations
is greater than 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different to when driving
without a trailer and the vehicle will consume
more fuel.
Shift to a lower gear in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients.
This also applies in the case of:
R activated DISTRONIC PLUS
R activated cruise control
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
less braking will be required to maintain the
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips R
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and conse-
quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility from a standstill, decrease with increas- ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate under any circumstances.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake, if necessary. Folding the ball coupling in/out
Folding out the ball coupling G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident. 214
Towing a trailerDriving and parking

Information on technical data
i The technical data were determined in
accordance with EU Directives. All data apply
to the vehicle's standard equipment. The data may therefore differ for vehicles with optional
equipment. You can obtain further informa-
tion from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Vehicle electronics
Tampering with the engine electron-
ics
! Only have work carried out on the engine
electronics and its associated parts, such as
control units, sensors, actuating components
and connector leads, at a qualified specialist
workshop. Vehicle components may other-
wise wear more quickly and the vehicle's
operating permit may be invalidated. Fitting two-way radios and mobile
phones (RF transmitters) G
WARNING
If RF transmitters are tampered with or not
properly retrofitted, the electromagnetic radi- ation they emit can interfere with the vehicle
electronics. This may jeopardise the opera-
tional safety of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
You should have all work on electrical and
electronic components carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you operate RF transmitters incorrectly in
the vehicle, the electromagnetic radiation
could interfere with the vehicle electronics,
e.g.:
R if the RF transmitter is not connected to an
exterior aerial
R the exterior aerial has been fitted incor-
rectly or is not a low-reflection type
This could jeopardise the operating safety of
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident. Have the low-reflection exterior aerial fitted at
a qualified specialist workshop. When oper-
ating RF transmitters in the vehicle, always
connect them to the low-reflection exterior
aerial.
! The operating permit may be invalidated if
the instructions for installation and use of RF
transmitters are not observed.
In particular, the following conditions must be complied with:
R only approved wavebands may be used.
R observe the maximum permissible output
in these wavebands.
R only approved aerial positions may be
used.
Excessive levels of electromagnetic radiation
may cause damage to your health and to the
health of others. The use of an exterior aerial
takes into consideration the scientific discus-
sion surrounding the possible health risk posed
by electromagnetic fields. Approved aerial positions
: Rear wings
On the rear wings, it is recommended that you
position the aerial on the side of the vehicle
closest to the centre of the road.
Use Technical Specification ISO/TS 21609
(Road Vehicles – "EMC guidelines for installa-
tion of aftermarket radio frequency transmitting
equipment") when retrofitting RF transmitters.
Comply with the legal requirements for add-on
parts.
If your vehicle has fittings for two-way radio
equipment, use the power supply or aerial con-
nections intended for use with the basic fittings. Be sure to observe the manufacturer's addi-
tional instructions when installing. 358
Vehicle electronicsTechnical data

Deviations in respect of wavebands, maximum
transmission outputs or aerial positions must be approved by Mercedes-Benz.
The maximum transmission output (PEAK) at the base of the aerial must not exceed the followingvalues: Waveband Maximum
transmission output Short wave
3–54 MHz 30 W
4 m waveband
74–88 MHz 15 W
2 m waveband
144–174 MHz 25 W
Trunked radio/Tetra
380–460 MHz 10 W
70 cm waveband
400–460 MHz 15 W
Mobile communications
(2G/3G/4G) 10 W
The following can be used in the vehicle without
restrictions:
R RF transmitters with a maximum transmis-
sion output of up to 100 mW
R RF transmitters with transmitter frequencies
in the 380–410 MHz waveband and a maxi-
mum transmission output of up to 2 W
(trunked radio/Tetra)
R Mobile phones (2G/3G/4G)
There are no restrictions when positioning the
aerial on the outside of the vehicle for the fol-
lowing wavebands:
R Trunked radio/Tetra
R 70 cm waveband
R 2G/3G/4G Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with vehi-
cle identification number (VIN)
X
Open the right-hand door.
You will see the vehicle identification
plate :. Example: vehicle identification plate
(Kuwait)
: Vehicle manufacturer
; Place of manufacture
= Date of manufacture
? Vehicle model
A VIN Identification plates
359Technical data Z

Example: vehicle identification plate (vehi-
cles with a trailer tow hitch – all other coun- tries)
: Vehicle manufacturer
; EU type approval number (for certain coun-
tries only)
= VIN
? Maximum gross vehicle weight (kg)
A Maximum gross weight of vehicle combina-
tion (kg) (for certain countries only)
B Permissible front axle load (kg)
C Permissible rear axle load (kg)
D Paint code
i The data shown on the vehicle identification
plate are sample data. This data are different for every vehicle and may differ from the data
shown here. You can find the data applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle's identification
plate. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
X
Slide the right-hand front seat to its rearmost
position.
X Fold floor covering ;upwards.
VIN :is visible. The VIN can also be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (Y
page 359).
For certain countries only: the VIN can also be
found at the lower edge of the windscreen. Engine number
The engine number is stamped into the crank-
case. You can obtain further information from
any qualified specialist workshop. Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Service product can be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Observe the instructions on the respective
original container when using, storing and dis- posing off service products. Always store ser-
vice products in the sealed original container. Always keep service products out of the reach
of children. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R fuels
R exhaust gas aftertreatment additives, e.g.
AdBlue ®
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R Coolant
R brake fluid
R windscreen washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. Use only products approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Damage caused by the use of
products that have not been recommended is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty or
goodwill gestures. They are listed in this
Mercedes-Benz Owner's Manual in the appro-
priate section. 360
Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

You can identify service products approved by
Mercedes-Benz by the following inscriptions on
the container:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB-Approval (e.g. MB-Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g. MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other identifications, for example:
R 0 W-30
R 5 W-30
R 5 W-40
You can obtain further information at any quali-
fied specialist workshop or on the internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Fuel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling. G
WARNING
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury.
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel
vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash the fuel off any affected areas of skin
with water and soap immediately.
R If you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water immediately. Seek immediate medical attention. R
If fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.
R Change any clothing that has come into
contact with fuel immediately.
Tank capacity The total capacity of the fuel tank may vary,
depending on the vehicle equipment.
Model Total capacity
C 180
C 220 d
C 220 d 4MATIC
41.0 l
or
66.0 l C 300
C 400 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
66.0 l
All other models
50.0 l
or
66.0 l Model Of which
reserve fuel Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Approx. 10.0 l
All other models
Approx. 7.0 l
Petrol
Fuel grade
!
Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
petrol engine. Do not switch on the ignition if
you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel can
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Only refuel using unleaded petrol with at
least 95 RON, which conforms to the Euro-
pean standard EN 228 or E DIN or an equiva-
lent specification.
Fuel of this specification may contain up to
10% ethanol. Your vehicle is suitable for use
with E10 fuel. You may refuel your vehicle
using E10 fuel. Service products and capacities
361Technical data Z

Fuel that does not conform to EN 228 can lead
to increased wear as well as damage to the
fuel system, engine and exhaust system.
! Only use the fuel recommended. Operating
the vehicle with other fuels can lead to dam-
age to the fuel system, engine and exhaust
system.
! Do not use the following:
R E85 (petrol with 85% ethanol)
R E100 (100% ethanol)
R M15 (petrol with 15% methanol)
R M30 (petrol with 30% methanol)
R M85 (petrol with 85% methanol)
R M100 (100% methanol)
R petrol with additives containing metal
R diesel
Do not mix such fuels with the fuel recom-
mended for your vehicle.
You will usually find information about the fuel
quality on the pump. If you cannot find the label on the petrol pump, ask the filling station staff.
C 180, C 250: as a temporary measure, if the
recommended fuel is not available, you may also
use regular unleaded petrol with an octane rat-
ing of 93 RON.
All other models: as a temporary measure, if
the recommended fuel is not available, you may
also use regular unleaded petrol with an octane rating of 91 RON. This may reduce engine per-
formance and increase fuel consumption. Avoiddriving at full throttle and sudden acceleration.
Never refuel using fuel with a lower RON.
i In some countries, the petrol available may
not be sufficiently low in sulphur. This fuel can temporarily produce unpleasant odours,
especially on short journeys. As soon as sul-
phur-free fuel (sulphur content < 10 ppm) is
used for refuelling, the odours are reduced.
Information on refuelling (Y page 154).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
! Only refuel using super unleaded petrol with
at least 98 ROZ, that conforms to European
standard EN 228 or an equivalent specifica-
tion.
You can otherwise impair engine output or
damage the engine.
Fuel of this specification may contain up to
10% ethanol. Your vehicle is suitable for use with E10 fuel. You may refuel your vehicle
using E10 fuel.
! As a temporary measure, if the recommen-
ded fuel is not available, you may also use
unleaded petrol with an octane rating of
95 RON. This may reduce engine perform-
ance and increase fuel consumption. As much as possible, avoid driving at full throttle.
! As a temporary measure, if the recommen-
ded fuel is not available, you may also use
unleaded petrol in emergencies with an
octane rating of 91 RON.
Doing so results in noticeably higher fuel con- sumption, and the engine power output is
noticeably reduced. Avoid driving at full throt- tle.
If no fuel other than petrol with 91 RON or a
lower grade is available, you should have the
vehicle adapted to run on this fuel at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
C 200, C 250
! Only refuel using sulphur-free unleaded pet-
rol with at least 95 ROZ, that conforms to the
European standard EN 228 or E DIN or an
equivalent specification.
You could otherwise impair engine output or
damage the emission control system.
i The petrol available in some countries may
not be sufficiently low in sulphur. This fuel can temporarily produce unpleasant odours,
especially on short journeys. As soon as sul-
phur-free fuel (sulphur content < 10 ppm) is
used for refuelling, the odours are reduced.
C 300, Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC
! Only refuel using super unleaded petrol with
at least 98 ROZ, if you want maximum per-
formance from the engine. Alternatively, you
can also use unleaded petrol of at least
95 ROZ.
As a temporary measure, if the recommended
fuel is not available, you may also use regular
unleaded petrol with an octane rating of
91 ROZ. Doing so results in higher fuel con-
sumption and significantly reduced perform-
ance. Never refuel using fuel with a lower
RON.
Fuel of this specification may contain up to
10% ethanol. 362
Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

Fuel that does not conform to EN 228 or E DIN
51626–1 can lead to increased wear as well
as damage to the engine and exhaust system.
Additives ! Operating the engine with fuel additives
added later can lead to engine failure. Do not mix fuel additives with fuel. This does not
include additives for the removal and preven-
tion of residue build-up. Petrol must only be
mixed with additives recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Observe the instructions for
use in the product description. More informa- tion about recommended additives can be
obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use fuel
brands containing additives.
The quality of the fuel available in some coun-
tries may not be sufficient. Residue could build
up in the fuel injection system as a result. In this case, in consultation with a Mercedes-Benz Ser-
vice Centre, the petrol may be mixed with the
cleaning additive recommended by Mercedes-
Benz. Always observe the notes and mixing
ratios specified on the container.
Diesel Fuel grade
G
WARNING
If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash
point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running,
components in the exhaust system may over-
heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to
diesel fuel.
! When refuelling, only use diesel fuel that
conforms to the European standard EN 590 or is of equivalent quality. Fuel that does not
conform to EN 590 can lead to increased wear
as well as damage to the engine and exhaust system.
! Do not use the following:
R marine diesel
R heating oil
R bio-diesel
R vegetable oil R
petrol
R paraffin
R kerosene
Do not mix such fuels with diesel fuel and do
not use any special additives. Otherwise,
engine damage may occur.
Usually you will find information about the fuel
grade on the pump. If you cannot find the label
on the petrol pump, ask the filling station staff.
Information on refuelling (Y page 154).
Low outside temperatures In winter months, diesel fuel with an improved
cold flow quality is available. In Europe, the
EN 590 standard defines various climate-
dependent temperature categories. Malfunc-
tions can be avoided by refuelling with diesel
fuel that corresponds to the climatic specifica-
tions outlined in EN 590. At unusually low out-
side temperatures, it is possible that the flow
characteristics of the diesel fuel could be insuf- ficient. Accordingly, diesel fuel from warmer
areas may not be suitable for operation in colderclimatic conditions.
i Further information on country-specific fuel
properties and fuel types with low-tempera-
ture resistance can be obtained from oil com- panies, e.g. at filling stations.
Flexible-fuel vehicles Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling. G
WARNING
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury.
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel
vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-
dren. Service products and capacities
363Technical data
Z