2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET Owners Manual

i
If the activation conditions are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is cancelled. The RACE
RACE
START cancelled
START cancelled message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift
paddle (Y page 150).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel shift
paddle (Y page 150).
The RACE START available Depress
RACE START available Depress
accelerator accelerator message appears in the multi-
function display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator pedal
fully within two seconds, RACE START is can-
celled. The RACE
RACE START
START not
not possible
possible See
See
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual message appears in the
multifunction display.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
The RACE
RACE START START Release
Release brake
braketo
tostart
start
message appears in the multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal within
five seconds, RACE START is cancelled. The
RACE
RACE START START cancelled
cancelled message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation.
The RACE RACE START
START active
active message appears in
the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal during RACE
START or if any of the activation conditions are
no longer fulfilled. The RACE START not pos‐
RACE START not pos‐
sible See Owner's Manual sible See Owner's Manual orRACE START
RACE START
cancelled
cancelled message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i After using it several times in short succes-
sion, RACE START will be unavailable until a
certain distance has been driven. AIRMATIC
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with var-
iable damping for improved driving comfort. All- round level control ensures the best possible
suspension and constant ground clearance,
even with a laden vehicle. When you drive at
speed, the vehicle is lowered automatically to
improve driving safety and to reduce fuel con-
sumption. You also have the option of manually
adjusting the vehicle level. AIRMATIC consists
of level setting, level control and the ADS (Adap- tive Damping System).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT switch (Y page 141) or the level button
(Y page 182). The setting always corresponds
to the last function selected.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury.
When lowering the vehicle, make sure no one
is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches.
i If one of the doors is open, the vehicle is not
lowered.
Vehicle level Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels below a speed of182
Driving systemsDriving and parking

80 km/h. Select the "Normal" setting for normal
road surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 25 mm compared with the normal
level.
The Vehicle rising Vehicle rising message appears on
the multifunction display.
i The message disappears after ten seconds,
irrespective of the level reached. If necessary,
the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R drive at speeds above 120 km/h
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 80 km/h
The "Raised level" remains saved when you are
not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal vehicle levelX Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to the height of the currently selec-
ted drive program (Y page 141).
Vehicles with manual transmission: indi-
cator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is adjus-
ted to the height of the currently selected
drive program (Y page 141).
Suspension settings General notes
The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping is adjusted individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sport or comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. Sport mode
In the Sand S+drive programs, the firmer sus-
pension settings ensure even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
select the
Sor S+ drive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 141).
Vehicles with manual transmission: select
the Sor S+ drive program with the DYNAMIC
SELECT switch (Y page 141).
The vehicle is lowered by 15 mm compared
with the normal level.
Comfort mode In the Eand Cdrive programs, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this mode if you prefer a
more comfortable driving style. Select Comfort
mode also when driving at speed on straight
roads, e.g. on straight stretches of motorway.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
select the
Eor Cdrive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 141).
Vehicles with manual transmission: select
the Eor Cdrive program with the DYNAMIC
SELECT switch (Y page 141).
The vehicle is raised to the normal level.
At speeds of above 125 km/h, the vehicle is
automatically lowered by 15 mm in the Eand C
drive programs. At speeds of below 80 km/h,
the vehicle is raised again. AMG RIDE CONTROL
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is adjusted individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport + or
Comfort
The suspension mode is adjusted using the cor-
responding button in the centre console. Driving systems
183Driving and parking Z

i
The mode can also be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 141).
This is only possible if:
R with the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports sus-
pension button on the centre console, and
R with the DYNAMIC SELECT switch, the
same mode is selected for the suspension.
This is the case, for example, when both are
set to Comfort mode.
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program is
activated when the engine is next started. If the ignition is switched off for more than four hours,
Comfort mode is activated when the engine is
next started.
Sport mode The firmer suspension setting in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty driv-
ing style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button :once.
Indicator lamp =lights up. You have selected
Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT
AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
Sport + mode The very firm suspension setting in Sport +
mode ensures optimum contact with the road.
Select this mode only when driving on race cir-
cuits.
If indicator lamps ;and =are off:
X Press button :twice.
Indicator lamps ;and =light up. You have
selected Sport + mode. The
AMG Ride Control SPORT + AMG Ride Control SPORT + message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp =lights up:
X Press button :once.
Second indicator lamp ;lights up. You have
selected Sport + mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT + AMG Ride Control SPORT + message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this
mode if you prefer a more comfortable driving
style, but also when driving fast on straight
roads, e.g. motorways.
X Press button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps ;and =go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT AMG Ride Control COMFORT message
appears in the multifunction display. 4MATIC (permanent all-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures permanent drive for all four
wheels. Together with ESP ®
, it improves the
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel
spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are inattentive, 4MATIC can neither reduce the risk
of an accident nor override the laws of physics.
4MATIC does not take into account
R the road and weather conditions
R the traffic situation
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
lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R When pulling away, only depress the acceler-
ator pedal as far as is necessary.
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 implied warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi- 184
Driving systemsDriving and parking

cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tyres (M+S tyre s), with snow
chains if necessary. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and six sensors in the rear bumper.
PARKTRONIC visually and audibly indicates the
distance between your vehicle and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a substitute for your attention to the immediate surround-
ings. The responsibility for safe manoeuvring
and parking remains with you. Make sure that
there are no persons, animals or objects in
range while manoeuvring and parking.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and objects which absorb ultrasonic sources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic car
wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes or a
pneumatic drill, could cause PARKTRONIC to
malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC measures the minimum detection range to an obstacle
from the bumper, not the ball coupling.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you: R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror Non
vehicles with automatic transmission
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds. PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish the electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors PARKTRONIC does not take into account obsta-
cles located:
R below the detection range, e.g. persons, ani-
mals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles :
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example) Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z

:
Approx. 60 cm (corners)
; Approx. 80 cm (corners)
= Approx. 120 cm (centre)
? Approx. 100 cm (centre)
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and slush.
Otherwise, they may not function correctly.
Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them (Y page 319).
Minimum distance Centre Approx. 20 cm
Corners Approx. 15 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, the rel-
evant warning displays light up and a warning
tone sounds. If the distance falls below the min- imum, the distance may no longer be shown. Warning displays :
Segments on the left-hand side of the vehi-
cle
; Segments on the right-hand side of the vehi-
cle
= Segments showing operational readiness
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is in the instru- ment cluster. The warning display for the rear
area is located on the roof lining in the rear
compartment.
The warning display for each side of the vehicle
is divided into five yellow and two red segments.
PARKTRONIC is operational if operational read-
iness indicator =lights up.
The gear lever position or the transmission posi- tion of the automatic transmission and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is active when the
engine is running.
Manual transmission: Gear lever position Warning display
Forward gear
or
Neutral
Front area activated
Reverse gear
Rear and front areas
activated186
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Automatic transmission:
Transmission posi-
tion Warning display
D
Front area activated
R,
Nor the vehicle is
rolling backwards Rear and front areas
activated
P
No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the vehi-
cle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an inter-
mittent warning tone for approximately two
seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two seconds.
This indicates that you have now reached the minimum distance. Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC d
Switch on the dashboard
e Switch in the centre console
: Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
; Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp ;lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assist is then also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the key to position 2in the
ignition lock. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit. You
also hear a warning tone
for approximately two
seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the indi-
cator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has been deactivated.
X If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 319).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves.
X See whether PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. It measures the road on both
sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suitable parking space. Active steering inter-
vention and brake application can assist you
during parking and when exiting a parking
space. You may also use PARKTRONIC
(Y page 185).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that no persons, animals or objects
are in the manoeuvring range.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Active Park-
ing Assist is also unavailable.
For vehicles with the trailer tow hitch folded out,
the minimum length for parking spaces is
slightly longer.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle, you
should not use Active Parking Assist. Once the
electrical connection is established between your vehicle and the trailer, Active Parking
Assist is no longer available. PARKTRONIC is
deactivated for the rear area. G
WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
cause you to collide with other road users.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as kerbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tyres.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.: R In a zone where parking or stopping is pro-
hibited
R In front of driveways or entrances and exits
R On unsuitable surfaces 188
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as closely as possible
past the parking space
R Parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly
R Parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately
R Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 186) warning messages during the
parking procedure
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking Assist
is then deactivated
R When transporting a load that protrudes from
your vehicle, you should not use Active Park-
ing Assist
R Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are fitted
R Always pay attention to the specified tyre
pressure for your vehicle. This has a direct
influence on the parking characteristics of the vehicle
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces
that are:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R on straight roads, not bends
R on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of Active
Parking Assist will not be detected when the
parking space is measured. These are not taken into account when the parking procedure is cal-culated, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or
loading ramps of goods vehicles. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
R Active Park Assist may steer too early
R the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
This could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident. If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
Further information on the detection range
(Y page 185).
Active Parking Assist does not assist you with
parking in spaces at right angles to the direction of travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low kerb
R you forward-park
Active Parking Assist does not assist you with
parking in spaces that are parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a kerb
R the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, such as by foliage or grass paving
blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
manoeuvre into
R the parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer :
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is activated automatically
when driving forwards. The system is opera-
tional at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle. Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z