2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET check engine light

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

A connected trailer is only detected when the
electrical connection is established correctly
and the lighting system is working properly. The
function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R PARKTRONIC
R Active Parking Assist
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
! Remove the installed adapter cable before
folding in the ball coupling. Otherwise, dam-
age may occur to the rear bumper and the
adapter cable.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and engage first
or reverse gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine. X
Secure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away.
X Remove the trailer cable and uncouple the
trailer. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories to the perma-
nent power supply up to a maximum of 240 W.
You cannot charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer
socket is equipped with a permanent power
supply and a power supply that is switched on
via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin 10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low on-board voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about installing
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist work- shop.
To activate the switched power supply:
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 133).
or X Press the Start/Stop button twice on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (Y page 133).
To deactivate the switched power supply: X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
(Y page 133).
or X Press the Start/Stop button once on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (Y page 133). Failure check for LEDs
If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a malfunc-
tion message may appear in the multifunction
display even if there is no fault. The reason for
the error message may be that the current has
fallen below the minimum of 50 mA. 216
Towing a trailerDriving an
d parking

X
Confirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
The assistance graphic shows you the status
of and/or information from the following driv-
ing systems or driving safety systems:
R DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
(Y page 171)
R Traffic Sign Assist (Y page 202)
R Distance warning function and autono-
mous braking system of COLLISION PRE-
VENTION ASSIST PLUS (Y page 69)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 76)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 204) or Active
Blind Spot Assist (Y page 207)
R ATTENTION ASSIST (Y page 201)
R Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 206) or Active
Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 210)
X Press :to display the ATTENTION ASSIST
assessment. Service menu
Introduction Depending on the equipment fitted in the vehi-
cle, you have the following options on the Ser‐ Ser‐
vice
vice menu:
R Call up display messages in the message
memory (Y page 241)
R Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
(Y page 347) or checking the tyre pressure
electronically (Y page 349)
R Call up the service due date (Y page 313)
R Display the AdBlue ®
level and range
(Y page 232)
Displaying the AdBlue ®
level and range X
Press òon the steering wheel to open the
menu list.
X Press :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Service
Service menu.
X Confirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
X Press :or9 to select the AdBlue
AdBlue
submenu.
X Press ato confirm your selection.
The range and AdBlue ®
level appear in a bar
display in the multifunction display. Observe the information and notes on "Refuel-
ling" (Y page 156). Settings menu
Introduction Depending on the equipment fitted in the vehi-
cle, you have the following options on the Set‐ Set‐
tings
tings menu:
R Changing assistant settings (Y page 232)
R Changing head-up display settings
(Y page 234)
R Changing the light settings (Y page 235)
R Changing the instrument cluster settings
(Y page 236)
R Changing the vehicle settings (Y page 237)
R Restoring the factory settings (Y page 237)
Assistance submenu Activating/deactivating ESP
®
Observe the "Important safety notes" section in the description of ESP ®
(Y page 72). G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the follow-
ing situations:
R when snow chains are used
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
Activate/deactivate ESP ®
in Mercedes-AMG
vehicles (Y page 74).
Further information about ESP ®
(Y page 72).
X Start the engine.
X Press òon the steering wheel to open the
menu list.
X Press :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Settings
Settings menu.
X Confirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel. 232
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
Parking brake inop‐ Parking brake inop‐
erative erative The yellow
!warning lamp lights up. The red !indicator lamp
flashes for about ten seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of over-
voltage or undervoltage.
X Rectify the cause of the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by charg-
ing the battery or restarting the engine.
X Apply or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be applied or released: X Switch off the ignition and switch it back on.
X Apply or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be applied:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
!warning lamp lights up and the red !indicator
lamp flashes.
The electric parking brake cannot be applied manually.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission to
position P.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. J
Check brake fluid Check brake fluid
level level There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In addition, the red Jwarning lamp lights up on the instrument
cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
Braking efficiency may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident!
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 159).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This does not correct the fault. #
Check Check
brake
brakepad
padwear
wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. G
Inoperative Inoperative Vehicles with Audio 20 multimedia system:
Malfunction of one or more main functions of the MB Contact system.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
247On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions b
Switch on headlamps Switch on headlamps You are driving without dipped-beam headlamps.
X
Turn the light switch to the Lorà position. Adaptive Highbeam Adaptive Highbeam
Assist Plus cur‐ Assist Plus cur‐
rently unavailable rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus is deactivated and temporarily inop-
erative. Possible causes:
R The windscreen is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R Visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
X Clean the windscreen.
If the system detects that the camera is fully operational again, the
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus available again
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus available again message is
displayed.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus is operational again. Adaptive Highbeam Adaptive Highbeam
Assist Plus inoper‐ Assist Plus inoper‐
ative ative Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus is faulty.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions +
Top up coolant See Top up coolant See
Owner’s Manual Owner’s Manual The coolant level is too low.
! Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
(Y page 312).
If you have to top up the coolant frequently: X Contact a qualified specialist workshop and have the engine cooling
system checked. ? The fan motor is faulty.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, drive on to the nearest
qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain and stop-start traffic. 254
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions #
Stop vehicle See Stop vehicle See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual The battery is no longer being charged and the charge status is too
low.
A warning tone also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 159).
X Observe the instructions in the display #See
See Owner's Owner's Manual
Manual
message.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. #
Stop vehicle Leave Stop vehicle Leave
engine running engine running The battery charge status is too low.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving.
X Leave the engine running.
X Wait until the display message disappears before pulling away. #
Start engine See Start engine See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual The engine is off and the charge status is too low.
X Switch off any electrical consumers that you do not need, such as
the rear window heating and interior lighting.
X Leave the engine running for a few minutes, or drive for an extended
period.
The battery charges. 4
Check Check
eng.
eng.oil
oillev.
lev.
when
when next
nextrefuelling
refuelling The engine oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
A warning tone also sounds.
! Avoid long journeys when there is too little coolant in the cooling
system. Otherwise the engine will be damaged.
X Check the engine oil level when next refuelling, at the latest
(Y page 310).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil (Y page 311).
If you have to top up the engine oil frequently:
X Contact a qualified specialist workshop and have the engine
checked.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from a qualified specialist workshop or on the internet at http://bevo.mercedes-
benz.com. 256
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions j
Check Check
trailer
trailer hitch
hitch
lock
lock The trailer tow hitch is not correctly engaged.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer may come loose. There
is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 159).
X Engage the ball coupling of the trailer tow hitch in the end position
(Y page 214). Ð
Power steering mal‐ Power steering mal‐
function See Own‐ function See Own‐
er's Manual er's Manual The power steering assistance is faulty.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Check whether you are able to apply the extra steering force
required.
If you are able to steer safely:
X Drive on carefully.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If you are unable to steer safely:
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Ð
Steering malfunc‐ Steering malfunc‐
tion See Owner's tion See Owner's
Manual Manual Vehicles with manual transmission:
The electric steering lock is malfunctioning.
G WARNING
The steering may be locked by the electric steering lock.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 159).
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. _
Before Before
starting
starting the
the
engine, turn the
engine, turn the
steering wheel. steering wheel. Vehicles with manual transmission:
The electric steering lock is malfunctioning.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X To unlock the steering, move the steering wheel slightly.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock again. 270
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N N
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
MSolutions å
N
The yellow ESP ®
OFF warning lamp is on while the engine is running or the ECO
start/stop function is switched on.
ESP ®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is deactivated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
Further driving systems or driving safety systems are thus restricted, e.g. Active
Blind Spot Assist. The system does not perform braking actions.
Increased risk of skidding and/or accident!
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases, it may be better to deactivate ESP ®
in the following situations:
R when snow chains are used
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
Observe the important safety notes on ESP ®
(Y page 72).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Drive on carefully.
X Contact a qualified specialist workshop immediately and have the ESP ®
system
checked. M
N
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
The yellow SPORT handling mode warning lamp lights up while the engine is run-
ning.
SPORT handling mode is activated.
G WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
Increased risk of skidding and/or accident!
X Activate SPORT handling mode only in accordance with the conditions descri-
bed in the "Activating/deactivating ESP ®
" section (Y page 74). Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
277On-board computer and displays Z