2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET towing

Either a course-correcting brake application
appropriate to the driving situation, or none at
all, may occur in the following situations:
R vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash barriers, are
located on both sides of your vehicle
R a vehicle approaches too closely on the side
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds
R you brake or accelerate significantly
R a driving safety system engages, such as
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R ESP ®
is deactivated
R a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre is
detected
Activating Active Blind Spot Assist X Make sure that Active Blind Spot Assist is
activated on the on-board computer
(Y page 233).
X Switch on the ignition.
Warning lamps :on the exterior mirrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 second s. Grey
radar waves propagating backwards ;
appear next to the vehicle on the assistant
display on the multifunction display.
Above a speed of 30 km/h, the colour of the
radar waves on the assistant display changes to green ;. Active Blind Spot Assist is then
ready for use.
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. Active Blind Spot Assist is
then deactivated. The radar waves ;next to
the vehicle are hidden on the assistant display.
The Active
Active Blind BlindSpot
SpotAssist
Assist not
notavail‐
avail‐
able
able when
whentowing
towing a
atrailer
trailer See
SeeOwner's
Owner's
Manual
Manual message appears on the multifunction
display. Active Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in
front of your vehicle by means of multifunction
camera :at the top of the windscreen. Various
different areas to the front, rear and side of your vehicle are also monitored with the aid of the
radar sensor system. Active Lane Keeping
Assist detects lane markings on the road and
can warn you before you leave your lane unin-
tentionally. If you do not react to the warning, a
lane-correcting brake application can bring the
vehicle back into the original lane.
This function is available in a speed range
between 60 km/h and 200 km/h.
Important safety notes Active Lane Keeping Assist can neither reduce
the risk of an accident if you fail to adapt your
driving style nor override the laws of physics.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take account of road and weather conditions. It may not rec-
ognise certain road and traffic conditions.
Active Lane Keeping Assist 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.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot continuously
keep your vehicle in its lane. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings. 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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

Always engage the ball coupling as described.
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.
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,
you must fold out the ball coupling.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary. X
Open the boot lid.
X Pull the :switch until the ball coupling
unlocks.
The ball coupling folds out from under the rear
bumper.
The indicator lamp in the :switch flashes.
The trailer power socket is integrated in the
ball coupling. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow until it engages in a vertical position.
The indicator lamp in the switch for unlocking
the ball coupling goes out.
The multifunction display shows the Check Check
trailer hitch lock
trailer hitch lock display message until
the ball coupling is engaged.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-
pling and store it in a safe place.
Folding in the ball coupling i
Fold the ball coupling in if you are not using
the trailer tow hitch.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the trailer cables are disconnected.
X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.
X Pull the :switch again until the ball coupling
unlocks.
The ball coupling folds down from under the
rear bumper. The indicator lamp in the :
switch flashes.
X Press the ball coupling until it engages audibly
behind the bumper.
The indicator lamp in the :switch and the
message on the multifunction display go out. Coupling up a trailer
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 Position the trailer on a level surface behind
the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
X Push the combination switch upwards and
downwards and check whether the corre-
sponding turn signal indicator on the trailer is
flashing. Towing a trailer
215Driving 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

To ensure reliable operation of the failure indi-
cator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting must
be guaranteed a minimum current of 50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailer with 7-pin connector:
you can connect
to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling using
an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter cable.
Both can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficient cable play
so that the cable cannot become detached
when cornering.
! 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
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the connector with lug :into groove
= on the socket.
X Turn bayonet connection ;clockwise to the
stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure the
cable to the trailer with cable ties. Problems with trailer towing
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions The unlocked ball cou-
pling cannot be
engaged. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The ball coupling does
not unlock even though:
R the vehicle is station-
ary
R no trailer cable is con-
nected
R the release switch to
unlock the ball cou-
pling has been pulled
for more than a sec-
ond The on-board voltage is too low.
X Start the engine.
If the ball coupling still does not unlock:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Bicycle rack
General notes
When attached by clamping onto the ball cou-
pling on the trailer tow hitch, the maximum pay- load is 75 kg. You can transport up to three
bicycles.
The payload is calculated from the weight of the
bicycle rack and the load of the bicycle rack. Bicycle rack
217Driving and parking Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
currently unavaila‐ currently unavaila‐
ble ble
See
SeeOwner's
Owner's Man‐
Man‐
ual
ual orActive Blind
Active Blind
Spot Assist cur‐
Spot Assist cur‐
rently unavailable rently unavailable
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative.
Possible causes:
R The radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature range
R The radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio stations or
other sources of electromagnetic radiation
Once the causes listed above no longer apply, the display message
disappears.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Stop the vehicle, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 159).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
not available when not available when
towing a trailer towing a trailer
See Owner's Manual See Owner's Manual
or
Active Blind Active Blind
Spot Assist not
Spot Assist not
available when tow‐ available when tow‐
ing a trailer See ing a trailer See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated during
trailer-towing.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer and
your vehicle.
X Press aon the steering wheel to confirm the display message. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
inoperative inoperative
or
Active Blind Spot Active Blind Spot
Assist inoperative Assist inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Park Assist cancel‐
Park Assist cancel‐
led led The driver's door is open.
X Repeat the parking space measurement and parking manoeuvre
with the driver's door closed. You touched the multifunction steering wheel while steering inter-
vention was active.
X While steering intervention is active, make sure not to touch the
multifunction steering wheel. The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 188).Park Assist inoper‐ Park Assist inoper‐
ative ative PARKTRONIC is malfunctioning or faulty.
X Follow the instructions and helpful hints in the "Problems with
PARKTRONIC" section (Y page 188).
If the multifunction display still shows the display message: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 260
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Stowage areas
Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicle interior if the boot
lid is open when the engine is running, espe-
cially if the vehicle is in motion. There is a risk of poisoning.
Always switch off the engine before opening
the boot lid. Never drive with the boot lid
open. G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, especially when braking or abruptly changing directions.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey. G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow
these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
The handling characteristics of a laden vehicle
are dependent on the distribution of the load
within the vehicle. For this reason, you should
note the following when transporting a load:
R never exceed the maximum gross vehicle
weight or the permissible axle loads for the
vehicle (including occupants).
R the boot is the preferred place to store
objects.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as pos-
sible and as low down in the boot as possible. R
the load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant lashing material. pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Lashing material is available at any qualified
specialist workshop. Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants. In
addition, cupholders, open stowage spaces
and mobile phone brackets cannot always
retain all objects they contain. There is a risk of injury, particularly in the event of sudden
braking or a sudden change in direction.
R Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not pro-
trude from stowage spaces, parcel nets or
stowage nets.
R Close the lockable stowage spaces before
starting a journey.
R Always stow and secure heavy, hard, poin-
ted, sharp-edged, fragile or bulky objects in
the boot.
Read the loading guidelines (Y page 296).296
Stowage areasStowing and features