2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS ignition

tection in an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Have the vehicle towed to a qualified special-
ist workshop in order to have a deployed air
bag replaced.
It is important for your safety and that of any
passengers to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air bags
continue to perform their protective function for
the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
G WARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed are no longer opera-
tional and are unable to perform their inten-
ded protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices which have been triggered
immediately replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop.
An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trig-
ger the tightening of the seat belt in hazardous
situations. This procedure is reversible.
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices or air bags
are deployed, you will hear a bang and a small
amount of powder may also be released. The
u restraint system warning lamp will light up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your hear-
ing. The powder released is generally not haz-
ardous to health, it could however cause short-
term breathing difficulties in people with asthma
or other respiratory problems. If it is safe to do
so, you should leave the vehicle immediately or
open a window in order to prevent breathing
difficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ET Ds) co ntain perchlorate material,
w
hich may require special handling and regard
for the environment. Check with your local gov-
ernment’s disposal guidelines. California resi-
dents, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm .Method of operation During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as: R
Duration R
Direction R
Intensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices in the event of a fron-
tal or rear-end collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered if: R
the ignition is switched on R
the components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under "Restraint system warning lamp"
( Y
page 46) R
the belt tongue is inserted into the buckle on
the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Devices in the rear
compartment are triggered independently of the
lock status of the seat belts.
If the restraint system control unit detects a high
accident severity, additional components of the
restraint system are deployed independently of
one another in certain frontal collision situa-
tions: R
Front air bags and driver's knee bag R
Window curtain air bag, if the system deter-
mines that it can offer additional protection to
that provided by the seat belt
Depe nding on the person occupying the front-
p assenger seat, the front-passenger air bag is
activated or deactivated. The front-passenger
front air bag can only be deployed in an accident
if the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is
lit. Observe the information on the PASSENGER
AIR BAG indicator lamps ( Y
page 47).
Your vehicle has dual-stage front air bags. Dur-
ing the first deployment stage, the front air bag
fills with propellant gas which reduces the risk of
injury. The second stage is then triggered within
milliseconds, filling the front air bag with the
maximum amount of propellant gas.
The deployment thresholds for the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and air bags are calculated
on the basis of the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration occurring at various points in the vehi-
cle. This process is pre-emptive in nature. TheOccupant safety 59
Safety Z

Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, th e driving safet y systems can nei-
ther reduce th e ris k of an acciden t no r override
th e laws of physics . Drivin g safet y systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving . You are
responsible for maintainin g th e distanc e to th e
vehicl e in front, for vehicl e speed, for braking in
goo d time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit th e prevailing road and
weather condition s and maintai n a saf e distanc e
from th e vehicl e in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safet y systems describe d only wor k
as effectivel y as possible when there is ade-
quat e contact between th e tires and th e road
surface. Pay particular attention to th e informa-
tion regarding tires , recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in th e "Wheels and tires "
section ( Y
page 360).
In wintr y driving conditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ S tires )a nd if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The % ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 68).
G WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac- tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y
page 289) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( Y
page 256).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 68).
G WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.68
Driving safety systems
Safety

This steering assistance is provided in particular
if: R
both right wheels or both left wheels are on a
wet or slippery road surface when you brake. R
the vehicle starts to skid.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 68).
No steering support is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if: R
ESP ®
is deactivatedR
ESP ®
is malfunctioning.R
the lighting is faulty.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey. X
To activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
To activate with KEYLESS-GO start-func-
tion or KEYLESS-GO: switch the ignition off
and open the driver's door. X
To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been
left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system) X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp C flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 10 seconds. X
To disarm: unlock the vehicle with the Smart-
Key or KEYLESS-GO.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open: R
a door R
the vehicle with the mechanical key R
the trunk lid R
the hood X
To turn the alarm off with the SmartKey:
press the 6 or 7 button on the Smart-
Key.
The alarm is switched off.
or X
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-function
or KEYLESS-GO: remove the Start/Stop but-
ton from the ignition lock ( Y
page 146).X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off. X
To stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or X
Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi-
cle.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.Protection against theft 79
Safety Z

SmartKey
Important safety notes
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 PR
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.
G WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten-
tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a
risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from strong mag-
netic fields. Otherwise, the remote control
function could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the vicin-
ity of powerful electrical installations.
Do not keep the SmartKey: R
with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey. R
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil. R
inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can affect the functionality of the Smart-
Key. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function: do
not keep the SmartKey on the parcel shelf or in
the trunk. Otherwise, the SmartKey may not be
detected, e.g. when starting the engine using
the Start/Stop button.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example: R
when starting the engine R
while driving R
when the external door handles are touched R
during convenience closing
SmartKey functions
C
7 To lock the vehicleD
T To open/close the trunk lid

You will receive visual and acoustic locking con-
firmation if all components were able to be
locked.
When the locator lighting is activated via the
multimedia system, it lights up when it is dark
after the vehicle is unlocked with the SmartKey
(see the Digital Operator's Manual). X
To open the trunk lid automatically from
outside the vehicle: press and hold the T
button until the trunk lid opens. X
To open the trunk lid automatically from
outside the vehicle: if the SmartKey is loca-
ted in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle,
press the T button on the SmartKey.
When the trunk lid closes you can then
release the button.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle.
Locking/unlocking centrally You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
7 button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
A brief radio connection between the vehicle
and the key determines whether a valid Smart-
Key is in, or in the direct vicinity of, the vehicle.
This occurs, for example: R
when starting the engine R
while driving R
when using HANDS-FREE ACCESS R
when the external door handles are touched R
during convenience closing X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle. X
To lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface C
or D .
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle. X
Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface D for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience clos-
ing feature ( Y
page 96). X
To unlock the trunk lid: pull the handle on
the trunk lid.
Deactivating and activating If you do not intend to use a key for an extended
period of time, you can deactivate the KEYLESS-
GO function of the SmartKey. The SmartKey will
then use very little power, thereby conserving
battery power. For the purposes of activation/
deactivation, the vehicle must not be nearby. X
To deactivate: press the 7 button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp of the SmartKey
flashes twice briefly and lights up once, then
KEYLESS-GO is deactivated ( Y
page 84).X
To activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again.82
SmartKey
Opening and closing

KEYLESS- GO start function
Gene ra l notesBear in min d that th e engin e can be started by
any of th e vehicl e occupant s if there is a Smart -
Key in th e vehicle.
Changing the settings of the locking
system You can chang e th e setting s of th e locking sys-
tem. This mean s that only th e driver's door and
th e fuel filler flap are unlocke d when th e vehicl e
is unlocked. This is useful if you frequentl y travel
on your own .X
To change th e setting: press and hold down
th e 6 and 7 buttons simultaneousl y
for approximately six seconds until th e bat -
tery chec k lamp flashes twice ( Y
page 84).
If th e setting of th e locking system is changed
within th e signal range of th e vehicle, pressing
th e 7 or 6 button:R
locks or R
unlocks th e vehicl e
The SmartKey no w function s as follows :X
To unlock: press th e 6 butto n once .X
To unlock centrally: press th e 6 butto n
twice .X
To lock: press th e 7 button.
The KEYLESS-GO function s can be changed as
follows :X
To unlock th e driver's door : touch th e inner
surfac e of th e door handle on th e driver's
door .X
To unlock centrally: touch th e inner surfac e
of th e door handle on th e front-passenger
door or th e rear door .X
To lock centrally: touch th e outer sensor
surfac e on on e of th e door handles .X
To restor e th e factory settings: press and
hold th e 6 and 7 buttons simulta ne -
o
usl y for approximately six seconds until th e
battery chec k lamp flashes twice
( Y
page 84) . Mechanical key
Gene ra l notesIf th e vehicl e can no longer be locke d or
unlocke d wit h th e SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO ,
use th e mechanical key.
If you use th e mechanical ke y to unloc k and
open th e driver's door , th e anti-thef t alarm sys-
te m will be triggered . Switc h off th e alarm
( Y
page 79) .
If you unloc k th e vehicl e usin g th e mechanical
key, th e fuel filler flap will no t be unlocke d auto -
matically. X
To unlock th e fuel filler flap: insert th e
SmartKey int o th e ignition lock.
Removing the me chanical key
X
Push release catch C in th e direction of th e
arrow and at th e sam e time remove mechan -
ical ke y D from th e SmartKey.
Further information : R
Unlocking th e driver's door ( Y
page 89 )R
Locking th e vehicl e ( Y
page 89 )
Inserting the me chanical key X
Push mechanical ke y D completely int o th e
SmartKey until it engage s and release
catch C is bac k in it s basic position .SmartKey 83
Opening and closing Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine cannot be
started using the Smart-
Key. The on-board voltage is too low. X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work: X
Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary ( Y
page 350).
or X
Jump-start the vehicle ( Y
page 352).
or X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine cannot be
started using the Start/
Stop button. The Smart-
Key is in the vehicle. The vehicle is locked. X
Unlock the vehicle and try to start the vehicle again.
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged. X
Check the SmartKey battery ( Y
page 84) and replace it if necessary
( Y
page 84).
If this does not work: X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves. X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You have lost a Smart-
Key. X
Have the SmartKey deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.
You have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers. X
If necessary, have the locks changed as well.
Doors
Important safety notes
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. Doors 87
Opening and closing Z

Aut oma tic locking featu reX
To deactivate: press and hold butto n C for
approximately fiv e seconds until a tone
sounds. X
To activate: press and hold butto n D for
approximately fiv e seconds until a tone
sounds.
If you press on e of th e two buttons and do no t
hear a tone , th e relevan t setting has already
been selected.
The vehicl e is locke d automatically when th e
ignition is switched on and th e wheels are turn-
ing .
You could therefor e be locke d out if:R
th e vehicl e is bein g pushed.R
th e vehicl e is bein g towed.R
th e vehicl e is on a roller dynamometer.
i You can also activat e and deactivat e th e
automatic locking function via COMAND or
Audio 20 (see th e Digital Operator' s Manual).
Unlocking/locking driver's door with
mechanical key
i If you want to centrally loc k th e vehicl e usin g
th e mechanical key, begi n by pressing th e
locking butto n for th e interior locking mech-
anism while th e driver's door is open . The n
loc k th e driver's door usin g th e mechanical
key. X
Inser t th e mechanical ke y int o opening C in
th e protective cap .X
Pull and hold th e door handle. X
Pull th e protective cap on th e mechanical ke y
as straight as possibl e away from th e vehicl e
until it releases. X
Releas e th e door handle.
X
To unlock: tur n th e mechanical ke y counter-
clockwise as far as it will go to position G .X
To lock: tur n th e mechanical ke y clockwise as
far as it will go to position G .
If you use th e mechanical ke y to unloc k and
open th e driver's door , th e anti-thef t alarm sys-
te m will be triggered . Switc h off th e alarm
( Y
page 79).
Trunk
Import ant safety notes
G WARNIN G
Combustion engines emi t poisonous exhaust
gase s suc h as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gase s can ente r th e vehicl e interior if th e
trunk lid is open when th e engin e is running,Trunk 89
Opening and closing Z