2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS display

Notes on using automatic climate
control
Optimum use of the automatic climate
control The following contains notes and recommenda-
tions on optimum use of the dual-zone or 3-zone
automatic climate control. R
Activate climate control using the X
rocker switch. The indicator lamp above the
X rocker switch lights up. The "Cooling
with air dehumidification" function is not acti-
vated automatically in automatic mode. If
necessary, activate this function
( Y
page 133).R
Set the temperature to 72 ‡ (22 †). R
Only use the "Windshield defrosting" function
briefly until the windshield is clear again. R
Only use air-recirculation mode briefly, e.g. if
there are unpleasant outside odors or when in
a tunnel. The windows could otherwise fog up,
since no fresh air is drawn into the vehicle in
air-recirculation mode. R
Vehicles with 3-zone automatic climate con-
trol or PLUG-IN HYBRID: use the "residual
heat" function if you want to heat or ventilate
the vehicle interior when the ignition is
switched off. The residual heat function can
only be activated or deactivated with the igni-
tion switched off. The residual heat function is
switched off when the ignition is switched on.
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (except
Merc edes-AMG vehicles)You can choose between various drive programs
with the DYNAMIC SELECT switch
( Y
page 154).
If you have selected drive program E :R
the cooling output is reduced when cooling R
when heating, the electrical heater booster is
deactivated and heat output is reduced as a
result R
the rear window defroster running time is
reduced
If you have selected drive program C , S or S+ ,
the current climate settings are maintained. ECO start/stop function During automatic engine switch-off, the climate
control system only operates at a reduced capa-
city. If you require the full climate control output,
you can switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button ( Y
page 151).
Operating the climate control sys-
tems
Activating/deactivating climate con-
trol
General notes When the climate control is switched off, the air
supply and air circulation are also switched off.
The windows could fog up. Therefore, switch off
climate control only briefly
Switch on climate control primarily using the
X rocker switch ( Y
page 133).
Switching on/off X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 146). X
To switch on: set the airflow to level 1 or
higher using the H rocker switch.X
To switch off: set the airflow to level 0 using
the H rocker switch.
i 3-zone automatic climate control: when cli-
mate control is switched off, "OFF" appears in
the rear-compartment display.132
Operating the climate control systems
Climate control

Starting the engine
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
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
G WARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
! Do not depress the accelerator when start-
ing the engine. General notes The catalytic converter is preheated for up to
30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of the
engine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P
( Y
page 156).
The transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display shows P ( Y
page 157).
i You can start the engine in transmission
position P and N .
Starting procedure with the SmartKey To start the engine using the SmartKey instead
of the Start/Stop button, pull the Start/Stop
button out of the ignition lock. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the ignition
lock and release it as soon as the engine is
running ( Y
page 146).
If the engine will not start: X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Reinsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock
after a short waiting period. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 146).
The indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
light up ( Y
page 286). X
Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 146) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
Starting procedure with the Start/Stop
button The Start/Stop button is only available on vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function.
The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle manually without inserting the SmartKey
into the ignition lock. The Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle. This mode for
starting the engine operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine start func-
tion.
You can start the engine if a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. Switch off the engine and always
take the SmartKey with you when leaving the148
Driving
Driving and parking

Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away for-
wards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It holds
the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
G WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R
you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient. R
the transmission is in position N .R
the electric parking brake is applied. R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
ECO start/stop function (all vehicles
except PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID)
Introduction This section describes the ECO start/stop func-
tion for all vehicles except PLUG-IN HYBRID
vehicles. Information on the ECO start/stop
function on PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
( Y
page 231).
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
C
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the

DYNAMIC SELECT switch
All vehicles (excep t Mercedes-AMG
vehicles an d PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles) Use th e DYNAMI C SELECT switch to chang e th e
drive program. Dependin g on th e drive program
selecte d th e followin g vehicle characteristics
will change: R
th e drive (engin e and transmissio n manage-
ment) R
th e suspensio nR
th e steerin gR
th e availabilit y of th e EC O start/sto p functionR
th e climat e control:-
th e climat e contro l setting s-
th e rea r window defroster operation period-
th e performanc e of th e seat heatin g
Each time you start th e engin e wit h th e Smart -
Key or th e Start/Sto p button, drive program C is
activated. Fo r further information about startin g
th e engine, see ( Y
page 148).
X
Push DYNAMI C SELECT switch C forwar d or
bac k until th e desire d drive program is selec -
ted.
The status icon of th e selecte d drive program
is shown in th e multifunction display.
In addition , th e curren t drive program setting s
are displaye d briefly in th e multimedia syste m
display.
i In a fe w countries, th e EC O start/sto p func-
tion is deactivated at th e factory due to th e
available fue l grade. In this case, th e EC O
start/sto p function is no t available in any
drive program, regardles s of th e display in th e
multimedia syste m display. Available drive programs:
I Individual Individual setting s
S+ Spor t Plus Particularly sport y drivin g
characteristics
S Spor t Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics
E Econom y Particularly economical
drivin g characteristics
Additional information fo r drive programs
( Y
page 159).
You can also chang e gear yoursel f usin g th e
steerin g whee l paddle shifters . Fo r further infor-
mation on th e manual drive program
( Y
page 161).
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRIDInformation on th e DYNAMI C SELECT switch on
PLU G ‑ IN HYBRID vehicles ( Y
page 229).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
General information Selec t th e drive program usin g th e DYNAMI C
SELECT switch .
Available drive programs:
RAC E
(S ‑ MODEL ) Driving characteristics suit -
able fo r th e racetrac k
S+ Spor t Plus Particularly sport y drivin g
characteristics
S Spor t Sporty drivin g characteris -
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal drivin g characteristics
I Individual Individual setting s
Dependin g on th e drive program selecte d th e
followin g vehicle characteristics will change: R
th e drive (engin e management)R
th e transmissio n managemen t154
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Driving and parking

R
ESP ®
R
the suspension R
the position of the exhaust flap R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function R
the driver assistance systems R
the availability of gliding mode
Further information for automatic drive program
characteristics ( Y
page 159).
Additionally, in drive program I you can config-
ure the respective vehicle characteristics using
the multimedia system. You can find informa-
tion about this in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program C is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see ( Y
page 148).
Selecting the drive program
X
Push DYNAMIC SELECT switch C forward or
back until the desired drive program is selec-
ted.
The status icon of the selected drive program
is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed briefly in the multimedia system
display.
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor-
mation on the manual drive program
( Y
page 161). Additional settings
C
Position of the exhaust flap ( Y
page 152)D
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 150)

After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P . Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles ( Y
page 44).
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]
Park position with parking lock^
Reverse gear\\
Neutral[
Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion P , R , N or D appears in the transmission
position display in the multifunction display
( Y
page 157).
Engaging park position P
! If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is moving, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from D to R , from R to D or
directly to P . The automatic transmission
could otherwise be damaged. X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction
of arrow P . Engaging park position P automatically Park position P is automatically engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door R
the driver's door is opened when the vehicle is
stationary or driving at very low speed and the
transmission is in position D or R
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position P if the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. Observe the information on
the HOLD function ( Y
page 195) and on
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 189).
Engaging reverse gear R
! Only shift the automatic transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary. X
If the transmission is in position D or N : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first
point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up past the first point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
( Y
page 150).
Shifting to neutral N
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.156
Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

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. X
If the transmission is in position D or R : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the
first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position R or D , the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to N automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to P automatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to P automat-
ically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N , e.g. when having the vehicle
cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing
system: X
Vehicles with the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
All vehicles: switch the ignition on.X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position R or N : push
the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first
point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position P : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever down past the first point of resistance. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
C
Status symbol drive program D
Transmission position

reduces load change reactions and is conducive
to a sporty driving style. The sound generated by
the double-clutch function depends on the drive
program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration. X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed. X
Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions D and R
can help to free a vehicle that has become stuck
in mud or snow.
The vehicle's engine management restricts
switching between transmission positions D
and R to speeds up to a maximum of 5 mph
(9 km/h).
To shift back and forth between transmission
positions D and R , move the DIRECT SELECT
lever up and down past the point of resistance.
Gliding mode (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Gliding mode is characterized by the following: R
the combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train. R
the engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed. R
status icon C goes out and status icon C is
displayed in the multifunction display
( Y
page 157).
In drive program C , you can deactivate and acti-
vate gliding mode using the ECO button
( Y
page 151). Gliding mode can be activated under the follow-
ing conditions: R
the speed is within a suitable range. R
the course of the road is suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients. R
you are no longer depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Gliding mode is deactivated under the following
conditions: R
you depress the accelerator pedal. R
you depress the brake pedal. R
you use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch
the transmission position ( Y
page 156).R
you switch to drive program RACE
(S ‑ MODEL), S+ or S ( Y
page 154).R
you activate manual gearshifting
( Y
page 161). R
you leave the suitable speed range.
i If you have selected the "Comfort" setting
for the drive (engine management) in drive
program I , you can also activate gliding mode.
You can find information about this in the Dig-
ital Operator's Manual.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program I the following properties of the
drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspension R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function R
the climate control:
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program I using the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M (manual) setting for the
drive.Automatic transmission 159
Driving and parking Z