2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS lights

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 of
50 mph (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 SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 0.6 in (15 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Rising message appears in 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 canceled if you: R
drive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h). R
drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h).
The "Raised level" remains active when you are
not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is lit:X
Press button C . Suspension settings General notes The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping is tuned 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. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning In the "Sport" and "Sport Plus" drive programs,
the firmer suspension setting ensures even bet-
ter contact with the road. Select this mode when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding
country roads. X
The vehicle is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
Comfort tuning In the "Economy" and "Comfort" drive programs,
the driving characteristics of your vehicle are
more comfortable. Therefore, select this mode if
you favor a more comfortable driving style.
Select comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of high-
way. X
The vehicle is raised to the normal level.
When driving at speeds above 80 mph
(125 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered by 0.6 in (15 mm) in the E and C drive pro-
grams. When driving at speeds below 50 mph
(80 km/h) the vehicle is raised again.
AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.Driving systems 197
Driving and parking Z

Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
W
Switc h on th e dashboar dX
Switc h in th e center consoleC
Deactivates/activates PARKTRONICD
Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp D lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated. Active Parking Assis t is then also
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn th e SmartKey to position 2 in
th e ignition lock. Driving systems 20 1
Driving an d parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
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 switched off. 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 339).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
See if 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 199).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a
parking space. Make sure that no persons, ani-
mals or objects are in the maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active Park-
ing Assist is also unavailable.
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 result in a collision with another road user.
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 curbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips: R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the parking
space as possible. 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.202
Driving systems
Driving and parking

cycle racks or overhanging loads. Following a
severe impact or in the event of damage to the
bumpers, have the function of the radar sensors
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Blind Spot Assist may no longer work properly.
Monitoring area In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy
rain, snow or spray R
there are narrow vehicles, e.g. motorcycles or
bicycles R
the road has very wide lanes R
the road has narrow lanes R
you are not driving in the middle of the lane R
there are barriers or similar lane borders
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to 10 ft
(3 m) behind your vehicle and directly next to
your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may be
indicated, especially if the vehicles are not driv-
ing in the middle of their lane. This may be the
case if there are vehicles driving at the inner
edge of their lanes. Due to the nature of the system: R
warnings may be issued in error when driving
close to crash barriers or similar solid lane
borders. R
the warning is canceled when driving for an
extended period next to long vehicles, such as
trucks.
Warning display
C
Warning display
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in
the monitoring range are then not indicated.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lamp C on the correspond-
ing side lights up red. This warning is always
emitted when a vehicle enters the blind spot
monitoring range from behind or from the side.
When you overtake a vehicle, the warning only
occurs if the difference in speed is less than
7 mph (12 km/h).
If you select the reverse gear, Blind Spot Assist
is not operational.
The brightness of the warning lamps is auto-
matically adapted to the brightness of the sur-
roundings.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range of
Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the corre-
sponding turn signal, a double warning tone
sounds. Red warning lamp C flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, vehicles detected are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp C .
There are no further warning tones.Driving systems 217
Driving and parking Z

R
there are no, several or unclear lane markings
for a lane, e.g. in areas with road construction
work R
the lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
ered up, e.g. by dirt or snow R
the distance to the vehicle in front is too small
and the lane markings thus cannot be detec-
ted R
the lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge R
the road is narrow and winding R
there are strong shadows cast on the road
Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
X
To activate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The Lane Keep‐
ing Assist On message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. If all conditions have been
satisfied, there may be a warning.
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,
the lines in the assistance graphics display
( Y
page 246) are shown in green. Lane Keep-
ing Assist is ready for use. X
To deactivate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C goes out. Lane Keeping
Assist is deactivated. The Lane Keeping
Assist Off message appears in the multi-
function display.
Selecting Standard or Adaptive setting X
In the DriveAssist menu on the on-board
computer, select the Lane Keeping Assist
function ( Y
page 248).X
Select Standard or Adaptive .
Standard
When Standard
is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
Adaptive
When Adaptive is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ABS,
BAS or ESP ®
. R
you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown. R
you brake hard. R
you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or change lanes quickly. R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
In order that you are warned only when neces-
sary and in good time if you cross the lane mark-
ing, the system recognizes certain conditions
and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if: R
you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend. R
the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a highway. R
the system recognizes solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if: R
the road has narrow lanes R
you cut the corner on a bend.
Driving Assistance PLUS package
General notes The Driving Assistance PLUS package consists
of DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y
page 186), Active Blind
Spot Assist ( Y
page 219 )a nd Active Lane Keep-
ing Assist ( Y
page 222).
Active Blind Spot Assist
General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system, pointed toward the rear of the vehicle,
to monitor the area to the sides of the vehicle
which the driver is unable to see. A warning dis-
play in the exterior mirrors draws your attention
to vehicles detected in the monitored area. IfDriving systems 219
Driving an d parking Z

The detection of obstacles can be impaired in
the case of: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
poor visibility, e.g. due to rain, snow or spray
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
may only detect them too late.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may be
indicated, especially if the vehicles are not driv-
ing in the middle of their lane. This may be the
case if there are vehicles at the inner edge of
your lane.
Due to the nature of the system: R
warnings may be issued in error when driving
close to crash barriers or similar solid lane
borders. R
warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.
trucks, for a prolonged time.
Warning display
C
Warning display
Active Blind Spot Assist is not operational at
speeds below approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/ h) , warning lamp C on the correspond-
ing side lights up red. This warning is always
emitted when a vehicle enters the blind spot
monitoring range from behind or from the side.
When you overtake a vehicle, the warning only
occurs if the difference in speed is less than
7 mph (12 km/h). If you select the reverse gear, Active Blind Spot
Assist is not operational.
The brightness of the warning lamps is auto-
matically adapted to the brightness of the sur-
roundings.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated, gray
radar waves propagating backwards appear
next to the vehicle in the assistance display in
the multifunction display. Above a speed of
20 mph (30 km/h), the color of the radar waves
in the assistance display changes to green D .
Active Blind Spot Assist is then ready for use.
Visual and acoustic collision warning If you switch on the turn signals to change lanes
and a vehicle is detected in the side monitoring
range, you receive a visual and acoustic collision
warning. You will then hear a double warning
tone and red warning lamp C flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, detected vehicles are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp C .
There are no further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a lat-
eral collision in the monitoring range, a course-
correcting brake application is carried out. This
is meant to assist you in avoiding a collision.
G WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake appli-
cation. Always maintain a safe distance at the
sides.Driving systems 221
Driving and parking Z

R
you hav e adopte d a sport y drivin g style wit h
high cornering speeds or high rates of accel-
eration .R
ES P ®
is switched off .R
th e transmission is no t in position D .R
a loss of tire pressur e or a defective tire has
been detecte d and displayed.R
an obstacle in th e lan e in whic h you are drivin g
has been detected.
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t may no t detec t other
roa d user s or traffic situations. An inappropriat e
brak e application may be interrupted at any time
if you: R
steer slightly in th e opposit e directionR
switch on th e tur n signalR
clearly brak e or accelerate
A lane-correcting brak e application is interrup-
te d automatically if: R
a drivin g safet y system intervenes, e.g. ES P ®
,
PRE-SAF E ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist.R
lan e marking s can no longer be recognized.
Activating/deactivating Active Lan e
Keeping Assis t
X
To activate: press butto n D .
Indicato r lamp C lights up. The Lan e Keep‐
ing Assist On message appears in th e mul-
tifunction display. If all condition s hav e been
satisfied, a warnin g or steerin g intervention
may be made .
If you drive at speeds abov e 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lan e marking s are detected,
th e lines in th e assistanc e graphic s display
( Y
page 246) are shown in green . Active Lan e
Keepin g Assis t is read y for use.X
To deactivate: press butto n D .
Indicato r lamp C goe s out . The Active Lan e
Keepin g Assis t is deactivated. The Lan e Keepin g Assist Off message appears in
th e multifunction display.
Selecting Standar d or Adaptive setting X
In th e DriveAssist men u on th e on-boar d
computer, select th e Active Lan e Keep‐
ing Assist function ( Y
page 248).X
Selec t Standard or Adaptive .
Whe n Standard is selected, no warnin g vibra-
tion occur s if: R
you switch on th e tur n signals. In this event ,
th e warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a drivin g safet y system intervenes, suc h as
ABS, BA S or ES P ®
.
Whe n Adaptive
is selected, no warnin g vibra-
tion occur s if: R
you switch on th e tur n signals. In this event ,
th e warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a drivin g safet y system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BA S or ES P ®
.R
you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown .R
you brak e hard. R
you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or chang e lanes quickly.R
you cut th e corner on a shar p bend.
In order that you are warned only when neces-
sar y and in goo d time if you cross th e lan e mark-
ing, th e system recognizes certain condition s
and warn s you accordingly.
The warnin g vibration occur s earlier if:R
you approac h th e outer lan e marking on a
bend. R
th e roa d has ver y wide lanes, e.g. a highway.R
th e system recognizes soli d lan e markings.
The warnin g vibration occur s later if:R
th e roa d has narrow lanes. R
you cut th e corner on a bend.
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Points to rememb er
Gene ra l notes
Hybrid technology combine s a fuel efficien t
internal combustion engin e wit h a powerful
electric motor. In HYBRID mode, th e hybrid224
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

drive system automatically selects the most effi-
cient operating mode for every driving situation.
Drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
To save fuel in HYBRID mode, the hybrid drive
system switches off the combustion engine as
often as possible during the journey when power
output requirements are low. When power out-
put requirements are low, the electric motor
powers the vehicle. When power output require-
ments are high, the combustion engine is auto-
matically switched on. The engine is usually
switched off when the vehicle is stationary. Con-
sequently, there is usually no engine idling as
with combustion engine vehicles.
For pulling away and accelerating, the electric
motor supports the internal combustion engine
using the power stored in the high-voltage bat-
tery. In addition, the power is used for partially
electric driving, operation of the electric coolant
compressor and to support the 12 V on-board
electrical system. In this way the hybrid drive
system helps to reduce your vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
Observe the driving tips on plug-in hybrid oper-
ation ( Y
page 230).
Recuperative Brake System If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is ini-
tiated. The electric motor is operated as a gen-
erator when in overrun mode and when you
brake. Hybrid technology converts the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores
it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System ( Y
page 45).
Important safety notes If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function and you open the driver's door: R
a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and R
a warning tone sounds
Further information ( Y
page 272).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if: R
the vehicle is stationary R
the combustion engine is switched off and R
the READY indicator in the instrument cluster
lights up If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the vehicle
may pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of the
ECO start/stop function ( Y
page 231).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations. This is the case, for example, when
you are parking and your vehicle is not seen by
other road users.
This requires you to adopt a particularly antici-
patory driving style, as it is necessary to allow
for the possibility that other road users may
behave erratically.
Displays and operation
Electric motor performance display
The power display for the electric motor is loca-
ted on the right-hand side of the instrument
cluster. R
Area C to D (E-DRIVE):
This shows the electric output from the elec-
tric motor, e.g. during electric operation or in
boost mode.
When the motor is switched on, the display is
at limit C . With increasing pressure on the
accelerator pedal the display fills up from C
to D .
Driving with the electric motor: when the
display reaches limit D , the combustion
engine is switched on. If the display is
approaching limit D and you remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal, the display
empties again. The combustion engine is not
switched on. At low speeds, you can therebyPLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 225
Driving and parking Z