2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN page 50

After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles (
Ypage 44).
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
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, Nor Dappears in the transmission
position display in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 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 Dto R, from Rto Dor
directly to P. The automatic transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction
of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically
Park position Pis automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
or using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
Rthe driver's door is opened when the vehicle is
stationary or driving at very low speed and the
transmission is in position Dor R
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position Pif the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. Observe the information on
the HOLD function (
Ypage 195) and on
DISTRONIC PLUS (Ypage 189).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only shift the automatic transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.
XIf the transmission is in position Dor N: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first
point of resistance.
XIf 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
(
Ypage 150).
Shifting to neutral N
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
RStart the engine.
156Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Transmission positions
BPark position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion Pwhen the vehicle is stationary
(
Ypage 156). The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
Park position Pis automatically
engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key
Ryou switch off the engine using thekey or using the Start/Stop button
and open the driver's door or front-
passenger door
Rthe driver's door is opened when
the vehicle is stationary or driving
at very low speed and the trans-
mission is in position Dor R
If the vehicle electronics are malfunc-
tioning, the transmission may be
locked in position P. Have the vehicle
electronics checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion Rwhen the vehicle is stationary.
ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
®is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position Nif the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position Ror D, the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
!Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train.
7Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shifting
behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch function
is active regardless of the currently selected
drive program. The double-clutch function
158Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

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.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
XEase 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 positionsDand 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 Rto speeds up to a maximum of 5 mph
(9 km/h).
To shift back and forth between transmission
positions Dand 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:
Rthe combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train.
Rthe engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed.
Rstatus icon Cgoes out and status icon :is
displayed in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 157).
In drive program C, you can deactivate and acti-
vate gliding mode using the ECO button
(
Ypage 151). Gliding mode can be activated under the follow-
ing conditions:
Rthe speed is within a suitable range.
Rthe course of the road is suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients.
Ryou are no longer depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Gliding mode is deactivated under the following conditions:
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal.
Ryou depress the brake pedal.
Ryou use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch
the transmission position (Ypage 156).
Ryou switch to drive program RACE
(S‑MODEL), S+orS(Ypage 154).
Ryou activate manual gearshifting
(Ypage 161).
Ryou leave the suitable speed range.
iIf 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 Ithe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Rthe climate control:
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M(manual) setting for the
drive.
Automatic transmission159
Driving and parking
Z

Drive program S+ (SportPlus)
Drive progra mS+ is characterized by th efol-
lowing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits particularl ysport ydrivin g
characteristics .
Rthevehicl epullin gaway in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshiftin gup later.
th efue lconsumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automati ctransmissio n
shift points .
Rthesuspensio nexhibits particularl ystiff
springin gand dampin gsetting s(vehicles wit h
AIRMATIC) .
RtheECO start/sto pfunction is no tavailable.
Drive program S(Sport)
Drive progra mSis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits sport ydrivin gcharacter-
istics .
Rthevehicl epullin gaway in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshiftin gup later.
th efue lconsumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automati ctransmissio n
shift points .
Rthesuspensio nexhibits har dspringin gand
dampin gsetting s(vehicles wit hAIRMATIC) .
Drive program C(Comfort)
Drive progra mCis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl edeliver scomfortable, economical
handlin gcharacteristics .
Rthevehicl epullin gaway mor egentl yin
forwar dand revers egears, unless th eaccel-
erato rpeda lis depressed fully.
Rth evehicl ehavin gimproved drivin gstability,
fo rexampl eon slipper yroa dsurfaces.
Roptimal fue lconsumption resultin gfrom th e
automati ctransmissio nshiftin gup sooner.
The vehicl eis driven in th elow engin espeed
range and th ewheels are less likely to spin .
Drive programE(Economy)
Drive progra mEis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits comfortable, economical
handlin gcharacteristics .
Rthevehicl epullin gaway mor egentl yin
forwar dand revers egears, unless th eaccel-
erato rpeda lis depressed fully.
Rth evehicl ehavin gimproved drivin gstability,
fo rexampl eon slipper yroa dsurfaces.
Roptimal fue lconsumption resultin gfrom th e
automati ctransmissio nshiftin gup sooner.
The vehicl eis driven in th elow engin espeed
range and th ewheels are less likely to spin .
Rduring deceleration,th eengin eis disconnec-
te dfrom th edrive train .The vehicl euses
kineti cenerg yand consumes less fue l(over-
run mode).
Rth eperformanc eof air-conditionin gsystem
and heatin gare reduced.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Drive program RACE (S ‑MODEL)
The RACE drive progra mis characterized by th e
following :
Rthevehicl eexhibits drivin gcharacteristics
suitable fo rth eracetrack.
Rall vehicl esystems are set fo rmaximum
sportiness .
Rthegearshift recommendation gives you
information fo rslowly warmin gup th edrive
assemblies and fo radopting afuel-efficien t
drivin gstyle (
Ypage 161). You can follow th e
gearshift recommendation sat all times and
shift gear accordingly usin gth esteerin g
whee lpaddl eshifters .On th ebasi sof th e
gearshift recommendation ,usin gth esteerin g
whee lpaddl eshifters ,you can optimiz eth e
drive train and engin eoperatin gmod eat any
time.
Rif you hav eselected agear manually, this will
be maintaine duntil th evehicl espeed increa-
ses or decreases dramatically.
Rth evehicl epullin gaway in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshiftin gup later.
th efue lconsumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automati ctransmissio n
shift points .
160Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles withAIRMATIC).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with AIRMATIC).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program Sis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits hard springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIRMATIC).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stability,
for example on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is available.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program
Ithe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine management)
Rthe transmission management
RESP®(Ypage 73)
Rthe suspension
Ractivation of the exhaust flap
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steeri ng wheel paddles,
select the M(manual) setting for the trans-
mission.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steering wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D.
Depending on which paddle shifter is pulled, the
automatic transmission immediately shifts into
the next gear down or up, if permitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual shift-
ing, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the gears
will be selected automatically.
Automatic transmission161
Driving an d parking
Z

Temporary setting
XTo activate:shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;.
Further information on activating manual gear-
shifting on PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
(
Ypage 229).
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun
phase or when driving on steep terrain.
XTo deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;and hold it in place.
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
the drive program.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XTo activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position D.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
XTo deactivate: press button:.
or
XIf position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I: shift to drive program Iwith the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
Shifting gears
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
XTo shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up in order to
prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
162Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear.The transmission is losing oil.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear.The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift intosecondgear and reverse gear.
XStop the vehicle.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
XShift the transmission to positionDor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation (Ypage 233).
Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles.
!Performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system
or transfer case could otherwise be damaged. Contact a qualified specialist workshop for a
performance test.
!Since ESP®engages automatically, the igni-
tion must be switched off (the SmartKey or
Start/Stop button must be in position 0or 1)
if:
Rthe electric parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer
Rthe vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles with
4MATIC).
The brake system could otherwise be dam-
aged.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refueling.
GWARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
164Refueling
Driving and parking

If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
RWash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
RIf fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
GWARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the refu-
eling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
!Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
!Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
!Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
!Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection sys-
tem could be blocked by particles from the
fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray out
when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
iFlexible Fuel vehicles can be recognized by
the Ethanol up to E85 sticker on the inside of
the fuel filler flap.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(
Ypage 388).
Refueling
General information
Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Ypage 164).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: pressure in the fuel
tank must be released before refueling.
Except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: if you
unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside, the
fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow next
to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehi-
cle.
Preparing to refuel
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock:
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Opening the fuel filler flap (except
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
:To open the fuel filler flap
;To insert the fuel filler cap
Refueling165
Driving and parking
Z