2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

Transmission positions
BPark position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion j(
Ypage 133) when the vehi-
cle is stationary. 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 jis automatically
engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key
Ryou switch off the engine using theSmartKey or using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door
or front-passenger door
Ryou open the driver's door when
the vehicle is stationary or when
driving at a very low speed and thetransmission is in position hor
k
In the event of a malfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-
sion may lock in position j. Have
the vehicle electronics checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
CReverse gear
You can only shift the transmission
into position kwhen the vehicle is
stationary (
Ypage 133).
ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to i
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 iif the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position korh,
the automatic transmission shifts to
i automatically.
!Coasting in neutral imay
cause damage to the drive train.
7Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts through the
individual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position h. This automatic gear shift-
ing 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
Automatic transmission135
Driving an d parking
Z

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.
Gliding mode
Gliding mode is available depending on equip-
ment.
Gliding mode is characterized by the following:
RThe combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train.
RThe engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed.
RThe multifunction display hides the gear indi-
cator and displays transmission position h
in green (
Ypage 134)
RMercedes-AMG vehicles: the multifunction
display shows status icon :for the drive
program's status icon
In drive program Eor in drive program C
(Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S), you can activate
and deactivate glide mode using the ECO button
(
Ypage 128).
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 change the transmission position
(Ypage 133).
Ryou switch to drive program
RACE
(Mercedes-AMG C 63 S), S+orS
(
Ypage 130).
Ryou activate manual gearshifting
(Ypage 138).
Ryou leave the suitable speed range.
iIf you have selected the "Eco" or "Comfort"
setting (Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S) for the
drive (engine and transmission management)
in drive program I, you can also activate glide
mode. Information on DYNAMIC SELECT and
on configuring drive program Ivia the multi-
media system (see the Digital Operator's
Manual).
Drive programs
All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG
C 63/C 63 S
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program Ithe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
and therefore indirectly the availability of glid-
ing mode and the properties of the driver
assistance systems
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop function
Rthe climate control:
To permanently shift the gears manually in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers, select the M(Manual) setting for the drive
(except Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC).
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
136Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Drive program S+ (SportPlus)
Drive progra mS+ is characterized by th efol-
lowing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits particularl ysport ydrivin g
characteristics .
Rthevehicl epulls away in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshift sup 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) .
Rglidingmod eis no tavailable.
Rth eECO start/sto pfunction is switched of f
(Ypage 127).
Drive program S(Sport)
Drive progra mSis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits sport ydrivin gcharacter-
istics .
Rthevehicl epulls away in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshift sup 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) .
Rglidingmod eis no tavailable.
Rth eECO start/sto pfunction is switched on
(Ypage 127).
Drive program C(Comfort)
Drive progra mCis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl edeliver scomfortable, economical
handlin gcharacteristics .
Rthevehicl epulls away mor egentl yin forwar d
and revers egears, unless th eaccelerato r
peda lis depressed fully.
Rth evehicl ehas improved drivin gstability, fo r
exampl 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 .
Rglidingmod eis no tavailable.
Rth eECO start/sto pfunction is switched on
(Ypage 127).
Drive program E(Economy)
Drive progra mEis characterized by th efollow-
ing:
Rth evehicl eexhibits comfortable, economical
handlin gcharacteristics .
Rthevehicl epulls away mor egentl yin forwar d
and revers egears, unless th eaccelerato r
peda lis depressed fully.
Rth evehicl ehas improved drivin gstability, fo r
exampl 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 fuel.
Rth ecoolin gand heatin goutput of th eclimat e
control system has been reduced.
Rglidin gmod eis available.
Rth eECO start/sto pfunction is switched on
(Ypage 127).
Mercedes-AMG C63/ C63 S
Drive program RACE (S ‑M ODEL)
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 138). 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 epulls away in first gear .
Rtheautomati ctransmissio nshift sup later.
th efue lconsumption possibl ybein ghigher as
a result of th elater automati ctransmissio n
shift points .
Automatic transmission137
Driving and parking
Z

Rthe suspension exhibits particularly hard
springing and damping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched off
(Ypage 127).
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive programS+is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly hard
springing and damping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched off
(Ypage 127).
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program Sis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits stiff springing and
damping settings.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched off
(Ypage 127).
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has 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 switched on
(Ypage 127).
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 67)
Rthe suspension
Ractivation of the exhaust flap
To permanently shift the gears manually in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers, select the M(Manual) setting for the trans-
mission management.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia syste m ca
n be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position hfor this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear and
p instead of transmission position h.
If you deactivate manual gearshifting, the gears
will be shifted automatically again.
138Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Temporary setting
XTo activate:shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position h.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;.
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. In certain conditions, the mini-
mum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, overrun mode or
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 (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
When configuring drive program I, select the M
(Manual) setting for the drive. When driving in
drive program I, you permanently shift the gears
manually using the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. When the engine limiting
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 activate/deactivate:
shift the DIRECT
SELECT lever to position h.
XPress button:.
When the indicator lamp ;lights up, auto-
matic transmission manual mode is activated.
You then permanently shift the gears man-
ually using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
The manual mode activated with button :
remains activated when the drive program is
changed.
Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S: only if theD
(Automatic) setting has been preselected for
the transmission is manual mode deactivated
when you change to drive program I.
Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S: you can also
preset manual mode for drive program I. To do
so, select the M(Manual) setting when config-
uring the transmission. When driving in drive
program I, you permanently shift the gears man-
ually using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Automatic transmission139
Driving an d parking
Z

Shifting gears
XTo shift up:pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed in the gear cur-
rently engaged is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if the temporary
setting has been activated and you continue
to accelerate when the maximum engine
speed has been reached, the automatic trans- mission automatically shifts up. If the perma-
nent setting is activated, the automatic trans-
mission does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. Observe the protection
against reaching the overrevving range on the
multifunction display. Always make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red area of the tachometer.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XWhen the corresponding gearshift recom-
mendation :appears in the multifunction
display of the instrument cluster, shift to rec-
ommended gear ;.
Protection against reaching the over-
revving range (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. When the engine limiting
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.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
XWhen message :appears in the multifunc-
tion display, pull on the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter.
140Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Kickdown
XFormaximum acceleration ,depress th e
accelerato rpedal beyon dth epressur epoint.
The automatic transmission shift sto alower
gear depending on th eengin espeed.
XShift bac kup once th edesire dspee dis
reached. If you apply full throttle, th
eautomatic trans -
mission shift sup to th enext gear when th e
maximum engin espeed is reached. This pre -
vents th eengin efrom overrevving .
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possibl ein th etemporar ysetting .
Problems with the trans mission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
The transmission has
problemsshifting gear .The transmission is losing oil.
XHaveth etransmission checke dat aqualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration abilit y
is deteriorating .
The transmission no lon -
ger changes gear .The transmission is in emergenc ymode.
It is possibl eto shift to agear and revers egear only.
XStop th evehicle.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XSwitchoff th eengine.
XWait at least te nseconds before restarting th eengine.
XShift th etransmission to position hork.
If h is selected, th etransmission only shift sto on egear ;if k is
selected, th etransmission shift sto revers egear .
XHaveth etransmission checke dat aqualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles wit h4-
whee ldrive (4MATIC). Powe ris always trans -
mitte dto bot haxles.
!Performance test smay only be carrie dout
on a2-axl edynamometer. The brak esystem
or transfer cas ecould otherwise be damaged.
Contac t aqualified specialist workshop for a
performance test .
!Since ESP®engagesautomatically, th eigni-
tion mus tbe switched off (the SmartKey or
Start/Sto pbutto nmus tbe in position gor
1) if
Rtheelectrical parking brak eis bein gtested
usin g adynamometer
Rthevehicl eis bein gtowed wit honly on e
axl eraised (not permitte dfor vehicles wit h
4MATIC) Otherwise
,th ebrak esystem can be dam-
aged .
!Vehicles wit h4MATIC mus tno tbe towed
wit heither th efron tor th erear axl eraised, as
doin gso will damag eth etransmission .
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
Fue lis highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is aris kof fir eand explo-
sion .
You mus tavoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking .Switc hoff th eengin e
and ,if applicable, th eauxiliary heating before
refueling.
Refueling141
Driving and parking
Z

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.
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 adding fuel from a fuel can.
The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection system
could otherwise 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.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(
Ypage 340).
Refueling
General information
Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Ypage 141).
If you unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside,
the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the 8fuel filler cap is dis-
played on the instrument cluster. The arrow next
to the filling pump indicates the side of the vehi-
cle.
Opening the fuel filler flap
:To open the fuel filler flap
;To insert the fuel filler cap
=Tire pressure table
?Instruction label for fuel type to be refueled
XSwitch off the engine.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or, in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-function
or KEYLESS ‑GO
XOpen the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics are now in setting u.
This is the same as "SmartKey removed".
XPress the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
142Refueling
Driving and parking