2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET manual transmission

Rthe battery is sufficiently charged
Rthe system detects that the windshield is not
fogged up when the air-conditioning system isswitched on
Rthe hood is closed
Rthe driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is stopped automatically.
The HOLD function can also be activated if the
engine has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automatic stop phase. When
you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine
starts automatically and the braking effect of
the HOLD function is deactivated.
Mercedes-AMG C 63 and Mercedes-
AMG C 63 S: the number of consecutive auto-
matic engine switch-offs is unlimited.
All other models: automatic engine switch-off
can take place a maximum of four times in a row
(initial switch-off, then three subsequent switch-
offs).
Automatic engine start
The engine starts automatically if:
Ryou switch off the ECO start/stop function by pressing the ECO button
RMercedes-AMG vehicles: you permanently
activate manual gearshifting (Ypage 138)
Rin transmission position hori, the brake
pedal is released and the HOLD function is not
active
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal
Ryou engage reverse gear k
Ryou move the transmission out of position j
Ryou unfasten your seat belt or open the driv-
er's door
Rthe vehicle starts to roll
Rthe brake system requires this
Rthe temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range
Rthe system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on
Rthe condition of charge of the battery is too
low
Shifting the transmission to position jdoes
not start the engine.
Deactivating or activating the ECO
start/stop function
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
XTo deactivate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
XTo activate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine will then
not be switched off automatically when the vehi- cle stops.
The ECO start/stop function is deactivated, if:
RMercedes-AMG C 63 and Mercedes-AMG
C 63 S: you switch to drive program RACE
(S‑ MODEL), S+orS(
Ypage 130)
RMercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC: you switch to
drive program S+(Ypage 130)
Ryou permanently activate manual gearshifting
(Ypage 138)
If you have permanently activated manual gear-
shifting and then press ECO button :, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
All other models
128Driving
Dr iving an d parking

Available drive programs for Mercedes-
AMG C63/C 63 S:
RACE
(S‑MODEL)Dr ivin g characteristics suit-
able for a race circuit
S+Spo rt PlusParticular lysporty driving
characteristics
S Spo rtSportydriv ing characteris-
tics
C ComfortComfort ableand economi-
cal driv ing characteristics
IIndivi dualIndividual settings
Dependin g on thedrive program selected the
foll owin g veh iclecharacteristics willchange:
Rthedrive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe driver assistance systems
RESP®(Mercedes-AMG C 63 /C63S)
Rthe position of the exhaust flap (Mercedes-
AMG C 63 /C63S)
Rthe setting of the ECO start /stop function
Rthe availab ility of glidin g mode
Rtheclim ate control:
Further information for automat ic drive program
characteristics (
Ypage 136).
Ad ditionally, in drive program Iyou can config-
ure the respective veh iclecharacteristics using
the multimedia system. You can find informa-
tion about th isunder "DYNAM IC SELECT" inthe
veh icle's Digital Operator's Manual.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start /S top button, drive program Cis
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see (
Ypage 125).
Selecting the drive program
XPush DYNAMIC SELECT swit ch: forwards
or back until the desired drive program is
selected.
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
(
Ypage 138).
Additional settings
:Position of the exhaust flap (Ypage 129)
;ECO start/stop function (Ypage 127)
=ESP®(Ypage 67)
?Suspension (Ypage 164)
APermanently activates manual gearshifting
(Ypage 138)
When you press buttons :-A the corre-
sponding setting is selected. The DYNAM IC
SE LECT swit ch setting is overwritten.
If you switch to drive program I, all stored char-
acteristics will be accepted. This isalso the case
DYNAMIC SELECT switch131
Driving and parking
Z

if you have previously pressed one of buttons:
- A.
iMercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC In a few
countries, the ECO start/stop function is
deactivated at the factory due to the fuel
grade available. In this case, the ECO start/
stop function is not available in any drive pro-
gram, regardless of the display in the multi-
media system display.
All other models
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change the
drive program.
Depending on the drive program selected the
following vehicle characteristics will change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering
Rthe ECO start/stop function
Rthe climate control:
-the climate control settings
-the rear window defroster operation period
-the performance of the seat heating
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program Cis
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see (
Ypage 125).
XPush DYNAMIC SELECT switch :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.
iIn a few countries, the ECO start/stop func-
tion is deactivated at the factory due to the
available fuel grade. In this case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available in any
drive program, regardless of the display in the
multimedia system display.
Available drive programs:
I IndividualIndividual settings
S+ Sport PlusParticularly sporty driving
characteristics
SSportSporty driving characteris-
tics
C ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
EEconomyParticularly economical
driving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs
(Ypage 136).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor- mation on the manual drive program
(
Ypage 138).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
132Automatic transmission
Driving and 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.
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