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

Tips for driving with Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC
Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations:
RCornering, entering and exiting a bend: the
ability of Distance Pilot DISTRONIC to detect
vehicles during cornering is limited. Your vehi-
cle may brake unexpectedly or late.
RDriving on a different line: Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC may not detect vehicles which are
not driving in the middle of their lane. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
ROther vehicles changing lanes: Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC has not detected the vehicle cut-
ting in yet. The distance to this vehicle will be
too short.
RNarrow vehicles: Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
has not yet detected the vehicle in front on
the edge of the road because of its narrow
width. The distance to the vehicle in front will
be too short.
RObstacles and stationary vehicles: Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC does not brake for obstacles
or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and an obsta-
cle or stationary vehicle is then revealed, Dis-
tance Pilot DISTRONIC will not brake for
them.
RCrossing traffic: Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
may mistakenly detect vehicles that are
crossing your lane. Activating Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC a
t, for example, a traffic light with
crossing traffic, could cause your vehicle to
pull away at the wrong time.
In such situations, brake if necessary. Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC will then be deactivated.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with Steering
Pilot
General notes
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with Steering Pilot
aids you in keeping the vehicle in the middle of
the lane by means of moderate steering inter-
ventions in a speed range from 0 – 125 mph
(0 - 200 km/h).
It monitors the area in front of your vehicle by
means of multifunction camera :, fixed at the
top of the windshield.
In a speed range from 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h),
Steering Pilot focuses on the vehicle in front,
taking into account lane markings, e.g. when
following vehicles in a traffic jam.
At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h),
Steering Pilot focuses on clear lane markings
(left and right), focusing on the vehicle in front
only if clear lane markings are not present.
If these conditions are not present, Steering
Pilot cannot provide assistance.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC must be active in
order for the function to be available.
Important safety notes
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC and Steering Pilot can neither reduce the risk of an accident if you fail
to adapt your driving style nor override the laws
of physics. Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with
Steering Pilot cannot take into account road,
weather or traffic conditions. Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC with Steerin g P
ilot is only an aid.
You are responsible for maintaining a safe dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in lane.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC with Steering Pilot
does not detect road and traffic conditions and
does not detect all road users. If you are follow-
ing a vehicle which is driving towards the edge of
the road, your vehicle could come into contact
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with the curb or other road boundaries. Be par-
ticularly aware of other road users, e.g. cyclists,
that are directly next to your vehicle.
Obstacles such as traffic markers on a con-
struction site that are on the lane or projecting
out into the lane are not detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g. afterintentionally driving over a lane marking, can be
corrected at any time if you steer slightly in theopposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Pilot cannot
continuously keep your vehicle in lane. In some
cases, steering intervention is not sufficient to
bring the vehicle back to the lane. In such cases,
you must steer the vehicle yourself to ensure
that it does not leave the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if:
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficient
illumination of the road, or due to snow, rain,
fog or spray
Rthere is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic, the
sun or reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if
the road surface is wet)
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicin-
ity of the camera
Rthere are no or several unclear lane markings
for one lane, e.g. roadworks
Rthe lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
ered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
Rthe distance to the vehicle in front is too short
and thus the lane markings cannot be detec-
ted
Rthe lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge
Rthe road is narrow and winding
Rthere are highly variable shade conditions on the roadway
The system is switched to passive and no longer
assists you by performing steering interventions
if:
Ryou actively change lane
Ryou switch on the turn signal
Ryou take your hands off the steering wheel or
do not steer for a prolonged period of time
After you have finished changing lanes, Steering
Pilot is automatically active once more. Steering Pilot cannot provide assistance:
Ron very sharp corners
Rwhen a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety notes
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (
Ypage 154).
The steering interventions are carried out with a
limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with
a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears in the multifunction display. If you have still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel, a warning tone also
sounds to remind you to take control of the
vehicle after five seconds at the latest. Steering
Pilot is then switched to passive. Distan ce Pilot
D

ISTRONIC remains active.
Activating Steering Pilot
XPress button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The Steering
PilotOnmessage appears on the multifunc-
tion display. Steering Pilot is activated.
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Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Pilot isactivated but not ready for a
steering intervention, steering wheel symbol :
appears ingray. Ifthe system provide s youwith
support bymeans of steering interventions,
symbol :isshown in green.
Deactivating Steering Pilot
XPress button ;.
Indic ator lamp :goes out. The Steering
Pilot Offmessage appears on the mult i-
function display.Steering pilot is deactivate d.
When Distance Pilot DI STRONIC isdeactivated
or not available, Steering Pilot isdeactivated
automatically.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driverinthe
fol lowin g situations:
Rwhen pulling away, especial lyon steep slopes
Rwhen maneuvering on steep slopes
Rwhen waitingintraff ic
The veh icle iskept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect iscanceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pullaway.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked bythe HOLD function if:
Rthere isa malfunction inthe system or in
the voltage supply.
Rthe HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
Rthe electrical system inthe engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected
There isa risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion isactivated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically incertain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DI ST RONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the fol lowing or similar situations:
Rwhen to wing the vehicle
Rinthe car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (
Ypage 162).
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function ifall of the
fol lowin g conditions are fulfilled:
Rthe vehicle isstationary.
Rthe engine is running or if ithas been auto-
matical ly switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
Rthe driver's door isclosed or your seat belt is
fastened.
Rthe electr icparking brake isreleased.
Rthe transmission isin position h,kori.
RDIST RONIC PLUS is deactivate d.
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Activating the HOLD function
XMakesur ethat th eactivation condition sare
met .
XDepress th ebrak epedal .
XQuickl ydepress th ebrak epedal further
until :appear sin th emultifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th ebrak epedal .
If depressing th ebrak epedal th efirst time does
no tactivat eth eHOLD function ,wait briefl yand
then tr yagain .
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
Ryou depress th eaccelerato rand th etrans -
mission is in position hork
Rthetransmission is in position j
Ryou depress thebrak epedal again wit h acer-
tai namount of pressur euntil display ë
disappear sfrom th emultifunction display
Ryou secure th evehicl eusin gth eelectric park -
ing brake.
Ryou activat eDISTRONI CPLU S
Afte r atime, th eelectric parking brak esecures
th evehicl eand relieves th eservic ebrake.
When th eHOLD function is activated, th etrans -
mission is shifte dautomatically to position j
if:
Rth edriver's seat belt is no tfastene dand th e
driver's door is open .
Rtheengin eis switched off ,unless it is auto -
matically switched off by th eECO start/sto p
function . The electric parking brak
esecures th evehicl e
automatically if th eHOLD function is activated
when th evehicl eis stationary and :
Rasystem malfunction occurs.
Rth epowe rsupply is insufficient.
If amalfunction occurs, th etransmission may
also be shifte dto position jautomatically.
RACE START
Import ant safety notes
iRACE START mus tno tbe used on normal
roads. RACE START mus tonly be activated
and used on dedicated road circuits, outside
of public road use.
iRACE START is only available for Mercedes-
AM Gvehicles except Mercedes-AM G C43
4MATIC.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration from
a standing start .Fo rthis, asuitably high-grip
road surfac eis require dand th evehicl eand tires
mus tbe in goo dworking order.
GWARNIN G
If you use RACE START ,individual tires may
start to spin and th evehicl ecould skid.
Dependin gon th eselected ES P
®mode, there
is an increased ris kof skiddin gand having an
accident. Mak esur ethat no persons, animals
or obstacles are within range of th evehicle.
iObserv eth esafet ynote son drivin gsafet y
systems (Ypage 64).
Be sur eto read th esafet ynote sand informa-
tion on ES P
®(Ypage 67).
Conditions for activati on
You can activateRACE START if:
Rth edoor sare closed.
Rth eengin eis runnin gand it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
16 0 ‡ (71 †). This is th ecas ewhen th eoil
temperature gauge in th emultifunction dis-
play is shown in white.
Rth edrive program S,S+ orRace is selected.
(Ypage 130)
Rth esteering whee lis in th estraight-ahead
position .
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Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is
depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in positionh
Activating RACE START
iWhen manual mode (Ypage 138) is active,
the transmission automatically shifts up to
RACE START in the drive program. This func-
tion supports maximum acceleration with
RACE START. After going through an acceler-
ating process once from a stationary position, this function is automatically deactivated.
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XPull and hold both steering wheel paddle shift-
ers (Ypage 138).
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
XRelease both steering wheel paddle shifters
(Ypage 138).
iIf the activation conditions are no longer ful-
filled, RACE START is canceled. The RACE
START Canceledmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 138).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel pad- dle shifter (Ypage 138).
The RACESTARTAvailableDepressgaspedal.message appears in the multifunction
display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator pedal
fully within two seconds, RACE START is can-
celed. The RACE
STARTNotPossibleSeeOperator'sManualmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
XDepress the accelerator pedal completely,
until the engine speed stops increasing.
The RACE
STARTReleasebraketostartmessage appears in the multifunction display.
iIf you do not release the brake pedal within
five seconds, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Canceled
message appears in
the multifunction display.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum acceler-
ation. The
RACE
STARTActivemessage appears in
the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph (Can-
ada: 50 km/h).
RACE START is deactivated immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal during RACE
START or if any of the activation conditions are
no longer fulfilled. The RACE START Not Pos‐
sible See Operator's ManualorRACESTART Canceledmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
iIf RACE START is used repeatedly within a
short period of time, it is only available again
after the vehicle has been driven a certain
distance.
AIRMATIC
General notes
AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. All-round
level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control
and ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping System with
continuous damping adjustment).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT switch (
Ypage 130) or the level button
(Ypage 164). The setting always corresponds
to the last selected function.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
iIf one of the doors is open, the vehicle is not
lowered.
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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.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 0.6 in (15 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle Rising
message appears on
the multifunction display.
iThe 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:
Rdrive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h).
Rdrive 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
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to the height of the currently selec-
ted drive program (
Ypage 130).
Suspension tuning
General notes
The Adaptive Damping System with continuous
damping adjustment (ADS PLUS) automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour 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 S(Sport) and S+(Sport Plus) drive pro-
grams, the firmer suspension tuning ensures
even better contact with the road. Select this
mode when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads.
XSelect the Sor S+ drive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Ypage 130).
The vehicle is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm) com- pared to the normal level.
Comfort tuning
In the Eand Cdrive programs, the driving char-
acteristics of your vehicle are more comforta-
ble. Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
164Driving systems
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more comfortable driving style. Select comfort
mode also when driving fast on straight roads,
e.g. on straight stretches of highway.
XSelect theEor Cdrive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Ypage 130).
The vehicle is raised to the normal level.
When driving at speeds above 78 mph
(125 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered by 0.6 in (15 mm) in the Eand Cdrive 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.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour individual selection of Sport, Sport + or
Comfort
The suspension setting is adjusted using the
corresponding button in the center console.
iThe mode can also be set using the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Ypage 130).
This is only possible if:
Rusing the AMG adaptive sport suspension
system button on the center console, and
Rusing the DYNAMIC SELECT switch, the
same mode is selected for the chassis. This
is the case, for example, when both are set
to Comfort mode.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, Comfort mode is
activated. For further information about starting
the engine, see (
Ypage 125).
Sport mode
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
Sport mode ensures even better contact with
the road. Select this mode when employing a
sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. You have selected
Sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension setting in
Sport + mode ensures the best possible contact
with the road. Select this mode only when driv-
ing on race circuits.
If indicator lamps ;and =are off:
XPress button :twice.
Indicator lamps ;and =light up. You have
selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemSPORT +mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp =lights up:
XPress button :once.
Second indicator lamp ;lights up. You have
selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemSPORT +mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this
mode if you favor a comfortable driving style.
This mode is also suitable if you are driving fast
on straight roads, such as on straight stretches
of a highway.
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XPress button:repeatedly until indicator
lamps ;and =go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemCOMFORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures permanent drive for all four
wheels. Together with ESP®, it improves the
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel
spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are inattentive, 4MATIC can neither reduce the risk
of an accident nor override the laws of physics.
4MATIC does not take into account
Rthe road and weather conditions
Rthe traffic situation
4MATIC is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
!Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
Parking Pilot
General notes
Parking Pilot is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It measures the road on both sides
of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suit-
able parking space. Active steering intervention
and brake application can assist you during
parking and when exiting a parking space. You can also still use Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
(
Ypage 170).
Important safety notes
Parking Pilot is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. Make sure that no persons, animals or
objects are in the maneuvering range.
When Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactiva-
ted, Parking Pilot is also unavailable.
GWARNING
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 Parking Pilot
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.
Parking Pilot may also display spaces not suita-
ble for parking, e.g.:
Rwhere parking or stopping is prohibited
Rin front of driveways or entrances and exits
Ron unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the parking
space as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly.
RParking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the warning messages of
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC during the park-
ing procedure (
Ypage 171).
RYou can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Parking Pilot is then
canceled.
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