2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET lights

wet or slippery roads. ESP®can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 64).
ETS traction control is part of ESP
®. On vehicles
with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on ESP
®
(Ypage 307).
If the å ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP®is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp lights up contin-
uously, ESP®is not available due to a malfunc-
tion.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 244) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 213).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Characteristics of ESP®
General information
If the ÷ ESP®warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP®is automatically
active.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷ESP®warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP
®
remains in its previously selected status, e.g. if
ESP®was deactivated before the engine was
automatically switched off.
Deactivating/activating ESP®(except
Mercedes ‑AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 64).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
68Driving safety systems
Safety

Spinning the wheels results in a cutting action
which provides better grip.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if
the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
You can deactivate or activate ESP®via the on-
board computer (Ypage 204).
ESP®deactivated:
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
ESP
®activated:
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
RTraction control is still activated.
RActive Brake Assist is no longer available; nor
is it activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®inter-
ve
nes.
RPRE-SAFE®Brake is no longer available, it is
also not activated if you brake firmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
(Mercedes‑AMG vehicles)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 64).
You can select between the following states of
ESP
®:
RESP®is activated.
RSPORT handling mode is activated.
RESP®is deactivated.
GWARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following.
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP
®:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Ron specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Spinning the wheels results in a cutting action
which provides better grip.
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP
®requires an extremely qualified and expe-
rienced driver.
iActivate ESP®as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP®will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle if
Driving safety systems69
Safety
Z

the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
XTo activate SPORT handling mode:briefly
press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT
handlingmodemessage appears on
the multifunction display.
XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
XTo deactivate ESP®: press button :until
the å ESP®OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷ OFF
message appears on the mul-
tifunction display.
XTo activate ESP®: briefly press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ON
message appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or
more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a limi-
ted degree.
RTraction control is still activated.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such situa-
tions, ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
RTraction control is still activated.
RActive Brake Assist is no longer available; nor
is it activated if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP
®.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®inter-
venes.
RPRE-SAFE®Brake is no longer available, it is
also not activated if you brake firmly and ESP®
intervenes.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
ESP®trailer stabilization
General information
ESP®trailer stabilization is not available in
Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP
®assists you in this situation. ESP®
slows the vehicle down by braking and limiting
the engine output until the vehicle/trailer com-
bination has stabilized.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP
®can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
70Driving safet ysystem s
Safety

multimedia system; see the Digital Operator's
Manual.
You will receive visual and acoustic locking con-
firmation if all components were able to be
locked.
When the locator lighting is activated via the
multimedia system, it lights up when it is dark
after the vehicle is unlocked with the SmartKey;
see the Digital Operator's Manual.
XTo open the trunk lid automatically from
outside the vehicle:press and hold theF
button until the trunk lid opens.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle (
Ypage 125).
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
& button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
A brief radio connection between the vehicle
and the SmartKey determines whether a valid
SmartKey is in, or in the direct vicinity of, the
vehicle. This occurs, for example:
Rwhen starting the engine
Rwhile driving
Rwhen the external door handles are touched
Rduring convenience closing
XTo unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle.
XTo lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface :
or ;.
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
XConvenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface ;for an extended
period.
Deactivating and activating
If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for an
extended period of time, you can deactivate the
KEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey. The
SmartKey will then use very little power, thereby
conserving battery power. For the purposes of
activation/deactivation, the vehicle must not be
nearby.
XTo deactivate: press the&button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp (
Ypage 79) of the
SmartKey flashes twice briefly and lights up
once, then KEYLESS-GO is deactivated.
XTo activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again.
KEYLESS-GO start function
General notes
Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a Smart-
Key in the vehicle (
Ypage 125).
SmartKey77
Opening and closing
Z

the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. National guide-
lines must be observed during disposal. In Cal-
ifornia, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the
batteries replaced at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Checking the battery
XPress the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp :lights up briefly.
The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp :does not light up briefly.
XChange the battery (Ypage 79).
If the SmartKey battery is checked within the
signal reception range of the vehicle, pressing
the & or% button:
Rlocks or
Runlocks the vehicle
iYou can get a battery at any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Replacing the battery
You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
XTake the mechanical key out of the SmartKey
(Ypage 78).
XPress mechanical key ;into the SmartKey
opening in the direction of the arrow until bat-
tery compartment cover :opens. Do not
hold battery compartment cover :closed
while doing so.
XRemove battery compartment cover :.
XRepeatedly tap the SmartKey against your
palm until battery=falls out.
XInsert the new battery with the positive ter-
minal facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth to
do so.
XMake sure that the surface of the battery is
free of lint, grease and other contaminants.
XInsert the front tabs of battery compartment
cover :into the housing first and then press
to close it.
XInsert mechanical key ;into the SmartKey
(Ypage 78).
XCheck the function of all SmartKey buttons on
the vehicle.
SmartKey79
Opening and closing
Z

To open:
XAll vehicles:push trunk partition ;using
the handle against the direction of the arrow
to its upper end position.
To close:
XVehicles with a partially electrical trunk
partition: press button :.
Trunk partition ;closes automatically.
iIf the system fails, the partially electrical
trunk partition can be closed manually.
XVehicles with a manual trunk partition:
pull trunk partition ;by the handle in the
direction of the arrow until it rests on the
sides of the trunk.
AIRCAP
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When retracting the AIRCAP, persons could
become caught in the moving mechanism.
There is a risk of injury.
Ensure that persons do not hold onto the
upper frame of the windshield and do not
touch the AIRCAP wind deflector.
With AIRCAP, four people can travel comfortably
with the soft top open. AIRCAP reduces the draft
for the driver and passengers in both the front
and the rear compartment in a vehicle with the
soft top down.
In particularly turbulent air, e.g. when following
a vehicle or in a crosswind, AIRCAP's effect may
be reduced.
AIRCAP has the following components:
Ra wind deflector above the windshield
Ra wind screen behind the two rear-seat head
restraints
When AIRCAP has been activated, the wind
screen extends up between the two rear-seat
head restraints. At the same time, the wind
deflector extends out along the front wind-
shield.
AIRCAP can be activated or deactivated up to
speeds of approximately 100 mph (160 km/h).
Activating and deactivating AIRCAP
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XTo activate: pull switch:.
The wind screen behind the rear-seat headr-
ests and the wind deflector in the roof frame
extend simultaneously. The indicator lamp in
switch :lights up.
XTo deactivate: press switch:.
The wind screen behind the rear-seat headr-
ests and the wind deflector in the roof frame
retract simultaneously. The indicator lamp in
switch :goes out.
If you park your vehicle with the soft top down
and remove the SmartKey, the wind deflector
and the wind screen retract automatically.
When you restart your engine after having been
parked, the wind deflector and the wind screen
extend again automatically.
AIRCAP cannot be extended or retracted if the
vehicle speed exceeds approximately 100 mph
(160 km/h).
Folding wind screen
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you use the wind screen in darkness or in
other conditions offering poor visibility, your
view to the rear is further impaired. There is a
risk of an accident.
Only use the wind screen when visibility con-
ditions are good.
Soft top91
Opening and closing
Z

When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The electrically adjustable steering wheel can
still be adjusted when there is no key in the igni-
tion lock.
Adjusts the steering wheel electri-
cally
:Adjusts the steering wheel height
;Adjusts the steering wheel position (fore-
and-aft adjustment)
iFurther related subjects:
REASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (Ypage 101)
RStoring settings (Ypage 106)
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 123).
XTo switch on/off: turn the lever in the direc-
tion of arrow :or;.
Indicator lamp =lights up or goes out.
If you switch off the ignition, the steering wheel
heating is deactivated.
Problems with the steering wheel heating
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
The steering wheel heat-
ing has switched off pre-
maturely or cannot be
switched on.The on-board voltage is too low because too many electrical consum-
ers are switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers that you do not need, such as the
rear window defroster or interior lighting.
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel, you and other vehicle
occupants – particularly children – could
become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is mak-
ing adjustments, make sure that no one has
any body parts in the sweep of the steering
wheel.
Move the steering wheel adjustment lever if
there is a risk of entrapment by the steering
wheel. The adjustment process is stopped.
Steering wheel101
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side reduces the size of the image. Visible
objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or2 in the
ignition lock (Ypage 123).
XExterior mirror on the front-passenger side:
press button ;. Exterior mirror on the driver's side: press but-
ton
=.
The indicator lamp lights up in the button that
has been pressed.
The indicator lamp goes out again after some
time. You can adjust the selected exterior
mirror using button :as long as the indicator
lamp is lit.
XPress button :up, down, or to the left or
right until you have adjusted the exterior mir-
ror to the correct position. You should have a
good overview of traffic conditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger field of vision.
After the engine has been started, the exterior
mirrors are automatically heated if the rear win-
dow defroster is switched on and the outside
temperature is low.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1or2 in the
ignition lock (Ypage 123).
XBriefly press :.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
iMake sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while driving. They
could otherwise vibrate.
iIf you are driving faster than 30 mph
(47 km/h), you can no longer fold in the exte-
rior mirrors.
Resetting the exterior mirrors
If the battery has been disconnected or com-
pletely discharged, the exterior mirrors must be
reset. The exterior mirrors will otherwise not
fold in if you have activated the Automatic
Mirrors103
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z