2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET ECU

be moved but the parking lock remains
engaged.
iUpshifts take place at higher engine speeds
after a cold start. This helps the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature
more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake (
Ypage 146).
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forward or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and to
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
Ryou are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
Rthe transmission is in position i
Rthe electric parking brake is applied.
RESP®is malfunctioning
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the driver
wants to pull away again. The ECO start/stop
function thereby helps you to reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes
:ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated when-
ever you start the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button.
If the engine has been switched off automati-
cally by the ECO start/stop function, the è
ECO symbol is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Mercedes-AMG C 63 and Mercedes-AMG
C 63 S: the ECO start/stop function is auto-
matically switched on only in drive program C.
Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC: the ECO start/
stop function is automatically switched on only
in drive programs S,Cand E.
Automatic engine switch-off
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission in hori, the ECO start/stop
function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
Rthe indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
Rthe outside temperature and the atmospheric
air pressure is within the range that is suitable
for the system
Rthe engine is at normal operating temperature
Rthe set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
Driving127
Driving and parking
Z

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

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

GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly against
rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle or its driv-
etrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe electric parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in position jand
the SmartKey must be removed from the igni-
tion lock.
Rthe front wheels must be turned towards the
curb on steep uphill or downhill gradients.
Rthe empty vehicle must be secured at the
front axle with a wheel chock or similar, for
example, on uphill or downhill gradients.
Ron uphill or downhill gradients the laden vehi- cle must also be secured at the rear axle, for
example with a wheel chock or similar object.
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
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.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
XApply the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position j.
XWith the SmartKey:turn the SmartKey to
position uin the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
XWith the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (Ypage 124).
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this corre-
sponds to key position 1. When the driver's
door is open, this corresponds to key position
u, "Key removed".
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position korh the automatic trans-
mission shifts to iautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the automatic
transmission shifts to jautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to jauto-
matically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral i, for example, when having
the vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash
with a towing system:
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-
GO start function: remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XAll vehicles: switch the ignition on.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XEngage neutral i.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in an emergency
while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and
holding the Start/Stop button for three sec-
onds. This function operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off function.
144Parking
Driving and parking

Electric parking brake
General notes
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The function of the electric parking brake is
depending on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in
the system, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake.
XIf this happens, park the vehicle on level
ground only and secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
XShift the transmission to position j.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a function
test at regular intervals while the engine is
switched off. The sounds that can be heard while
this is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo apply: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released:
Rif the SmartKey is in position 1or2 in the
ignition lock (Ypage 123) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position j
and:
Rthe engine is switched off or
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being
automatically applied, pull handle :.
The electric parking brake is also engaged auto-
matically if:
RDistance Pilot DISTRONIC brings the vehicle
to a standstill or
Rthe HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta- tionary
RParking Pilot is keeping the vehicle stationary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
Rthere is a system malfunction
Rthe power supply is insufficient
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada only)
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes
out.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
engaged if the engine is switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Parking145
Driving and parking
Z

Drivingwit hDistance Pilo tDISTRONI C
Pullingawa yan ddrivin g
XTo pull awa ywit hDistance Pilo t
DISTRONIC: removeyour foot from th ebrake
pedal.
XBriefly pull th ecruise contro llever toward s
you ?.
or
XAccelerat ebriefly.
The vehicle pulls away and adapt sits speed to
that of th evehicle in front. If no vehicle is
detecte din front, your vehicle accelerates to
th estored speed.
The vehicle can also pull away when it is facin g
an unidentifie dobstacl eor is drivin gon adiffer-
en tlin efrom another vehicle. The vehicle then
brake sautomatically.
If Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC doe sno tdetec t a
vehicle in front, th esyste moperates lik ecruise
control.
If Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC detects that th e
vehicle in fron thas slowed down ,it brake sth e
vehicle. In this way, th especifie dminimum dis -
tanc eyou hav eselecte dis maintained.
If Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC detects afaster-
movin gvehicle in front, it increase sth edrivin g
speed to th eset speed.
Selecting th edrive program
Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC supports asport y
drivin gstyle when you hav eselecte dth eS or S+
drive program (
Ypage 136). Acceleration
behin dth evehicle in fron tor to th eset speed is
then noticeably more dynamic .If you hav e
selecte dth eC or Edrivin gprogram, th evehicle
accelerates more gently. Thi ssetting is recom -
mended in stop-and-start traffic .
Changinglanes
If you chang eto th eovertakin glane, Distanc e
Pilo tDISTRONIC supports you if:
Ryou are drivin gfaste rthan 45 mph (70 km/h)
Ryou switch on th eappropriat etur nsignal
RDistanc ePilo tDISTRONI Cdoes no tcurrentl y
detec t adanger of collision
If these condition sare fulfilled ,your vehicl eis
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted if
changin glanes takes to olon gor if th edistanc e
between your vehicl eand th evehicl ein fron t
become sto osmall. Whe
nyou chang elanes, Distanc ePilo t
DISTRONI Cmonitors th elef tlan e(on left-hand-
drive vehicles) or th eright lan e(on right-hand -
drive vehicles).
Stopping
GWARNIN G
If you leav eth evehicl ewhen it is only bein g
braked by Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC, it could
rol laway if:
Rthere is amalfunction in th esystem or in
th evoltag esupply.
RDistanc ePilo tDISTRONI Cis switched off
usin gth ecruise control lever, e.g. by avehi-
cle occupant or from outside th evehicl e
Rtheelectrica lsystem in th eengin ecom-
partment, th ebattery or th efuses are tam -
pered with.
Rth ebattery is disconnected
Rth evehicl eis accelerated, e.g. by avehicl e
occupant .
There is aris kof an accident.
Befor eleavin gth evehicle, always deactivat e
Distanc ePilo tDISTRONI Cand secure th e
vehicl eagainst rollin gaway.
Further information on deactivatin gDistanc e
Pilo tDISTRONI C (
Ypage 158).
If Distanc ePilo tDISTRONI Cdetects that th e
vehicl ein fron tis stopping ,it brakes your vehicl e
to astop.
Once your vehicl eis stationary, it remain ssta-
tionary and you do no tneed to depress th e
brake.
Afte r atime, th eelectric parkin gbrak esecures
th evehicl eand relieves th eservic ebrake.
Dependin gon th especified minimum distance,
your vehicl ewill come to astandstill at asuf fi-
ci

ent distanc ebehind th evehicl ein front. The
specified minimum distanc eis set usin gth e
control on th ecruise control lever.
156Driving systems
Driving and parking

When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is activated,
the transmission shifts automatically to position
jif:
Rthe driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is
activated when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is insufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission may
also be shifted to position jautomatically.
Setting a speed
XPush cruise control lever up :for a higher
speed or down ;for a lower speed.
XTo adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly push
the cruise control lever up :or down ;to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed up : or down ;the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
XTo adjust the set speed in 5 mph incre-
ments (10 km/h increments): briefly push
the cruise control lever up :or down ;
beyond the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up : or down ;, the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
iIf you accelerate to overtake, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC adjusts the vehicle's speed to the
last speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
Setting a specified minimum distance
You can set the specified minimum distance for
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC by varying the time
span between one and two seconds. With this
function you can set the minimum distance that
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC maintains to the vehi-
cle in front, depending on vehicle speed. You
can see this distance in the multifunction dis-
play (
Ypage 158).
Make sure that you maintain the minimum dis-
tance to the vehicle in front as required by law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if nec-
essary.
XTo increase:
turn control;in direction =.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC then maintains a
greater distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front.
XTo decrease: turn control;in direction :.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC then maintains a
shorter distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Displays in the speedometer
If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC detects a vehicle in
front, segments between speed of the vehicle in
front :and stored speed ;light up.
Vehicles with the Driving Assistance Plus
package: the segments likewise light up if a
vehicle in front is detected in the fast lane.
For design reasons, the speed displayed in the
speedometer may differ slightly from the speed
set for Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
Driving systems157
Driving and parking
Z

Displaysin th eassistanc egraphic
Display when Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC
is deactivated
:Vehicl ein front, if detecte d
;Distanceindicator, curren tdistanc eto th e
vehicl ein fron t
=Specified minimum distanc eto th evehicl e
in front; adjustable
?Your vehicl e
Display when Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC
is activated
:Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC active (tex tonly
appears when th ecruise control lever is
actuated)
;Vehicl ein front, if detecte d
=Specified minimum distanc eto th evehicl e
in front; adjustable
?Your vehicl e
XTo call up th eassistanc egraphic: select
th eAssistanc eGraphi c
function usin gth e
on-boar dcomputer (Ypage 203).
The multifunction display shows th estore d
speed fo rapproximately fiv eseconds when
you activat eDistanc ePilo tDISTRONIC.
Deactivating Distanc ePilot DISTRONIC
There are severa lways to deactivat eDistanc e
Pilo tDISTRONIC:
XBriefly push cruise control lever forwar d:.
or
XBrake ,unless th evehicl eis stationary
Whe nyou deactivat eDistanc ePilo tDISTRONIC,
th eDistance Pilot Off
message will appear
on th emultifunction display fo rapproximately
fiv eseconds.
The last speed store dremain sstore duntil you
switch of fth eengine.
Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC is no tdeactivated if
you depress th eaccelerato rpedal.
Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC is automatically deac -
tivated if:
Ryou engage th eelectric parkin gbrak eor if th e
vehicl eis automatically secured wit hth eelec -
tric parkin gbrak e
RESP®intervenes or you deactivat eES P®
Ryou shift th etransmissio nto position j,k
or i
Ryou pull th ecruise control lever toward syou
in order to pull away and th efront-passenger
doo ror on eof th erea rdoors is ope n
Rthevehicl eslip s
Ryou activat eParking Pilo t
If ,in these cases, Distanc ePilo tDISTRONIC is
deactivated, awarnin gtone sounds. The Dis‐
tancePilotOffmessage will then be shown
on th emultifunction display fo rapproximately
fiv eseconds.
158Driving systems
Driving an d parking