Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
RStart the engine.
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 or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes
The catalytic converter is preheated for up to
30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of the
engine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission
XShift the transmission to position j
(Ypage 133).
The transmission position indicator on the
multifunction display shows j
(
Ypage 134).
iYou can start the engine in transmission
position jand i.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
To start the engine using the SmartKey instead
of the Start/Stop button, pull the Start/Stop
button out of the ignition lock.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3in the igni-
tion lock and release it as soon as the engine
is running.
If the engine will not start:
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XReinsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock
after a short waiting period.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 123).
The indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
light up (
Ypage 241).
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3
(Ypage 123) in the ignition lock and release it
as soon as the engine is running.
Starting procedure with the Start/Stop
button
The Start/Stop button is only available on vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function.
The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle manually without inserting the SmartKey
into the ignition lock. The Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle. This mode for
starting the engine operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine start func- tion.
You can start the engine if a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. Switch off the engine and always
Driving125
Driving and parking
Z
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
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display is at the
reserve level.The fuel tank is empty.
XRefuel the vehicle.
The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor.The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 304).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
XTry to start the engine again (Ypage 125).
If the engine still does not start:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing.There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it.
XHave the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
display is pointing to the
red mark.The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently.
XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
XCheck the coolant level (Ypage 284). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
General information
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to select the
drive program. Available drive programs for Mercedes-
AMG C 43 4MATIC:
S+
Sport PlusParticularly sporty driving
characteristics
SSportSporty driving characteris-
tics
C ComfortComfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
EEconomyParticularly economical
driving characteristics
IIndividualIndividual settings
130DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Driving and 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
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
jPark position with parking lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion j,k,iorh is shown on the trans-
mission position display on the multifunction
display (
Ypage 134).
Selects park position
!If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from htok, from ktoh
or directly to j. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in the
direction of arrow j.
Engaging park position automatically
Park positionjis automatically engaged if:
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey
Ryou switch off the engine using the SmartKey
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 the transmission is in position hork
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to transmission position jauto-
matically if the HOLD function or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the informa-
tion on the HOLD function (
Ypage 162) and
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC (Ypage 156).
Engaging reverse gear
!Only move the automatic transmission to
k when the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
(
Ypage 127).
Engaging neutral
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
RStart the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
Automatic transmission133
Driving an d parking
Z
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
XIf the transmission is in positionhork:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to
the first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position j: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
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 lock, the auto-
matic 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, e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic, tow-through car
wash:
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.
Engaging the drive position
XIf the transmission is in position kori:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.
XIf the transmission is in position j: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive pro-
gram appear in the multifunction display.
:Status symbol drive program
;Transmission position
=Gear
The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission positions
you can shift using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should pull
away carefully to check whether the desired
transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you
should select transmission position hand
drive program E(for Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
drive program C) orS.
134Automatic 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