2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET parking brake

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
F!NF (USA only), !(Canada only): the red indicator lamp for the electric
parking brake flashes or is lit and/or the yellow warning lamp for the electric
parking brake is lit.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
6N The red restraint system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The restraint system is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XContact a qualified specialist workshop and have the restraint system checked.
For further information about the restraint system, see (
Ypage 43).
Engine
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
;NThe yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
There may be a malfunction, for example:
Rin the engine management
Rin the fuel injection system
Rin the exhaust system
Rin the ignition system
Rin the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be in emergency
mode.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
In some states, you must immediately visit a qualified specialist workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up. This is due to the legal require-
ments in effect in these states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations
apply in the state in which you are currently driving.
8N The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster247
On-board computer and displays
Z

After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
!When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Preferably use automatic car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning. This
corresponds with the specification for the
Cabriolet program. In car washes that use
high water pressures, there is a risk that a
small amount of water may leak into the vehi-
cle.
!Make sure that the vehicle is not subse-
quently treated with hot wax.
!Always remove the SmartKey before wash-
ing the vehicle in a car wash. This ensures that the wind deflector on the windshield is retrac-
ted. The wind deflector may otherwise be
damaged.
!Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and soft top are closed
completely
Rthe blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position 0
Rthe 360° camera or the rear view camera is
deactivated
The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
!Make sure that the automatic transmission
is in neutral position iwhen washing your
vehicle in a tow-through car wash. The vehicle
may otherwise be damaged.
ROperating with the SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock. Do not open the driver's door
when the engine is switched off or at very
low speeds. Otherwise, when in transmis- sion position
hork, the automatic
transmission will automatically switch to
park position jand block the wheels.
ROperating with the Start/Stop button:
Do not open the driver's door when the
engine is switched off or at very low
speeds. Otherwise, when in transmission
position hork, the automatic transmis-
sion will automatically switch to park posi-
tion jand block the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in neutral i:
Operating with the SmartKey and Start/Stop
button:
XMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
Operating with the Start/Stop button only:
XEngage park position j.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRemove Start/Stop button from ignition lock
(Ypage 124).
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
Operating with the SmartKey and Start/Stop
button:
XEngage neutral i.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake, if neces-
sary.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off wax
from the windshield and the wiper blades. This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping noises
caused by residue on the windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in each country.
Care287
Maintenance and care
Z

XApply the electric parking brake manually.
XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 123).
or
XPress the Start/Stop button twice on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (
Ypage 124).
XPress AIRCAP button :.
The wind deflector between the windshield
and the soft top is extended.
XClean net ;of the wind deflector with a soft
brush or a moist cloth.
If there is a large amount of dirt on the net:
Rclean with the care products and cleaning
agents recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz
Rrinse with clean water
Cleaning the AIRCAP wind screen
Clean the AIRCAP wind screen with the soft top
open.
XApply the electric parking brake manually.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 123).
or
XPress the Start/Stop button twice on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (
Ypage 124).
XOpen the soft top (Ypage 89).
XPress AIRCAP button :.
The AIRCAP wind screen moves up.
XClean net ;of the AIRCAP wind screen with
a damp cloth. Use only the care products and cleaning agents recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz for this.
Cleaning the folding wind screen
!Do not use high-pressure cleaning equip-
ment to clean the net.
The folding wind screen is stowed in a bag. The
bag is secured with a securing strap to the
through-loading facility behind the rear seat.
Observe the information on the correct installa- tion of the folding wind screen (
Ypage 92).
XClean the net of the folding wind screen witha damp cloth together with the care products
290Care
Maintenance and care

Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
RThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible, jump-
start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
RYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
RAll vehicles except vehicles with a lithium-ion battery: do not start the engine if the battery
is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
RJump-starting may be performed only using batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
ROnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
RIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected for
a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
RMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
RThe jumper cables are not damaged.
RBare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the jumper
cables are connected to the battery.
RThe jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts that can move when the engine is running,
such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
XSecure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position j.
XMake sure that the ignition is switched off. All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster must be
off. When using the SmartKey, turn the SmartKey to position uin the ignition lock and remove it
(
Ypage 123).
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window defroster, lighting, etc.
XOpen the hood.
Position number Cidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-starting
device.
XLift up panel B.
XSlide coverAof positive terminal :in the direction of the arrow.
Jump-starting305
Breakdown assistance
Z

XConnect positive terminal:on your veh icleto positive terminal ;of donor battery Cusing the
jumper cable, Always begin with positive terminal :on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor veh icleand run itat idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal =of donor battery Cto earth point ?of your vehicle using the
jumper cable. beginning with donor battery Cfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point? and negative terminal =, then from pos-
itive clamp :and positive terminal ;. Begineach time at the contacts on your own vehicle first.
XClose cover Aof positive terminal :after removing jumper cables.
XFold panel Bshut.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting isnot cons idered to bea normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer availab leif:
Rthe engine isnot running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere isa malfunction inthe voltage supply
or the veh icle's electrical system.
If your veh icle is bein g towed, much more
force may benecessary to steer or brake.
There isa risk of an acc ident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before to wing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWAR NING
You can no longer steer the veh icle ifthe
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an acc ident.
Alwa ysswit ch off the ignition when to wingthe
veh icle wit h a tow cable or a tow bar.
GWARNING
When to wingor tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight isgreater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe to wingeye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle /trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (
Ypage 339).
!When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the foll owing or similar sit-
uations:
Rwhen to wingthe vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. Ifthe electric parking brake is faulty,
vis ita qualified specialist workshop.
!Secure the tow rope or tow bar to the to wing
eye only. Otherwise, the vehicle could
become damaged.
306Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

!Do not use the towing eye for recovery. This
could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, have
the vehicle recovered using a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
!Shift the automatic transmission to position
i and do not open the driver's or front pas-
senger's door during towing. The automatic
transmission may otherwise shift to position
j, which could damage the transmission.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This
could damage the vehicle.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
It is better to have the vehicle transported than
to have it towed away.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission damage,
have it transported on a transporter or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in position
i when the vehicle is being towed. If the auto-
matic transmission cannot be shifted to position i, have the vehicle transported on a trans-
porter or trailer.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot release the electric parking brake
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to
position i
Disarm the automatic locking feature before the
vehicle is towed (
Ypage 82). You could other-
wise be locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be very hot. There is
a risk of burns when removing the rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe. Take particular care when removing the rear cover.
The brackets for the screw-in towing eye are
located in the bumpers. They are at the rear and
at the front, under covers :.
XRemove the towing eye from the retainer
(Ypage 296).
XPress the mark on cover:inward and
remove.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise as far as it
will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XAttach cover :to the bumper and press until
it engages.
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can be towed
with the rear axle raised.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away
with both axles on the ground or be loaded up
and transported.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be towed with the rear axle raised. The
Towing and tow-starting307
Breakdown assistance
Z

vehicle/trailer combination may otherwise
swerve or even roll over.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
The automatic transmission automatically shifts
to positionjwhen you open the driver's or
front-passenger door or when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. It is essential to
observe the following steps to ensure that the
automatic transmission remains in position i
during towing.
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
N.
XLeave the SmartKey in position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 109).
In order to signal a change of direction when
towing the vehicle with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination switch
as usual. In this case, only the indicator lamps
for the direction of travel flash. After resetting
the combination switch, the hazard warning
lamp starts flashing again.
Transporting the vehicle
4MATIC vehicles/vehicles with auto-
matic transmission
!When the vehicle is loaded for transport, the
front and rear axles must be stationary and on
the same transportation vehicle. Positioning
over the connection point of the transport
vehicle is not permitted. The drive train may
otherwise be damaged.
Vehicles with ADS PLUS (Adaptive
Damping System PLUS)
GWARNING
The weaker damping forces of the vehicle to
be transported can cause the vehicle/trailer
combination to swing.
As a result, when transporting vehicles with
Adaptive Damping System PLUS, the vehicle/
trailer combination may start to skid. Conse-
quently, you could lose control of the vehicle.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
When transporting, make sure that:
Rthe vehicle is has been loaded onto the
transporter correctly
Rthe vehicle is secured at all four wheels with
suitable tensioning straps
Ryou do not exceed the maximum permissi-
ble speed of 35 mph (60 km/h)
!After loading, the vehicle must be secured at
all four wheels. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
A minimum distance of 8 in (20 cm) up and
4 in (10 cm) down must be maintained to the
transport platform.
XSecure all four wheels after loading the vehi-
cle.
All vehicles
!You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting pur-
poses.
308Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

XTurn the SmartKey to position2in the igni-
tion lock.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
i.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
j.
XTurn the SmartKey to position uin the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as
doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away
with both axles on the ground or be loaded up
and transported.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear axle is
damaged, have the vehicle transported on a
truck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical sys-
tem: if the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To shift
the automatic transmission to position N, you
must provide power to the vehicle's electrical
system in the same way as when jump-starting
(
Ypage 304).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or
trailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be tow-started. You could otherwise dam-
age the automatic transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-starting"
under (Ypage 304).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper- age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of the
same rating, which you can recognize by the
color and value. The fuse ratings are listed in the
fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is on the fuse box in the
trunk (
Ypage 311).
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which have the
correct fuse rating for the system concerned.
Otherwise, components or systems could be
damaged.
!Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
!When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper-
ation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Before changing a fuse
Observe the important safety notes
(Ypage 309)
XSwitch off the engine.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
Fuses309
Breakdown assistance
Z