2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS Owners Manual

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Driver's DoorOpe n&Transmission Notin PRis kof Vehi‐cle Rollin gAwa y
The driver's door is open or no tfully closed and th etransmission is in
position k,iorh.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
The vehicl emay rol laway.
There is aris kof an accident.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XSecureth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XCloseth edriver's door completely.
Onl yShift to 'P'whe nVehicl eisSta‐tionar y
The vehicl eis moving .
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
ServiceRequiredDoNot Shift GearsVisit Dealer
You canno tchang eth etransmission position due to amalfunction .
A warning tone also sounds.
If transmission position his selected:
XDrive to aqualified specialist workshop without shifting th etrans -
mission from position h.
If transmission position k,iorj is selected:
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XNotify aqualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
ReversingNotPossi‐bleServic eRequiredYou canno tshift int otransmission position kdue to amalfunction .
The transmission position sj, iorh continu eto be available.
A warning tone also sounds.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Transmission Mal‐function StopAmalfunction has occurred in th emechanical transmission compo -
nents.
A warning tone also sounds. The transmission automatically shift sto
position i.
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XSecureth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XNotify aqualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
Display messages25 5
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
StopVehicl eLeaveEngineRunnin gWaitTransmission Cool‐ing
The transmission has overheated. Pullin gaway can be temporarily
impaire dor no tpossible.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XLeav eth eengin erunning.
XWait until th edisplay message disappear sbefore pullin gaway.
NThe trunk lid is open .
XCloseth etrunk lid.
MThe hoo dis open . Awarning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
The open hoo dmay bloc kyour vie wwhen th evehicl eis in motion .
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XCloseth ehood.
CAt least on edoor is open . Awarning tone also sounds.
XClos eall th edoors.
_
Rea rLef tBackrestNot Latche dorRea rRight Backrest NotLatche d
Vehiclewit hthrough-loading feature in th erear bench seat :
The backrest in th erear is no tengage don th eleft-han dand/o rright -
han dside .
XPush th ebackrest bac kuntil it engages.
_
Rea rCenter Back‐res tNot Engage d
Vehiclewit hthrough-loading feature in th erear bench seat :
The center rear seat backrest is no tengaged.
XPush th ebackrest bac kuntil it engages.
256Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Ð
Power Steering Mal‐function See Opera‐tor's Manual
The powersteering is malfunctioning .
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
You will need to use mor eforce to steer .
There is aris kof an accident.
XChec kwhether you are able to apply th eextr aforce required.
If you ar eabl eto steer safely:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
If you ar eunable to steer safely:
XDo no tdrive on .
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
Phone No ServiceYour vehicleis outside th enetwork provider' stransmitter/receiver
range.
XWait until th emobile phone operational readiness symbol appear s
in th emultifunction display.
¥
Check Washer Fluid
The washer flui dlevel in th ewasher flui dreservoir has dropped belo w
th eminimum .
XAddwasher flui d (Ypage 307).
SmartKey
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Â
KeyDoesNotBelongto Vehicl e
You haveput th ewrong SmartKey in th eignition lock.
XUse th ecorrec tSmartKey.
Â
Tak eYou rKey fro mIgnition
The SmartKey is in th eignition lock.
A warning tone sounds
XRemove th eSmartKey.
Â
Obtain aNew Key
The SmartKey needs to be replaced.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Â
ReplaceKey Batter y
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
XChange thebatterie s (Ypage 81) .
Display messages257
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Â
Don't Forget YourKey
The SmartKey is notin th eignition lock. You hav eopened th edriver's
door wit hth eengin eswitched off . Awarning tone sounds
This display message is displayed for amaximum of 60 seconds and is
simply areminder.
XTak eth eSmartKey wit hyou when you leav eth evehicle.
Â
Key Not Detected(whit edisplay message )
The SmartKey is currentl yundetected.
XChange th elocation of th eSmartKey in th evehicle.
If th eSmartKey still canno tbe detected:
XInser tth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand tur nit to th edesire d
position .
Â
Key Not Detected(reddisplay message )
The SmartKey is no tin th evehicle.
A warning tone also sounds.
If th eengin eis switched off ,you can no longer loc kth evehicl ecen-
trally or start th eengine.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XLocate th eSmartKey.
XPress aon thesteering whee lto confirm th edisplay message .
Becausethere is interferenc efrom astron gsource of radi owaves, th e
SmartKey is no tdetecte dwhils tth eengin eis running.
A warning tone also sounds.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 161).
XInsertth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand drive in SmartKey
mode.
Â
Remove 'Start 'But ‐ton and Insert Key
The SmartKey is continually undetected.
The SmartKey detection function has atemporar ymalfunction or is
faulty. Awarning tone also sounds.
XInser tth eSmartKey int oth eignition loc kand tur nit to th edesire d
position .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
Warning and indicat orlamps in the instrume nt cluster
General notes
Some systems carry out aself-diagnosis when th eignition is switched on .Therefore ,som eindicator
and warning lamp smay ligh tup or flas htemporarily. This behavio ris non-critical .These indicator
and warning lamp sonly indicat e amalfunction if they ligh tup or flas hafter starting th eengin eor
whils tdriving.
258Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Safety
Seat belts
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
üNAfter starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up for six sec-
onds.
The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger to fasten their
seat belts.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 48).
üN After starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds for up to six seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 48).
The warning tone ceases.
üN The red seat belt warning lamp lights up after the engine starts, as soon as the
driver's or the front-passenger door is closed.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 48).
The warning lamp goes out.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a secure
place.
The warning lamp goes out.
üN The red seat belt warning lamp flashes and an intermittent audible warning
sounds.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The vehicle is being
driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph
(25 km/h).
XFasten your seat belt (Ypage 48).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The vehicle is being driven faster
than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h).
XRemove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a secure
place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster259
On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety systems
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
$JN$ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp is lit
while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking characteristics may be
affected.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 161).
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$JN $ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake system warning lamp lights
up while the engine is running.
A warning tone also sounds.
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
GWARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 161).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not correct the malfunction.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
$N USA only: the red brake system warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The multifunction display also shows a display message with the #symbol.
The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
260Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
!NThe yellow ABS warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ABS (anti-lock braking system) is malfunctioning.
If there is an additional warning tone, the EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for exam-
ple.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The braking
distance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other systems, such
as the navigation system or the automatic transmission, will not be available.
$J
÷!N $ (USA only), J(Canada only): the red brake warning lamp and the yellow
ESP®and ABS warning lamps are lit while the engine is running.
ABS and ESP®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The front and rear wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for exam-
ple.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected. The braking
distance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster261
On-board computer and displays
Z

Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
÷NThe yellow ESP®warning lamp flashes while the vehicle is in motion.
ESP®or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of skidding or at
least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary.
XEase off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
XDo not deactivate ESP®.
In exceptional cases, it may be better to deactivate ESP®:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Observe the important safety notes on ESP®(Ypage 69).
÷N The yellow ESP®warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
ESP®is malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
262Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays