2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS towing

ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 307
Care ..................................................... 308
Breakdown assistance.....................316
Where will I find...? .............................. 316
Flat tire ................................................ 317
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 322
Jump-starting ....................................... 325
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 327
Fuses ................................................... 330
Wheels and tires ............................... 333
Important safety notes ........................ 333
Operation ............................................ 333
Winter operation .................................. 335
Tire pressure ....................................... 336
Loading the vehicle .............................. 343
All about wheels and tires ...................3 46
Changing a wheel ................................ 352
Wheel/tire combination ......................3 57
Technical data................................... 359
Information regarding technical data ... 359
Vehicle electronics .............................. 359
Identification plates .............................3 60
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 361
Vehicle data ......................................... 367
Contents3

Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 147
Engaging reverse gear ................... 147
Engaging the park position ............ 146
Gearshift recommendation ............ 154
Gliding mode ................................. 149
Kickdown ....................................... 149
Manual shifting .............................. 152
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 226
Overview ........................................ 146
Permanent setting ......................... 152
Problem (malfunction) ................... 155
Pulling away ................................... 139
Starting the engine ........................ 138
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 152
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ................... 148
Transmission positions .................. 148
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 155
B
Back button ....................................... 271
Backup lamp
Display message ............................ 242
Replacing bulbs ............................. 119
Bag hook ............................................ 285
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 66
Basic settings
see Settings
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 81
Important safety notes .................... 80
Replacing ......................................... 81
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 324
Display message ............................ 244
Important safety notes .................. 322
Jump starting ................................. 325
Belt
see Seat belts
Belt warning ......................................... 49
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 223
Display message ............................ 248 Notes/function .............................. 200
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Blower
see Climate control
BlueTEC
see DEF
Bluetooth
®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 278
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 278
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 270
Telephony ...................................... 277
Box (trunk) ......................................... 286
Brake
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function ................................. 73
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake assistance
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 236
Notes ............................................. 365
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake linings
Display message ............................ 236
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 68
BAS .................................................. 66
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 365
Display message ............................ 231
EBD .................................................. 72
High-performance brake system .... 168
Hill start assist ............................... 140
HOLD function ............................... 179
Important safety notes .................. 166
Maintenance .................................. 167
Parking brake ................................ 162
Riding tips ...................................... 166
Warning la mp ................................. 260
Bre

akdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 316
see Flat tire
see Towing away
6Index

Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 352
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 350
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 350
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) .....................................351
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ...........................................3 51
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 351
Important safety notes .................. 333
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 351
Information on driving .................... 333
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 351
Labeling (overview) ........................ 347
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 352
Load index ..................................... 349
Load index (definition) ................... 351
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 351
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 351
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 351
Maximum tire load ......................... 349
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 351
MOExtended tires .......................... 335
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 352
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 352
Replacing ....................................... 352
Service life ..................................... 334
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 352
Snow chains .................................. 336
Speed rating (definition) ................ 351
Storing ........................................... 353
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 350
Summer tires in winter .................. 335
Temperature .................................. 347
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 352
Ti re b
ead (definition) ...................... 352
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 352 Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 351
Tire size (data) ............................... 357
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 347
Tire tread ....................................... 334
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 352
Total load limit (definition) ............. 352
Traction ......................................... 346
Traction (definition) ....................... 352
Tread wear ..................................... 346
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 346
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 351
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 352
Wheel and tire combination ........... 357
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 351
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 62
Touchpad
Changing the station/music
track .............................................. 273
Character suggestions ................... 272
Deleting characters ....................... 272
Entering a space ............................ 272
Entering characters ....................... 272
Gesture control .............................. 272
Handwriting recognition ................ 272
Operating the touchpad ................. 272
Overview ........................................ 272
Quick access for Audio .................. 273
Switching ....................................... 272
Switching input line ....................... 272
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 330
Important safety notes .................. 327
Towing a trailer
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 72
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 327
Installing the towing eye ................ 328
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 330
Removing the towing eye ............... 329
Transporting the vehicle ................ 329
With both axles on the ground ....... 329
With the rear axle raised ................ 329
Towing eye ......................................... 317
Index23

Traction systemsee ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 270
Traffic Sign Assist
Activating/deactivating the warn-
ing function .................................... 222
Display message ............................ 249
Function/notes ............................. 200
Important safety notes .................. 200
Instrument cluster display ............. 200
Transfer case ..................................... 155
Transmission
Display message ............................ 255
see Automatic transmission
Transmission oil
Temperature (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 226
Transmission position display ......... 148
Transporting the vehicle .................. 329
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 314
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 215
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 214
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 216
Trunk
Important safety notes .................... 86
Locking separately ........................... 90
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 89
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 87
Opening/closing (from outside,
HANDS-FREE ACCESS) .................... 88
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 86
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 256
Object detection .............................. 86
Opening dimensions ...................... 367
Reversing feature ............................. 86
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 242 Replacing bulbs (front) ................... 119
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 359
Installation ..................................... 359
Transmission output (maximum) .... 359
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 85
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 84
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ............................................... 279
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 290
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 32
Data acquisition ............................... 33
Display message ............................ 254
Electronics ..................................... 359
Equipment ....................................... 29
Individual settings .......................... 222
Limited Warranty ............................. 33
Loading .......................................... 343
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 85
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 78
Lowering ........................................ 357
Maintenance .................................... 30
Operating safety .............................. 31
Operation outside the USA/
Canada ............................................ 30
Parking .......................................... 161
Parking for a long period ................ 164
Pulling away ................................... 139
Raising ........................................... 354
Reporting problems ......................... 32
Securing from rolling away ............ 353
Technical data ............................... 359
Towing away .................................. 327
Transporting .................................. 329
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 85
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 78
24Index

Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the belt out-
let.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
Removing the child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the release button of the seat belt
buckle and guide the seat belt tongue back
towards the belt sash guide.
The special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint systems
is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the
correct child restraint system from any author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained
in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading guide-
lines" (
Ypage 280).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing sys-
tems which have been damaged or subjected
to a load in an accident can no longer protect
as intended. The child cannot then be
restrained in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or sudden changes of direction. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the secur-
ing systems on the child restraint system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
before you install a child restraint system
again.
The securing systems of child restraint systems
are:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing rings
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
If it is absolutely necessary to carry a child on
the front-passenger seat, be sure to observe the
Children in the vehicle61
Safety
Z

In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
Rintervene unnecessarily
Rnot intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
GWARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
Rto people or animals
Rto oncoming vehicles
Rto crossing traffic
Rwhen cornering
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
Always adapt your speed to suit the prevailing
road and traffic conditions.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause Brake Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.
ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 65).
ESP
®monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tires and the
road surface.
If ESP
®detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP
®assists the driver when pulling away on 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 65).
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 65).
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 329).
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 261) and display messages which may
be shown in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 231).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Driving safety systems69
Safety
Z

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 137).
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.
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
162Parking
Driving and parking

Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC does not react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects on the road, e.g. stopped
or parked vehicles
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
As a result, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC may
neither give warnings nor intervene in such
situations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC cannot always
clearly identify other road users and complex
traffic situations.
In such cases, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC may:
Rgive an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
Rneither give a warning nor intervene
Raccelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, especially if Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
warns you.
GWARNING
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brakes your vehicle with up to 50% of the maximum possible
deceleration. If this deceleration is not suffi-
cient, Distance Pilot DISTRONIC alerts you
with a visual and acoustic warning. There is a
risk of an accident.
Apply the brakes yourself in these situations
and try to take evasive action.
!When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC or the
HOLD function are 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
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC can neither reduce
the risk of an accident if you fail to adapt your
driving style nor override the laws of physics.
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions. Dis-
tance Pilot DISTRONIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for maintaining a safe distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brak-
ing in good time and for staying in lane.
Do not use Distance Pilot DISTRONIC:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rin poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC may not detect nar-
row vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages
If Distance Pilot DISTRONIC no longer detects a
vehicle in front, it may unexpectedly accelerate
to the speed stored.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving in a turning lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass vehi- cles driving on the left (in countries where
they drive on the right)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right (in countries where
they drive on the left)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
172Driving systems
Driving an d parking