2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS SEDAN steering wheel

Selecting the drive program
XPush DYNAMIC SELECT switch: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 152).
Additional settings
:Position of the exhaust flap (Ypage 142)
;ECO start/stop function (Ypage 140)
=ESP®(Ypage 69)
?Suspension (Ypage 183)
APermanently activates manual gearshifting
(Ypage 152)
When you press buttons :-A the corre-
sponding setting is selected. The DYNAMIC
SELECT switch setting is overwritten.
If you switch to drive program I, all stored char-
acteristics will be accepted. This is also the case 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
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to observe the notes
in the supplement. Otherwise, you may not rec-
ognize dangers.
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 138).
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.
DYNAMIC SELECT switch145
Driving and parking
Z

In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed briefly in the multimedia systemdisplay.
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 150).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor- mation on the manual drive program
(
Ypage 152).
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.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to observe the notes
in the supplement. Otherwise, you may not rec-
ognize dangers.
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 148).
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.
146Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Gliding mode is deactivated under the following
conditions:
RYou depress the accelerator pedal.
RYou depress the brake pedal.
RYou change the transmission position
(Ypage 146).
Ryou switch to drive programRACE
(Mercedes-AMG C 63 S), S+orS
(
Ypage 144).
Ryou activate manual gearshifting
(Ypage 152).
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 setting of the ECO start/stop function
(Ypage 140)
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.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIRMATIC).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched off
(Ypage 140).
Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program Sis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits hard springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIRMATIC).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched on
(Ypage 140).
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability, for
example on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched on
(Ypage 140).
150Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is switched on
(Ypage 140).
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties of the
drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine management)
and therefore indirectly the availability of glid-
ing mode and the ECO start/stop function as
well as the properties of the driver assistance
systems
Rthe transmission management
RESP®(Ypage 69)
Rthe suspension
and therefore indirectly the steering
Ractivation of the exhaust flap
To permanently shift the gears manually in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers, select the M(Manual) setting for the trans-
mission management.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steering wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position hfor this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear and
p instead of transmission position h.
If you deactivate manual gearshifting, the gears
will be shifted automatically again.
Temporary setting
XTo activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to
position h.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;.
Temporary setting will be active for a certain
amount of time. In certain conditions, the mini-
mum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, overrun mode or
driving on steep terrain.
XTo deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;and hold it in place.
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
the drive program.
Permanent setting (except Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
When configuring drive program I, select theM
(Manual) setting for the drive. When driving in
drive program I, you permanently shift the gears
manually using the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. When the engine limiting
speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
152Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
XTo activate/deactivate:shift the DIRECT
SELECT lever to position h.
XPress button:.
When the indicator lamp ;lights up, auto-
matic transmission manual mode is activated.
You then permanently shift the gears man-
ually using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
The manual mode activated with the :but-
ton remains activated when the drive program
is changed.
Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S: only if theD
(Automatic) setting has been preselected for
the transmission is manual mode deactivated
when you change to drive program I.
Mercedes-AMG C 63/C 63 S: you can also
preset manual mode for drive program I. To do
so, select the M(Manual) setting when config-
uring the transmission. When driving in drive
program I, you permanently shift the gears man-
ually using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Shifting gears
XTo shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed in the gear cur- rently engaged is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if the temporary
setting has been activated and you continue
to accelerate when the maximum engine
speed has been reached, the automatic trans- mission automatically shifts up. If the perma-
nent setting is activated, the automatic trans-
mission does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. Observe the protection
against reaching the overrevving range on the
multifunction display. Always make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red area
of the tachometer.
XTo shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.
Automatic transmission153
Driving and parking
Z

Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XWhen the corresponding gearshift recom-
mendation:appears in the multifunction
display of the instrument cluster, shift to rec-
ommended gear ;.
Protection against reaching the over-
revving range (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
!In manual mode, the automatic transmis-
sion does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. When the engine limiting
speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
XWhen message :appears in the multifunc-
tion display, pull on the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter.
Kickdown
XFor maximum acceleration, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point. The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
XShift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: kickdown is only
possible in the temporary setting.
154Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only installing the following brake disks
and brake pads/linings:
Rbrake disks that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
Rbrake pads/linings that have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz or that are of an equivalent
standard of quality
Other brake disks or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake disks and brake pads/
linings on an axle at the same time. Always
install new brake pads/linings when replacing
brake disks.
The vehicle is equipped with lightweight brake
disks to which the wheel assembly with rim and
threaded connection is matched.
The use of brake disks other than those
approved by Mercedes-Benz can change the
track width and is subject to approval, if appli-
cable.
Shock-type loads when handling the brake
discs, such as when changing wheels, can lead
to a reduction in comfort when driving with light-
weight brake discs. Avoid shock-type loads on
the lightweight brake disks, particularly on the
brake plate.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
brake fluid that has been specially approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-
sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
fluid which has not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
High-performance and ceramic brakes
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The AMG brake systems are designed for heavy
loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This
will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental conditions, such as tempera-
ture and humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain more information on this from a
qualified specialist workshop.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. If the brake pads/linings
have reached their wear limit, the multifunction
display shows a corresponding message. Espe-
cially for high performance driving, it is impor-
tant to maintain and have the brake system
checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed
Ravoid ruts
Ravoid sudden steering movements
Rbrake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
!Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in front
or in the opposite direction create waves. This
may cause the maximum permissible water
depth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result in
damage to the engine, electrical systems and
transmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that:
Rin the case of standing water, the water level may be no higher than the lower edge of the
vehicle body
Ryou should drive no faster than walking pace
168Driving tips
Driving and parking

Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position i.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always
adapt your driving style and drive at a speed to
suit the prevailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point. For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 336).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 335).
Observe the notes i n the "Winter operation" sec-
tion (
Ypage 335).
Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for inno-
vative driver assistance and safety systems
which enhance comfort and support the driver in
critical situations. With these intelligent co-ordi- nated systems Mercedes-Benz has set a mile-
stone on the path towards autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one well thought out system – for the safety of the vehi-
cle occupants and that of other road users.
Further information on driving safety systems
(
Ypage 65).
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. Change into a lower
gear in good time on long and steep downhill
gradients. This is especially important if the
vehicle is laden. By doing so, you will make use
of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can store any
road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
Important safety notes
Cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident if you fail to adapt your driving style nor
override the laws of physics. Cruise control can-
not take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruise control is only an
aid. You are responsible for maintaining a safe
distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
Driving systems169
Driving and parking
Z