2019 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS Owners Manual

Cleaning and care
Information onwashingthevehicle in a carwash
\nWARNINGRisk of accident duetoreduced braking effect afterwashingthevehicle
The braking effect isreduced afterwashingthevehicle.
Afterthevehicle has beenwashed,brake carefully while paying attentiontothe traffic conditions untilthe brakingeffect has been fullyrestored.
NOTEDamageduetounsuitable carwash
Before driving into a carwash makesurethatthe carwash is suitableforthevehicle dimensions.
Ensurethere is sufficient ground clear‐ance betweenthe underbody andtheguiderails ofthe carwash.
Ensurethatthe clearance width ofthecarwash, in particularthe width oftheguiderails, is sufficient.
Toavoid damageto yourvehicle when using acarwash, ensurethefollowing beforehand:
RActive Distance AssistDISTRONIC andtheHOLD function are deactivated.
Rthe 360° Camera ortherear view camera isswitched off.
Rthe side windowsand sliding sunroof arecompletelyclosed.
Rthe blowerfortheventilation/heating isswitched off.
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in positionZ.
Rin carwashes with a conveyor system: neu‐tral\\is engaged.
Rthe SmartKeyis at a minimum distance of10ft(3 m)awayfromthevehicle,otherwisethe trunk lid could open unintentionally.
Ifyouwould liketoleavethevehicle while itis beingwashed, make surethe SmartKeyis
located inthevehicle. The]gear isother‐wise automatically engaged.
If, afterthe carwash,youremovethewaxfromthe windshield and wiperrubbers,thiswill prevent smearing andreduce wipernoise.
Information on using a powerwasher
\nWARNINGRisk of accident when usinghigh-pressure cleaning equipment withround-spraynozzles
Thewater jet from around-spraynozzle (dirtgrinder) may cause damagetotires and sus‐pension componentsthat is not visible.
Components damaged inthisway mayfailunexpectedly.
Do not use high-pressurecleaningequipment withround-spraynozzlestocleanyourvehicle.
Damaged tires or suspension compo‐nents must bereplaced immediately.
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Toavoid damageto yourvehicle, observethefol‐lowing when using a powerwasher:
Rkeepthe SmartKeyat least10ft(3 m)awayfromthevehicle. Otherwisethe trunk lidcould open unintentionally.
Rmaintain a distance of at least11.8 in(30 cm)tothevehicle.
Rvehicles with decorativefoil:parts ofyourvehicle are covered with a decorativefoil.Maintain a distance of at least27.6 in(70 cm) betweenthefoil-covered parts ofthevehicle andthe nozzle ofthe powerwasher.Movethe powerwasher nozzle around whilst
cleaning. Thewatertemperature ofthepowerwasher must notexceed140 °F(60 °C).
Robservethe information onthe correct dis‐tance inthe equipment manufacturer's oper‐ating instructions.
Rdo not pointthe nozzle ofthe powerwasherdirectly at sensitive parts such as tires, slits,electrical components, batteries, light bulbsandventilation slots.
Washingthevehiclebyhand
Observethe legalrequirements, e.g. in a numberof countries,washingbyhand is only permittedin specially designatedwash bays.
Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. car shampoo.
Washthevehicle with lukewarmwater usinga soft car sponge. When doing so, do notexposethevehicletodirect sunlight.
Carefully hosethevehicle off withwater anddry using achamois.Takecare nottopointthewater jet directlytowardsthe air inletgrille.
360Maintenance and care

Notes on paintwork/mattefinish paintworkcare
Observethefollowing information:
Cleaning and careAvoiding paintwork damage
PaintworkRInsectremains: soak with insectremover andrinse offthetreated areas afterwards.
RBird droppings: soak withwater andrinse off afterwards.
RTreeresin, oils, fuels and greases:removebyrubbinggen‐tly witha clothsoaked in petroleumether or lighterfluid.
RCoolant and brakefluid:removewith a damp clothandcleanwater.
RTarstains: usetarremover.
RWax: use siliconeremover.
RDo not attachstickers,films or similar.
RRemovedirt immediately,where possible.
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Cleaning and careAvoiding paintwork damage
MattefinishROnly use care products approvedfor Mercedes-Benz.RDo not polishthevehicle and alloy wheels.
ROnly use carwashesthat correspondtothe latest engi‐neeringstandards.
RDo not use carwash programs with afinal hotwax treat‐ment.
RDo not use paint cleaners, buffing or polishing products,gloss preservers, e.g.wax.
RAlways havepaintworkrepairs carried out at aqualifiedspecialistworkshop.
Notes on cleaning decorativefoils
Observethe notes on mattefinish care inthechapter "Notes on paintwork/mattefinish paint‐
workcare" (page361). They also applytomatte decorativefoils.
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Observethefollowing information:
CleaningAvoiding damagetothe decorativefoil
RFor cleaning, use plenty ofwater and a mild cleaning agent withoutadditives or abrasivesubstances, e.g. a car shampoo approvedforMercedes-Benz.
RRemovedirt immediately, where possible, whilstavoidingrubbingtoo hard. There isotherwise arisk of damagingthe decorativefoilirreparably.
RIfthere is dirt onthefinish or ifthe decorativefoil is dull: usethePaint Cleanerrecommended and approvedfor Mercedes-Benz.
RInsectremains: soak with insectremover andrinse offthe treatedareas afterwards.
RBird droppings: soak withwater andrinse off afterwards.
RTopreventwaterstains, dry afoil-wrappedvehicle with a soft,absorbent clothaftereverycarwash.
RThe service life and color of decorativefoils are impairedby:
-sunlight
-temperature, e.g. hot air blower
-weather conditions
-stonechippings and dirt
-chemical cleaning agents
-oily products
RDo not use polish on matte decorativefoil.Polishing will havethe effectof shiningthefoil-wrapped surface.
RDo not treat matte orstructured decorativefoils withwax.Permanentstains may occur.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affectedbycorrosion and damage causedbyincorrect carecannot alwaysbe completelyrepaired. In suchcases, visit aqualified specialistworkshop.
You can obtain more information on care andcleaning products fromthe manufacturer.
Inthe case offoil-wrapped surfaces, optical dif‐ferences may occur betweenthe surfacesthatwerenot protectedbya decorativefoil afterremoving a decorativefoil.
Haveworkorrepairstodecorativefoils car‐ried out at aqualified specialistworkshop,e.g. in an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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Notes on care ofvehicle parts
\nWARNINGRisk of entrapment ifthewindshield wipers are switched on whilethe windshield is being cleaned
Ifthe windshield wipers are set in motionwhileyou are cleaningthe windshield orwiper blades,you can be trappedbythewiper arm.
Always switch offthe windshield wipersandthe ignition before cleaningthewindshield or wiper blades.
\nWARNINGRisk of burning fromthetail‐pipe ortailpipe trim
Thetailpipe andtailpipe trim can becomeveryhot. Ifyou come into contact withthesecar parts,you could burnyourself.
Always be particularlycareful when inthe vicinity ofthetailpipe andtailpipetrims and supervisechildrenveryclosely when inthis area.
Before any contact, allowthe car partstocool down.
Observethefollowing information:
Notes on cleaning and careAvoidingvehicle damage
Wheels/rimsUsewater and acid-free wheel cleaners.RDo not use acidic wheel cleanerstoremovebrake dust.This could damage wheel bolts and brake components.
RToavoid corrosion ofthe brake discs and brakepads, drivethevehiclefor afew minutes after cleaning before parkingit. The brake discs and brakepadswarmup and dry out.
WindowsClean windowsinside and outside with a damp clothand witha cleaning agentrecommendedfor Mercedes-Benz.Do not use dry cloths or abrasive or solvent-based cleaningagentstocleanthe inside of windows.
Wiper bladesFold outthe wiper blades and cleanthem using a damp cloth.Do not cleanthe wiper bladestoo often.
364Maintenance and care

Notes on cleaning and careAvoidingvehicle damage
Exterior lightingCleanthe lenses with awet sponge and mild cleaning agent,e.g. car shampoo.Only use cleaning agents or cleaning clothsthat are suitablefor plastic lenses.
SensorsCleanthe sensors inthe front andrear bumper and intheradiator grill with a soft clothand car shampoo.When using a powerwasher, maintain a minimum distance of11.8 in (30 cm).
Rear view cameraand360° CameraROpenthe camera cover withthe multimedia system(page 209) .
RUse cleanwater and a soft clothtocleanthe camera lens.
Do not use a powerwasher.
TailpipesClean with a cleaning agentrecommendedfor Mercedes-Benz, especiallyinthe winter and afterwashingthevehicle.Do not use acidic cleaning agents.
Notes on care ofthe interior
\nWARNINGRisk of injuryfrom plasticparts breaking off afterthe use of sol‐vent-based care products
Careand cleaning products containing sol‐vents can cause surfaces inthe cockpittobecome porous.
Whenthe airbags are deployed, plastic partsmay breakaway.
Do not use any care or cleaning prod‐ucts containing solventstocleanthecockpit.
\nWARNINGRisk of injuryor death frombleached seat belts
Bleaching or dyeing seat belts can severelyweakenthem.
This can,forexample, cause seat beltstotear orfail in an accident.
Never bleachor dye seat belts.
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Observethefollowing information:
Notes on cleaning and careAvoidingvehicle damage
Seat beltsClean with lukewarmand soapywater.RDo not usechemical cleaning agents.
RDo not dry seat beltsbyheatingthemtoover176 °F(80 °C) orexposingthemtodirect sunlight.
DisplayCleanthe surface carefully witha microfiber clothand a suit‐able display care product (TFT/LCD).RSwitchoffthe display and let it cool down.
RDo not use anyother cleaning products.
Plastic trimRClean with a damp microfiber cloth.
RFor heavy soiling: use care productrecommendedforMercedes-Benz.
RDo not attachstickers,films or similar materials.
RDo not allow cosmetics, insectrepellent or sun creamtocome in contact with the plastic trim.
Realwood/triminsertsRClean with a microfiber cloth.
RBlackpiano-lacquer look: clean with a damp clothandsoapywater.
RFor heavy soiling: use care productrecommendedforMercedes-Benz.
Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents, polishes orwaxes.
HeadlinerClean with a brush or dry shampoo.
CarpetUse carpet andtextile cleaning agentsrecommendedforMercedes-Benz.
366Maintenance and care