2005 Mercedes-benz C Class Owners Manual

앫 Resetting individual

settings

앫 Instrument cluster

illumination

Page 64, 349
50, 121

349

127

126
127

141

126

25

At a glance Multifunction steering wheel

26

Page 129
130

Item

1 Multifunction display Operating control system

2 Selecting the submenu or

setting the volume: Press button æ up/to increase ç down/to decrease

3 Telephone*: Press button s to take a call t to end a call

Item

Page

4 Menu systems:

Press button è for next menu ÿ for previous menu

5 Moving within a menu:

Press button j for next display k for previous display

C 230 Kompressor Sport, and C 320 Sport: Steering wheel in these vehicles will vary from steering wheel shown. However, multifunction steering wheel symbols and feature description apply to Sport models as well.

왔 Center console Upper part

At a glance Center console

Item

1 Seat heating*, driver’s side 2 Rear window sunshade

switch*

3 ESP control switch 4 Hazard warning flasher

switch – switching on/off

5 Central locking switch

Central unlocking switch 6 Switch for folding back rear seat head restraints 7 Tow-away alarm switch* Anti-theft alarm system indicator lamp*

Page 113
176

85
123

104
104
110

91
90

Item

8 Seat heating*, passenger

side

9 Front passenger front

air bag off indicator lamp

a Audio system,

or COMAND* (see separate operating instructions)

Page 113

75, 350, 351
201

b Climate control

Automatic climate control* Rear window defroster

178
188
177

27

At a glance Center console

Lower part

Item

1 Ashtray

Cigarette lighter

2 Gear selector lever for

automatic transmission* Gearshift lever for manual transmission 3 Cup holders 4 Armrest 5 Program mode selector

switch for automatic transmission*

Page 263
265
47, 168
46, 162
261
260
169

28

왔 Overhead control panel

At a glance Overhead control panel

Item

6 Interior rear view mirror

7 Garage door opener* 8 Left reading lamp on/off 9 Tele Aid* (emergency call

system) button

Page 41, 172
274
125
267

Item

1 Rear interior lighting

on/off

2 Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 3 Right reading lamp on/off 4 Interior lighting control 5 Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid* (emergency call system) and telephone*

Page 125

245
125
124
158, 226, 267

29

At a glance Door control panel

Item

1 Door handle 2 Memory function* (for storing seat, exterior mirror and steering wheel settings)

Page 98
114

3 Switches for seat

adjustment* 4 Switches for

opening/closing front door windows

5 Switch for rear door

window override

6 Switches for

opening/closing rear door windows

7 Remote trunk lid switch

30

35, 106
241

80

241

100

Getting started Unlocking

Adjusting

Driving

Parking and locking

31

Getting started Unlocking

The “Getting started” section provides an overview of the vehicle’s most basic func- tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners should pay special attention to the infor- mation given here. If you are already familiar with the basic functions described here, the “Controls in detail” section will provide you with further information. The corresponding page references are located at the end of each segment.

32

Unlocking with the SmartKey

SmartKey with remote control 1 ‹ Lock button 2 Š Opening button for the trunk lid 3 Œ Unlock button 4  Panic button* (컄 page 81)

Canada only: Only vehicles equipped with an anti-theft alarm system* have SmartKeys with integrated panic button* 4.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper- vised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

왘 Press unlock button Œ on the

SmartKey. All turn signal lamps flash once. The locking knobs in the doors move up. The anti-theft alarm system* is disarmed.

왘 Get in the vehicle and insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

For more information, see “Locking and unlocking” (컄 page 94).

Starter switch positions

SmartKey

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper- vised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Starter switch 0 For removing SmartKey

The steering is locked when the SmartKey is removed from the starter switch. If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow the locking mechanism to engage.

1 Power supply to some electrical

consumers, such as seat adjustment

Getting started Unlocking

2 Ignition (power supply for all electrical

consumers) and driving position. All lamps (except low beam headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp in- dicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps unless activated) in the instru- ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the instrument cluster fails to come on when the ignition is switched on, have it checked and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the instrument cluster re- mains on after starting the engine or comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument cluster” (컄 page 344).

3 Starting position

33

! If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the starter switch, the battery may not be sufficiently charged. 앫 Check the battery and charge it if

necessary (컄 page 404).

앫 Get a jump start (컄 page 407). To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible dead battery, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch when the engine is not in operation.

Getting started Unlocking

When you switch on the ignition, the indicator and warning lamps (except low beam headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster come on. This indicates that the respective systems are operational. The indicator and warning lamps (except low beam headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps if activated) should go out when the engine is running.

Vehicles with automatic transmission: The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the gear selector lever in position P.

34

왔 Adjusting

Warning!

All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas- tening of seat belts, must be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

Seats

The seats can be adjusted either manually or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s equipment.

Warning!

Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide un- der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the ab- domen or neck.

That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and belts are properly posi- tioned on the body. Your seat must be ad- justed so that you can correctly fasten your seat belt (컄 page 43). Never place hands under the seat or near any moving parts while a seat is being ad- justed.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle.

Even with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch, the power seats* can be operated when the respective door is open. Therefore, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip- ment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Getting started Adjusting

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats whenever possible. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriate infant, or toddler restraint, or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child. For additional information, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 68). A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and/or the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

35

Getting started Adjusting

Manual seat adjustment

1 Seat fore and aft adjustment 2 Seat cushion tilt 3 Seat backrest tilt 4 Seat height

36

Seat fore and aft adjustment 왘 Lift handle 1. 왘 Slide seat to the desired position. 왘 Allow handle 1 to reengage. 왘 Check for proper engagement before

driving.

Adjust seat to a comfortable seating position that still allows you to reach the accelerator/brake pedal safely. The posi- tion should be as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to properly operate controls.

When moving the seat, make sure that there are no items in the footwell or behind the seat. Otherwise you could damage the seat.

Seat cushion tilt 왘 Turn handwheel 2 forward or back- ward until your upper legs are lightly supported.

Seat backrest tilt 왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33). 왘 Press switch 3 in direction of arrow

until your arms are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel.

Seat height 왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33). 왘 Press switch 4 in direction of arrow until your legs are lightly supported.

Head restraint height

Warning!

Head restraint tilt

Getting started Adjusting

For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints.

Adjust head restraint so that the center of the head restraint supports the back of the head at eye level. This will reduce the poten- tial for injury to the head and neck in the event of an accident or similar situation.

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intend- ed to help reduce injuries during an acci- dent.

Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it is as close to the head as possible.

1 Release button Raising: 왘 Manually adjust the height of the head

restraint by pulling it upward.

Lowering: 왘 To lower head the restraint, push

release button 1 and push down on the head restraint.

Manually adjust the angle of the head restraint. 왘 Push or pull on the lower edge of the

head restraint cushion.

For more information, see “Seats” (컄 page 106).

37

Getting started Adjusting

Power seat* adjustment The seat adjustment switches are located in each front door.

1 Head restraint height 2 Seat height 3 Seat cushion tilt 4 Seat fore and aft adjustment 5 Seat backrest tilt 왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33). or 왘 Open the respective door.

38

Seat fore and aft adjustment 왘 Press switch forward or backward in

Seat cushion tilt 왘 Press switch up or down in direction of

direction of arrow 4.

Adjust seat to a comfortable seating position that still allows you to reach the accelerator/brake pedal safely. The posi- tion should be as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to properly operate controls.

When moving the seat, make sure that there are no items in the footwell or behind the seat. Otherwise you could damage the seat.

The memory function* (컄 page 114) lets you store the setting for the seat position together with the settings for the steering wheel and exterior rear view mirrors.

arrow 3 until your upper legs are lightly supported.

Seat backrest tilt 왘 Press switch forward or backward in direction of arrow 5 until your arms are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel.

Seat height 왘 Press switch up or down in direction of

arrow 2.

Head restraint height 왘 Press switch up or down in direction of

arrow 1.

Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it is as close to the head as possible.

Warning!

Head restraint tilt

For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints.

Adjust head restraint so that the center of the head restraint supports the back of the head at eye level. This will reduce the poten- tial for injury to the head and neck in the event of an accident or similar situation.

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intended to help reduce injuries during an accident.

Manually adjust the angle of the head restraint. 왘 Push or pull on the lower edge of the

head restraint cushion.

For more information, see “Seats” (컄 page 106).

Getting started Adjusting

Steering wheel

Warning!

Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or driving without the adjustment locked could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle.

Even with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch, the electrical steering wheel adjustment feature* can be operated when the driver’s door is open. Therefore, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu- pervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

39

Getting started Adjusting

Steering wheel adjustment, manual

왘 Make sure the steering wheel is

securely locked by trying to move it up and down, and in and out before driving off.

Warning!

Only adjust the steering wheel with the vehicle at a standstill and make sure the steering wheel is securely locked in place before driving off.

Driving without the steering wheel adjust- ment locked may cause an unexpected steering wheel movement which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Make sure the steering wheel is securely locked by trying to move it up and down, and in and out before driving off.

1 Handle 왘 To unlock the steering column, pull

handle 1 out to its stop limit.

왘 Move steering wheel to the desired

position.

왘 To lock the steering column, push

handle 1 all the way in until it engages. The steering wheel is once again locked into position.

40

Steering wheel adjustment, electrical* The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is located on the steering column (lower left).

1 Adjusting steering column, in or out 2 Adjusting steering column, up or down 왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33).

or

왘 Open the driver’s door.

Adjusting steering column in or out 왘 Move stalk forward or back in the

direction of arrow 1 until a comfort- able steering wheel position is reached with your arms slightly bent at the elbow.

Adjusting steering column up or down 왘 Move stalk up or down in the direction

of arrow 2. Make sure your legs can move freely and that all the displays (incl. malfunc- tion and indicator lamps) on the instru- ment cluster are clearly visible.

The memory function* (컄 page 114) lets you store the setting for the steering wheel together with the settings for the seat position and exterior rear view mirrors.

Getting started Adjusting

Mirrors

Adjust the interior and exterior rear view mirrors before driving so that you have a good view of the road and traffic condi- tions.

Interior rear view mirror 왘 Manually adjust the interior rear view

mirror.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 172).

Warning!

Exterior rear view mirrors

In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass breaks.

Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al- low the liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if necessary.

Warning!

Exercise care when using the passen- ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Check your in- terior rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle paint finish can only be completely removed while in their liquid state and by applying plenty of water.

41

왘 Press button 3 for the driver’s side exterior rear view mirror or button 2 for passenger-side exterior rear view mirror.

왘 Push adjustment button 1 up, down, left, or right according to the desired setting.

If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit from the front), reposition it by applying firm pressure until it snaps into place. The mirror housing is now properly positioned and you can adjust the mirror normally.

The memory function* (컄 page 114) lets you store the setting for the exterior rear view mirrors together with the settings for the steering wheel and seat position.

At low ambient temperatures, the exterior rear view mirrors will be heated automatically.

For more information, see “Rear view mir- rors” (컄 page 172).

Getting started Adjusting

The buttons are located above the exterior lamp switch.

1 Adjustment button 2 Passenger-side exterior rear view

mirror button

3 Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror

button

왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33).

42

왔 Driving

Warning!

Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot- well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear- ance for the pedals.

During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate.

Fastening the seat belt

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

Getting started Driving

Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt. The air bags can only provide the protection they were designed to afford if the occupants are using their seat belts (컄 page 64).

Warning!

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend that children be placed in the rear seats. Regardless of seating position, children 12 years old and under must be seated and properly secured in an appropriate infant or toddler restraint, or booster seat recom- mended for the size and weight of the child. For additional information, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 68). A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and/or the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

43

Getting started Driving

Warning!

Warning!

왘 With a smooth motion, pull the belt

from the belt outlet.

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time.

Warning!

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the ab- domen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

44

Read and observe the additional warning notices printed in the “Safety and Security” section (컄 page 62) and (컄 page 64).

왘 Place the shoulder portion of the belt across the top of your shoulder and the lap portion across your hips.

왘 Push latch plate 1 into buckle 3 until

it clicks.

왘 If necessary, tighten the lap portion to

a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up.

1 Latch plate 2 Release button 3 Buckle

Belt outlet height adjustment Adjust seat belt so that shoulder portion is located as close as possible to the middle of your shoulder (it should not touch the neck or pass under the arm).

Belt outlet, front seats 4 Release button

Raising 왘 Slide belt outlet upward.

Lowering 왘 Press button 4 and slide belt outlet

downward.

Proper use of seat belts 앫 Do not twist the belt when fastening. 앫 Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder

portion is located as close as possible to the middle of the shoulder (it should not touch the neck). Never pass the shoulder portion of the belt under your arm. For this purpose, you can adjust the height of the belt outlet.

앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible

on your hips (over hip joint) and not across the abdomen.

앫 Place the seat backrest in a nearly

upright position.

앫 Never use a seat belt for more than one

person at a time.

앫 Do not fasten a seat belt around a

person and another object at the same time. When using a seat belt to secure infant or toddler restraints or children in booster seats, always follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Getting started Driving

앫 Check your seat belt periodically

during travel to make sure that it is properly positioned.

앫 Make sure that the seat belt is always fitted snugly. Take special care of this when wearing loose clothing.

Warning!

Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They could tear.

Do not allow the belt to get caught in the door or in the seat adjustment mechanism. This could damage the belt.

Never attempt to make modifications to seat belts. This could impair the effective- ness of the belts.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash, they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

45

Getting started Driving

Starting the engine

Manual transmission

Gearshift pattern for manual transmission For more information, see “Manual trans- mission” (컄 page 162).

Warning!

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon- sciousness and lead to death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as garage) which are not properly ven- tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected imme- diately. If you must drive under these condi- tions, drive only with at least one window fully open.

46

Starting 왘 Depress brake pedal. 왘 Make sure the gearshift lever is in neutral position (no gear selected).

왘 Fully depress clutch pedal.

Otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the integrated safety interlock.

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and hold until the engine starts (컄 page 33).

For information on turning off the engine, see “Turning off engine” (컄 page 56).

Automatic transmission*

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission P Park position with gear selector lever

lock

R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive position For more information, see “Automatic transmission*” (컄 page 164).

Getting started Driving

Starting difficulties If the engine does not start as described, carry out the following steps: 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch

to position 0 and repeat starting procedure (컄 page 46). Remember that extended starting attempts can drain the battery. 왘 Get a jump start (컄 page 407). If the engine does not start after several starting attempts, there could be a mal- function in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system. 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

Starting 왘 Make sure the gear selector lever is set

to P.

왘 Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and hold until the engine starts (컄 page 33).

You can also use the “touch-start” function. Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and release it again immediately. The engine then starts automatically.

왘 Depress the brake pedal.

The gear selector lever lock is released. For information on turning off the engine, see “Turning off engine” (컄 page 56).

47

Getting started Driving

Parking brake

1 Release handle 2 Parking brake

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake, which could result in an accident and/or serious injury.

48

왘 Release parking brake by pulling on

handle 1. The warning lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out.

Driving 왘 Depress the brake pedal. 왘 Move gear selector lever to position D

or R (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

Vehicles with automatic transmission: Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator.

Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto- matic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down.

You can open a locked door from the inside. Open door only when conditions are safe to do so. You can deactivate the automatic locking using the control system (컄 page 153).

Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear.

If you hear a warning signal when driv- ing off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake.

After a cold start, the automatic transmis- sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier.

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi- cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre- vent this type of loss of control.

Vehicles with automatic transmission: Place the gear selector lever in position P or R only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid damaging the transmission.

Do not run cold engine at high engine speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine.

Warning!

Vehicles with automatic transmission: It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le- ver out of P or N if the engine speed is high- er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel- erate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

For more information on driving, see “Driv- ing instructions” (컄 page 283).

Getting started Driving

Switching on headlamps

For more information on headlamps, see “Lighting” (컄 page 117).

Low beam headlamps The exterior lamp switch is located on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.

Exterior lamp switch 1 Off 2 Low beam headlamps on

49

Getting started Driving

왘 Turn exterior lamp switch to

position B. The low beam headlamp indicator lamp B in the instrument cluster comes on (컄 page 24).

왘 Push combination switch in direction of

왘 Press combination switch in direction

arrow 1. The high beam headlamp indicator lamp A in the instrument cluster comes on (컄 page 24).

of arrow 1 or 2. The corresponding turn signal indicator lamp L or K in the instrument cluster flashes (컄 page 24).

High beam The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Turn signals

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

The combination switch resets automati- cally after major steering wheel move- ments.

To signal minor directional changes such as changing lanes, press combi- nation switch only to point of resis- tance and release. The corresponding turn signals will flash three times.

Combination switch 1 High beam 2 High beam flasher

50

Combination switch 1 Turn signals, right 2 Turn signals, left

Windshield wipers

The combination switch is located on the left of the steering column.

Combination switch 1 Single wipe 2 Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Switch on ignition (컄 page 33).

Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Turn the combination switch to the desired position depending on the intensity of the rain. 0 Windshield wipers off Intermittent wiping II Normal wiper speed III Fast wiper speed

Vehicles without rain sensor: When the vehicle is standing still, the wiper speed returns to next lower setting. Vehicles with rain sensor*: Intermittent wiping interval is dependent on wetness of windshield. After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by the rain sensor.

Getting started Driving

Vehicles with rain sensor*: Do not leave windshield wipers in intermittent setting when the vehicle is taken to an automatic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in the presence of water sprayed on the windshield, and wipers may be damaged as a result. The switch should not be left in intermittent setting as the wipers will wipe the windshield once every time the engine is started. Dust that accumulates on the windshield might scratch the glass and/or damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry windshield.

51

Getting started Driving

Intermittent wiping 왘 Set the wiper switch to position I.

Wiping with windshield washer fluid 왘 Push combination switch in direction of

Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is opened.

Single wipe 왘 Press combination switch briefly in

direction of arrow 1. The windshield wipers wipe one time without washer fluid.

arrow 1 past the resistance point. The windshield wipers operate with washer fluid.

For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*” (컄 page 303).

If anything blocks the windshield wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediately. 앫 For safety reasons, withdraw SmartKey from starter switch before attempting to remove any blockage.

앫 Remove blockage. 앫 Turn the windshield wipers on

again.

If windshield wipers fail to function at all in switch position I, 앫 set the combination switch to the

next highest wiper speed

앫 have the windshield wipers

checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center

52

Problems while driving

The engine runs erratically and misfires 앫 An ignition cable may be damaged. 앫 The engine electronics may not be op-

erating properly.

앫 Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it.

왘 Give very little gas. 왘 Have the problem repaired by an au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

The coolant temperature is above 248°F (120°C) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine. 왘 Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.

왘 Check the coolant level and add

coolant if necessary (컄 page 301).

Getting started Driving

In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking gasoline: 왘 Do not start the engine under any cir-

cumstances.

왘 Notify local fire and/or police authori-

ties.

If the extent of the damage cannot be de- termined: 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

If no damage can be determined on the 앫 major assemblies 앫 fuel system 앫 engine mount: 왘 Start the engine in the usual manner.

53

Getting started Parking and locking

You have now completed your first drive. You have properly stopped and parked your vehicle. End your drive as follows.

Warning!

Vehicles with manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is stationary before removing the SmartKey from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when the SmartKey is removed.

Warning!

With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering system. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

54

Warning!

Parking brake

Do not park this vehicle in areas where com- bustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re- sult of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle always: 앫 Keep right foot on brake pedal. 앫 Firmly depress parking brake pedal. 앫 Move the gear selector lever to

position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

앫 Slowly release brake pedal. 앫 When parked on an incline, turn front

wheels towards the road curb.

앫 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.

앫 Take the SmartKey with you and lock

the vehicle when leaving.

1 Release handle 2 Parking brake 왘 Step firmly on parking brake pedal 2.

When the engine is running, the warning lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster will be illuminated.

Warning!

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or move the gear selector lever from position P, either of which could result in an accident and/or serious injury.

Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se- lector lever not fully engaged in position P is dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline, position P alone may not prevent your vehi- cle from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.

Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

When parked on an incline, turn front wheel towards the road curb.

Getting started Parking and locking

Switching off headlamps

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch

to M (컄 page 49).

For more information on headlamps, see “Lighting” (컄 page 117).

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Getting started Parking and locking

Turning off engine

왘 Place the gear selector lever in

position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).

Always set the parking brake in addi- tion to shifting to position P (manual transmission: first or reverse gear). On slopes, turn the front wheels towards the road curb.

왘 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. The immobilizer is activated.

Vehicles with automatic transmission: The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the gear selector lever in position P.

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왘 Press the seat belt release button

(컄 page 44). Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by guiding the latch plate.

With the SmartKey removed and the driver’s door open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not switched off.

Warning!

To prevent possible personal injury, always keep hands and fingers away from the door openings when closing the doors. Be espe- cially careful when small children are around.

Before closing doors, make sure there is no possibility of someone getting caught in a door during closing.

왘 After exiting the vehicle, press the lock

button ‹ on the SmartKey (컄 page 32). All turn signal lamps flash three times. The locking knobs in the doors move down. The anti-theft alarm system* is armed.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper- vised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury.

For more information, see “Locking and unlocking” (컄 page 94).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Panic alarm*

Driving safety systems

Anti-theft systems

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

In this section you will learn the most important facts about the restraint system components of the vehicle. 앫 Seat belts (컄 page 64) 앫 Child restraints (컄 page 77) 앫 Lower anchors and tethers for children

(LATCH) (컄 page 78)

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with 앫 Air bags (컄 page 59) 앫 Air bag control unit (with crash

sensors)

앫 Emergency tensioning device (ETD) for

seat belts (컄 page 67)

Air bag system components with 앫 56 indicator lamp (컄 page 75) 앫 Front passenger seat with Occupant

Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 71)

As independent systems, their protective functions work in conjunction with each other.

For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint systems for infants and children, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 68).

The SRS system conducts a self-test when the ignition is switched on and in regular intervals while the engine is running. This facilitates early detection of malfunctions. The 1 indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on when the ignition is switched on and goes out no later than a few seconds after the engine has been started. The SRS components are in operational readiness if the 1 indicator lamp is not lit when the engine is running. A malfunction in the system has been detected if the 1 indicator lamp: 앫 fails to go out after approximately four

seconds after the engine was started

앫 does not come on at all. 앫 comes on after the engine was started

or while driving.

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If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

Warning!

In the event that the 1 indicator lamp comes on during driving or does not come on at all, the SRS self-check has detected a malfunction. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system checked; otherwise the SRS may not deploy when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnec- essarily which could also result in injury.

In addition, improper work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inopera- tive or causing unintended air bag deploy- ment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Con- tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Air bags

Warning!

Air bags are designed to reduce the poten- tial of injury and fatality in certain frontal im- pacts (front air bags) or side impacts (side impact air bags and head protection window curtain air bags). However, no system avail- able today can totally eliminate injuries and fatalities.

The deployment of the air bags temporarily releases a small amount of dust from the air bags. This dust, however, is neither injurious to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause some tem- porary breathing difficulty for people with asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

To reduce the risk of injury when the front air bags inflate, it is very important for the driver and front passenger to always be in a properly seated position and to wear their respective seat belts.

For maximum protection in the event of a collision always be in normal seated position with your back against the backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure that it is prop- erly positioned on your body.

Since the air bag inflates with considerable speed and force, a proper seating and hands on steering wheel position will help to keep you at a safe distance from the air bag. Occupants who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the air bag can be seriously injured by an air bag as it inflates with great force in the blink of an eye: 앫 Sit properly belted in a nearly upright

position with your back against the seat backrest.

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앫 Adjust the driver seat as far as possible rearward, still permitting proper opera- tion of vehicle controls. The distance from the center of the driver’s breast- bone to the center of the air bag cover on the steering wheel must be at least 10 in (25 cm) or more. You should be able to accomplish this by a combina- tion of adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If you have any prob- lems, please see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Do not lean your head or chest close to

the steering wheel or dashboard.

앫 Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel rim. Placing hands and arms in- side the rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injury when driver front air bag inflates.

앫 Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible rearward from the dashboard when the seat is occupied.

앫 Occupants, especially children, should never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door where the side impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the air bag be triggered. Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or toddler restraint or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe injuries to you or other occupants.

If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you make the buyer aware of this safety information. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator’s Manual.

Warning!

Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat.

It should be noted that with respect to both front and rear side impact air bags there is a possibility for a side impact air bag related injury if occupants, especially children, are not properly seated or restrained when next to a side impact air bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.

To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow these guidelines:

(1) Occupants, especially children, should

never place their bodies or lean their heads in the area of the door where the side impact air bag inflates. This could result in serious injuries or death should the side impact air bag be deployed.

(2) Always sit nearly upright, properly use the seat belts and for children 12 years old and under, use an appropriately sized infant or toddler restraint or booster seat recommended for the size and weight of the child.

(3) Always wear seat belts properly.

If you believe that, even with the use of these guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat occupants to have the rear mounted side impact air bags deactivated, then deactivation can be accomplished upon your written request to do so at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center at an additional cost.

Please contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain frontal impacts (front air bags) and in side impacts (side impact and head protection window curtain air bags) which exceed preset thresholds. Only during these events will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passengers should always wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible for air bags to provide their supplemental protection.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

In case of other types of impacts and impacts below air bag deployment thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver and passengers will then be protected to the extent possible by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also needed to provide the best possible protection in a rollover. We caution you not to rely on the presence of the air bags in order to avoid wearing your seat belt. It is important to your safety and that of your passengers that you replace de- ployed air bags and repair any malfunc- tioning air bags to make sure that the vehicle will continue to provide supple- mental crash protection for occupants.

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Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency tensioning device and air bag

Warning!

앫 Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked. Only use belts installed or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Air bags and emergency tensioning

devices (ETDs) are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD that is deployed must be replaced.

앫 Do not pass belts over sharp edges.

They could tear.

앫 Do not make any modification that could

change the effectiveness of the belts. 앫 Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

앫 No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the SRS. This includes changing or removing any component or part of the SRS, the installation of additional trim material, badges, etc. over the steering wheel hub, passenger front air bag cover, door trim panels, or door frame trims, and installation of additional electrical/electronic equipment on or near SRS components and wiring. Keep area between air bags and occupants free from objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).

앫 Do not hang items such as coat hangers from the coat hooks or handles over the door. These items may turn into projec- tiles and cause head and other injuries when curtain air bag is deployed.

앫 Never place your feet on the instrument panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

앫 Air bag system components will be hot

after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch.

앫 In addition, improper repair work on the SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or causing unintended air bag deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore only be performed by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 For your protection and the protection of others, when scrapping the air bag unit or emergency tensioning device, our safety instructions must be fol- lowed. These instructions are available from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

앫 Given the considerable deployment

speed, required inflation volume, and the textile structure of the air bags, there is the possibility of abrasions or other more significant injuries resulting from air bag deployment.

When you sell your vehicle we strongly urge you to give notice to the subsequent owner that it is equipped with an SRS by alerting them to the applicable section in the Operator’s Manual.

Front air bags

1 Driver’s air bag 2 Passenger front air bag Driver and front passenger air bags are deployed: 앫 in the event of certain frontal impacts 앫 if impact exceeds a preset deployment

threshold

앫 independently of the side impact

air bags

Safety and Security Occupant safety

The front air bags in this vehicle have been designed to inflate in two stages. This allows the air bag to have different rates of inflation that are based on the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as assessed by the air bag control unit. On the front passenger side, the front air bag deployment is additionally influenced by the passenger’s weight category as identified by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) (컄 page 71). The lighter the front passenger side occupant, the higher the vehicle deceleration rate required for the second stage inflation of the air bag.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

The air bags will not deploy in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deployment thresholds. You will then be protected by the fastened seat belts. The passenger front air bag will only be deployed if: 앫 the system, based on OCS weight

sensor readings, senses that the front passenger seat is occupied

앫 the 56 indicator lamp in the center console is not lit (컄 page 75)

앫 the impact exceeds a preset

deployment treshold

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Side impact air bags, window curtain air bags

1 Window curtain air bag 2 Side impact air bags The side impact air bags and window curtain air bags are deployed: 앫 on the impacted side of the vehicle 앫 in impacts exceeding a preset

deployment threshold

앫 independently of the front air bags The side impact air bags and window curtain air bags are not deployed in impacts which do not exceed the system’s deployment threshold.

Seat belts

When the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < illuminates to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened before the engine is started, the seat belt telltale < illuminates and a warning chime sounds for approximately six seconds when the engine is started. The use of seat belts and infant and child restraint systems is required by law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces. Even where this is not the case, all vehicle occupants should have their seat belts fastened whenever the vehicle is in motion. For more information, see “Fastening the seat belt” (컄 page 43).

i For information on infants and children traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint systems for infants and children, see “Children in the vehicle” (컄 page 68).

Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure all of your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women.

Failure to wear and properly fasten and position your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts.

If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.

In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are properly wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as they are designed if the occupants are properly wearing their seat belts.

Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat backrest in an excessively reclined position as this can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Warning!

Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a time.

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Safety and Security Occupant safety

Warning!

Warning!

Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring points must also be checked.

Only use seat belts which have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.

Do not make any modifications to the seat belts. This can lead to unintended activation of the ETDs or to failure.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

Have all work carried out only by qualified technicians. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY 앫 Seat belts can only work when used

properly. Never wear seat belts in any other way than as described in this section, as that could result in serious injuries in case of an accident.

앫 Each occupant should wear their seat

belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, includ- ing rollovers. The integrated restraint system includes SRS (driver air bag, passenger front air bag, side impact air bags, head protection window curtain air bags for side windows), ETD (seat belt emergency tensioning device), and front seat knee bolsters.

The system is designed to enhance the protection offered to properly belted occupants in certain frontal (front air bags and ETD) and side (side impact and window curtain air bags and ETD) impacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds.

앫 Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoul- der. In a frontal crash, your body would move too far forward. That would increase the chance of head and neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could severely injure internal organs such as your liver or spleen.

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앫 Never wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as eyeglasses, pens, keys, etc., as these might cause injuries.