Index MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS 1999 User Guide

Manual Seat

(Standard equipment on Model C 230 passenger side)
1. Fore/aft adjustment
2. Seat height adjustment
3. Seat cushion inclination adjustment
4. Seat back adjustment
5. Head restraint inclination
6. Head restraint height

Fore/aft Adjustment
Lift handle (1), slide seat to desired position and allow handle to reengage.
Check for proper engagement before driving.

Seat Height Adjustment
Raise or lower lever (2). Th e seat will be raised or lowered one notch at a time.
Allow lever to reengage. Check for proper engagement before driving.


Seat Back Adjustment
Turn handwheel (4).


Seat Cushion Inclination Adjustment
Turn handwheel (3) forward or
backward.


Head Restraint Height
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (6) and push down on head restraint.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level.
The head restraint inclination can also be adjusted manually.

Caution !
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting seat covers. For removal refer to Head
Restraints in Index. Whenever restraints have been remov ed be sure to reinstall them before driving.


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Armrest (Rear Bench Seat)

Pull down the armrest. For removal of rear seat cushion, see Index.


Cup Holder in Rear Bench Armrest

Briefly press drawer and pull out to its detent.

Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while travelling. Place only containers
that fit into the cup holder to prevent spills.
Do not fill containers to a height where the contents could spill
during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot liquids.


Adjusting Telescoping Steering Column (optional)


Warning!

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

Unlocking:
Pull handle (1) out to its stop. The indicator lamp comes on.
Adjusting:
To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull out or push in steering wheel.
Locking:
Push handle (1) in until it engages.
The indicator lamp goes out.

Important!
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, an indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running. If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the engine, the adjustable steering
column is not locked properly. Do not drive the vehi cle until you have properly locked the steering column.


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Fastening of Seat Belts

1. Latch plate
2. Buckle
3. Release button
4. Button for belt outlet
eight adjustment




Push latch plate (1) into buckle (2) until it clicks. Do not twist the belt. A twisted seat belt may cause injury.
The lap belt should be positioned as low as possib le on your hips and not across the abdomen.
Tighten the lap portion to a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up. The shoulder portion of the seat belt must
be pulled snug and checked for snugness immediately after engaging it.
Adjust seat belt so that shoulder portion is located as cl ose as possible to the middle of your shoulder (it should
not touch the neck). For this purpose, you can adjust the height of the belt outlet.
Three positions are available



Raising: Slide belt outlet upward.
Lowering: Press button (4) and slide belt outlet downward.

Caution !
For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or seat ba ck into positions which could affect the correct seat
belt position.


Lap Belt for Center Seating Position of the Rear Seat
Pull belt with latch plate (1) over lap so that the belt is positioned as low as possible on your hips and not
across the abdomen. Push latch plate (1) into buckle (2) until it clicks. Do not twist the belt but keep it tight.
To tighten the belt: With the latch plate engaged, pull the loose end of the belt.
To lengthen the belt: With the belt unfastened, turn the latch plate so that it is a little more than 90°
perpendicular to the belt, then extend the bel t. Fasten the belt and tighten as stated above.
To disengage the belt, push red button (3) in the buckle. If t he center seat is not occupied, the belt buckle and rolled-
up seat belt can be stored in the space next to the rear armrest (to the left or right of armrest).
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle in Index.



Unfastening of Seat Belts
Push the release button (3) in the belt buckle (2). Allow the retractor
to completely rewind the seat bel t by guiding the latch plate (1).
Operation:
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during sudden vehicle
stops or when quickly pulling on the belt.
The locking function of the reel may be checked by quickly pulling
out the belt.





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Emergency Tensioning Retractor (ETR)

The seat belts for the front seats are equipped with emergency tensioning retractors. These tensioning retractors are
located in each belt's inertia reel and become operationally ready with the electronic key in steering lock position 1 or
2. The emergency tensioning retractors are designed to acti vate only when the seat belts are fastened during frontal
impacts exceeding the first threshold of the SRS and in rear impacts exceeding a preset security level. They remove
slack from the belts in such a way that the seat belts fit more snugly against the body restricting its forward movement
as much as possible.
In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll-overs, certain side impacts, or other accidents without sufficient
frontal or rear impact forces, the emergency tensioning re tractors will not be activated. The driver and passengers will
then be protected by the fastened seat belts and inertia reel in the usual manner. For seat belt and emergency
tensioning retractor safety guidelines see Safety Guidelines in Index.


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Steering Lock

0 - The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position only. The steering is locked with the electronic key removed
from the steering lock. The electronic key an be removed only with the selector lever in position "P" and the foot
off the brake pedal. After removing the electronic key or with the electronic key in steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in position "P".
1 - Steering is unlocked. (If necessary, move steering wheel s lightly to allow the electronic key to be turned clockwise
to position 1.) Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed information see respective subjects.
2 - Driving position.
3 - Starting position.
Refer to Index for Starting and turning off the engine.


Warning !

When leaving the vehicle always remove the electroni c key from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.


Important !
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned in
the lock. In this case, remove electron ic key from steering lock and reinsert.

Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver's door is opened with the el ectronic key in steering lock position 1 or 0. With the
engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the alternator (output) is limited. It is therefore recommended to turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of the
battery. Unnecessary strain on the batte ry and charging system may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume control
should be set to the lowest position. The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle battery properly
connected.

Caution !
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering lock position 0.


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Sliding/Pop-Up Roof (optional)





1. to slide roof open
2. to slide roof closed
3. to raise roof at rear
4. to lower roof at rear

Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. The switch is illuminated when the exterior lamps are
switched on (except standing lamps). With the roof clos ed or tilted open, a screen can be slid into the roof
opening to guard against sun rays. When sliding the roof open, the screen will also retract.


Warning !

When closing the sliding/ pop-up roof, be sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.


Notes:
The sliding/pop-up roof can be opened or closed manually should an electrical malfunction occur, refer to
Emergency Operation in Index. The sliding/pop-up roof can also be closed with the mechanical key or
infrared remote control while locking the vehicle door s or trunk (see Central Locking System in Index).


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Power Windows

on center console, front

Switches for:

1.
left, front
2. left, rear
3. right, front
4. right, rear
5. Switch for rear door window override
6. individual switches (rear doors)
in rear doors

in rear doors


Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Press switch in to resistance point:
to open
to close
Release switch when window is in desired position.



Express Opening and Closing

Press switch or past resistance point and release - window opens or closes completely. To interrupt
procedure, briefly press
or If the upward movement of the window is blocked during the closing procedure,
the window will stop during the last few inches before closure and open slightly. When pressing and holding the
switch
to close the window, and upward movement of the wi ndow is blocked during the last few inches before
closure, it will stop but not
open slightly.


Blocking of Rear Door Window Operation
If no operation of the rear windows by switch (6) (for instance by children) is desired, slide override switch (5) to right,
symbol
becomes visible.


Warning !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure. In case of obstruction, the automatic rever sal will not operate if a window is being closed
by pressing the switch to its resistance point and holdi ng it there, or when using a mechanical key or
the remote control. The closing procedure can be immediately reversed by either pressing the switch
,
turning the mechanical key to the unlocking position, or pressing button
on the remote control,
and holding it.


Note:
The power windows can also be closed with the mechanical ke y or infrared remote control while locking the vehicle
doors or trunk (see Central Locking System in Index).


Warning !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the el ectronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause serious personal injury.


Synchronizing Power Windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery disconnected or empty), the wi ndows cannot be opened or closed by
the Express feature. To resynchronize the Ex press feature, press
side of power window switch until the
window is completely closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening and closing procedure of the windows should now be restored.


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Trunk Lid Release Switch
The switch is located on the center console. A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft (1.8 m) is required to open
the trunk lid. To open the trunk, the vehi cle must be parked and unlocked. Pull up on switch until trunk lid is open.
The indicator lamp remains on with trunk lid open.

Notes:
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be opened by using the remote control. Press button. The trunk lid
cannot
be released by the switch when previously locked separat ely with the mechanical key. To open, refer to Trunk,
separately
locked (in Index).


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Drinking and Driving



Warning !
Drinking and driving can be a very dangerous combination. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judgement. The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink and drive. Please don't drink and drive or allow anyone to drive after
drinking.


Parking Brake
To engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When the electronic key is in steering lock position 2, the brake
warning lamp in the instrument cluster should come on brightly. To release the parking brake, pull handle on
instrument panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should go out. A warning sounds, if you start
to drive without having released the parking brake. Also see Brake Warning Lamp Test in Index.


Driving Off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road is clear
of other traffic. Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not plac e full load on the engine until the operating temperature has
been reached. When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one drive wheel to spin for an extended period.

Warning !
Keep driver's foot area clear at all times. Object s stored in this area may impair pedal movement.


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Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission selects individual gears automatically, dependent upon
• Selector lever position
• Program mode selector
• Accelerator position
• Vehicle speed

Important !

When parking the car or before working on the vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the parking brake
pedal and shift the selector lever into "P".


Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in position "P". To move the selector lever out of position "P", the
service brake pedal must be firmly depressed before the shift lock will release. Shift selector lever to the desired
position only when the engine is idling normally and the service brake is applied. Do not release the brake until
ready to drive. The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the selector lever is in drive or reverse position.

Warning !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of "P" or "N" if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the car could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the car 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.

Important !
After selecting any driving position from "N" or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.


Accelerator Position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum acceleration.
Once the desired speed is attained, ease up on t he accelerator - the transmission shifts up again.




Selector Lever Positions

The automatic gear shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.

P - Parking position.
The parking position is to be used when parking t he vehicle. Engage only with the car stopped. The parking
position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always use
the parking brake in addition to placing the selector lever in park to secure the vehicle.

Note:
The electronic key can be removed from the steering lo ck only with the foot off the brake pedal and the selector
lever in position "P". With the electronic key removed, the selector lever is locked in position "P".


R - Reverse gear. Shift to reverse gear only with the car stopped.
N - Neutral.
No power is transmitted from the engine to the rear axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage "N" while driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads, see Winter driving Instructions in Index).





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