Lamp MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS 1999 Owner's Manual

Night Security Illumination
(Vehicles with Antitheft AlarmSystem)

When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination for
approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door. The lamp-on time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz dealer.


Inside Rear View Mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and distan ce of objects seen in the passenger side convex mirror.


Antiglare Night Position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position "R", or wi th the interior lamp switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.

Note:
The automatic antiglare function is restricted, if incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the mirror.


ProCarManuals.com

Exterior Rear View Mirrors

The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted - press button:

Left mirror
Right mirror

To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to eit her side. Vehicles with automatic brightness response
of inside rear view mirror: With the electronic key in st eering lock position 2, the driver's side mirror reflection
brightness responds to changes in light sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position "R", or with the interior
lamp switched on, the driver's side mirror brightne ss does not respond to changes in light sensitivity.

Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature. If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivot ed from its normal position, it must be repositioned by
applying firm pressure until it snaps into place.

Warning !

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


ProCarManuals.com

Lighter

Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when hot.


Warning !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.

Note:
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate electrical accessories up to maximum 85 W


Sun Visors



Swing sun visors down to protect against sun glare.
If sunlight enters through a side window, disengage visor from inner mounting and pivot to the side.



Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting, the lamp can be switched on by opening the cover.

Warning !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.

The lamp goes out automatically after approximately 5 minutes.


ProCarManuals.com

Interior Lighting



1. Door contact switch:
Press once and interior lamps are switched on when opening a door. Interior lamps are switched on,
and off (soft fade) delayed, when unlocking or locking the vehicle, or when opening or closing a door.
However, there will be no (soft fade) delay when the electronic key is in steering lock position 2
Press again and interior lamps remain switc hed off, even when centrally unlocking or opening a door.
2. Press to switch interior and reading lamps on or off.
3. Press to switch rear passenger compartment lamp on or off.
4. Press to switch reading lamp on or off.


ProCarManuals.com

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).


ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Lamps
Press + or - button to vary intensity of instrument lamps.


Display illumination
The display for temperature, odometer, oil level indicator, FSS indicator and clock is illuminated briefly when
opening the driver door. The display illumination brightness responds automatically according to changes in the
surrounding light sensitivity. To briefly illuminate the display (with electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0 or 1), press button O, +,- , h or m.


Trip Odometer
• To reset:
• Press button O once and hold (with display illuminated).
• Press button O twice and hold (with display not illuminated).


Clock
Adjusting clock (display illuminated): Press button m or h briefly. The disp lay flashes to indicate that the clock
can be adjusted.
Minute: Press button m briefly.
Minutes: Press and hold button m.
Hour: Press button h briefly.
Hours: Press and hold button h .


ProCarManuals.com

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).


ProCarManuals.com

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.


ProCarManuals.com

Important !
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason with selector lever in "N" can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


D - The transmission automatically upshifts through 5th gear . Position "D" provides optimum driving characteristics
under all normal operating conditions.
4 - Upshift through 4th gear only.
Suitable for performance driving. To shift from position "D" to "4", push selector lever to the left.
3 - Upshift through 3rd gear only.
Suitable for moderately steep hill s. Since the transmission does not shift hi gher than 3rd gear, this gear selection
will allow use of the engine's braking power downhill.
2 - Upshift through 2nd gear only.
For driving in mountainous regions or under extreme operating conditions. This gear selection will allow use of the
engine's braking power when descending steep grades.
1 - In this position, the engine's
braking effect is utilized by shifting into 1 st gea r. Use this position while descending very steep or lengthy
downgrades and only at speeds below 40 mph (60 km/h).


Important !
With selector lever in position "D", "4" or "3", upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed depending on vehicle
speed and engine temperature. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift and increased engine noise might be perceived as a malfunction.
However, neither the engine nor transmission are negatively affected by this mode of operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C). To avoid overrevving the engi ne when the selector lever is moved to a lower driving
range, the transmission will not shift to a lower gear as l ong as the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit of that gear.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPMs, do not allow the engine speed to drop too low on uphill gradients.
Depending on the degree of the incline, shift selector feve r to a lower gear range early enough to maintain engine
RPM within the best torque range.

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in rear wheel
slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's AB S will not prevent this type of loss of control.

Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a parki ng space, control the car speed by gradually releasing the
brakes. Accelerate gently and never abr uptly step on the accelerator. To rock a car out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying slight partial throttle. Rocking a car free in this manner may
cause the ABS malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.

Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service brake. For longer
stops with the engine idling, shift into "N" or "P" and hold t he vehicle with the service brake. When stopping the car on
an uphill incline, do not hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids unnecessary transmission heat build
up.

Warning !

Getting out of your car with the selector lever not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous. Also, when
parked on an incline, position "P" alone may not pr event your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects. Always set the parking brake in addition to sh ifting to position "P". When parked on an incline,
also turn front wheel against curb.

ProCarManuals.com

Program Mode Selector Switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch for Standard "S" and Winter/Wet
(snow and ice) "W" program modes.



Important !
Always be certain of the program mode se lected since the vehicle driving characteristics change with the selection of
the program mode.


S Standard mode
Press switch on symbol "S". Use this mode for a ll regular driving. The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.
W Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode Press switch on symbol "W". The vehicle starts out in 2nd gear, except
lever in 1st gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-dow n position. The "W" mode helps to imp upshifts occur at lower
vehicle and engine speeds than in the "S" program mode.


Caution !
Never change the program mode? when the selector lever is out of position "P". It could result in a change of driving
characteristics for which you may not be prepared.

Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no longe r shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in Limp
Home Mode which engages when there is a malfunction at the transmission. This condition may be accompanied by
the "CHECK ENGINE" malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be activated.

To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1 . Stop the vehicle.
2 . Move selector lever to position "P".
3 . Turn off the engine.
4 . Wait 10 seconds.
5 . Restart the engine.
6 . Move selector lever to position "D" (for 2nd gear), or move selector lever to position "R" (for reverse gear).

Have the transmission checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.


ProCarManuals.com