LIGHTS MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class 2000 W202 Owner's Manual

Page 14 of 130


Air Recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the entry of annoying odours or dust from vehicle's interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car's interior.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated air to fresh air
• after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures below approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside temperatures above approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 5 minutes, if button is pressed.
At hight ouside temperatures, the system automatically engages the recirculated air mode for approx.
30 minutes, thereby increasing the cooling capacity performance. Press button again to extend the recirculated
air mode.

Residual Engine Heat Utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume is controlled automatically
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or remove . Close air outlet in rear passenger compartment.
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button lights up.
This function selection will not activate if the battery charge level is insufficient.
To cancel:
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button goes out
The system will automatically shut off
• if you turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• after approx. 30 minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.


Dust Filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out before outside air enters the passenger compartment through the
air distribution system.

Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of snow and debris.

Important !
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon)
as a refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician, and refrigerant
should be collected in a recovery system for recycling.

Page 34 of 130


Heated Seats (optional)

Heated Seats (optional)

The front seat heater can be switched on with the electronic key in steering lock
positions 1 or 2.
Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1. Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in the switch lights up.
2. Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in the switch light up. After
approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator lamp will stay on.

Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of switch.
If left on, the seatheater automatically turns off after approximately 30 minutes of operation.

Note:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the seat
heater longer than necessary. The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too many power consumers are
switched on at the same time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs, the indicator lamp in the switch will
blink (both indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode). The seat heaters will switch on again automatically
as soon as sufficient voltage is available. If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to you, the seat heaters
can be switched off.

Page 69 of 130


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 1st gear.
Use this position while descending very steep or l engthy 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, if the engine's speed limit would be exceeded. In this case there
will be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches t he engine's speed limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the
service brakes. Continue driving in the usual manner. The transmission will then shift down automatically.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when driv ing uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily loaded, the
automatic transmission will downshift when necessary 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 drive wheel
slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's AB S will not prevent this type of loss of control.

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 ABS 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 vehicle speed by gradually releasing
the
brakes. Accelerate gently and never abruptly step on the ac celerator. To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or
snow),
alternately shift from forward to revers e, while applying slight partial throttle. Rocking a vehicle 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 the vehicle with the service brake. When stopping the
vehicle
on an uphill gradient, do not hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids unnecessary transmission heat
build up.

Warning !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous. Also,
when parked on an incline, position "P" alone may not prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting
people or objects. Always set the parking brake in a ddition to shifting to position "P". When parked on
an incline, also turn front wheel against curb.

Page 76 of 130


Exterior Lamp Failure indicator Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, an exterior lamp comes on. It should go out when the engine is
running. If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine, or if it comes on while driving, this lamp
indicates a failure in the parking lamp, taillamp, stop la mp, or low beam headlamp. If an exterior lamp fails, the
indicator lamp will come on only when that lamp is switched on. If a brake lamp fails, the lamp failure indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stay on until the engine is turned off.

Note:
If additional lighting equipment is installed (e.g. auxiliary headl amps etc.) be certain to connect into the fuse before
the failure indicator monitoring unit in order to avoid damaging the system.


Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on .
It goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this indica tes that the brake pads are worn down. Have the brake
system checked at your authorized Mercedes- Benz dealer as soon as possible.


Brake Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the brake warning lamp will come on. It should go out when the
engine is running. The brake warning lamp will come on:
• when there is insufficient brake fluid in the rese rvoir (engine running and parking brake released), or
• when the parking brake is set (engine running).

Warning !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Don't add brake fluid before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in sp illing brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid
catching fire. You can be seriously burned.

If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid reserv oir is reached, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks. To test the brake warning lamp, turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2. The brake
warning lamp comes on, and should go out when the engine is running.

Page 103 of 130


Jump Starting

Warning !

Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can
lead to a battery explosion and severe injury or death. Never lean over batteries while
connecting or jump starting, you might get injure d. Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow this fluid to come in contact with ey es, skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if necessary. A battery will also produce
hydrogen gas, which is flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or sparks away from
battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking etc.. Read all instructions
before proceeding.

If the battery is discharged, the engine should be start ed with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of
another vehicle.
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.

Proceed as follows:
1 . Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that the jumper cables will reach, but never
let the vehicles touch. Make sure the jump er cables do not have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
• Turn off engine and all lights and accessories, except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
• Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to position "P".

Important !
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery and the other end to the positive (+ ) terminal of the charged battery. Make sure
the cable clamps do not touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the grounded negative (-) terminal of the
charged battery and the final connection to the negative (-) terminal of the discharged battery.


Important !
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery and run at high idle. Make sure the
cables are not on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will move when the engine is
started. Allow the discharged battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of the
disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables exactly reversing the above
installation sequence, starting with the last connection made first. When removing each
clamp, make sure that it does not touch any other metal while the other end is still attached.


Important !
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14°F (-10°C ). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. A frozen battery can explode and cause personal injury.

Jumper cable specifications:
• Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx. 2 AWG
• Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).


Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Excessive unbur ned fuel may damage the catalytic converter.