windshield wipers MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2003 Owners Manual

Page 3 of 356

Contents
Introduction ......................................... 9
Product information ............................... 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10 Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership .... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada ......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16 Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects ...................... 18 Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
At a glance .......................................... 19
Cockpit .................................................20
Instrument cluster ................................22
Multifunction steering wheel ................24
Center console .....................................25
Overhead control panel ........................26
Door control panel ................................27Getting started ...................................29
Unlocking .............................................30 Unlocking with the SmartKey ..........30
Adjusting ..............................................32 Seats ...............................................32
Steering wheel ................................37
Mirrors ............................................39
Driving ..................................................41 Fastening the seat belt ...................41
Starting the engine .........................44
Switching on headlamps .................47
Turn signals and high beam ............47
Windshield wipers ...........................48
Problems while driving ....................50 Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake .................................. 51
Switching off headlamps ................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security ........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Panic alarm* ........................................ 72 Activating ........................................ 72
Deactivating .................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73 ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems ................................ 78 Immobilizer ..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ............................ 79

Page 21 of 356

21
At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Headlamp washer switch*
140
2
Combination switch
47

Turn signals
47

Windshield wipers
48

High beam
99
3
Cruise control lever
189
4
Instrument cluster
22,
102
5
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
106
6
Horn
7
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate op-
erating instructions
8
Overhead control panel
26
9
Glove box lid release
195
Item
Page
10
Glove box lid
195
11
Center console
25
12
Starter switch
31
13
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
38
14
Hood lock release
226
15
Parking brake pedal
46
16
Power window switches
182
17
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk, electrical*
38
18
Parking brake release
46
19
Door control panel
27
20
Exterior lamp switch
47, 96
21
Exterior mirror adjustment
39

Page 48 of 356

48 Getting startedDrivingHigh beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam symbol
A
in the
instrument cluster lights up.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 99).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1 Single wipe
2 Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on. Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0
Windshield wipers off
I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal blinks three times.

Page 49 of 356

49
Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow
1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of arrow 1
past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
iVehicles without rain sensor*: Fast
wiper speed III goes to setting II when
the vehicle is standing still.
Vehicles with rain sensor*: Intermittent
wiping interval dependent on wetness
of windshield. Wiping will not occur
with a door open.!Vehicles with rain sensor*: Do not
leave in intermittent setting when vehi-
cle is taken to an automatic car wash or
during windshield cleaning. Wipers will
operate in presence of water sprayed
on the windshield, and wipers may be
damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield.
!If leaves, snow, etc. block the wind-
shield wipers, switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons, withdraw key
from starter switch. Remove block-
age.

Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch position I,

set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.

have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Page 138 of 356

138 Controls in detailGood visibility
Good visibilityInformation on the windshield wipers
(page 48) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 39) is found in the “Get-
ting started” section.
Rear view mirror
Inside rear view mirror, antiglare posi-
tion
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night posi-
tion using the lever at its lower edge. Automatic antiglare rear view mirror*
The reflection brightn
ess of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the inside rear view mirror will respond au-
tomatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on, and

incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the inside rear view mir-
ror. The rear view mirror will not react if

reverse gear is engaged

the interior lighting is turned onWarning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the inside rear view mirror.
The inside rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun-
shade is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.

Page 145 of 356

145
Controls in detail
Climate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls
2 and 3 to sepa-
rately adjust the air temperature on each
side of the passenger compartment. You
should raise or lower the temperature set-
ting in small increments, preferably start-
ing at 72°F (22°C).
Increasing
Turn the control slightly to the right.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing

Turn the control slightly to the left.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Adjusting air distribution and volume
Use the air distribution control 4
(page 143) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
controls: Adjusting manually

Press the
U
button.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.

Select any of the six air volume speeds
using the air volume control 1
(page 143) and the air distribution.
Adjusting automatically

Press the
U
button.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air distribution and vol-
ume is adjusted automatically.
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on.

Switch to manual mode.

Turn the air distribution control
to
a
or
Y
.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the
center, side and rear pas-
senger compartment air
vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
X
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells

Page 153 of 356

153
Controls in detail
Automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controls
2 and 5
(page 151) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls: Adjusting manually

Press left or right
U
button.
The air distribution can be adjusted
manually.
Adjusting automatically

Press left or right
U
button again.
The air distribution is adjusted auto-
matically.
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on.

Switch to manual mode.

Turn the air distribution control
to
a
or
Y
.
Adjusting air volume
Adjusting manually
Seven blower speeds are available.
Press left
M
or right
Q
side of air
volume control switch until the re-
quested blower speed is attained.
The display “Auto” disappears and the
automatic mode is switched off. The
selected blower speed is shown in the
display.
Adjusting automatically

Press left or right
U
button.
The air volume is adjusted automatical-
ly.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the
center, side and rear pas-
senger compartment air
vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
X
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells

Page 243 of 356

243
Operation
Vehicle care
Wiper blades
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a clean
cloth and detergent solution.
Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass
surfaces. An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
iFor safety reasons, switch off wipers
and remove key from starter switch be-
fore cleaning the wiper blades, other-
wise the wiper motor can suddenly turn
on and cause injury.iFor safety reasons, switch off wipers
and remove key from starter switch be-
fore cleaning the windshield, otherwise
the wiper motor can suddenly turn on
and cause injury.
iUse only acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid could lead to corrosion.

Page 333 of 356

333
Index
A
ABS 23, 73, 327
ABS control 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 247
Messages in display 253
Warning lamp 247
Accelerator position, automatic transmis- sion 137
Accident In case of 50
Activating Air conditioning (cooling) 148, 157
Air recirculation mode 146, 154
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Automatic climate control 151
Central locking (control system) 122
Climate control 143
Defrost 146, 154
Easy-entry/exit feature 123
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 97
Hazard warning flasher 99
Headlamps 47
High beams 99
Ignition 31 Immobilizer 53, 78
Rear fog lamp 97
Rear window defroster 147, 156
Residual heat 158
Seat heater* 92
Tow-away alarm 79
Windshield wipers 48
Adding Coolant 230
Engine oil 228
Additional turn signals 280
Adjustable air outlets, rear passenger com- partment 149, 158
Adjusting 32 Air distribution 145, 153
Air volume 145, 153
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Head restraint height 33, 35, 37
Head restraint tilt 34, 35
Head restraints 37
Inside rear view mirror 39
Instrument cluster illumination 102
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 39
Rear seat head restraints 36 Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 34
Seat height 33, 35
Seats 32
Steering column height 39
Steering column length 39
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner (cooling) Turning off 148, 157
Turning on 148, 157
Air conditioner refrigerant 319
Air distribution Adjusting 145, 153
Air outlets, rear passenger compartment Adjustable 149, 158
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 234
Air recirculation mode 146, 154 Activating 146, 154
Deactivating 147, 155
Air volume Adjusting 145, 153
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 251
Airbags 57 BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 327
BabySmartTM deactivation system 67

Page 337 of 356

337
Index
Cockpit 20, 327
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND*) 328
Collapsible tire 328
COMAND* 328
COMAND* see separate operating instructions
Combination switch 99 High beam flasher 48, 99
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Consumer information 325
Control and operation of radio transmitters 222
Control system 105, 328 AUDIO menu 110
Convenience submenu 123
Display digital speedometer 110
Functions 106, 109
Instrument cluster submenu 116
Lighting submenu 119
Malfunction memory menu 112
Menus 108, 109, 329
Multifunction display 105
Multifunction steering wheel 106
NAV menu 112 Selecting radio system 111
Settings menu 114
Standard display menu 110
Submenus 107, 109
TEL* menu 126
Trip computer menu 125
Vehicle submenu 122
Convenience submenu 123 Activating easy-entry/exit feature 123
Setting key dependency 124
Setting parking position for exterior rear view mirror 124
Coolant 229, 321 Adding 230
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity 322
Capacities 317
Checking level 229
Messages in display 257, 258
Temperature 223
Temperature gauge 102
Warning lamp 258
Coolant level Checking 225, 229
Cruise control 189, 328 Canceling 190
Driving downhill 190 Driving uphill 190
Fine adjustment 191
Saving current speed 190
Setting speeds 191
Cruise control lever 189
Cup holder Cleaning 243
In front seat armrest 196
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 327
D
Daytime running lamp mode 98 Setting 119
Deactivating Air conditioning (cooling) 148
Air recirculation mode 147, 155
Alarm 79
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Automatic climate control 151
Central locking (control system) 122
Climate control 143
Cruise control 190
Defrost 146, 154
Engine with the key 53
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 97
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 120

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