MERCEDES-BENZ C230 COUPE 2003 CL203 Owner's Manual
Page 191 of 356
191 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting stored speed (“Resume” 
function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to 
position4.
The cruise control will resume the last 
previously set speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator 
pedal.Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever to 
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever to 
position2 and hold it down until the 
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph 
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the 
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the 
direction of arrow2.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be 
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration 
differences arising from returning to preset 
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does 
not deactivate cruise control. After 
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), 
cruise control will resume the last 
speed set.
iVehicles with automatic transmission: 
When you use the cruise control lever 
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s 
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently. 
Page 192 of 356
192 Controls in detailLoading
LoadingRoof rack*
Mount the roof rack only between the fas-
tening points1 and in the recess of the 
rubber strip2.
Luggage cover
Removal
Take off securing straps1.
Pull cover towards rear2.
Installation
Place cover into holder.
Attach securing straps to trunk lid.
Split folding rear bench seat
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the trunk.
Warning!
G
Use only those roof racks approved by 
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to 
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Do not place anything on the luggage 
cover below the rear window.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment, 
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants unless the items are 
securely fastened in the vehicle. 
Page 193 of 356
193 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding the backrest forward
Pull release handle1.
Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Fully retract and fold down head re-
straints
Pull release lever3 and fold backrest4 
forward.
Folding the backrest rearward
Fold the backrest rearward until it en-
gages.
If the backrest is not locked into position, 
a red indicator1 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing 
and pulling on the backrest.
Fold the seat cushion rearward until it 
locks into position.
Warning!
G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest 
up, then the backrest is not properly locked 
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position 
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use. 
Check for secure locking by pushing and 
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants unless the items are 
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when transporting cargo. 
Page 194 of 356
194 Controls in detailLoadingLoading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated 
on the certification tag which can be found 
on the left door pillar.
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to 
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being 
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against 
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten 
them as securely as possible.The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of 
the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items 
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open. 
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death. 
Page 195 of 356
195 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box
2Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box
Pull lid release2.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box
Insert mechanical key into the glove 
box lock and turn it to position4.
Unlocking the glove box
Turn mechanical key in the glove box 
lock to position3.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e  o r  c a r g o  i n  t h e  t r u n k  i f  p o s s i b l e .  D o  n o t  
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat 
backs. Do not place anything on the luggage 
cover below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy 
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help 
to prevent stored objects from being thrown 
about and injuring vehicle occupants during 
an accident.
iPrior to closing the glove box, close the 
compartment for glasses first. 
Page 196 of 356
196 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartment in front of arm-
rest
Opening
Slide cover1 rearward.
The compartment contains a cigarette 
lighter (
page 199), a coin holder, and 
a cup holder.
Closing
Slide cover1 forward.Cup holderOpening cup holder
Slide cover rearward.
Push button1.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder 
closed. Place only containers that fit into the 
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on 
open containers and do not fill containers to 
a height where the contents, especially hot 
liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers. 
Page 197 of 356
197 Controls in detail
Useful features
Closing cup holder
Push in direction of arrow until cup 
holder engages.Armrest storage spaces
Opening compartment in armrest
Lift armrest3 by handle2.
Opening compartment under armrest
Lift armrest3 by handle1.
Closing
Lower armrest until it engages in lock.Changing inclination of armrest
Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest
Pull handle1 to lower armrest.iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm 
due to its confined space. When storing 
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 148) 
while heating the passenger compart-
ment. 
Page 198 of 356
198 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located 
in the front passenger footwell. It is for 
small and light items, such as road maps, 
mail, etc.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the selec-
tor lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out 
the insert.
Slide ashtray insert in direction of 
arrow2 until it disengages.
Grip ashtray at indents (arrows3) and 
remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Install insert by pushing back into 
frame until it engages again.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle 
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector 
lever in positionN, turn off the engine. 
Page 199 of 356
199 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover2 to open ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert
Press latch1 to disengage ashtray in-
sert and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Install ashtray insert.
Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn key in the starter switch to 
position1 or2.
Slide cover2 rearward.
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of 
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot. 
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
key from the starter switch and lock your ve-
hicle. 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.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be 
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum 85 W. 
Page 200 of 356
200 Controls in detailUseful featuresTelephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only 
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on 
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved 
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use 
of an external antenna.You can take and place telephone calls us-
ing the
í
 and
ì
 buttons on the 
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system 
(
page 126).
See separate operating manual for instruc-
tions on how to use the telephone.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped 
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna) 
from inside the vehicle while the engine is 
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious 
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s 
attention to the road must always be 
his /her primary focus when driving. For 
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location 
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while 
driving, please use the hands-free device 
and only use the telephone when road, 
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some 
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a 
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND* (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weather 
and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is 
covering a distance of approx. 44 feet (ap-
proximately 13.5 m) every second.Warning!
G
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from 
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle. Whether or not prohibited by law, for 
safety reasons, the driver should not use the 
cellular telephone while the vehicle is in mo-
tion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before an-
swering or placing a call.