warning MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2004 Repair Manual

140 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 141). Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the
D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission. Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the
D+direction until
D reappears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear range D.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
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 ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
the D-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.

143
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
in N can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in position P
is dangerous. Also, position P alone is not
intended to or capable of preventing your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position P (
page 46).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could move the gear selector lever from
position P, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

146 Controls in detailGood visibility
Good visibilityInformation on the windshield wipers
(page 49) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 39) is found in the “Get-
ting started” section.
Rear view mirrors
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare posi-
tion
1 Lever
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night posi-
tion using lever 1. Automatic antiglare rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when


the ignition is switched on
and


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


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on.
Warning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.

147
Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored positions.
Make sure you stored a parking posi-
tion for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 97)

Make sure the
MIRROR SETTING WHEN
PARKING
function, found under the
CON-
VENIENCE
submenu in the control sys-
tem, is switched to
ON (page 132).

Switch on ignition.

Press button 2 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gear R.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward to the
stored position. 1
Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2 Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
The exterior rear view mirror returns to
its previously stored driving position:


ten seconds after you put the gear
selector lever out of position R


immediately once you exceed a ve-
hicle speed of approx. 6 mph
(10 km/h)


immediately when you press
button1 for driver’s side mirror
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.

148 Controls in detailGood visibilityHeadlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.1 Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch 1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 243).
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Swing sun visors down when you expe-
rience glare. 1
Mounting
2 Mirror cover
3 Mirror lamp*
4 Sun visor

To use mirror, lift up cover 2.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.
iIf sunlight enters through a side win-
dow, disengage sun visor from
mounting 1 and pivot to the side.
The mirror lamp* 3 will switch off.

149
Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is automatically deactivated af-
ter approximately 6 to 17 minutes of oper-
ation depending on the outside
temperature.
Activating
Press button
F (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. Deactivating

Press button
F (
page 151) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts flashing, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.

152 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the au-
tomatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the
AC
OFF
mode is selected
(
page 156).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may case burns or frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary,
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 153).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval. A
clogged filter will reduce the air volume
to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.

154 Controls in detailClimate controlDefrosting
Activating
Press buttonP (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on
or

Switch off air recirculation, if selected.

Press button O (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.

Close center air vents.

Open left and right side air vents
(page 151) and adjust side air vents
upwards. Deactivating

Press button
P (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button O (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.
iIf you keep button O pressed the
side windows and panorama slid-
ing/pop-up roof* will close.
The air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
If you have turned off the air condition-
ing (
page 156) or the outside
temperature is below 41°F (5°C), the
air recirculation mode will not switch
on automatically.
Warning!
G
Never operate the windows or panorama
sliding /pop-up roof* if there is the possibil-
ity of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.

159
Controls in detail
Audio system
 Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.
Operating safety
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a stand-
still and operate the system only when road
and traffic conditions permit. Always pay full
attention to traffic conditions first before
operating system controls while driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is cover-
ing a distance of 50 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Any alterations made to electronic compo-
nents can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite
radio*, telephone* and voice control sys-
tem* are interconnected. When one of the
components is not operational or has not
been removed/replaced properly, the func-
tion of other components may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

172 Controls in detailAudio systemCassette operation
Playing cassettes
Press3button.
The display panel folds down and the
cassette compartment becomes ac-
cessible.

Insert cassette into the cassette com-
partment until it engages and tap it
gently.
The cassette will be pulled in automati-
cally. The system switches to cassette
mode. Side 1 will be played and
SIDE 1

appears in the display. Side 1 is the
side of the cassette which is facing up-
ward. The cassette deck will automati-
cally detect the type of tape.

Fold display panel back up and press
gently on the display panel frame to
lock it in place.
or

If a cassette is already in the
mechanism, press jbutton. Track selection

Press the
TRK
key.
The current track will be displayed as
SIDE 1
or
SIDE 2
.

You can switch sides at any time.
The side will be changed automatically
at the end of the tape.
!Do not press directly on the display
face. Otherwise the display will be
damaged.
iA warning signal will sound after
20 seconds if the display panel is left in
the down position. Fold display panel
back up. If the display panel is not
closed, a warning signal will sound and
the radio will be muted.