warning MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2005 Owners Manual

258 Controls in detailUseful featuresRemoving ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionN (manual transmission:
second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.

Push sliding button 2 to the right.
The ashtray insert 3 slides out
slightly.

Remove the ashtray insert. Reinstalling ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert
3 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push down cover plate 1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1 Button
2 Ashtray insert
3 Cover

Pull at top of cover 3 to open ashtray. Removing ashtray insert

Push button
1 to disengage ashtray
insert 2 and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert 2 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push at the top of cover 3 to close
ashtray.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to position N (manual trans-
mission: second gear). With gear selector
lever in position N (manual transmission:
second gear) turn off the engine.

259
Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
1 Cover plate
2 Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).

Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate 1.
The ashtray opens automatically.

Push in cigarette lighter 2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.

Push down cover plate 1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
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. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
iThe lighter socket can be used to
accommodate electrical accessories
up to a maximum 85 W.

260 Controls in detailUseful featuresElectrical outlet
Socket in the rear passenger
compartment1 Cover
2 Electrical outlet cover

Switch on the ignition (
page 33).

Pull at top of cover 1 to open ashtray.

Flip electrical outlet cover 2 to the left
and insert electrical plug (cigarette
lighter type).
Telephone*
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.
iThe electrical outlet can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a
maximum of 180 W.
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.

261
Controls in detail
Useful features
You can take and place telephone calls us-
ing the
s andt buttons on the
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system
(page 153).
See separate operating manual for instruc-
tions on how to use the telephone.
Tele Aid*
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility 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
recommend that you pull over to a safe loca-
tion 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) and audio sys-
tem if road, weather and traffic conditions
permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid
system may only be performed by
completing the subscriber agreement
and placing an acquaintance call using
the ¡ button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding ac-
tivation, please call the Response Cen-
ter at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

263
Controls in detail
Useful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or air
bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 264) for instruc-
tions on initiating an emergency call man-
ually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message
Connecting call

appears in the multifunction display and
the audio system is muted. When the con-
nection is established, the message
Call connected
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the
vehicle (determined by the GPS satellite
location system), vehicle model, identifica-
tion number and color are generated. A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon
after the emergency call has been initiat-
ed. The Response Center will attempt to
determine more precisely the nature of the
emergency provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if:


it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection
and cellular air time


the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button and/or in
the Information button remain illuminated
constantly in red and/or the message Tele Aid malfunction. Drive to
workshop
is displayed in the multifunction
display after the system self-check, a mal-
function in the system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the
Response Center.

264 Controls in detailUseful features
Initiating an emergency call manually1 Cover
2 SOS button
Briefly press on cover 1.
The cover will open.

Press SOS button 2 briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button 2
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.

Wait for a voice connection to the Re-
sponse Center.

Close cover 1 after the emergency
call is concluded.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message
Call failed.
appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
ten seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
Warning!
G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they re-
ceive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.

270 Controls in detailUseful featuresWarning!
G
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent
potential harm or damage. When program-
ming a garage door opener, the door moves
up or down. When programming a gate oper-
ator, the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control
with any garage door opener that lacks safe-
ty stop and reverse features as required by
U.S. federal safety standards (this includes
any garage door opener model manufac-
tured before April 1, 1982). A garage door
that cannot detect an object - signaling the
door to stop and reverse - does not meet
current U.S. federal safety standards.
iCertain types of garage door openers
are incompatible with the integrated
opener. If you should experience diffi-
culties with programming the transmit-
ter, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or call
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any inter- ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.

277
Operation
Driving instructions
 Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures


Remove unnecessary loads


Remove roof rack when not in use


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration


Have all maintenance work performed
by qualified technicians at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet
and as required by the maintenance
service display. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.

278 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected by quali-
fied technicians immediately. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from vehi-
cles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS), (
page 82).
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.

279
Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the 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
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP switched off. Doing so
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to position
P
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
When parking on hills, always turn front
wheel towards the curb.
Warning!
G
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.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
position P (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel against curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position 0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.


Take the SmartKey with you and lock
the vehicle when leaving.