Starting MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2005 Owner's Manual

319
Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire type code
The code
4 (
page 318) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture 5 (
page 318)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1 Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support. For more information on tire load rating
(
page 315).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 306).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.

330 OperationMaintenanceIn the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating,
maintaining and caring for your vehicle.
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service
indicator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times /mileage will result in
vehicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will
notify you when your next maintenance
service is due.Starting approximately one month before
your next maintenance service is due, one
of the following messages will appear in
the multifunction display while you are
driving or when you switch on the ignition
(example service A):
Service A in XX Days
Service A in XX Miles (Km)
A Service due nowThe type of maintenance service due is
indicated in the multifunction display:
9
Minor service (A)
´ Major service (B)
iVehicles equipped with FSS (F
lexible
S
ervice S
ystem) only (Canada
vehicles): The interval between
maintenance services depends on your
driving habits. A gentle driving style,
moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

339
Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency Replacing SmartKey batteries Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle Fuses

344 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp in the fuel gauge
comes on while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 288).
<
The red seat belt telltale illumi-
nates for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The telltale reminds you and your passengers
to fasten seat belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
The telltale goes out.
The red seat belt telltale
illuminates and a warning chime
sounds for approximately six
seconds after starting the
engine.
The driver’s seat belt is not fastened before
the engine is started.

Fasten the driver’s seat belt.
The telltale goes out.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint
systems. The air bags or emergency
tensioning devices (ETDs) could deploy
unexpectedly or fail to deploy in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked; otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident,
which could result in serious or fatal injury,
or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnec-
essarily which could result in an accident
and/or injury to you or to others.

348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display. High priority
messages appear in red color.For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:


Text messages (
page 349)


Symbol messages (
page 357)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and multifunction display are in
working order before starting your
journey.

404 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
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 injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
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.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

405
Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off the engine.
On both vehicles:

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to position P
(manual transmission to Neutral). 1
Positive terminal of charged battery
2 Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3 Negative terminal of charged battery
4 Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery

Connect positive terminal 1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal 2 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper ca-
bles. Clamp cable to charged
battery 1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal 3 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal 4 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery 3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
Now you can turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals 4 and 3 and then
from positive terminals 2 and 1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 297).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

408 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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 ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 87).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 148).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 401)
and “Jump starting” (page 404).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position P. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking trans-
mission gear selector lever, see
(page 380).

431
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a
label reading
Premium gasoline or E85
only! on fuel filler flap).
These vehicles are designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline or Ethanol fuel
(E85), or on any mixture of these two.
Ethanol fuel (E85) is a mixture of approxi-
mately 85% Ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the oth-
er fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:


Fuel level is below half full.


Fuel level is above reserve (reserve
warning lamp is not lit).


Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).


Ignition is off during refill.


Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel. If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline (at least 3 gallons
[12 liters]) to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.
Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures below
32°F (0°C). At low temperatures the use
of a block heater is recommended (see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information). Rough idling may also
be experienced at such temperatures
before the engine is fully warmed up.
Warning!
G
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of Ethanol
fumes and skin contact with Ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when am-
bient temperatures fall below 14°F
(-10°C).

445
Index
Audio system 195
Audio and telephone, operation 195
Button and soft key operation 198
CD* operation 213
Operating and display elements 196
Operating safety 195
Operation 198
Radio operation 203
Switching off 199
Switching on 198
Telephone* operation 220
Auto-dimming* for rear view mirror 168
Automatic central locking Activating/deactivating (control system) 148
Automatic climate control* 182 Activating 183
Adjusting air distribution 186
Air recirculation mode 189
Deactivating 183
Defrosting 188
Setting the temperature 185
Automatic headlamp mode 111
Automatic lighting control Activating 117
Deactivating 117 Automatic locking when driving 97
Automatic shift program*
Program mode selector switch 164
Automatic time change (summer-/winter) 141
Automatic transmission* 159, 296 Accelerator position 165
Automatic shift program 164
Comfort program mode 164
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode) 166
Fluid level 296
Gear ranges 161
Gear selector lever 159
Gear selector lever position 159, 162
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Kickdown 165
Manual shifting 160
One-touch gearshifting 160
Program mode selector switch 164
Starting with 49
Transmission fluid 296
Working on the vehicle 165 B
Backrest
Folding forward 251
Folding rearward 251
Backup lamps Bulbs 384
Bar 323
BAS 82, 437 Messages in display 354
Batteries, SmartKey Check lamp 93
Checking 93
Replacing 382, 383
Battery discharged Jump starting 404
Battery, vehicle 297, 401 Charging 402
Disconnecting 402
Reconnecting 403
Reinstalling 402
Removing 402
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 437
Bi-Xenon type* Front lamp bulbs 388
Block heater 329