brake light MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE 2005 CL203 Owner's Manual

ContentsPanorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 241
Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel ........ 241
Opening and closing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 242
Synchronizing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel and
the roller sunblinds....................... 246
Driving systems ................................. 247
Cruise control............................... 247
Loading .............................................. 250
Roof rack* .................................... 250
Split rear bench seat .................... 250
Luggage cover .............................. 252
Loading instructions ..................... 252
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 253
Useful features .................................. 254
Storage compartments................. 254
Ashtrays ....................................... 257
Cigarette lighter ........................... 259
Electrical outlet ............................ 260
Telephone*................................... 260
Tele Aid* ...................................... 261
Garage door opener* ................... 269
Operation......................................... 275
The first 1000 miles (1500km) .......... 276
Driving instructions............................ 277
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 277
Drinking and driving ..................... 277
Pedals .......................................... 277
Power assistance ......................... 277
Brakes .......................................... 278
Driving off .................................... 279
Parking ......................................... 279
Tires ............................................. 280
Hydroplaning ................................ 281
Tire traction.................................. 281
Tire speed rating .......................... 282
Winter driving instructions ........... 283
Standing water ............................. 284
Passenger compartment .............. 284
Driving abroad.............................. 284
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 284
Catalytic converter ....................... 285
Emission control .......................... 286
Coolant temperature .................... 286At the gas station .............................. 288
Refueling ...................................... 288
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 290
Engine compartment ......................... 291
Hood ............................................ 291
Engine oil ..................................... 292
Transmission fluid level ................ 296
Coolant level ................................ 296
Battery ......................................... 297
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 299
Tires and wheels................................ 300
Important guidelines .................... 300
Tire care and maintenance........... 301
Direction of rotation..................... 303
Loading the vehicle ...................... 303
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 309
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 311
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320

36 Getting startedAdjustingManual seat adjustment
1Backrest tilt
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustmentSeat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle4.

Slide seat to the desired position.

Allow handle4 to reengage.

Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the accel-
erator/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.Seat cushion tilt

Turn handwheel3 forward or back-
ward until your upper legs are lightly
supported.
Seat backrest tilt

Turn handwheel1 forward or back-
ward until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.
Seat height

Pull handle2 up to r ai se s ea t c us hi on.

Push handle2 down to lower seat
cushion.
!W h e n m o v i n g t h e s e a t s , m a k e s u r e t h a t
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.

38 Getting startedAdjustingPower seat* adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustment
5Backrest tilt
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
or

Open the respective door.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach
the accelerator / brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far to the rear
as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow3 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow5 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow2.
Head restraint height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
!W h e n m o v i n g t h e s e a t s , m a k e s u r e t h a t
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.iThe memory function* (
page 107)
lets you store the settings for the seat
position together with the setting for
the steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as possi-
ble.

51 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 277).
Switching on headlamps
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 110).
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP or R only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
speeds may shorten the service life of
the engine.Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission*: It is
dangerous to shift the gear selector lever
out ofP or N if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could acceler-
ate quickly forward or in reverse. You could
lose control of the vehicle and hit someone
or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 51).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 110).
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear)
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an
incline, positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear) alone may not prevent
your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting
people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
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 release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from positionP
(manual transmission: into neutral), either of
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious injury.

81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS and ESP cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires),
or snow chains as required.Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

165 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:

Leave the transmission in gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine
idling or on an uphill gradient:

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Set the parking brake.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicleWarning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could
roll away.

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 button2 to the right.
The ashtray insert3 slides out
slightly.

Remove the ashtray insert.Reinstalling ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert3 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1Button
2Ashtray insert
3Cover

Pull at top of cover3 to open ashtray.Removing ashtray insert

Push button1 to disengage ashtray
insert2 and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Push the ashtray insert2 down into
the retainer until it engages.

Push at the top of cover3 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 positionN (manual trans-
mission: second gear). With gear selector
lever in positionN (manual transmission:
second gear) turn off the engine.

283 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN or,
in case of manual transmission declutch.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible
after driving is resumed.
For more information on winter driving, see
“Winter driving” (
page 328).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 329).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.

290 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*Brake fluid
Remove fuse box cover before checking
brake fluid (
page 410).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (page 292).
Opening hood, see (
page 291).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 296)
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 384).
Exterior lamp switch, see (
page 110).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 311).
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 299).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see “Practical Hints”
(page 341).