window MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON 2005 S203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower Part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30
Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 32
Starter switch positions .................. 33
Adjusting .............................................. 35
Seats .............................................. 35
Steering wheel ................................ 39
Mirrors ............................................ 41
Driving .................................................. 43
Fastening the seat belt ................... 43
Starting the engine ......................... 46
Switching on headlamps ................. 49
Turn signals .................................... 50
Windshield wipers ........................... 50
Rear window wiper ......................... 53
Problems while driving.................... 54
Parking and locking .............................. 55
Parking brake ................................. 55
Switching off headlamps................. 56
Turning off engine ........................... 57

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Air bags .......................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 66
Children in the vehicle .................... 69
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 77
Panic alarm* ........................................ 78
Activating ....................................... 78
Deactivating ................................... 78
Driving safety systems ......................... 79
ABS ................................................ 79
BAS ................................................ 80
ESP ................................................. 81
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 85
Immobilizer..................................... 85
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 85
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 87
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 93
Opening the tailgate ....................... 94
Closing the tailgate ........................ 94
Automatic central locking .............. 95
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 96
Seats ................................................... 97
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 97
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ....................... 99
Rear seat head restraints ............. 100
Multicontour seats* ..................... 103
Seat heating* ............................... 104
Memory function* ............................. 105
Storing positions into memory ..... 106
Recalling positions from memory . 106
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 107Lighting ............................................. 108
Exterior lamp switch .................... 108
Combination switch ..................... 112
Hazard warning flasher ................ 113
Interior lighting ............................ 114
Door entry lamps ......................... 115
Instrument cluster ............................. 116
Instrument cluster illumination .... 116
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 117
Trip odometer .............................. 117
Tachometer .................................. 118
Outside temperature indicator ..... 118
Control system .................................. 119
Multifunction display.................... 119
Multifunction steering wheel........ 120
Menus .......................................... 122
Standard display menu ................ 124
AUDIO menu ................................ 125
NAV* menu .................................. 128
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 128
Settings menu .............................. 130
Trip computer menu..................... 146
TEL menu* ................................... 148

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 152
One-touch gearshifting................. 154
Gear ranges ................................. 155
Gear selector lever position ......... 156
Automatic shift program .............. 158
Driving tips ................................... 159
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 160
Good visibility .................................... 161
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 161
Rear view mirrors ......................... 161
Sun visors .................................... 164
Rear window defroster ................. 165
Climate control .................................. 166
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 169
Setting the temperature ............... 169
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 170
Defrosting .................................... 171
Air recirculation mode.................. 171
Air conditioning ............................ 173
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 174Audio system ...................................... 175
Audio and telephone, operation .... 175
Operating safety ........................... 175
Operating and display elements.... 176
Button and soft key operation....... 178
Operation ...................................... 178
Radio operation ............................ 183
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 188
CD mode ....................................... 193
GSM network phones ................... 200
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 206
Emergency calls “911”.................. 213
Power windows .................................. 215
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 215
Synchronizing power windows ...... 218
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*................. 219
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 219
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 222
Driving systems .................................. 223
Cruise control ............................... 223Loading .............................................. 226
Roof rack* .................................... 226
Parcel net in cargo
compartment ................................ 226
Storage compartment under
cargo compartment floor .............. 227
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net .................................. 228
Split rear bench seat .................... 230
Loading instructions ..................... 232
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 233
Useful features ................................... 234
Storage compartments ................. 234
Ashtrays........................................ 238
Cigarette lighter ............................ 239
Electrical outlet............................. 240
Telephone* ................................... 241
Tele Aid* ....................................... 242
Garage door opener* .................... 249

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
223
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
120
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
116
5
Lever for voice control
system*
1, see separate
operating instructions
1Feature description is based on preliminary infor-
mation at time of printing. At time of printing, no
date for availability of voice control had been set.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
details and availability for your vehicle model. 6
Overhead control panel
29
7
Glove box lid release
234
8
Glove box lock
234
Item
Page
9
Center console
27
a
Starter switch
33
b
Hood lock release
270
c
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
40
d
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk (electrical)*
40
e
Parking brake pedal
47, 55
f
Door control panel
30
g
Parking brake release
47
Item
Page
h
Combination switch

Turn signals
50


Windshield wipers
50


Rear window wiper
53


High beam
49
j
Exterior lamp switch
49,
108
k
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
41,
107
l
Headlamp washer switch*
161

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heating*, driver’s side
104
2
ESP control switch
81
3
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
113
4
Central locking switch
96
Central unlocking switch
96
5
Tow-away alarm switch*
87
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp*
86
6
Seat heating*, passenger
side
104
Item
Page
7
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
72,
300
8
Audio system,
175
orCOMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
9
Climate control
166
Rear window defroster
165

30 At a glanceDoor control panel
Item
Page
1
Door handle
93
2
Memory function* (for
storing seat, exterior
mirror and steering wheel
settings)
105
3
Switches for seat
adjustment*
35, 97
4
Switches for
opening/closing front door
windows
215
5
Switch for rear door
window override
77
6
Switches for
opening/closing rear door
windows
215

46 Getting startedDriving

Check your seat belt during travel to
make sure that it is properly posi-
tioned.


Make sure that the seat belt is always
fitted snugly. Take special care of this
when wearing loose clothing.
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 152).
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash, they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as garage) which are not properly ven-
tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes
are entering the vehicle while driving, have
the cause determined and corrected imme-
diately. If you must drive under these condi-
tions, drive only with at least one window
fully open.

53 Getting started
Driving
Rear window wiper
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Rear window wiper switch
2Wiping rear window with washer fluid
3Intermittent wiping
4Rear window wiper off
5Wiping rear window with washer fluid

Switch on ignition (
page 33).
Activating intermittent wipe

Turn switch1 to position3.
Deactivating intermittent wipe

Turn switch1 to position4.Wiping with washer fluid

Turn switch1 to position2 or5.
The rear window wiper operates with
washer fluid.
Hold switch1 in position2 or5
until the rear window is clean.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 277).
iThe rear window wiper engages
automatically if the gear selector lever
is moved to positionR with the
windshield wipers switched on.

61 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Air bags
Warning!
G
In the event that the1 indicator lamp
comes on during driving or does not come
on at all, the SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction. 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 acci-
dent, which could result in serious or fatal
injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
In addition, improper work on the SRS
creates a risk of rendering the SRS inopera-
tive or causing unintended air bag deploy-
ment. Work on the SRS must therefore only
be performed by qualified technicians. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Air bags are designed to reduce the poten-
tial of injury and fatality in certain frontal
impacts (front air bags), or side impacts
(side impact air bags and head protection
window curtain air bags). However, no sys-
tem available today can totally eliminate in-
juries and fatalities.
The activation of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the
air bags. This dust, however, is neither inju-
rious to your health, nor does it indicate a
fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathing difficulty for peo-
ple with asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, you may wish to get out of the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door.
Warning!
G
To reduce the risk of injury when the front
air bags inflate, it is very important for the
driver and front passenger to always be in a
properly seated position and to wear your
seat belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the backrest. Fasten
your seat belt and make sure that it is prop-
erly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating and hands
on steering wheel position will help to keep
you at a safe distance from the air bag.
Occupants who are unbelted, out of position
or too close to the air bag can be seriously
injured by an air bag as it inflates with great
force in the blink of an eye:

Sit properly belted in a nearly upright
position with your back against the seat
backrest.


63 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Warning!
G
Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in an automobile is in the
rear seat. Should you choose to place a child
12 years old or under in the front passenger
seat of your vehicle, you must properly use
a BabySmart
TM1
child restraint which will
turn off the passenger front air bag.
BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn off any
side impact air bag.
It should be noted that with respect to both
front and rear side impact air bags there is a
possibility for a side air bag related injury if
occupants, especially children, are not prop-
erly seated or restrained when next to a side
air bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a
side impact in order to do its job.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1) Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their
heads in the area of the door where the
side air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
air bag be activated.
(2) Always sit nearly upright, properly use
the seat belts and use an appropriately
sized infant or child restraint system for
all children 12 years old or under.
(3) Always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of
these guidelines, it would be safer for your
rear seat occupants to have both rear door
mounted side air bags deactivated, then
deactivation can be accomplished upon
your written request to do so at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center at an additional
cost.
Please contact your local authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.iAir bags are designed to activate only
in certain frontal impacts (front
air bags) and in side impacts (side
impact and head protection window
curtain air bags) which exceed preset
thresholds.
Only during these types of impacts, if of
sufficient severity to meet the deploy-
ment tresholds, will they provide their
supplemental protection.
The driver and passengers should
always wear their seat belts. Otherwise
it is not possible for air bags to provide
their supplemental protection.