heat MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2007 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Air bags .......................................... 59
Occupant Classification System ..... 64
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Active head restraint ...................... 73
Children in the vehicle .................... 74
Blocking of
rear door window operation ........... 80
Panic alarm* ........................................ 81
Activating ....................................... 81
Deactivating ................................... 81
Driving safety systems ......................... 82
ABS ................................................ 82
BAS ................................................ 84
ESP
®............................................... 85
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®..... 88
Anti-theft systems................................ 89
Immobilizer..................................... 89
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 89
Controls in detail............................... 91
Locking and unlocking ......................... 92
SmartKey ....................................... 92
Checking the batteries ................... 95
Loss of SmartKey
or mechanical key .......................... 95
Opening the doors from the inside . 96
Opening the trunk .......................... 96
Closing the trunk............................ 97
Trunk emergency release ............... 98
Valet locking .................................. 99
Automatic central locking .............. 99
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 100
Seats ................................................. 101
Front seat active head restraints . 101
Rear seat head restraints ............. 101
Lumbar support............................ 105
Multicontour seats*
(Canada only) ............................... 105
Seat heating* ............................... 106
Memory function* ............................. 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108Lighting ............................................. 109
Exterior lamp switch .................... 109
Combination switch ..................... 113
Corner-illuminating front
fog lamps* (C 230 (Canada only),
C 280, C 350 and models
with 4MATIC: with
Bi-Xenon* headlamps)................. 113
Hazard warning flasher ................ 115
Interior lighting ............................ 116
Door entry lamps ......................... 117
Trunk lamp ................................... 117
Instrument cluster ............................. 118
Adjusting
instrument cluster illumination .... 118
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 119
Resetting trip odometer ............... 119
Tachometer.................................. 120
Outside temperature indicator ..... 120
Control system .................................. 121
Multifunction display.................... 121
Multifunction steering wheel........ 122
Menus .......................................... 124
Standard display menu ................ 126
AUDIO menu ................................ 127
NAV* menu .................................. 129

Contents
Vehicle status
message memory menu ............... 130
Settings menu .............................. 131
Trip computer menu..................... 144
TEL menu* ................................... 146
Manual transmission ......................... 149
Shifting into reverse ..................... 150
Automatic transmission* ................... 151
Gear selector lever ....................... 151
Shifting procedure ....................... 152
Gear selector lever positions ....... 153
Driving tips ................................... 155
Gear ranges ................................. 156
Automatic shift program .............. 157
One-touch gearshifting................. 158
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 159
Good visibility .................................... 160
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 160
Rear view mirrors ......................... 160
Sun visors .................................... 161
Rear window sunshade* .............. 162
Rear window defroster ................. 163Climate control ................................... 164
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 167
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 167
Setting the temperature................ 168
Adjusting air
distribution and volume ................ 168
Adjusting air volume ..................... 169
Front defroster.............................. 169
Air recirculation mode .................. 170
Air conditioning............................. 172
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 173
Automatic climate control .................. 174
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 177
Operating the automatic
climate control system
in automatic mode ........................ 177
Setting the temperature................ 178
Adjusting air distribution............... 178
Adjusting air volume ..................... 179
Front defroster.............................. 179
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 180
Air recirculation mode .................. 181Charcoal filter ............................... 183
Air conditioning ............................ 184
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 185
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 186
Audio system...................................... 187
Audio and telephone, operation .... 187
Operating safety ........................... 187
Operating and display elements ... 188
Button and soft key operation ...... 190
Operation...................................... 190
Radio operation ............................ 194
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 197
CD mode....................................... 201
GSM network phones ................... 208
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 214
Emergency calls “911” ................. 219
Power windows .................................. 221
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 221
Synchronizing power windows ...... 222
Summer opening feature .............. 223
Convenience closing feature......... 223

Contents
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 301
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology ........ 304
Rotating tires ............................... 307
Winter driving .................................... 308
Winter tires .................................. 308
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 309
Snow chains................................. 309
Maintenance ...................................... 310
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 310
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 312
Resetting the
maintenance service indicator ..... 312
Vehicle care ....................................... 313
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 313
Practical hints.................................. 321
What to do if … ................................... 322
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 322
Lamp in center console................. 331
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display........... 333
Where will I find ...? ............................ 356
First aid kit .................................... 356
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 356
Minispare wheel............................ 359
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 360
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 361
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 361
Locking the vehicle ....................... 362
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 363
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 364
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 364
Resetting activated head restraints .... 365
Resetting
activated head restraints .............. 365
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 366
SmartKey ...................................... 366Replacing bulbs .................................. 367
Bulbs............................................. 368
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 370
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 373
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 375
Removing and installing
wiper blades ................................. 375
Flat tire............................................... 377
Preparing the vehicle .................... 377
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 377
MOExtended system* ................... 382
Battery ............................................... 383
Disconnecting the battery ............ 384
Removing the battery ................... 384
Charging and
reinstalling the battery.................. 385
Reconnecting the battery ............. 385
Jump starting...................................... 386
Towing the vehicle.............................. 388
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 390
Fuses.................................................. 391
Main fuse box
in passenger compartment ........... 392
Fuse box
in engine compartment................. 392
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 394

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Seat heating*, driver’s side106
2Rear window sunshade
switch*162
3ESP® control switch85
4Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off115
5Central locking switch100
Central unlocking switch100
6Switch for folding back rear
seat head restraints103
7Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp*90
ItemPage
8Seat heating*, passenger
side106
9Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp68,
332,
339
aAudio system,187
or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
bAutomatic climate control*174
Climate control164
Rear window defroster163

42 Getting started
Adjusting
Interior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the interior rear view
mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 160).
Exterior rear view mirrorsThe buttons are located above the exterior
lamp switch.
1Adjustment button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
3Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press button3 for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button2
for passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
Push adjustment button1 up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 160).
Warning!G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-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-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
!If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly
pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly
pushed rearward (hit from the front), reposition
it by applying firm pressure until it snaps into
place. The mirror housing is now properly posi-
tioned and you can adjust the mirror in the usual
manner.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the exterior
rear view mirrors will be heated automatically.
iThe memory function* (page 107) lets
you store the settings for the exterior rear view
mirrors together with the settings for the steer-
ing wheel and the driver’s seat position.

74 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:
Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child.
Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
All lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s
seat belt have special seat belt retractors
for secure fastening of child restraints.
To fasten a child restraint, follow child
restraint instructions for mounting. Then
pull the shoulder belt out completely and
let it retract. During seat belt retraction, a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is acti-
vated. The belt is now locked. Push down
on child restraint to take up any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and
let seat belt retract completely. The seat
belt can again be used in the usual
manner.
Warning!G
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. The children could

injure themselves on parts of the vehicle

be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or
cold
If children open a door, they could

injure other persons

get out of the car and injure themselves
or be injured by oncoming traffic
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts.
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment or trunk unless
they are firmly secured in place. For more in-
formation, see “Loading” (
page 230), and
see “Useful features” (
page 237) in the
“Controls in detail ” chapter.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child’s risk of injury in the event
of

strong braking maneuvers

sudden changes of direction

an accident

88 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with the ESP®
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!G
If you see the ESP® warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, proceed
as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be conduct-
ed on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position0 or1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the front or rear axle
brake system.
Operational tests with the engine running can
only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
iAt highly demanding operating conditions,
the electronic traction system may temporarily
switch off to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes. The message
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
will then appear in
the multifunction display while the ESP® warning
lampv is flashing. The ESP® is still function-
ing normally.

106 Controls in detail
Seats
Seat heating*
Both switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console. The red indicator
lamps in the switch come on to show heat-
ing level you have selected.
1Seat heating switch
2Indicator lamps
Switch on the ignition (page 32).Switching on seat heating
Press switch1 once.
Three red indicator lamps2 in the
switch come on.
Continue pressing switch1 until
desired seat heating level is reached.
Switching off seat heating
Press switch1 repeatedly until all
indicator lamps2 go out.
Level
3Three indicator lamps on
(highest level).
After approximately 5 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched to level2.
2Two indicator lamps on.
After approximately 10 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched to level1.
1One indicator lamp on (lowest
level).
After approximately 20 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched off.
offNo indicator lamp on.
iIf one or more of the indicator lamps2 on
the seat heating switch are flashing, there is in-
sufficient voltage due to too many electrical con-
sumers are turned on. The seat heating switches
off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again auto-
matically as soon as sufficient voltage is avail-
able.

119 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is on the
left side in the instrument cluster
(
page 24).
Resetting trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer and main odometer in the
multifunction display (
page 121).
If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 122) until the trip
odometer appears in the multifunction
display.
Press and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (
page 118) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is badly
overheated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine
compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning in the multifunction display
(
page 346).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).

120 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 24) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is indicated in the
multifunction display (
page 121).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next to the sensor,
not by comparison to external displays
(e.g. bank signs, etc.).
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed 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. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.