automatic MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR 2003 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 61
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm* .................................. 72
Activating ....................................... 72
Deactivating ................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73
ABS ................................................ 73
BAS ................................................ 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC*) with the ESP ..... 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 79
Immobilizer..................................... 79
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 79
Tow-away alarm ............................. 80
Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Keys ............................................... 84
Opening the doors from the inside . 87
Opening the trunk from the inside . 88
Opening the trunk .......................... 88
Closing the trunk............................ 89
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 89
Separately locking the trunk .......... 90
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 92
Seats ................................................... 93
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 93
Head restraints .............................. 94
Multicontour seat* ......................... 96
Heated seats* ................................ 97
Memory function* ............................... 98
Storing positions into memory ....... 99
Recalling positions from memory ... 99
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 100Lighting ............................................. 101
Exterior lamp switch .................... 101
Combination switch ..................... 104
Hazard warning flasher ................ 104
Interior lighting ............................ 105
Door entry lamps ......................... 106
Trunk lamp ................................... 106
Instrument cluster ............................. 107
Instrument cluster illumination .... 107
Coolant temperature display ........ 108
Trip odometer .............................. 109
Tachometer .................................. 109
Outside temperature indicator ..... 110
Control system .................................. 111
Multifunction display.................... 111
Multifunction steering wheel........ 112
Menus .......................................... 114
Standard display menu ................ 116
AUDIO menu ................................ 116
NAVI menu ................................... 118
Malfunction memory menu .......... 118
Settings menu .............................. 119
Trip computer menu..................... 132
TEL menu* ................................... 134
Manual transmission ......................... 137
Shifting into reverse ..................... 137

Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 138
One-touch gearshifting................. 139
Gear ranges ................................. 140
Gear selector lever position ......... 141
Program mode selector switch..... 142
Accelerator position ..................... 143
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 143
Good visibility .................................... 144
Rear view mirror........................... 144
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 146
Sun visors .................................... 146
Rear window sunshade* .............. 147
Climate control .................................. 148
Setting the temperature ............... 150
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 151
Defrosting .................................... 151
Air recirculation mode.................. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 153
Air conditioning ............................ 154
Ventilated storage compartment . 155
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 155Automatic climate control* ................ 156
Setting the temperature................ 158
Adjusting air distribution............... 159
Adjusting air volume ..................... 159
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 160
Defrosting ..................................... 160
Air recirculation mode .................. 160
Charcoal filter ............................... 161
Rear window defroster .................. 162
Air conditioning............................. 163
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 163
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 164
Audio system ...................................... 165
Audio and telephone, operation .... 165
Operating safety ........................... 165
Operating and display elements.... 166
Button and soft key operation....... 168
Operation ...................................... 168
Radio mode................................... 171
Cassette mode.............................. 174
CD changer* operating mode ....... 178
Telephone* operation ................... 182Power windows .................................. 187
Opening and closing the windows 187
Synchronizing power windows ...... 189
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 190
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 190
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 192
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Loading .............................................. 196
Roof rack* .................................... 196
Ski sack* ...................................... 196
Split rear bench seat*................... 199
Loading instructions ..................... 202
Useful features ................................... 203
Interior storage spaces ................. 203
Ashtrays........................................ 207
Cigarette lighter ............................ 208
Telephone* ................................... 208
Tele Aid* ....................................... 209
Garage door opener ...................... 217

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
97
2
Rear window sunshade
switch
147
3
ESP control switch
75
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
104
5
Central locking switch
92
6
Rear seat head restraints
switch
36
7
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
79
Tow-away alarm switch
80
Item
Page
8
Seat heater*, passenger
side
97
9
Indicator lamp
7
67,
260
10
Audio system, or
165
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
11
Climate control
148
Automatic climate control*
156
Rear window defroster
153,
162

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
207
2
Selector lever for
automatic transmission*
44,
138
Gearshift lever for manual
transmission
44,
137
3
Storage compartment
205
Cup holder
204
Cigarette lighter
208
4
Armrest
206
5
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
142

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the starter switch. If
necessary, move steering wheel slight-
ly to allow the locking mechanism to
engage.
1Power supply to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.


Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 240).


Get a jump start (
page 306).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the starter
switch.

44 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Manual transmission
Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
Make sure that the gearshift lever is in
Neutral position.

Do not depress accelerator.

Fully depress clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3. Release only when the en-
gine is firing regularly (
page 31).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (page 137).Automatic transmission*
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP .

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3. Release only when the en-
gine is firing regularly (
page 31).
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.


45 Getting started
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 138).
For information on turning off the engine,
see “Turning off engine” (
page 53).Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:

Turn key in starter to position0 and re-
peat starting procedure (
page 44).

Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 306).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the key to position3 and
release it again immediately. The en-
gine then starts automatically.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking
brake, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.

46 Getting startedDriving
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only)
or
3
(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move selector lever to positionD orR
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
More information on driving can be found
in the “Operation” section (
page 223).
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
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
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP orN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

48 Getting startedDrivingWindshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speediVehicles without rain sensor*:
Fast wiper speedIII goes to settingII
when the vehicle is standing still.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Intermittent wiping interval dependent
on wetness of windshield. Wiping will
not occur with a front door open.
!Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Do not leave in intermittent setting
when vehicle is taken to an automatic
car wash or during windshield cleaning.
Wipers will operate in presence of wa-
ter sprayed on the windshield, and wip-
ers may be damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield.

53 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 42).

After exiting the vehicle press the lock
button
‹
on the key (
page 30).
The locking knobs on the doors move
down.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (page 84).
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there
is no possibility of someone getting caught
in a door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.