rain MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT 2004 W203 Owner's Guide

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.The switch is located on the center
console.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press upper switch position1.
Indicator lamp2 in switch comes on
briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.

84 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button‹ orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on
briefly to indicate that the SmartKey
batteries are in order.Unlocking and opening the trunk lid
You can unlock and open the trunk
separately.
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.

Press buttonŠ until trunk unlocks
and begins to open.
The trunk can also be opened from its
inside in an emergency, see “Trunk lid
emergency release” (
page 88).
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey, then either
the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the SmartKey is malfunction-
ing or the vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the
SmartKey (
page 84) and replace
them if necessary (
page 307).
or


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the doors (
page 305) and the
trunk lid (
page 306) as required.
or


Use the mechanical key to lock the
doors (
page 306) and the trunk
lid (
page 306) as required.
or


Have the vehicle battery and the
battery connections checked.
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!If battery check lamp5 does not
come on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 307).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within
signal range of the vehicle, pressing
the‹ orŒ button will lock or
unlock the vehicle accordingly. !The trunk lid swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.

93 Controls in detail
Seats
Removing and installing front seat head restraints
For information on head restraint
adjustment, see “Seats” (
page 32).
Front seat head restraints, manual seat
1Release buttonRemoving front seat head restraints

Pull head restraint to its highest
position.

Push release button1 and pull out
head restraint.
Installing front seat head restraints

Insert head restraint and push it down
until it engages.

Push release button1 and adjust
head restraint to desired position.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.
iTilt the backrest to the rear for easier
removal and installation of the head
restraints.

94 Controls in detailSeatsFront seat head restraints, power seat*
Removing front seat head restraints
Press switch1 upwards and hold until
head restraint is fully extended.

Pull out head restraint.
Installing front seat head restraints

Press switch1 upwards and hold for
about five seconds.

Push head restraint down until it
engages.

Adjust head restraint to desired
position (
page 35).
Rear seat head restraints
Head restraint height (rear outer seats)
1Release button
Raising:
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward.
If the head restraint is fully retracted,
push release button1 and pull the
head restraint out.Lowering:

To lower the head restraint, push
release button1 and push down on
the head restraint.Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.!The center rear seat head restraint
cannot be adjusted.

95 Controls in detail
Seats
Folding head restraints back with
release button
T h e r e a r s e a t h e a d r e s t r a i n t s c a n b e f o l d e d
backward for increased visibility.
1Release button
Push release button1.
The head restraints will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with
switch in the center console
1Head restraint release switch

Start the engine.

Press the symbol-side on the rocker
switch1 to release the head
restraints.
The head restraints will fold backward.Placing head restraints upright

Pull the head restraint forward until it
locks into position.
iYou can also fold the head restraints
back using the switch in the center
console (
page 95).
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.

96 Controls in detailSeatsHead restraint tilt
Two different head restraint angle
positions are available.
Press the release button (
page 95)
and tilt the head restraint to the
desired position.Removing and installing rear seat head
restraints (outer seats)
1Release button
Removing rear seat head restraints

Fold back head restraint (
page 95).

Pull head restraint to its highest
position.

Push release button1 and pull out
head restraint.
!Make sure the head restraints engage
when placing them upright. Otherwise
their protective function cannot be as-
sured.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.!The center rear seat head restraint
cannot be removed.

97 Controls in detail
Seats
Installing rear seat head restraints
Insert head restraint and push it down
until it engages.

Push button1 and adjust head
restraint to desired position.
Multicontour seat*
This multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest
cushion height and curvature can be con-
tinuously varied with switches on the right
side of the seat after starting the engine.
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolster adjustment
Start the engine.Seat cushion depth

Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg using
switch1.
Backrest contour

Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and3.
Backrest side bolsters

Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.

99 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
The memory button and stored position
switch are located on the door.
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position


Front passenger seat position
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired
(
page 135).
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to
ensure adequate control, reach and
comfort. The head restraint should also
be adjusted for proper height. See also
the section on airbags (
page 55) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

148 Controls in detailGood visibility
Good visibilityWindshield wipers
More information on the windshield wipers
can be found in the “Getting started”
section (
page 47).
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers with rain sensor*
A rain sensor automatically controls the
windshield wipers depending on how wet
the windshield is.

Switch on ignition.

Set the wiper switch to positionI
(page 48).
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Headlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 259).
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front
door is opened.
!Do not leave windshield wipers in
intermittent setting when the vehicle is
taken to an automatic car wash or
during windshield cleaning. Wipers will
operate in the presence of water
sprayed on the windshield, and wipers
may be damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in
intermittent setting as the wipers will
wipe the windshield once every time
the engine is started. Dust that
accumulates on the windshield might
scratch the glass and/or damage the
wiper blades when wiping occurs on a
dry windshield.

153 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is
clear. The defroster is automatically
deactivated after approximately
6 to 17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature.
Activating
Climate control:
Press buttonF (
page 155).
Automatic climate control*:
Press buttonF (page 163).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating

Press buttonF again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before
driving. Visibility could otherwise be
impaired, endangering you and others.
!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts flashing, this means that too
many electrical consumers are
operating simultaneously and there is
insufficient voltage in the battery. The
system responds automatically by
deactivating the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster
automatically turns itself back on.