airbag MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 1
Operator’s manual ............................. 2
Where to find it .................................. 7
Reporting Safety Defects .................. 9Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 12
Door control panel ....................... 14
Overhead control panel ............... 15
Dashboard ..................................... 16
Center console .............................. 18OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 25
Locking and unlocking ................ 27Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control ............. 27
Opening the trunk ....................... 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 29
Panic button ................................. 30
Mechanical keys .......................... 30
Doors ..................................................31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .............. 34
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lid release switch ................ 37
Antitheft alarm system ................... 38
Tow-away alarm ............................... 39
Easy-entry/exit feature ................... 41
Front seat adjustment ..................... 42
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 47
Multicontour seat ............................ 49
Heated seats ..................................... 50
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 55
Seat belts ........................................... 55
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 56
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 62
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 63
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 64
Airbags .............................................. 65
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 72
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 73
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 79
Rear view mirrors ............................ 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 88
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92

Contents
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 218
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 219
Maintenance ................................... 219
Tele Aid ...........................................220
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission control ............................229
Starter switch .................................230
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................232
Manual transmission ....................233
Automatic transmission ...............234
Parking brake .................................243
Driving instructions ......................244
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........244
Drinking and driving .................244
Pedals ...........................................244Power assistance ........................ 245
Brakes .......................................... 245
Driving off ................................... 246
Parking ........................................ 246
Tires ............................................. 247
Snow chains ............................... 250
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 250
Deep water .................................. 252
Passenger compartment ........... 253
Traveling abroad ........................ 253
Cruise control ................................ 254
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 257
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 258
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 260
What you should know at the gas
station ......................................... 264
Check regularly and before a long
trip .............................................. 266
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............268
On-board diagnostic system .........268
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................268
Brake warning lamp ..................270
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 271
Fuel reserve warning ................. 271
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............273
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................273
Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .....................273
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....273

18 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 50
2Rear window sunshade (optional), see page 191
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 260
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 137
5Central locking switch, see page 33
6Rear seat head restraints, see page 52
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 38
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 39
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 50
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 273
10COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 160
11Climate control (C 240), see page 138
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 146
Rear window defroster, see page 157

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 25
Locking and unlocking ................ 27
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 27
Opening the trunk ....................... 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 29
Panic button .................................. 30
Mechanical keys ........................... 30
Doors .................................................. 31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .............. 34
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lid release switch ................. 37Antitheft alarm system ................... 38
Tow-away alarm ............................... 39
Easy-entry/exit feature ................... 41
Front seat adjustment ..................... 42
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 47
Multicontour seat ............................ 49
Heated seats ..................................... 50
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 55
Seat belts .......................................... 55
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 56
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 62
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 63
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 64
Airbags .............................................. 65
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag ................... 72Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 73
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 79
Rear view mirrors ............................ 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 88
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, FSS, coolant
temperature, vehicle speed,
engine oil level indicator ........... 96
Audio systems .................................. 98
Radio .............................................. 98
CD player ....................................... 99
Cassette player ........................... 100
Telephone ........................................ 101
Navigation system .......................... 106
Trip computer ................................. 107
Malfunction/warning
message memory ...................... 109
Individual settings .......................... 111
Setting the audio volume ............. 123

34 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off. See page 111 for “Individual settings”.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See page 111
for “Individual settings” - “VEHICLE”.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

55 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags, and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraints systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

60 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly.
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as
described in this section, as that could result
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• E ach oc c upan t s houl d wear t hei r s ea t bel t a t al l
times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries
in accidents, including rollovers. The
integrated restraint system includes “SRS”
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side
impact airbags, head protection window
curtain airbags for side windows), “ETR” (seat
belt emergency tensioning retractors), and
front seat knee bolsters. The system is
designed to enhance the protection offered to
properly belted occupants in certain frontal
(front airbags) and side (side impact and
window curtain airbags) impacts which exceed
preset deployment thresholds.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm,
against your neck or off your shoulder. In a
crash, your body would move too far forward.
That would increase the chance of head and
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too
much force to the ribs or abdomen, which
could severely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable
objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might
cause injuries.• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your
hips and not across the abdomen. If the belt is
positioned across your abdomen, it could cause
serious injuries in a crash.• Each seat belt should never be used for more
than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat
belt around a person and another person or
other objects.• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash,
you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against
your body could cause injuries.

61 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be
positioned as low as possible on the hips to
avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel
or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the
floor in front of the seat.Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.Children too big for child restraint systems must
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning.

62 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The ü indicator lamp located in the center console
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 2, the ü indicator lamp located in the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 273 for
notes on the ü indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the ü indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Airbags are intended as a supplement to seat belts.
Airbags alone cannot protect as well as airbags plus
seat belts in impacts for which the airbags were
designed to operate, and do not afford any protection
whatsoever in crashes for which the airbags are not
designed to deploy.
The SRS uses two crash severity levels (thresholds) to
activate either the emergency tensioning retractor (ETR)
or front airbag or both. Activation depends on the
direction and severity of the impact exceeding the
preset thresholds and whether the seat belt is fastened.Seat belt fastened
•first threshold exceeded: ETR activates
•second threshold exceeded: airbag also activates
Seat belt not fastened
Front seats:
•first threshold exceeded: airbag activates, not ETR
Rear outer seats:
•first threshold exceeded: ETR activates
Driver and front passenger and rear outer seat systems
operate independently of each other.