belt MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 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 ........................... 51
Problems while driving.................... 53
Parking and locking .............................. 54
Parking brake ................................. 54
Switching off headlamps................. 55
Turning off engine ........................... 56

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Air bags .......................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Children in the vehicle .................... 67
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 75
Panic alarm* ........................................ 76
Activating ....................................... 76
Deactivating ................................... 76
Driving safety systems ......................... 77
ABS ................................................ 77
BAS ................................................ 78
ESP ................................................. 79
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 83
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 85
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
SmartKey ....................................... 88
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 92
Opening the trunk .......................... 92
Closing the trunk............................ 94
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 95
Automatic central locking .............. 96
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 96
Seats ................................................... 98
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 98
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ....................... 99
Rear seat head restraints ............. 101
Multicontour seats* ..................... 104
Seat heating* ............................... 105
Memory function* ............................. 106
Storing positions into memory ..... 107
Recalling positions from memory . 107
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 108Lighting ............................................. 109
Exterior lamp switch .................... 109
Combination switch ..................... 113
Hazard warning flasher ................ 114
Interior lighting ............................ 115
Door entry lamps ......................... 116
Trunk lamp ................................... 116
Instrument cluster ............................. 117
Instrument cluster illumination .... 117
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 118
Trip odometer .............................. 119
Tachometer .................................. 119
Outside temperature indicator ..... 119
Control system .................................. 121
Multifunction display.................... 121
Multifunction steering wheel........ 122
Menus .......................................... 124
Standard display menu ................ 126
AUDIO menu ................................ 127
NAV* menu .................................. 130
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 130
Settings menu .............................. 132
Trip computer menu..................... 148
TEL menu* ................................... 150

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 373
Parts service ...................................... 374
Warranty coverage ............................. 375
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 375
Identification labels............................ 376
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 377
C 230 Kompressor (all models) .... 377
C 240 (all models)/
C 320 (all models)/
C 55 AMG..................................... 377
Engine ................................................ 378
Rims and Tires ................................... 380
Same size tires ............................. 381
Mixed size tires ............................ 382
Minispare wheel ........................... 383
Collapsible tire
(C 55 AMG only) ........................... 383
Electrical system................................ 384
Main dimensions................................ 385
Weights .............................................. 386Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 387
Capacities .................................... 387
Engine oils.................................... 390
Engine oil additives ...................... 390
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 390
Brake fluid .................................... 390
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 391
Fuel requirements ........................ 391
Gasoline additives ........................ 392
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 392
Coolants....................................... 394
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 396
Consumer information ....................... 397
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 397
Technical terms............................... 399Index................................................. 405

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Speedometer with:vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
79,
306
;Brake warning
lamp, USA only
48,
54,
303
3Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
48,
54,
303
BLow beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
49,
109
2
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
50
3
Multifunction display
with:
121
Trip odometer
119
Main odometer
121
Gear selector lever
position
47,
121,
160
Item
Page
Program mode
121,
162,
165
Status indicator (outside
temperature/digital
speedometer
119,
136
Digital clock
121
4
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
50
5
Tachometer with:
119
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
77,
302
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
304,
305
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
304,
305
1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
58,
307
Item
Page
64,
307
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
50,
113
6
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
307
4Fuel filler cap
location indicator:
The fuel filler cap is
on the rear
right-hand side.
7
Coolant temperature
gauge
118
8
Reset button for:
117


Resetting trip
odometer
119


Resetting individual
settings
133


Instrument cluster
illumination
117

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly
upright position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be ad-
justed so that you can correctly fasten your
seat belt (
page 43).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the power seats* can be
operated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, 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.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger front
air bag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the air bag 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 seat-
ing 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 and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.


43 Getting started
Driving
Driving
Fastening the seat beltWarning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they were designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(page 64).
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front
air bag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the air bag 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 seat-
ing 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 and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.


44 Getting startedDriving
1Latch plate
2Release button
3Buckle
With a smooth motion, pull the belt
from the belt outlet.

Place the shoulder portion of the belt
across the top of your shoulder and the
lap portion across your hips.

Push latch plate1 into buckle3 until
it clicks.
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.Warning!
G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Warning!
G
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are seat belts available. Be sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use a seat belt for more than one person at
a time.Warning!
G
Read and observe the additional warning no-
tices printed in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 62) and (
page 64).


45 Getting started
Driving

If necessary, tighten the lap portion to
a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion
up.
Seat belt height adjustment
Adjust seat belt so that shoulder portion is
located as close as possible to the middle
of your shoulder (it should not touch the
neck or pass under the arm).
Front seats
4Button for belt outlet height adjust-
ment

Press button4 and slide belt outlet
upward or downward.Proper use of seat belts


Do not twist the belt when fastening.


Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder
portion is located as close as possible
to the middle of the shoulder (it should
not touch the neck). Never pass the
shoulder portion of the belt under your
arm. For this purpose, you can adjust
the height of the belt outlet.


Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips (over hip joint) and not
across the abdomen.


Place the seat backrest in a nearly
upright position.


Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time.


Do not fasten a seat belt around a
person and another object at the same
time. When using a seat belt to secure
infant or toddler restraints or children
in booster seats, always follow the
child seat manufacturer's instructions.


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.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.

56 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 44).
Allow the retractor to completely
rewind the seat belt by guiding the
latch plate.

After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 32).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 88).
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.
iWith 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 there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

58 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyIn this section you will learn the most im-
portant facts about the restraint systems
of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are

Seat belts


Emergency tensioning device


Air bags


Child seats


Child seat recognition


Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH)
As independent systems, their protective
effects work in conjunction with each
other.The1 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on:


for about four seconds when you turn
the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1. It then goes out briefly,
comes on again and remains lit until
you start the engine.


for about four seconds when you start
the engine by turning the SmartKey.The1 indicator lamp goes out shortly
after you start the engine. This shows that
the restraint systems are operational.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if the1 indicator lamp:


fails to extinguish after approximately
four seconds.


does not come on at all.


comes on after the engine was started
or while driving.
For safety reasons, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to
have the system checked.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 307).
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and
restraint systems for infants and
children, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 67).
iThe1 indicator lamp remains lit if
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position2 and left there. The
indicator lamp will go out when you
start the engine.