ignition MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 Owner's Manual

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positions SmartKey
Starter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps in the instrument cluster
come on. If a lamp in the instrument
cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in
the instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” (
page 302).
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.

34 Getting startedUnlocking
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster come on. This indi-
cates that the respective systems are
operational. They should go out when
the engine is running.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 360).


Get a jump start (
page 363).
To prevent accelerated battery
discharge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.

36 Getting startedAdjustingManual seat adjustment
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat cushion tilt
3Seat backrest tilt
4Seat heightSeat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle1.

Slide seat to the desired position.

Allow handle1 to reengage.

Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.Seat cushion tilt

Turn handwheel2 forward or back-
ward until your upper legs are lightly
supported
Seat backrest tilt

Switch on ignition (
page 33).

Press switch3 in direction of arrow
until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.
Seat height

Switch on ignition (
page 33).

Press switch4 in direction of arrow
until your legs are lightly supported.
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.
!When moving the seat, make sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.


38 Getting startedAdjustingPower seat* adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each front door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustment
5Seat backrest tilt
Switch on ignition (
page 33).
or

Open the respective door.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press switch forward or backward in
direction of arrow4.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.Seat cushion tilt

Press switch up or down in direction of
arrow3 until your upper legs are
lightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt

Press switch forward or backward in
direction of arrow5 until your arms
are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
Seat height

Press switch up or down in direction of
arrow2.
Head restraint height

Press switch up or down in direction of
arrow1.
!When moving the seat, make sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.iThe memory function* (
page 106)
lets you store the setting for the seat
position together with the settings for
the steering wheel and exterior rear
view mirrors.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as
possible.

40 Getting startedAdjustingSteering wheel adjustment, manual
1Handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle1 out to its stop limit.

Move steering wheel to the desired
position.

To lock the steering column, push
handle1 all the way in until it
engages.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.

Make sure the steering wheel is
securely locked by trying to move it up
and down, and in and out before driving
off.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down

Switch on ignition (
page 33).
or

Open the driver’s door.
Warning!
G
Only adjust the steering wheel with the
vehicle at a standstill and make sure the
steering wheel is securely locked in place
before driving off.
Driving without the steering wheel adjust-
ment locked may cause an unexpected
steering wheel movement which could
cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle. Make sure the steering wheel is
securely locked by trying to move it up and
down, and in and out before driving off.

42 Getting startedAdjustingThe 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 ignition (
page 33).

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 168).
!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 positioned and you can adjust
the mirror normally.
iThe memory function* (
page 106)
lets you store the setting for the
exterior rear view mirrors together with
the settings for the steering wheel and
seat position.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the
exterior rear view mirrors will be
heated automatically.

51 Getting started
Driving
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Switch on ignition (
page 33).Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the
desired position depending on the
intensity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speediVehicles without rain sensor:
When the vehicle is standing still, the
wiper speed returns to next lower
setting.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Intermittent wiping interval is
dependent on wetness of windshield.
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by
the rain sensor.
!Vehicles with rain sensor*:
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.

53 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 283).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The- indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, ESP, and
4MATIC (if so equipped) is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires),
or snow chains as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, and 4MATIC (if so
equipped) cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 311).
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle's traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting the engine output, the ESP
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP also
stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer flashes when the ESP is
engaged.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lampv flashing in the
speedometer. In this case, 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 resulting
from excessive speed.