light MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 Owner's Manual

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

Contents
Manual transmission ......................... 154
Shifting into reverse ..................... 155
Automatic transmission* ................... 156
One-touch gearshifting................. 158
Gear ranges ................................. 159
Gear selector lever position ......... 160
Automatic shift program .............. 162
Driving tips ................................... 163
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) (C 55 AMG only)....... 164
Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only)........................... 165
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 167
Good visibility .................................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 168
Rear view mirrors ......................... 168
Sun visors .................................... 171
Rear window sunshade* .............. 172
Rear window defroster ................. 173Climate control ................................... 174
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 177
Setting the temperature................ 177
Adjusting air distribution and
volume .......................................... 178
Defrosting ..................................... 178
Air recirculation mode .................. 179
Air conditioning............................. 181
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 182
Audio system ...................................... 183
Audio and telephone, operation .... 183
Operating safety ........................... 183
Operating and display elements.... 184
Button and soft key operation....... 186
Operation ...................................... 186
Radio operation ............................ 191
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 196
CD mode ....................................... 201
GSM network phones ................... 208
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 214
Emergency calls “911”.................. 221Power windows .................................. 223
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 223
Synchronizing power windows ...... 226
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 227
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 227
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 230
Driving systems .................................. 231
Cruise control ............................... 231
Loading .............................................. 234
Roof rack* .................................... 234
Ski sack* (Canada only) ............... 234
Split rear bench seat* .................. 237
Loading instructions ..................... 239
Cargo tie-down rings*................... 240
Useful features ................................... 241
Storage compartments ................. 241
Ashtrays........................................ 245
Cigarette lighter ............................ 246
Electrical outlet in the rear
passenger compartment ............... 247
Telephone* ................................... 247
Tele Aid* ....................................... 248
Garage door opener* .................... 256

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures. The
Operator’s Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and
should be kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
indicate cross-references to
term definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
245
Cigarette lighter
246
2
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission*
47,
160
Gearshift lever for manual
transmission
46,
154
3
Cup holders
243
4
Armrest
242
5
Program mode selector
switch for automatic
transmission*

Automatic shift
program
162


Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only)
165

29 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Rear interior lighting
on/off
116
2
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
227
3
Right reading lamp on/off
116
4
Interior lighting control
115
5
Hands-free microphone for
Tele Aid* (emergency call
system), telephone* and
voice control system*
(see separate operating
instructions)
150,
208,
248
Item
Page
6
Interior rear view mirror
41,
168
7
Garage door opener*
256
8
Left reading lamp on/off
116
9
Tele Aid* (emergency call
system) button
248

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.

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.

41 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in the
direction of arrow1 until a comfort-
able steering wheel position is reached
with your arms slightly bent at the
elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down

Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (incl. malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the instru-
ment cluster are clearly visible.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
Interior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the interior rear view
mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 168).Exterior rear view mirrors
iThe memory function* (
page 106)
lets you store the setting for the
steering wheel together with the
settings for the seat position and
exterior rear view mirrors.
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes. !Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can only be
completely removed while in their
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.