MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 Owner's Guide

22 Central locking system
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Ve h i c l e k e y s
Included with your vehicle are 2 electronic main keys
with integrated radio frequency and infrared remote
controls plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two electronic main keys are a different color to help
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.

23 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic main key
The electronic main key has an integrated radio
frequency and infrared remote control, plus removable
mechanical key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and storage compartment locks.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic main key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic main
key when using valet parking service. To prevent access
to trunk or storage compartments lock them separately
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 35 for separate locking of trunk and page 194
for locking of glove box.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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24 Central locking system
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
•If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch,
the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the
remote control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either front door
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic main
key, see page 332, or synchronize the electronic
main key, see page 334.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter
switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.

25 Central locking system
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic main key has an integrated radio
frequency and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check
lamp lights up brief ly – indicating that the batteries are
in order. See page 332 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up
roof can only be done with the infrared portion of the
remote control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6
or 7), press and hold transmit button Œ or ‹,
seepage29.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
ΠUnlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 332 for changing
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
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26 Central locking system
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6Infrared receiver in driver’s door handle7Infrared receiver in front passenger door handle
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27 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Πtwice to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Πonce to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 35.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door or trunk is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the starter switch, or the central
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the electronic main key (if ok, battery
check lamp in electronic main key will light briefly
when pressing transmit button) or to synchronize the
remote control, see pages 332 and 334.
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons‹ andŒ
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.

28 Central locking system
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Opening the trunk
The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should
always make sure there is sufficient clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 5.75 ft. (1.75 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is open.Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally
locked.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 35.

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof from outside
(summer opening / convenience feature)
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at the door
receiver.
Summer opening:
The sliding / pop-up roof and all side windows can be
opened automatically.
Continue to press transmit button Πafter unlocking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open
after approximately 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit
button.
Convenience feature:
The sliding / pop-up roof and the side windows can be
closed.
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding / pop-up roof begin to close
after approximately 1 second.To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.
Ensure that all side windows and the sliding / pop-up
roof are properly closed before leaving the vehicle.
Note:
If the windows and sliding / pop-up roof cannot be
operated automatically by pressing the transmit button
of t he r emo te c ontr ol then it m ay be n ece ssar y to chan ge
the batteries in the electronic main key (if ok, battery
check lamp in electronic main key will light briefly
when transmitting), or to synchronize the remote
control, see page 332 and 334.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding / pop-up roof
if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed
by the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing
the remote control button. To reverse direction of
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for
closing.

30 Central locking system
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Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one
second. An audible alarm and blinking exterior lamps
will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or insert electronic
key in starter switch.Note:
For operation in the USA only: This device complies
with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Mechanical keys
The mechanical keys work only in driver’s door, trunk,
and storage compartment locks.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with
the mechanical key.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 335.
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31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
Important!
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.4Individual door from inside:
Push lock button down to lock.
5Front door from inside:
Pull handle to unlock.
When you lock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the door lock button should move down.
Each individual door must be locked with the respective
door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed.
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