center console MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2004 W203 User Guide

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
trunk from inside using the central locking
switch. This can be useful, for example, if
y o u w a n t t o l o c k t h e v e h i c l e b e f o r e s t a r t i n g
to drive.
The fuel filler flap will not be locked or
unlocked with the central locking switch.The switch is located in the center console.
Central locking switch1Locking
2Unlocking
Locking
Press upper switch position1 of
central locking switch.
If all doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.Unlocking

Press lower switch position2 of
central locking switch.
The vehicle unlocks.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked using the SmartKey, it will not
unlock using the central locking switch.
If the vehicle was previously locked
with the central locking switch

while in the selective remote con-
trol mode, only the door opened
from the inside is unlocked.


while in the global remote control
mode, the complete vehicle is
unlocked when a door is opened
from the inside.

95 Controls in detail
Seats
Folding head restraints back with
release button
T h e r e a r s e a t h e a d r e s t r a i n t s c a n b e f o l d e d
backward for increased visibility.
1Release button
Push release button1.
The head restraints will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with
switch in the center console
1Head restraint release switch

Start the engine.

Press the symbol-side on the rocker
switch1 to release the head
restraints.
The head restraints will fold backward.Placing head restraints upright

Pull the head restraint forward until it
locks into position.
iYou can also fold the head restraints
back using the switch in the center
console (
page 95).
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.

98 Controls in detailSeatsHeated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are
located in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
come on.Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on switch
come on.Switching off rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp
remains lit.
!If one or both of the indicator lamps on
the seat heater switch are flashing,
there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers
are turned on. The seat heater switches
off automatically.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

146 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*
Program mode selector switch
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
S Sport For standard driving
C Comfort For comfort driving
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
inN can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, positionP alone is not
intended to or capable of preventing your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 50).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could move the gear selector lever from
positionP, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.

152 Controls in detailGood visibilityRear window sunshade*
The switch is located in the center console.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position1 or2.

Press upper switch position1 briefly
to raise the sunshade.

Press lower switch position2 briefly
to lower the sunshade.
Always raise the sunshade fully for its sup-
port against the window frame.
Warning!
G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
make sure there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering proce-
dure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be im-
mediately halted by briefly pressing the up-
per or lower half of the switch.
Briefly press upper or lower half of the
switch again to raise or lower the rear win-
dow sunshade completely.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from 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 equip-
ment can cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

160 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button± (
page 155).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press button± (
page 155).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The air conditioning uses the
refrigerant R134a. This refrigerant is free
of CFC’s which are harmful to the ozone
layer.
Ventilated storage compartment
The front center console storage compart-
ment has its own air vent that allows for
cooling ventilation when the automatic
climate control system is activated.
1Lever
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iYou should keep this air vent closed
when outside temperatures are low.

220 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake. Move the
gear selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Slide ashtray insert in direction of
arrow2 until it disengages.

Grip ashtray at indents (arrows3) and
remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing back into
frame until it engages again.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN. With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN turn off the engine.

221 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover2 to open ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert

Press latch1 to disengage ashtray
insert and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter is located in the
center console compartment in front of the
armrest.
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Slide cover2 rearward.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
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.iThe lighter socket can be used to
accommodate electrical accessories
up to a maximum 85 W.

279 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed
on the front passenger seat. There-
fore the passenger front airbag is
switched off.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
The system is malfunctioning when
there is no BabySmart
TM child seat
installed on the front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon
as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The indicator lamp does not
come on with a BabySmart
TM
child seat properly installed
on the front passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing
between seat cushion and child
seat and check installation of the
child seat.

If the lamp remains out, have the
system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM
restraint to transport children on
the front passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.