MERCEDES-BENZ C32AMG 2003 W203 Owner's Guide

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the starter switch. If
necessary, move steering wheel slight-
ly to allow the locking mechanism to
engage.
1Power supply to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
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.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.


Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 240).


Get a jump start (
page 306).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the starter
switch.

32 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
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 reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position 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 abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 41).
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
key from the starter switch, and lock your
vehicle.
The power seats* can also be operated with
the driver’s or front passenger door open.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment 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
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the airbag 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.

33 Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat cushion tilt
3Backrest 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 to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the accelera-
tor/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
Seat cushion tilt

Turn handwheel2 forward or backward
until your upper legs are lightly sup-
portedBackrest tilt

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

Press switch4 in direction of arrow un-
til your legs are lightly supported.
Head restraint height
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.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

34 Getting startedAdjusting1Release knob
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward. To lower
the head restraint, push release knob1
and push down on the head restraint.
Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 93).Power seat*

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 or2 .
or

Open the driver’s or front passenger
door.
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each front door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustment
5Backrest tiltSeat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.
With the memory function*
(page 98), you can store seat
positions together with settings for the
steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow2.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.
Backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or back in
direction of arrow5 until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel.
Head restraint height

Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow1.Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 93).Rear seat head restraints
The rear seat head restraints can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
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.!The center rear seat head restraint can-
not be adjusted.

36 Getting startedAdjustingFolding head restraints back in the rear
passenger compartment
1Lock button
Push lock button1.
The head restraints will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with switch
in the center console
1Releasing head restraints

Turn the key in starter switch to
position1 or2.

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.
Head restraint tilt
Two different head restraint angle posi-
tions are available.
iYou can also fold the head restraints
back using the switch in the center
console (
page 36).

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Head restraint height (rear outer seats)
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:

Push button1.

Push down on head restraint.
Steering wheel Steering wheel adjustment, manual
1Release lever
2Steering column, lengthen or shorten
3Steering column, height

To unlock the steering column, pull
lever1 out until its stop limit.

Adjust the steering wheel to the de-
sired position.

To lock, press lever1 all the way in un-
til it engages.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing, or driving without the adjustment
locked could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch and lock your ve-
hicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature* can also be operated with the driv-
er’s door open. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

38 Getting startedAdjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk is located on the steering column
(lower left).
1Steering column, lengthen or shorten
2Steering column, height
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.
or

Open the driver’s door.Steering column, lengthen or shorten

Move stalk forward or backward in the
direction of arrow1 until a comfortable
steering wheel position is reached with
your arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Steering column, height

Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow2. Make sure that your legs
can move freely and that all the dis-
plays (including malfunction and indi-
cator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the warning message
STEERING
WHEEL ADJUST - LOCK ! is displayed
while the engine is running, the steer-
ing column is not locked properly
(
page 276).
iWith the memory function*
(page 98), you can store steering
wheel positions together with settings
for the seats and the exterior rear view
mirrors.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
Mirrors
Adjust the inside and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.Inside rear view mirror

Manually adjust the inside rear view
mirror.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 144).
Exterior rear view mirrorThe buttons are located above the exterior
lamp switch.
1Driver’s side mirror
2Adjustment button
3Passenger side mirror

Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
light up.
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 passenger
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-
side 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 liq-
uid state by applying plenty of water.


40 Getting startedAdjusting
Press button1 for the left mirror or
button3 for the right mirror.

Push adjustment button2 up, down,
left or right according to the setting de-
sired.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 144).
!If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward or backward,
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.
iWith the memory function*
(page 98), you can store exterior rear
view mirror positions together with
settings for the seats and the steering
wheel.