airbag MERCEDES-BENZ C32AMG 2004 W203 Owner's Guide

278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp comes
on while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 249).
<
The red seat belt non-usage warning
lamp illuminates for a brief period
after starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten
seat belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint sys-
tems. The airbags or emergency tensioning
device (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly
or fail to activate in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you visit an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to
have the system checked; otherwise the
SRS may not be activated when needed in
an accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could result in an
accident and/or injury to you or to others.

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.

364 Technical termsPower train
Collective term designating all
components used to generate and
transmit motive power to the drive
axles, including


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic trans-
mission between standard operationS
and comfort operationC.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and
current location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for
subscribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the
vehicle interior for a short time after
the engine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective
functions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired deto-
nation (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission gear
selector lever from being moved out of
positionP without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning
device and airbags. Though indepen-
dent systems, they are closely inter-
faced to provide effective occupant
protection.

369 Index
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable
Automatic climate control* 172
Climate control 161
Air volume
Adjusting
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Airbags 55
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 66, 361
Children 56
Front 59
Passenger 59
Safety guidelines 58
Side impact 60
Window curtain 60
Alarm
Audible 71, 78
Canceling 79
Visual 78Alarm system
Anti-theft* 78
Tow-away* 79
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 319, 361
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 357
Antiglare
Automatic* 149
Manual 149
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system*
Arming 78
Canceling alarm 79
Disarming 79
Anti-theft systems 78
Anti-theft alarm system* 78
Immobilizer 78
Tow-away alarm* 79
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 218
Storage spaces 219
Ashtrays 220ATF 256
AUDIO menu 118
Selecting radio station 119
Selecting satellite radio* station 119
Audio system 173
Audio and telephone, operation 173
Button and soft key operation 176
Cassette operation 186
CD* operation 189
Operating and display elements 174
Operating safety 173
Operation 176
Radio operation 179
Switching off 176
Switching on 176
Telephone* operation 193
Automatic antiglare* for rear view
mirror 149
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 133

370 IndexAutomatic climate control* 162
Activating 163
Adjusting air distribution 166
Adjusting air volume 166
Air recirculation mode 167
Deactivating 163
Defrosting 167
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat utilization 171
Residual ventilation 171
Setting the temperature 165
Automatic headlamp mode 103
Automatic lighting control
Activating 107
Deactivating 107
Automatic locking when driving 90
Automatic transmission fluid see ATF
Automatic transmission* 142
Accelerator position 147
Comfort program mode 146
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 147
Fluid level 256Gear ranges 144
Gear selector lever 44
Gear selector lever position 142, 145
Gear shifting malfunctions 147
Kickdown 147
Manual shifting 143
One-touch gearshifting 143
Program mode selector switch 146
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 256
Auxiliary fuse box 334
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 66, 361
Compatible child seats 66, 361
Self-test 66
Backrest
Folding forward 213
Folding rearward 213
Backrest contour
Adjusting 97Backrest side bolsters
Adjusting 97
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 33
Power seat* 35
Backup lamps 311, 315
Bulbs 310
BAS 73, 361
Messages in display 281
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 307
Check lamp 83
Checking 84
Battery discharged
Jump starting 326
Battery, vehicle 258, 323
Charging 324
Disconnecting 324
Messages in display 285
Reconnecting 325
Reinstalling 324
Removing 324

372 IndexCenter console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 279
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 127
Central locking
Automatic 90
From inside 91
Switch 91
Switching on/off
(control system) 133
Unlocking from inside 91
Central locking switch 91
Certification label 338
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 307
CDs 189
Key setting 133
Charcoal filter 169Charging
Vehicle battery 324
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp 276
Checking
Brake fluid 251
Coolant level 251, 257
Engine oil level 251, 254
Tire inflation pressure 251
Vehicle lighting 251
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint
systems 60, 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors
see LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 221Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 148
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 271
Instrument cluster 270
Leather upholstery 271
Light alloy wheels 270
MB Tex upholstery 272
Plastic and rubber parts 272
Seat belts 271
Steering wheel 271
Upholstery 271
Windows 270
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272

377 Index
ETD 63, 362
Safety guidelines 58
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 249
Requirements 354
Switching fuels 354
Exterior lamp switch 46, 102
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 131
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position* for 136
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 127
Fastening the seat belts 40
Filler neck
C 230 Kompressor Sport 256
C 240, C 320, and C 32 AMG 256Fine adjustment
Cruise control 208
First aid kit 300
Flat tire 317
Lowering the vehicle 321
Minispare wheel 302
Mounting the Minispare wheel 317
Preparing the vehicle 317
Flexible fuel vehicles 354
At the gas station 249
Switching fuels 354
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fog lamp, rear
Message in display 294
Replacing bulb 311
Switching on 105
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 294
Replacing bulbs 310
Switching on 105Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with ESP 77
4MATIC 77
Front airbags 59
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon* type 313
Halogen-type 312
Messages in display 293–296
Replacing bulbs 310, 312
Switching on 102
Front seat head restraints
Installing
Manual seat 93
Power seat* 94
Manual seat 93
Power seat* 94
Removing
Manual seat 93
Power seat* 94
Front seats
Heating* 98

381 Index
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 135
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 305
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 83
Checking the batteries 84
Factory setting 83
Global locking 83
Global unlocking 83
Loss of 85
Messages in display 293
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote control 82
Restoring to factory setting 83
Selective setting 83
Starting the engine
Automatic transmission* 44
Manual transmission 43
Turning off the engine 52Unlocking the trunk lid 84
Unlocking with 30
Kickdown 147, 363
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 128
Km/h or mph in speedometer 128
L
Labels, identification 338
Lamp bulbs, exterior 310
Lamps, exterior
Front 310
Light sensor 294
Messages in display 293–296
Rear 311
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 274
Battery (SmartKey) 83
Brakes 275
CHECK ENGINE 276
Engine diagnostics 276, 278
ESP 277
Fuel reserve 278Instrument cluster 274–278
PASS. AIRBAG OFF 59, 279
Seat belts 278
SRS 55, 278
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 128
Setting 128
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Folding back 69
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 339
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 271
License plate lamps
Messages in display 294
Replacing bulbs 311, 315
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 270
Technical data 343
Light sensor 294
Lighter see Cigarette lighter

384 IndexMultifunction display messages
ABS 284
BAS 281
Battery, vehicle 285
Brake fluid 286
Brake pads 286
Coolant 287–289
Cruise control 290
Display 290
Doors 290
Engine oil 291–292
ESP 282–283
Fuel cap 293
Fuel reserve tank 293
Hood 293
Key, SmartKey 293
Lamps, exterior 293–296
Oil 291–292
Parking brake 286
Restraint system 297Seat belts 297
Sliding/pop-up roof* 299
SRS 297
Steering column not
properly locked 298
Steering gear oil level 298
Tele Aid* 299
Telephone* 299
Trunk lid 299
Windshield washer fluid 299
Multifunction steering
wheel 24, 114, 363
Buttons 114
N
Navigation system*
Operating 121
See separate COMAND*
operating instructions
Night security illumination 104
Setting 131O
Occupant safety 54
Airbags 55
Children and airbags 56
Children in the vehicle 63
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Seat belts 40, 58
Odometer, main 23
Oil level see Engine oil level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 143
Canceling gear range limit 143
Downshifting 143
Upshifting 143
Opening
Ashtray, center console 220
Ashtray, rear seat 221
Cup holder, in front of
seat armrest 217