MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

260 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in rear seat armrest
1Cup holder
Opening cup holder
Briefly press the front of cup holder1.
The cup holder slides out slightly.
Pull out the cup holder until it stops.Closing cup holder
Slide cup holder back until it engages.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding button
3Ashtray insert
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.
!
Do not sit on or lean your body weight
against the armrest when it is folded
down, as you could otherwise damage
it.

261 Controls in detail
Useful features
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 ashtray insert.
Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray insert3 slides out
slightly.
Remove the ashtray insert.Reinstalling ashtray insert
Push the ashtray insert3 down into
the retainer until it engages.
Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Rear seat ashtray
1Button
2Ashtray insert
3Cover
Pull at top of cover3.Removing ashtray insert
Push button1 to disengage ashtray
insert2 and remove it.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Push the ashtray insert2 down into
the retainer until it engages.
Push at top of cover3 to close
ashtray.
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.

262 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 33).1Cover plate
2Cigarette lighter
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.
Push in cigarette lighter2.
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, 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.
!
The lighter socket can be used to ac-
commodate 12V DC electrical acces-
sories (up to a maximum of 85 W)
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting acces-
sories to the lighter socket (for exam-
ple extensive connecting and
disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter
socket. With the socket damaged, the
lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) posi-
tion, or the lighter may pop out too ear-
ly with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette
lighter socket, we recommend con-
necting 12V DC electrical accessories
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlets (
page 263) in your ve-
hicle whenever possible.

263 Controls in detail
Useful features
Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear pas-
senger compartment.
1Power outlet
2Cover
Switch on the ignition (page 33).
Pull at top of cover2.
Flip cover1 to the left and insert
electrical plug (cigarette lighter type).
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
i
The power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical ac-
cessories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary
lamps) up to a maximum of 180 W.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and personal
injury.

264 Controls in detail
Useful features
You can take and place telephone calls
using thes andt buttons on the
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system
(
page 152).
See separate operating manual for instruc-
tions on how to use the telephone.
Tele Aid*
Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND* (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid
system may only be performed by
completing the subscriber agreement
and placing an acquaintance call using
the ¡button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding
activation, please call the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

265 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic Alarm Identification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency

roadside assistance

information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the audio system or COMAND* System
or on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, turn the rotary volume control on au-
dio system or COMAND* System clock-
wise or press buttonæ on the
multifunction steering wheel. To lower,
turn the rotary volume control on audio
system or COMAND* System control
counterclockwise or press buttonç on
the multifunction steering wheel.
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.
i
The SOS button is located in the over-
head control panel (
page 267).
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located in the armrest storage com-
partment (
page 257).
!
The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (G
lobal Positioning System) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.

266 Controls in detail
Useful features
System self-check
Initially, after switching on ignition, mal-
functions are detected and indicated (the
indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Malfunction. Drive to work-
shop
appears in the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 267) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp on the SOS button will
begin to flash. The message
Connecting Call appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
Call connected
appears in the multifunction display. All in-
formation relevant to the emergency, such
as the location of the vehicle (determined
by the GPS satellite location system), vehi-
cle model, identification number and color
are generated.
i
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the audio system or COMAND* System
unit is muted and the selected mode
(radio, tape or CD) pauses. The optional
cellular phone (if installed) and inserted
in cradle switches off. If you must use
this phone, we recommend that you
use it only with the vehicle at a stand-
still in a safe location. Remove the
phone from the cradle and place the
call. The navigation* system (if en-
gaged) will continue to run. The multi-
function display in the instrument
cluster is available for use, and spoken
commands are only available by press-
ing the RPT button on audio system or
COMAND* System unit. A pop-up win-
dow will appear in the audio system or
COMAND* System unit display to indi-
cate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.
After the TeleAid call has ended, the
optional cellular phone switches on
again. A PIN entry might be necessary.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message
Malfunction. Drive to workshop is
displayed in the multifunction display after
the system self-check, a malfunction in the
system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

267 Controls in detail
Useful features
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to
determine more precisely the nature of the
accident provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection
and cellular air time

the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the response cen-
terInitiating an emergency call manually
1Cover
2SOS buttonBriefly press on cover1.
The cover will open.
Press SOS button2 briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button2
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.
Wait for a voice connection to the
Response Center.
Close cover1 after the emergency
call is concluded.
i
Location of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the
Response Center.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.

268 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
Open the storage compartment under
the center armrest (
page 257).
Press and hold button (for longer than
2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
Connecting call will appear in the
multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
Warning!G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they re-
ceive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.
i
While the call is connected you can
change to the navigation menu by
pressing NAVI button on the audio sys-
tem or COMAND* System unit.

269 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
i
The indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately
10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the igni-
tion (together with the SOS button and
the Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 266) if
the indicator lamp does not come on in
red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• is flashing
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network was not available). The
message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be
terminated using thet button on
the multifunction steering wheel or the
END Button on the audio system or
COMAND* System.