child seat MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 6
Operator’s manual ............................. 7
Where to find it ................................ 12
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 14Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 16
Center console .............................. 18
Overhead control panel ............... 19OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the central locking
system ........................................... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 25
Opening and closing windows from
outside ........................................... 29
Panic button .................................. 30Mechanical keys .......................... 30
Doors ..................................................31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .......... 34
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lamp ....................................... 36
Trunk lid release switch ................ 37
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 38
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ............................... 40
Power seats, front ............................. 41
Front head restraints .................. 46
Roll bar and head restraints,
rear ............................................... 47
Backrest ............................................ 49
Multicontour seat ............................ 50
Heated seats ......................................51
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 52
Seat belts .......................................... 53
Seat belt nonusage warning
system ............................................ 54BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system ........................................... 59
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 59
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 60
Emergency tensioning device
(ETD) ............................................. 60
Airbags .............................................. 61
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag ............................................. 67
Infant and child restraint
systems .......................................... 69
Child seat anchors- "LATCH",
type ............................................... 71
Adjusting telescoping steering
column .......................................... 73
Inside rear view mirror .................. 74
Antiglare night position .............. 74
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 75
Instrument cluster ........................... 78
Indicator lamps in the instrument
cluster ........................................... 80

20
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the central locking
system ........................................... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 25
Opening and closing windows from
outside ........................................... 29
Panic button .................................. 30
Mechanical keys ........................... 30
Doors .................................................. 31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .......... 34
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lamp ....................................... 36
Trunk lid release switch ................. 37
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 38
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ................................ 40Power seats, front ............................. 41
Front head restraints .................. 46
Roll bar and head restraints,
rear ............................................... 47
Backrest ............................................ 49
Multicontour seat ............................ 50
Heated seats ......................................51
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 52
Seat belts .......................................... 53
Seat belt nonusage warning
system ............................................ 54
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 59
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 59
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 60
Emergency tensioning device
(ETD) ............................................ 60
Airbags ............................................... 61
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag ............................................. 67Infant and child restraint
systems .......................................... 69
Child seat anchors- "LATCH",
type ............................................... 71
Adjusting telescoping steering
column .......................................... 73
Inside rear view mirror .................. 74
Antiglare night position .............. 74
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 75
Instrument cluster ........................... 78
Indicator lamps in the instrument
cluster ........................................... 80
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 84
Trip and main odometer and sub
menu ............................................. 88
Audio systems .................................. 89
Radio .............................................. 89
CD player ....................................... 90
Cassette player ............................. 91
Telephone .......................................... 92
Telephone book ............................ 92
Redialing ....................................... 94
Incoming call ................................ 96

41 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats, front
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or passenger’s door open, the power
seats can also be operated with the electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n 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 backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined 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 even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

45 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 61 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards 213 and 210.2.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n 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 vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating 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 or lower anchors, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.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.

48 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Switch for roll bar and head restraints, rear
The switch is located in the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
Press switch:
1Raise roll bar
2Lower roll bar
The lowering or raising procedure is immediately
interrupted by releasing the roll bar switch. With the engine running and the roll bar lowered, the
warning lamp in the roll bar switch will blink for
approx. 15 seconds. The blinking is reminding you to
raise the roll bar if the rear passenger seats are
occupied. See also page 229 for roll bar warning lamp.
Important!
The roll bar is intended to be a safety enhancement to
the other features designed into the vehicle. No system
in any vehicle can eliminate the possibility of serious
injury or fatality in an accident. Properly fastened seat
belts and child restraints must be used!
Notes:
If the warning lamp in the switch comes on, then a
malfunction has been detected. In this case, drive only
with the roll bar raised until the problem has been
corrected. Raise the roll bar by pressing the upper half
of the roll bar switch.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Items being transported in the rear passenger
compartment should be placed in such a manner as not
to affect the movement of the roll bar when being
raised.
P91.59-2001-26
12

49 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Backrest
1Release lever
Folding forward:
Lift release lever (1) and fold backrest forward. The seat
will automatically slide forward and the head restraint
will move down.
Folding back:
Lift release lever (1) and fold backrest back. The seat
and head restraint return to their previous positions.
To interrupt the procedure, activate the power seat
switch.Notes:
The automatic seat slide is provided with a safety
feature. The automatic process is interrupted, if the
backrest of the sliding seat is pushed against an
occupant or object. The seat will slide forward, stop, and
make 3 attempts sliding backward.
To halt the automatic process, activate the power seat
switch. Investigate and correct the cause of interruption.
Now use memory button or power seat switch to bring
seat into desired position.
The backrest release lever (1) also serves as a rest for
the front seat belt, bringing it within easy reach.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts during a seat adjustment procedure.

53 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belts
Important!
Laws i n mo st states and all Canadi an provi nc es require
seat belt use.
All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces require the use of
child restraints that comply with U.S. Fedral Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 210.2.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n 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 vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise 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 seating 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 or lower anchors, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.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.

58 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be
positioned as low as possible on the hips to
avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel
or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the
floor in front of the seat.Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.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 vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise 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 seating 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 or lower anchors, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.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.Children too big for child restraint systems must
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning.

59 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7
indicator lamp located on the center console will be
illuminated, except with electronic key removed or in
steering lock position 0. The system does not deactivate
the door mounted side impact airbag.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the
center console comes on for approx. 6 seconds and then
extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.When using a BabySmart
TM compatible child seat
on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbag will not deploy only if the 7 indicator
lamp remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat.Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the light
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.

66 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The distance from the center
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should be
able to accomplish this by a combination of
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any problems, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim
can increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts, and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system.• 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 vehicle to
deactivate the passenger front airbag when it
is properly installed. Otherwise they will be
struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash.
If this happens, serious or fatal injury can
result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.