1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-280 Electronic main key
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Car Keys
Included with your vehicle are:
• 2 electronic main keys with integrated radio frequency and infrared remote controls plus slide out and removable
mechanical key.
• 1 electronic reserve key without remote control functions, plus removable mechanical key.
Warning !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury. Electronic main key with integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control, plus slide out and removable mechanical key
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the car. The mechanical keys (2) work only
in the driver's door, trunk, and storage comp artment locks. The mechanical key can be
used by sliding it out of the remote control. Move lock (3) in direction of arrow and slide
the mechanical key (2, right arrow) until it locks in place. Move lock (3) in direction of
arrow and slide the mechanical key (2, left arrow) to remove. The remote control
transmitter is located in the electronic ma in key holder. The infrared receivers are
located in the front door handles.
Electronic reserve key without remote control functions, plus removable mechanical key.
The electronic reserve key (1) works only in the steering lock. The mechanical key (2)
works only in the driver's door, trunk, an d storage compartment locks. To use the
mechanical key (2), remove it from its electronic reserve key (1).
Notes:
We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve key wi th mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe place
(e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Never le ave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle. Remove the
mechanical key from the electronic main key when using va let parking service. To prevent access to trunk or storage
compartments lock them separ
ately.
Obtaining replacement Keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking system requiring a special key manufacturing process. For
security reasons, replacement keys can only be obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
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Central Locking System
Radio Frequency and Infrared Remote Control
The electronic main key has an integrated radio and infrar ed remote control. Due to the extended operational range
of
the remote control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or unlock the vehi cle by pressing the transmit button.
A command received by the central locking system is ac knowledged by the function control lamp blinking once. The
vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be centrally locked and unlocked. Opening and closing the windows and
sliding/pop-up roof can only be done with the infrared portion of the remote control. Aim transmitter eye (5) at a
receiver (6 or 7) and press transmit button. With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be opened by using the
remote control. If the electronic key is inserted in steeri ng lock, the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the
remote control.
1. Transmit button
Locking
Unlocking
Opening trunk (if not key locked)
2. PANIC button
3. Release button for mechanical key
4. Lamp for battery check and function control
5. Transmitter eye
6. Infrared receiver in driver's door handle
7. Infrared receiver in front passenger door handle
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Locking and Unlocking
Unlocking:
Press transmit button
. All turn signal lamps blink once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of unlocking methods (see below): Selective
unlocking mode. Press transmit button
once to unlock driver's door and fuel filler flap. Press
transmit button
twice to unlock doors, fuel filler flap, and trunk. Global unlocking mode - Press
transmit button
once to unlock doors, fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will remain locked (see Index). The presently active
unlocking mode (selective or global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle with the
remote control (see below for changing mode). The vehicle is automatically locked again, if within 40
seconds of unlocking with the remote control, neither door or trunk is opened, the electronic key is
not inserted in the steering lock, or the central locking switch is not activated.
Locking:
Press transmit button
once. All turn signal lamps blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is
locked
.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressi ng the transmit button, then it may be necessary
to change the batteries in the transmitter (if ok, battery check lamp in transmitter will light briefly
when transmitting) or to synchronize the system, see Remote Control in Index.
Choosing Global or Selective Mode on Remote Control
Press and hold transmit buttons
and simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times indicating the completed mode change.
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Opening the Trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft ( 1.8 m) is required to open the trunk lid. Press transmit button
until trunk lid is open.
Important !
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is locked again when closing the lid.
Note:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will remain locked (see Index).
Opening and Closing Windows and Sliding/Pop-Up Roof from Outside
Aim transmitter eye (5) of remote control at door receivers (6 or 7).
To open:
Continue to press transmit button
after unlocking car
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open after approx. 1 second. To interrupt opening
procedure, release button.
To close:
Continue to press transmit button
after locking car
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to cl ose after approx. 1 second. To interrupt closing
procedure, release button.
Warning !
Never operate the windows or sliding/pop-up roof if there is the possibility of anyone being
harmed by the opening or closing procedure.
In case the procedure causes potential danger, the procedure can be immediately halted by
releasing the remote control button. To reverse direction of movement press
for opening
or
for closing.
Note:
If the windows and sliding/ pop-up r oof cannot be operated automatically by pressing the transmit
button of the remote control then it may be necessa ry to change the batteries in the transmitter
(if ok, battery check lamp in transmitter will light briefly when transmitting), or to synchronize the
electronic main key, see Electronic main key, in Index.
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Central locking switch
1. Locking
2. Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center cons ole. The doors can only be locked with the central locking
switch, if the front doors are closed. If the car was previously locked with the remote control or key, the doors and
trunk cannot be unlocked with the central locking switch. If the car was previously locked with the central locking
switch, while in the selective remote control mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked. If the car was
previously locked with the central locking switch, while in the global remote control mode, the complete vehicle is
unlocked when a front door is opened from the inside.
Automatic Central Locking
The central locking switch also oper ates the automatic central locking.
To activate:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold upper portion of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To deactivate:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold lower portion of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
With the automatic central locking system activated, the doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx. 9
mph (15 km/h) or more . The fuel filler flap remains unlocked.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch after activating the automatic central locking, and neither door is
opened, then the doors remain unlocked even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. Opening a door
from the inside at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central locking activated, the door will
again be automatically locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Emergency Unlocking in Case of Accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an a ccident (this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
However, the electronic key must still be in the steering lock.
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Trunk
0 - Neutral position - push to open
1 - Unlocking
2 - Locking (detent)
3 - Separate locking of trunk - remove mechanical key in this position.
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked when centrally unlocking
the vehicle. To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, lock it
separately. Leave only the electronic main key less its mechanical key with the
vehicle.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system the trunk can be locked and unlocked individually. To lock, turn
mechanical key to position 2 or 3. To unlock and open the trunk lid, turn mechanical key to position 1, hold and push
to open. If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, refe r to Fuel Filler Flap, Manual Release (see Index).
Important!
Do not place mechanical key inside trunk, since trunk is locked again when closing the
lid.
Lower trunk lid using handle (4) and close it with hands placed flat on trunk lid.
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BabySmart™ Airbag Deactivation System
Special child seats, designed for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer are required for use with the BabySmart™ airbag deactivation
system. With the special child seat properly insta lled, the passenger front airbag will not deploy. The
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.
Warning !
The BabySmart™ Airbag Deactivation System will ONLY work with a special seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with seats which are not BabySmart™ compatible. Never place
anything between seat cushion and child seat (e .g. pillow), since it reduces the effectiveness
of the deactivation system. Follow the manufacture r's instructions for installation of special
child seats. The passenger side front airbag will not deploy only if the
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™ restraint to transport
children, or otherwise do not transport child restraints on the front passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.
Self-Test BabySmart™ Without Special Child Seat Installed
After turning electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2, the
indicator lamp located on
center console comes on for approx. 6 seconds.
If the lamp should not come on or is continuously li t, the system is not functioning. You must see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer before using any child seat.
BabySmart is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
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Interior Lighting
1. Door contact switch:
Press once and interior lamps are switched on when opening a door. Interior lamps are switched on,
and off (soft fade) delayed, when unlocking or locking the vehicle, or when opening or closing a door.
However, there will be no (soft fade) delay when the electronic key is in steering lock position 2
Press again and interior lamps remain switc hed off, even when centrally unlocking or opening a door.
2. Press to switch interior and reading lamps on or off.
3. Press to switch rear passenger compartment lamp on or off.
4. Press to switch reading lamp on or off.
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