1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-280 Let battery

Starting and Turning Off the Engine

Before Starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector lever is in position "P" or "N".
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2. The charge indicator lamp should come on.

Starting (Model C 230)

Do not depress accelerator. Turn electronic key in steering lock clockwise to the stop.
Release electronic key only when the engine is firing regularly.


Starting
(Models C 280, C 43 AMG)
Do not depress accelerator. Briefly turn electronic ke y in steering lock clockwise to the stop and release.
The starter will engage until the engine is running. If engi ne will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat star ting the engine. After several unsuccessful attempts,
have the system checked at the near est authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.


Important!
Due to the installed starter non- repeat feature, the electronic key must be turned completely to the left before
attempting to start the engine again. The battery charge indicator lamp should go out as soon as the engine
has started. In areas where temperat ures frequently drop below -4°F (-20°C) we recommend that an engine block
heater be installed. Your authorized Mercedes -Benz dealer will advise you on this subject.

Turning Off


Turn the electronic key in the steering lock to position 0 to stop the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with your foot off the brake pedal and the selector lever in position "P".


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Special Settings
(use only for short duration)
Defogging Windows
Switch off
button.
Press
. button.
Press
button repeatedly until
air is directed upward.

Turn wheels (2) to position

to open left and right air outlets (4).
Adjust air outlets upward.

Defrosting
Turn wheels (2) to position to

open left and right air outlets (4).
Adjust air outlets upward.
Press
button. Maximum heat-
ed and automatically controlled
amount of air is directed to the
windshield and side windows.

Press button once again to
return to previous setting. Rear Window Defroster

Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press
button.
To cancel, press
button again.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and
ice should be removed before
activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster uses a
large amount of power. To keep
the battery drain to a minimum, turn
off the defroster as soon
as the window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned
off after a maximum of
12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are
turned on simultaneously, or the
battery is only partially charged, it
is possible that the defroster will
automatically turn itself off. When
this happens, the indicator lamp
inside the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has
sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns
itself back on. Air Distribution


Press
button repeatedly until
the requested symbol is displayed.

Air Volume
Press - or + side of rocker switch
until the requested blower
speed is attained.
A choice of 7 blower speeds is
available. To switch the
automatic climate control off,
press - side of rocker switch
until symbol OFF is displayed.

The fresh air supply to the car interior
is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only
temporarily, otherwise the
windshield could fog up.
To switch the automatic climate
control on again, press

or + side of

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Air Recirculation
This mode can be selected to prevent annoying odours or dust from entering the car's interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car's interior.
To select, press
button.
To cancel, press
button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated air to fresh air
• after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures below approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside tem peratures above approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 5 minutes, if button
is pressed.
Notes:
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch from recirculated air back to fresh air.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically engages the re circulated air mode thereby
increasing the cooling capacity performance, switching to partially fresh air within 20 minutes.

Dust Filter
Dust particles (down to a certain size) and pollen are filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air distribution system.
Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air flow-thr ough exhaust slots below the rear
window.
Also keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of snow and debris.

Residual Engine Heat Utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to c ontinue heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume and distribution are controlled automatically
To select:
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or remove key. Close air outlet in rear passenger
compartment.
Press
button.
This function selection will not activate if the battery charge level is insufficient.
To cancel:
Press
button.
The system will automatically shut off
• if you turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• after approx. 30 minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.


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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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Power Windows

on center console, front

Switches for:

1.
left, front
2. left, rear
3. right, front
4. right, rear
5. Switch for rear door window override
6. individual switches (rear doors)
in rear doors

in rear doors


Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Press switch in to resistance point:
to open
to close
Release switch when window is in desired position.



Express Opening and Closing

Press switch or past resistance point and release - window opens or closes completely. To interrupt
procedure, briefly press
or If the upward movement of the window is blocked during the closing procedure,
the window will stop during the last few inches before closure and open slightly. When pressing and holding the
switch
to close the window, and upward movement of the wi ndow is blocked during the last few inches before
closure, it will stop but not
open slightly.


Blocking of Rear Door Window Operation
If no operation of the rear windows by switch (6) (for instance by children) is desired, slide override switch (5) to right,
symbol
becomes visible.


Warning !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure. In case of obstruction, the automatic rever sal will not operate if a window is being closed
by pressing the switch to its resistance point and holdi ng it there, or when using a mechanical key or
the remote control. The closing procedure can be immediately reversed by either pressing the switch
,
turning the mechanical key to the unlocking position, or pressing button
on the remote control,
and holding it.


Note:
The power windows can also be closed with the mechanical ke y or infrared remote control while locking the vehicle
doors or trunk (see Central Locking System in Index).


Warning !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the el ectronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause serious personal injury.


Synchronizing Power Windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery disconnected or empty), the wi ndows cannot be opened or closed by
the Express feature. To resynchronize the Ex press feature, press
side of power window switch until the
window is completely closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening and closing procedure of the windows should now be restored.


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Flexible Service System (FSS)




The FSS permits a flexible service schedule that is dire
ctly related to the operating conditions of the vehicle.
The symbol
or appears in the main odometer field prior to the next suggested service. Depending on operating
conditions throughout the year, the nex t service is calculated and displayed in days or distance remaining. The
message is displayed for approx. 10 seconds when turning the electronic key in steering lock to position 2, or it can
be canceled manually by pressing button 0. Once the suggested term has passed, the message plus symbol
or
, preceded by a - (minus symbol) blinks, when turning t he electronic key to position 2. The FSS display can also
be called up for approx.10 seconds with display illuminated by pressing button 0 twice. Following a completed service
the Mercedes-Benz dealer sets the counter to 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) and 365 days.

The counter can also be set by any individual. To do so:
1 . Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
2 . Within 4 seconds press button 0 twice.
3 . The present status for days or distance is displayed. Within 10 seconds turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 0.
4 . Press and hold button 0, while turning electronic key in steering lock to position 2 again. The present status for
days or distance is displayed once more. Continue to hold button 0 After approx. 10 seconds a signal sounds, and the
display shows 10 000 miles (Canada: 15000 km).
5 . Release button 0. If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have a Mercedes -Benz dealer correct it.

Notes:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such days not
counted by the FSS can be added by your Mercedes-Benz de aler. The interval between services is determined by
the kind of vehicle operation. Driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined with short distance driving in which
the engine does not reach normal operating temperat ure, reduce the interval between services.

Model C 230:
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) and 15 000 miles (Canada: 22 500 km),
or from 365 to 730 days between services.

Models C 280 and C 43 AMG:
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) and 20 000 miles (Canada: 30 000 km),
or from 365 to 730 days between services. However you choose to set your reference numbers, the scheduled
services as posted in the Service Booklet must be followed to properly care for your vehicle.


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Jump Starting

Warning !
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead to a battery
explosion and severe injury or death. Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting, you might
get injured. Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected ar ea with water, and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking etc.. Read all instructions before
proceeding.

If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another vehicle.
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.

Proceed as follows:
1 . Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that the jumper cables will reach, but never
let the vehicles touch. Make sure the jump er cables do not have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
• Turn off engine and all lights and acce ssories, except hazard warning flashers or
work lights.
• Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to position "P".

Important !
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery and the other end to the positive (+ ) terminal of the charged battery. Make sure
the cable clamps do not touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the grounded negative (-) terminal of the
charged battery and the final connection to the negative (-) terminal of the discharged battery.


Important !
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery and run at high idle. Make sure the
cables are not on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will move when the engine is
started. Allow the discharged battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of the
disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables exactly reversing the above
installation sequence, starting with the last connection made first. When removing each
clamp, make sure that it does not touch any other metal while the other end is still attached.


Important !
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14°F (-10°C ). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. A frozen battery can explode and cause personal injury.

Jumper cable specifications:
• Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx. 2 AWG
• Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).


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