Page 3 of 122
Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Index.
For adjustments of air outlets, refer to Automatic
Climate Control (see Index).
1. Side air outlet, adjustable
2. Air volume control for side air outlet
3. Exterior lamp switch
4. Parking brake release
5. Hood lock release
6. Parking brake pedal
7. Steering wheel adjustment lever
8. Combination switch
9. Cruise control switch
10. Horn, airbag
11. Instrument cluster
12. Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
13. Center air outlets, adjustable
14. Air volume control for center air outlets
15. Glove box (illuminated with electronic
key in steering lock position 1 or 2)
16. Left front seat heater switch
17. ASR or ESP control switch
18. Switch for rear seat head restraints
19. Hazard warning flasher switch
20. Central locking switch,
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
21. Right front seat heater switch
22. Automatic climate control
Rear win dow defroster switch
23. Audio system
24. Open storage compartment
25. Ashtray with lighter
26 .Storage/eyeglasses compartment
27. Power window switches, front doors
28. Power window safety switch, rear doors
29. Airbag off indicator lamp
30. Power window switches, rear doors
31. Trunk lid release switch
32. Mirror adjustment switch
ProCarManuals.com
Page 7 of 122
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".
ProCarManuals.com
Page 29 of 122
Heated Seats (optional)
The front seat heater switches are located in the center console. The front seat heaters
can be switched on with the electronic key in steering lock positions 1 or 2.
Press switch to turn on heater:
1. Normal heating mode. One indicator lamp in the switch lights up.
2. Rapid heating mode. Bo indicator lamps in the switch light up. After approximately
5 minutes in the rapid heating mode, the heater automatically witches to normal
operation and only one indicator lamp will stay on.
Turning off heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of switch.
If left on, the heater automatically turns off after approximately 30 minutes of operation.
Note:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the seat
heater longer than necessary. The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too many power consumers are
switched on at the same time, or if the battery charge is lo w. When this occurs, the indicator lamp in the switch will
blink (both indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating) . The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as
soon as sufficient voltage is available. If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to you, the seat heaters can
be switched off.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 49 of 122
Exterior Rear View Mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted - press button:
Left mirror
Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to eit her side. Vehicles with automatic brightness response
of inside rear view mirror: With the electronic key in st eering lock position 2, the driver's side mirror reflection
brightness responds to changes in light sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position "R", or with the interior
lamp switched on, the driver's side mirror brightne ss does not respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature. If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivot ed from its normal position, it must be repositioned by
applying firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Warning !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is convex
(outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
Check your inside rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
ProCarManuals.com