1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS open hood

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


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Antitheft Alarm System

1. Indicator lamp in switch located in center console

The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed with the remotecontrol or
any of your vehicle's mechanical keys by locking or unlocking the driver's door or the trunk.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.

Operation
Once the alarm system ha s been armed, the exterior vehicle la mps will flash and the horn will sound
intermittently when someone:
• opens a door,
• opens the trunk,
• opens the hood.

The alarm will last approximately 21/2 minutes in the form of blinking exterior lamps. At the same time an additional
horn will sound intermittently for 60 seconds, pause for 30 seconds, and repeat for another 60 seconds.
The alarm will stay on even if the activating element (a door, for example) is immediately closed.

Note:
We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve key with mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe place
(e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Ne ver leave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle.


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Outside Temperature Indicator
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by road or
engine heat during idling or slow driving. This means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature can only be
verified by comparison to a thermometer placed next, to the sensor, not by comparison to external displays (e.g. bank
signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-and-
go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of temperature change.

Warning !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore un-
suitable for that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.


Coolant Temperature Gauge
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the c oolant in the pressurized cooling system
of your vehicle is approx. 266°F (130°C). During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to the red marking. The engine should not be operated with the coolant temperature in
the red zone. Doing so may cause serious engine damage wh ich is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

Warning !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated can cause some fluids which may
have Beaked into the engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
• Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns and can occur just by
opening the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the car and do not stand near the car until it cools down.


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Hood





To open:
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the driver's
side of the instrument panel. At the same time handle
(2) will extend out of the radiator grill (it may be necessary to lift the hood up slightly).

Caution !
To avoid damage to the windshield wiper or hood, open the hood only with wiper in the parked position. Pull handle
(2) completely out of radiator grill and open hood (do not pull up on handle).

To close:
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of approx. 1 ft. (30 cm), assisting with hands pl aced flat on edges
of hood (3). To avoid hood damage, if hood is not fully cl osed, repeat closing procedure. Do not push down on hood
to attempt to fully close it.

Warning!

To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open and the engine is running.
Be sure the hood is properly closed before driving. When closing hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers. The engine is equipped with a transi storized ignition system. Because of the high voltage it
is dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils , spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the ignition
system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is "on" and the engine is turned manually.
If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the engi ne compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not
open the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary, call a fire department.


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Example



Checking Coolant Level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.


Adding Coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and MB anticorrosion/antifreeze should be added. The drain
plugs
for the cooling system are located on the right side of the engine block and at the bottom of the radiator.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze, see Coolants in Index.


Warning!
In order to avoid possibly serious burns:
•Use extreme caution when opening the hood if there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking from the
cooling system, or if the coolant temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is overheated.
•Do not remove pressure cap on coolant reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F (90°C). Allow
engine to cool down before removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is under pressure.
•Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened immediately,
scalding hot fluid and steam will be blown out under pressure.
•Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn if it comes
into contact with hot engine parts.


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Exterior Lamps
Headlamp Adjustment

Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important. Check and readjust headlamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.






Headlamp Assembly

1. Cover for low beam headlamp bulb, fog lamp, and level for vertical adjustment
2. Latch for cover (1)
3. Cover for high beam headlamp bulb
4. Clamp for cover (3)
5. Headlamp vertical adjustment screw

6. Headlamp horizontal adjustment screw
7. Scale for horizontal adjustment
8. Electrical connector for low beam headlamp bulb Xenon lamp (optional) ignition module for low beam
9. Electrical connector for fog lamp bulb
10. Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb


Replacing Bulb:
To prevent a possible electrical short circuit, switch off lamp prior to replacing a bulb. When replacing bulbs,
install only 12 volt bulbs with the specified watt rati ng. When replacing halogen bulbs do not touch glass
portion of bulb with bare hands. Us e plain paper or a clean cloth.

Warning !
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A bulb can explode if you:
• touch or move it when hot,
• drop the bulb,
• scratch the bulb.
Wear eye and hand protection.

Bulb for Low Beam H7 (55 W)
Bulb for Fog Lamp H1 (55 W)

Open hood.
Depress latch (2) and remove cover (1). Pull of electrical connector (8) or (9). Unhook clamping ring and
removes bulb. Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb socket), and mount clamping ring.
Reinstall and push electrical connector on securely. Re install bottom end of cover (1) and push against top
end of cover until properly seated. Check lamp for proper operation.


Xenon (optional)
Bulb for Low Beam

Warning !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp and its
components. We recommend that you have such work done by a qualified technician.



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Bulb for High Beam H1 (55 W)
Open hood.
Move retaining clamps (4) aside and remove cover (3). Pull off electrical connector (10). Unhook clamping ring
and pull out bulb together with clamping ring. Remove bulb. Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb
socket), mount clamping ring. Reinstall and push electr ical connector on securely. Reinstall cover and fasten
with retaining clamp (4).


Turn Signal, Parking, Side Marker and Standing Lamp
(2357 NA [28.5/8.3 W/30/2.2 cp bulb])
Open hood.
Squeeze latch (1) together and lift complete lamp assemb ly out to front of vehicle. Twist bulb socket (2)
counterclockwise and pull out. Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and remove. Insert new bulb in socket
push in and twist clockwise. Reinstall bulb socket. Reinsta ll lamp assembly by sliding tabs (3) into guides (4) until
properly seated.


1. Latch for turn signal, parking, side marker, and standing lamp assembly
2. Bulb socket for turn signal, parking, side marker, and standing lamp
3. Tab
4. Guide


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Adjusting Headlamp Aim
(Halogen)





Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important. To check and readjust a headlamp do the following:
• Horizontal aim will change and must be corrected as descri bed below, whenever a vertical adjustment is made.
• Low beam adjustments simultaneously aim the high beam and fog lamp.
• Vehicle should have a normal trunk load.

1 . Park vehicle on level surface approximately 6 inches (152 mm ) from a vertical test screen or wall. The centerline
of
the vehicle must be at a 90° angle to the test screen.
2 . Using a "T" square and a carpenter's level, align and ma rk avertical centerline (8) on the test screen using the
outer
reference point (low centerlines should be 47 1/4 inches (1198 mm).
3 . Move vehicle on the level surface 25 feet (7.6 m) straight back from the wall.
4 . Open hood, depress latch (1), and remove access cover (2) from the headlamp.
5 . Vertical headlamp aim (low beams on): Turn adjusting screw (3) (counterclockwise to adjust headlamp downward,
clockwise upward) until bubble in the level (4) is centered on the "0" mark. Graduations: 0.18° pitch.






6 . Horizontal headlamp aim (low beams on):
Turn adjusting screw (5) (Right fr ont headlamp: counterclockwise to adjust to the left, clockwise to the right; left
front headlamp: counterclockwise to adjust to the right, clockwise to the left.) until the headlamps (low beam)
illuminate the test screen as shown. The vertex of the angle formed in each beam image should align with the
vertical centerline (8) of each lamp. The left and right headlamps must be adjusted individually.

7 . The indicator (6) in the sight glass should align with the "0" mark after any horizontal adjustment. If it does not,
slide the "0" mark on the scale (7) until it a ligns with the indicator (6). Graduations: 0.38° pitch.
8 . Reinstall access cover(2).


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