2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class steering

Important !
The "SRS" airbags are designed to activate only in certain frontal (front airbags) impacts, or side (side
airbags) impacts. Only during these types of impacts, if of sufficient severity to meet the deployment
thresholds, will they provide their supplemental protection. The driver and passenger should always wear the
seat belts, otherwise it is not possible for the airbags to provide their intended supplemental protection. In
cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll-overs, other side impacts, rear collisions, or other
accidents without sufficient forces, the airbag will not be activated. The driver and passengers will then be
protected by the fastened seat belts. We caution you not to rely on the presence of an airbag in order to
avoid wearing your seat belt. The "SRS" is designed to re duce the potential of injury in certain frontal (front
airbags) impacts, and side (side impact airbags) impacts which may cause significant injuries, however, no
system available today can totally eliminate injuries and fatalities.
The activation of the "SRS" temporarily releases a small amount of dust from the airbags. This dust,
however, is neither injurious to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the vehicle. The service life of the
airbags extends to the date indicated on the label located on the driverside door latch post. To provide
continued reliability after that date, they should be inspected by an authorized Mer cedes-Benz dealer at that
time and replaced when necessary.
Your vehicle was originally equippend with a Suppleme ntal Restraint system (SRS). The SRS airbags are
designet to activate in centrain impacts exceeding a preset treshold to reduce the potential and severity of
injury.merzedes-Benz encourages you to replace deploy ed airbags and repair any malfunktioning airbags to
ensure the vehicle will continue to provid e maximum crash protections for occupants.


Warning!
It is very important for your safety to always be in a properly seated position and to wear your seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a collision always be in normal seated position with your back
against
the backrest. Fasten your seat belt and ensure that it is properly positioned on the body. Since the airbag
inflates with considerable speed and force, a proper seating and hands on steering wheel position will help
to keep you in a safe distance from the airbag:
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with your back against the seat back.
• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible rearward , still permitting proper operation of vehicle controls.
• 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 rearward as far as possible from the dashboard when the seat is occupied.
• Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates
with the BabySmart™ 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 . Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe
injuries to you or other occupants.

Safety Guidelines for the Seat Belt, Emergency Tensioning Retractor and Airbag

Warning !
• Damaged belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and their anchoring
points must also be checked. Use only belts installed or supplied by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.
• Do not make any modification that could change the effectiveness of the belts.
• The "SRS" is designed to function on a one-time-only b asis. An airbag or emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) that was activated must be replaced.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the "SRS". This includes
the installation of additional trim material, ba dges etc. over the steering wheel hub, front passenger
airbag cover, or front door trim panels, and in stallation of additional electrical/electronic equipment on
or near "SRS" components and wiring. Keep area between airbags and occupants free of objects
( e.g. packages purses, umbrellas, etc.).
• An airbag system component within the steering wheel gets hot
after the airbag has inflated.
• Improper work on the system, including incorrect
installation and removal, can lead to possible injury
through an uncontrolled activation of the "SRS".
• In addition, through improper work there is the risk of rendering the "SRS" inoperative. Work on the
"SRS" must therefore only be performed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
• When scrapping the airbag unit or emergency tensioning retractor, it is mandatory to follow our safety
instructions. These instructions are av ailable at your authorized Merzedes-Benz
• Depending on the considerable deployment speed and the textile structure of the airbags, there is the

possibility of light skin abrasions.

Steering Lock

0 - The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position only. The steering is locked with the electronic key removed
from the steering lock. The electronic key an be removed only with the selector lever in position "P" and the foot off
the brake pedal. After removing the electronic key or with the electronic key in steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in position "P".
1 - Steering is unlocked. (If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow the electronic key to be turned clockwise
to position 1.) Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed information see respective subjects.
2 - Driving position.
3 - Starting position.

Refer to Index for Starting and turning off the engine.


Warning !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic 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 may cause serious personal injury.


Important !
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no longer be turned
in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key from steering lock and reinsert.

Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver's door is opened with the electronic key in steering lock position 1 or 0. With the
engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the alternator (output) is limited. It is therefore recommended to turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of the
battery. Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume control
should be set to the lowest position. The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle battery properly
connected.

Caution !
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering lock position 0.

Combination Switch

1. Low beam (exterior lamp switch position )
2. High beam (exterior lamp switch position )
3. High beam flasher (high beam available independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4. Turn signals, right
5. Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing lanes on a highway, move combination switch to the point
of resistance only and hold it there. To operate the turn signals continuously, move the combination switch past the
point of resistance (up or down). The switch is automatically cancelled when the steering wheel is turned to a large
enough degree.

6 Control for windshield wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for a single wipe without adding washer fluid (use only when windshield is wet)
Push past detent point:
• windshield washer system
• optional headlamp cleaning system (only in exterior lamp positions or ).
When the washer system is activated, the wipers also operate for a limited time.
7 Windshield wiper
0 Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping (optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield.)
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed

Note:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are automatically heated.

Windshield Washer Fluid Mixing Ratio
For temperatures above freezing: MB Windshield Washer Concentrate "S" and water 1 part "S" to
100 parts water (40 ml "S" to 1 gallon water). For temperature below freezing: MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate "S" and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
1 part "S" to 100 parts solvent (40 ml "S" to 1 gallon solvent).


Windshield Wiper Smears
If the windshield wiper smears the windshield, even dur ing rain, activate the washer system as often
as necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be mixed in the correct ratio.


Blocked Windshield Wiper
If the windshield wiper becomes blocked (for example, due to snow), switch off the wiper. For safety
reasons before removing ice or snow, remove electronic key from steering lock. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in steering lock position 1).


Turn Signal Failure
If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator system flashes and sounds at a faster than
normal rate.

Exterior Lamp Switch
Off
Parking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low beam is additionally switched on.
Parking lamps plus low beam or high beam headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).
Standing lamps, right (turn left one stop).
Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops).
Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking lamps and/or low beam headlamps on.
Rear fog lamp (pull out to 2nd detent) in addition to fog lamps. Yellow indicator lamp in lamp switch
comes on.

Standing Lamps
When the vehicle is parked on the street the standing lamps (right or left side parking lamps) can be turned on,
making the vehicle more visible to passing vehicles The standing lamps cannot be operated with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2.

Note:
With the electronic key removed and a front door open, a warning sounds if the vehicle's exterior lamps (except
standing lamps) are not switched off. Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and the low or high
beam headlamps Fog lamps should only be used in conjunction with low beam headlamps
Consult your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding allowable lamp operation. Fog lamps are
automatically switched off when the exterior lamp switch is turned to position .


Daytime Running Lamps
Canada only

When the engine is running and the selector lever is in a driving position, the low beam (includes parking lamps,
side marker lamps, taillamps and license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position "N" or "P", the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).

For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should be turned to position to permit activation of the high beam
headlamps.

Night Security Illumination

When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination for
approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door. The lamp-on time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz dealer.


Inside Rear View Mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and distan ce of objects seen in the passenger side convex mirror.


Antiglare Night Position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position "R", or with the interior lamp switched on, the mirror brightness
does not respond to changes in light sensitivity.

Note:
The automatic antiglare function is restricted, if incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the mirror.

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 either side. With the electronic key in steering 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 brightness does not respond to changes in light
sensitivity.

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.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature. If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its normal position, it must be repositioned by
applying firm pressure until it snaps into place.

Lighter

Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when hot.

Warning !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.

Note:
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate electrical accessories up to maximum 85 W


Sun Visors


Swing sun visors down to protect against sun glare.
If sunlight enters through a side window, disengage visor from inner mounting and pivot to the side.



Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting, the lamp can be switched on by opening the cover.

Warning !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.

The lamp goes out automatically after approximately 5 minutes.