2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 airbag

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control ............. 33
Opening the trunk ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 35
Panic button ................................. 36
Mechanical keys .......................... 36
Doors ................................................. 37
Central locking switch .................... 39
Automatic central locking .............. 40
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 40
Trunk ..................................................41
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 55Multicontour seat ............................ 57
Heated seats ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints ................ 60
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 63
Seat belts ........................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 70
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 71
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 72
Airbags .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors ............................ 90
OM_203.book Seite 1 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260
Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals ........................................... 261
Power assistance ........................262
Brakes ..........................................262
Driving off ...................................263
Parking ........................................264Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271
Cruise control ................................ 272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 278
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 284
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system ........ 286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 286Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................292
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....297
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE .......................299
OM_203.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 58
2Rear window sunshade switch (optional), see
page 205
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 278
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 151
5Central locking switch, see page 39
6Rear seat head restraints switch, see page 60
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 46
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 47
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 58
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 292
10COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 173
11Climate control (C 240), see page 152
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 160
Rear window defroster, see page 170
P 68.10-2501-27
OM_203.book Seite 24 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 33
Opening the trunk ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 35
Panic button .................................. 36
Mechanical keys ........................... 36
Doors .................................................. 37
Central locking switch .................... 39
Automatic central locking .............. 40
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 40
Trunk ................................................. 41Trunk lid emergency release ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 55
Multicontour seat ............................ 57
Heated seats ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints ............... 60
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 63
Seat belts .......................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 70
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ................................ 71
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 72Airbags .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors ............................ 90
Instrument cluster ........................... 98
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 102
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 106
Audio systems ................................ 108
Radio ............................................ 108
CD player ..................................... 109
Cassette player ............................110
Telephone ......................................... 111
Navigation system ...........................116
Trip computer ..................................117
OM_203.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

40 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” –
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 131.
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 approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).
OM_203.book Seite 40 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

54 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should check
and adjust if necessary the seat height, seat position
fore and aft, and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head restraint should
also be adjusted for proper height. See also airbag
section on page 73 for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
ad eq uate con tr ol, r each, operation and com fort. B ot h the
inside and outside rear view mirrors should be adjusted
for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM 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 can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.
OM_203.book Seite 54 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags, and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraints systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM 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.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.
OM_203.book Seite 63 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

68 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly.
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as
described in this section, as that could result
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• E ach oc c upan t s houl d wear t hei r s ea t bel t a t al l
times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries
in accidents, including rollovers. The
integrated restraint system includes “SRS”
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side
impact airbags, head protection window
curtain airbags for side windows), “ETR” (seat
belt emergency tensioning retractors), and
front seat knee bolsters. The system is
designed to enhance the protection offered to
properly belted occupants in certain frontal
(front airbags) and side (side impact and
window curtain airbags) impacts which exceed
preset deployment thresholds.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm,
against your neck or off your shoulder. In a
crash, your body would move too far forward.
That would increase the chance of head and
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too
much force to the ribs or abdomen, which
could severely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable
objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might
cause injuries.• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your
hips and not across the abdomen. If the belt is
positioned across your abdomen, it could cause
serious injuries in a crash.• Each seat belt should never be used for more
than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat
belt around a person and another person or
other objects.• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash,
you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against
your body could cause injuries.
OM_203.book Seite 68 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11