2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE key

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 246).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must
be shut off (key in
starter switch position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

78 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

Removing the key from the starter
switch activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating


Inserting the key in the starter switch
deactivates the immobilizer.
Anti-theft alarm system*
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk lid


the hood.
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key. Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the SmartKey. The turn
signal lamps blink three times to indicate
that the alarm system is activated. The in-
dicator lamp
in the switch for the tow-away
alarm will blink after approximately 10 sec-
onds when the alarm system is completely
armed (
page 80).
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MER-Cedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.iIf the turn signal lamps do not blink
three times one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk lid


the hood
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.

79
Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey. The
turn signal lamps blink once to indicate
that the alarm system is deactivated.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Insert the key in the starter switch.
or

Press the
Œ
or
‹
button.
Tow-away alarm*
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle. Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
a door or the trunk is not opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsDisarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.1 Tow-away alarm off switch
2 Indicator lamp
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
Turn off the ignition and remove the
key.

Press upper half 1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp 2 in the switch lights up
briefly.

Lock your vehicle with the key.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.

82 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlockingInformation on locking and unlocking can
be found in the “Getting started” section
on (
page 30) and (
page 51).
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys with remote controls and a re-
movable mechanical key. The locking tabs
for the mechanical key portion of the two
keys are a different color to help distin-
guish each key unit.
The remote control key provides an ex-
tended operating range. To prevent theft,
however, it is advisable to only unlock the
vehicle when you are in close proximity to
it.
The key centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk lid


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹
Lock button
2 Mechanical key locking tab
3
Œ
Unlock button
4 Battery check lamp
5
Â
Panic button* (
page 72)
iCanada only:
Only vehicles equipped with an
anti-theft alarm system* have
SmartKeys with integrated panic
button* 5.

83
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press button
Œ
.
All turn signal lamps blink once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if neither door nor trunk lid is
opened, the SmartKey is not inserted in
the starter switch, or the central locking
switch is not activated. Global locking

Press button
‹
.
All turn signal lamps blink three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the key so that
pressing
Œ
only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.

Press and hold buttons
Œ
and
‹

simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp 4 blinks twice.
The key will then function as follows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap

Press button
Œ
once.
Global unlocking

Press button
Œ
twice.
Global locking

Press button
‹
. Restoring to factory setting

Press and hold buttons
Œ
and
‹

simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp 4 blinks twice.
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 183) and panorama
sliding/pop-up roof (
page 185) from
outside using the SmartKey.
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the key to high levels of elec-
tromagnetic radiation.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. It is possible for children to open a
locked door from the inside, which could re-
sult in an accident and/or serious injury.

84 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button
‹
or
Œ
.
Battery check lamp 4 lights up briefly
to indicate that the key batteries are in
order. Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the key, then either the
batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged or the key is malfunctioning or
the vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the key and
replace them if necessary
(page 276).
or


Check the vehicle battery
(page 294).
or


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the doors (
page 274) as required.
Lock the vehicle using the mechan-
ical key (
page 275).
If the key is malfunctioning, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!If battery check lamp 4 does not light
up briefly during check, then the key
batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 276).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

85
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1 Locking knob
2 Inside door handle
Pull on door handle 2.
If door was locked, locking knob 1 will
move up.
Opening the trunk lid
1 Handle
Pull handle 1 in direction of arrow to
open the trunk lid.
The trunk lid swings open upwards. Always
make sure that there is sufficient overhead
clearance.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside with the re-
mote control, opening a door from the
inside will trigger the alarm.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the fol-
lowing:

Press button
Œ
or
‹
on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iThe vehicle must be unlocked.