2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 COUPE immobilizer

Contents
Introduction ......................................... 9
Product information ............................... 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership .... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada ......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects ...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit .................................................20
Instrument cluster ................................22
Multifunction steering wheel ................24
Center console .....................................25
Overhead control panel ........................26
Door control panel ................................27Getting started ...................................29
Unlocking .............................................30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ..........30
Adjusting ..............................................32
Seats ...............................................32
Steering wheel ................................37
Mirrors ............................................39
Driving ..................................................41
Fastening the seat belt ...................41
Starting the engine .........................44
Switching on headlamps .................47
Turn signals and high beam ............47
Windshield wipers ...........................48
Problems while driving ....................50Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake .................................. 51
Switching off headlamps ................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security ........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Panic alarm* ........................................ 72
Activating ........................................ 72
Deactivating .................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73
ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems ................................ 78
Immobilizer ..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ............................ 79

53 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).

After exiting the vehicle press the lock
button
‹
on the remote control
(
page 30).
The locking knobs on the doors move
down.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 82).
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there
is no possibility of someone getting caught
in a door during closing.

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.

333 Index
A
ABS 23, 73, 327
ABS control 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 247
Messages in display 253
Warning lamp 247
Accelerator position, automatic transmis-
sion 137
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 148, 157
Air recirculation mode 146, 154
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Automatic climate control 151
Central locking (control system) 122
Climate control 143
Defrost 146, 154
Easy-entry/exit feature 123
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 97
Hazard warning flasher 99
Headlamps 47
High beams 99
Ignition 31Immobilizer 53, 78
Rear fog lamp 97
Rear window defroster 147, 156
Residual heat 158
Seat heater* 92
Tow-away alarm 79
Windshield wipers 48
Adding
Coolant 230
Engine oil 228
Additional turn signals 280
Adjustable air outlets, rear passenger com-
partment 149, 158
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 145, 153
Air volume 145, 153
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Head restraint height 33, 35, 37
Head restraint tilt 34, 35
Head restraints 37
Inside rear view mirror 39
Instrument cluster illumination 102
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 39
Rear seat head restraints 36Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 34
Seat height 33, 35
Seats 32
Steering column height 39
Steering column length 39
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 148, 157
Turning on 148, 157
Air conditioner refrigerant 319
Air distribution
Adjusting 145, 153
Air outlets, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 149, 158
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 234
Air recirculation mode 146, 154
Activating 146, 154
Deactivating 147, 155
Air volume
Adjusting 145, 153
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 251
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 327
BabySmartTM deactivation system 67

334 Index
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm
Audible 72, 79
Canceling 79
Visual 78
Alarm system
Anti-theft 78
Alignment bolt 290
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 327
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 322
Antiglare
Automatic 138
Antilock brake system (ABS) 327
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 78
Canceling alarm 79
Disarming 79
Anti-theft systems 78
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Immobilizer 78
Tow-away alarm 79Aquaplaning 219
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 196
Storage spaces 197
Ashtray 198
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 229
AUDIO menu 110
Selecting radio station 111
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation 159
Button and soft key operation 162
Cassette mode 168
CD mode 172
Operating and display elements 160
Operating safety 159
Operation 162
Radio mode 165
Switching off 162
Switching on 162
Telephone operation 176
Audio systems 159
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
138
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control sys-
tem) 122Automatic climate control
Adjusting air distribution 153
Air recirculation mode 154
Deactivating 148
Defrosting 154
Rear window defroster 156
Residual heat utilization 158
Residual ventilation 158
Setting the temperature 152
Automatic climate control* 150
Automatic headlamp mode 97
Automatic lighting control
Activating 100
Deactivating 100
Automatic locking when driving 87
Automatic transmission 132
Accelerator position 137
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 137
Fluid level 229
Gear ranges 134
Gear selector lever position 135
Gear shifting malfunctions 137
Kickdown 137
Manual shifting 133
One-touch gearshifting 133

338 Index
Front fog lamps 120
Hazard warning flasher 99
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 78
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 121
Rear window defroster 147, 156
Residual heat 158
Seat heater 92
Tow-away alarm 80
Deep water see Standing water 221
Defogging
Windshield 145, 153
Defrosting 146, 154
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 120
Interior lighting 121
Dialing
A number (telephone) 128
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 50
With starting 45
Digital speedometer 110
Direction of rotation (tires) 234
Discharged battery
Jump starting 297Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 295
Display
Selecting 118
Display elements
Audio system 160
Displays
Digital speedometer 110
Messages 229, 252
Selecting 118
Service indicator 238
Showing malfunctions 113
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 125
Door control panel 27
Door handle 27
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 208
Doors
Message in display 260
Opening from inside vehicle 85
Opening from outside 83
Downhill driving
Cruise control 190
Downshifting 131, 133
Drink holder see Cup holder 196Drinking and driving 215
Driving
Aquaplaning 219
General instructions 41, 215
In winter 220
Problems 50
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 221
Driving abroad 221
Driving instructions 215
Driving off 217
Driving safety systems
ABS 73
BAS 74
ESP 75
Driving systems 189
Cruise control 189
Driving safety systems 73
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 89
Activating 123
Interrupting movement 123
Electrical fuses 303
Electrical system
Technical data 314

341 Index
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 243
Position 135
Global
Locking 83
Unlocking 83
Global Positioning System (GPS) 329
Glove box 21, 195
Closing 195
Opening 195
Good visibility 138
GPS 329
GPS see COMAND* 207
H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 282
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 210
Hands-free microphone 26
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 244
Hazard warning flasher 99
Switching off 99
Switching on 99Head restraints 90
Manual seats 33
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 36
Headlamp cleaning system 232
Headlamps
Automatic control 97
Bi-Xenon 327
Bi-Xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 283
Cleaning 242
Cleaning system 140, 232
Halogen-type
Replacing bulbs 282
Refilling washer fluid 232
Switching off 52
Switching on 47
Washer fluid 324
Washer system 324
Headliner
Cleaning 244
Heated seats 91
Height adjustment
Head restraints 33, 35, 37
Seat belts 43
Steering wheel 37High beam flasher 48, 99
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 265
Replacing bulbs 280, 282
Switching on 99
High beam headlamps xenon type
Replacing bulbs 283
High mounted brake lamp 281
Hood 226
Closing 227
Message in display 263
Opening 226
Hydroplaning see Aquaplaning 219
I
Identification labels 308
Certification label 308
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
308
Ignition 31
Switching on 45
Immobilizer 78
Activating 78
Deactivating 78
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Installing 69
LATCH child seat mounts 70