2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON Seat

14 IntroductionWhere to find it
Where to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. For you to
find information quickly each section has
its own reference color:At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
H e r e y o u w i l l f i n d d e s c r i p t i o n s o f t h e s a f e t y
features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The glossary provides explanations of the
most important technical terms.
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual


the Service Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 14 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left turn signal indicator
lamp
2
Speedometer
3
Right turn signal indicator
lamp
4
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
258
5
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
258
1
Supplemental re-
straint system indi-
cator lamp
56,
256
6
Multifunction display
with:Trip odometer
105
Main odometer
Item
Page
Selector lever position
44,
138
Program mode
139
Outside temperature
display
106
Digital clock
118
7
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
258
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
75,
254
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator
47,
101
E
Indicator lamp with-
out function
1
1The indicator lamp illuminates briefly when you
turn the key in the starter switch to position2.
DTRIndicator lamp with-
out function
1
Item
Page
8
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
73,
255
;
Brake warning
lamp, except Cana-
da
46,
257
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
9
Tachometer
10
Reset knob:

Resetting trip odome-
ter
105


Resetting individual
settings
116


Instrument cluster illu-
mination
104
S203 MY03_A.book Page 23 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
94
2
Rear window
wiper/washer
49
3
ESP control switch
77
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
101
5
Central locking switch
89
6
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
79
Tow-away alarm switch
80
Item
Page
7
Seat heater*, passenger
side
94
8
Indicator lamp
7
67
9
Audio system,
or
161
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
10
Climate control
144
Automatic climate control*
152
Rear window defroster
149,
158
S203 MY03_A.book Page 25 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

28 At a glanceDoor control panel
Door control panel
Item
Page
1
Door handle
88
2
Memory function* (for
storing seat, mirror and
steering wheel settings)
95
3
Seat adjustment
32, 90
4
Switches for opening/clos-
ing front door windows
184
5
Switch for rear door win-
dow override
71
6
Switches for opening/clos-
ing rear door windows
184
S203 MY03_A.book Page 28 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the starter switch. If
necessary, move steering wheel slight-
ly to allow the locking mechanism to
engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.


Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 305)


Get a jump start (
page 308).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the starter
switch.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 31 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

32 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries. The seat back and
seat belts provide the best restraint when
the wearer is in an upright position and belts
are properly positioned on the body. Your
seat must be adjusted so that you can cor-
rectly fasten your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock your
vehicle.
The power seats* can also be operated with
the driver’s or front passenger door open.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
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 ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise 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 seat-
ing 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 and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 32 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

33 Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat cushion tilt
3Backrest tilt
4Seat heightSeat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle1.

Slide seat to the desired position.

Allow handle1 to reengage.

Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the accelera-
tor/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far to the rear as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
Seat cushion tilt

Turn handwheel2 forward or backward
until your upper legs are lightly sup-
ported.Backrest tilt

Press switch3 in direction of arrow un-
til your arms are slightly angled when
holding the steering wheel.
Seat height

Press the switch4 in direction of arrow
until your legs are lightly supported.
Head restraint height
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.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 33 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

34 Getting startedAdjusting1Release knob
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward. To lower
the head restraint, push release knob1
and push down on the head restraint.
Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 91).Power seat*

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.
or

Open the driver’s or front passenger
door.
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each front door.
1Head restraint height
2Seat height
3Seat cushion tilt
4Seat fore and aft adjustment
5Backrest tiltSeat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
With the memory function, you can
store seat positions together with set-
tings for the steering wheel and the ex-
terior rear view mirrors (
page 95).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 34 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM