2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 COUPE Owner's Manual

137 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the transmis-
sion’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
h o m e ( e m e r g e n c y o p e r a t i o n ) m o d e . I n t h i s
mode only 2nd gear and reverse gear can
be activated.
Stop the vehicle.

Move selector lever toP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least ten seconds before re-
starting.

Restart the engine.

Move selector lever to positionD (for
2nd gear) orR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

138 Controls in detailGood visibility
Good visibilityInformation on the windshield wipers
(page 48) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 39) is found in the “Get-
ting started” section.
Rear view mirror
Inside rear view mirror, antiglare posi-
tion
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night posi-
tion using the lever at its lower edge.Automatic antiglare rear view mirror*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the inside rear view mirror will respond au-
tomatically to glare when


the ignition is switched on, and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the inside rear view mir-
ror.The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned onWarning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the inside rear view mirror.
The inside rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun-
shade is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.

139 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.

140 Controls in detailGood visibilityActivating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored positions.
Make sure you stored a parking posi-
tion for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 95)

Make sure that the
MIRROR SETTING
WHEN PARKING
function, found under
the
CONVENIENCE
submenu in the con-
trol system, is switched to
ON
(
page 124).

Switch on ignition.

Press button2 (
page 40) for the pas-
senger-side exterior rear view mirror.

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gearR .
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward in the
stored position.The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:


10 seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever out of position R


immediately once you exceed a vehicle
speed of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)


immediately when you press the button
for driver’s side mirror (
page 40)
Headlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
Information on filling up the washer reser-
voir can be found in the “Operation” sec-
tion (page 232).

141 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Swing sun visors down when you expe-
rience glare.1Mounting
2Mirror cover
3Mirror lamp
4Sun visor

To use mirror, lift up cover2.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.
iIf sunlight enters through a side win-
dow, disengage sun visor from
mounting1 and pivot to the side.
The mirror lamp3 will switch off.

142 Controls in detailClimate control
Climate control

143 Controls in detail
Climate control
Climate control panel
The storage compartment between the
front seats can be ventilated (
page 148).
Information about rear passenger com-
partment adjustable air vents
(
page 149).
Item
1
Climate control panel
2
Left center air vent, adjustable
3
Right center air vent, adjustable
4
Air volume control for left center air
vent
5
Air volume control for right center
air vent
6
Air volume control for side air vent
7
Side air vent, adjustable
8
Side defroster vent, fixediFor draft-free ventilation, move the slid-
ers for the center air vents to the mid-
dle position.
Item
1
Air volume control
2
Left-side temperature control
3
Right-side temperature control
4
Air distribution control switch
5
Rear window defroster
6
AC cooling on/off
7
Air distribution and air volume
(automatic)
8
Air recirculation
9
Defrosting

144 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the au-
tomatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the AC
OFF
mode is selected
(
page 148)Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.