2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE key

254 OperationVehicle careWiper blades
Fold wiper arms forward.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning

Fold wiper arms forward.

Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces. Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow the instructions on container.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blades, otherwise the
wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blades, otherwise the
wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold onto the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.

258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument cluster General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 264).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and battery checked.

264 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 117) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 22) and are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 117). On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pe ar i n the di spl ay . High pr iori ty m es sa ge s
appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in starter switch
to position
2, causes all lamps as well
as the multifunction display to come
on. Ensure that they are all in working
order before starting your journey.

277
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
RESERVE FUEL
GO TO GAS STATION!
The fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 233).
CHECK GAS CAP!
SEE OPERATOR’S MANUAL
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap.
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 236).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
REPLACE KEY!
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
No additional code available for
SmartKey.

Change the SmartKey.
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT!
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
SmartKey in starter switch position
1
or 2.

Remove SmartKey from the starter
switch.
BRAKE LIGHT
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

279
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LIGHTS!
This display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
SmartKey in the starter switch.

Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.

Switch off the headlights.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right low beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
REVERSE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REVERSE LIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FL
CHECK LIGHTS!
BACK-UP LIGHT ON!
The left side marker/parking lamps are
malfunctioning. A backup bulb is being
used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FR
CHECK LIGHTS!
BACK-UP LIGHT ON!

The right side marker/parking lamps are
malfunctioning. A backup bulb is being
used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHTS!

BACK-UP LIGHT ON!

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

281
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you to fasten the
seat belt.

Fasten the seat belts.
FR. PASS. SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your
passengers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
K
CLOSE
SUNROOF!
You have opened the driver‘s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the sliding/pop-up roof open.
Close the sliding/pop up roof
(page 190).
J
CLOSE
SUNROOF!
You have opened the driver‘s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the sliding/pop-up roof open.
Close the sliding/pop up roof
(page 190).

288 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, open the driver’s door using
the mechanical key.
The passenger door cannot be unlocked
manually.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2 Mechanical key

Move locking tab 1 in direction of ar-
row and slide the mechanical key 2
out of the housing. Unlocking the driver’s door
3 Unlocking
4 Locking

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button Œ or ‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.

289
Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk lid
If you are unable to unlock the trunk lid
with the SmartKey, you can use the emer-
gency release on the inside of the trunk lid
to unlock it.
1 Cover
2 Release lever
3 Rear bench seat backrest

Fold backrest 3 forward.

Remove cover 1 from the trim on the
trunk lid.

Push release lever 2 all the way to the
right.

Open the trunk lid.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger door and the trunk
lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 88).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is down. If nec-
essary push it down manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance. A mini-
mum height clearance of 6.92 ft
(2.11 m) is required to open the trunk
lid.