2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE instrument cluster

46 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn SmartKey in starter to position0
and repeat starting procedure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 310).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Parking brake
1 Release handle
2 Parking brake

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle 1.
The indicator lamp ; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress brake pedal.

Move gear selector lever to position D
or R (manual transmission: first or re-
verse gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
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. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.

48 Getting startedDrivingSwitching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2 Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch to B.
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 98).
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1 Turn signal, right
2 Turn signal, left
Press the combination switch up 1 or
down 2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp L or K in the instrument clus-
ter flashes.
High beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam symbol A in the
instrument cluster comes on.
For more information on high beam, see
“Combination switch” (
page 102).
1 High beam
2 High beam flasher
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal flashes three times.

52 Getting startedParking and locking
Parking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1 Release handle
2 Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake 2.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp ; (USA only) or 3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
position P (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position 0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

56 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
Occupant safetyIn this section you will learn the most im-
portant facts about the restraint systems
of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are

Seat belts


Emergency tensioning device


Airbags


Child seats


Child seat recognition


Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH)
As independent systems, their protective
effects work in conjunction with each oth-
er. The
1 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 22) comes on:


for about four seconds when you turn
the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1.


for about four seconds when you start
the engine by turning the SmartKey. The
1 indicator lamp goes out shortly
after you start the engine. This shows that
the restraint systems are operational.
A malfunction in the system has been de-
tected if the 1 indicator lamp:


fails to extinguish after approximately
four seconds.


does not come on at all.


comes on after the engine was started
or while driving.
For safety reasons, we strongly recom-
mend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to
have the system checked.
For more information see “Practical hints”
section (
page 262).
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and re-
straint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 65).
iThe 1 indicator lamp remains lit if
the SmartKey is turned to position 2
and left there. The indicator lamp will
go out when you start the engine.

73
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
 Driving safety systems
In this section you will find informations on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 22) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 2. It goes out when the engine is
running. Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires),
or snow chains as required.Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

81
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster Control system
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission*
Good visibility
Climate control
Audio system
Power windows
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

93
Controls in detail
Seats
Removing and installing rear seat head
restraints
1Release button
Removing rear seat head restraints

Fold back head restraint (
page 92).

Pull head restraint to its highest posi-
tion.

Press release button 1 and pull out
head restraint.
Installing rear seat head restraints

Insert head restraint and push it down
until it engages.

Press release button 1 and adjust
head restraint to desired position.
Heated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console.
1 Normal heating
2 Rapid heating
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
come on.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.

102 Controls in detailLightingCombination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left side of the steering column.1 High beam
2 High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn exterior lamp switch to
position B or to U (
page 98).

Push the combination switch in
direction 1.
The high beam indicator B on the
instrument cluster is illuminated
(page 22). High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction
2.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be activat-
ed with the ignition switched on or off. It is
activated automatically when an airbag is
deployed.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1 Hazard warning flasher switch Switching on the hazard warning
flasher

Press the hazard warning flasher
switch.
All turn signals will flash.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective left or right turn signals will
operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position 1 or 2.iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically press switch 1
twice.