2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE service

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. Each section
has its own reference color so you can find
information quickly.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.

47
Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 223).
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open doors only when condi-
tions are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 129).
!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission: It is
dangerous to shift the gear selector lever
out of
P or N if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could acceler-
ate quickly forward or in reverse. You could
lose control of the vehicle and hit someone
or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!Place the gear selector lever in
position R only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
speeds may shorten the service life of
the engine.

78 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

Removing the SmartKey from the start-
er switch activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating


Inserting the SmartKey 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 flash three times to indicate
that the alarm system is activated. The in-
dicator lamp in the switch for the tow-away
alarm will flash after approximately
ten seconds 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 flash
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.

79
Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey. The
turn signal lamps flash once to indicate
that the alarm system is deactivated.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
Tow-away alarm*
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle. Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
a door or the trunk lid is not opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If 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.

109
Controls in detail
Control system
 Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position 1. The control system
enables you to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1 Outside temperature
2 Main odometer
3 Trip odometer
4 Automatic transmission program mode
5 Current gear selector lever position
6 Digital clock
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player, cassette player) will ap-
pear in English, regardless of the
language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his /her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 13.5 m) every second.

159
Controls in detail
Audio system
 Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.
Operating safety
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a stand-
still and operate the system only when road
and traffic conditions permit. Always pay full
attention to traffic conditions first before
operating system controls while driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is cover-
ing a distance of 50 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Any alterations made to electronic compo-
nents can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite
radio*, telephone* and voice control sys-
tem* are interconnected. When one of the
components is not operational or has not
been removed/replaced properly, the func-
tion of other components may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

168 Controls in detailAudio systemWeather band
Press the
WB key.
The weather band station last selected
is tuned in.

Select the desired weather band
station with buttons 4 to7 .
If a station cannot be tuned in, a scan
is automatically started.

Press f ore button. The next
receivable weather band station is
tuned in.
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only) Sirius Satellite Radio provides 100 chan-
nels of digital-quality radio, among others
music, sports, news, and entertainment,
free of commercials. Sirius Satellite Radio
uses a fleet of high-power satellites to
broadcast 24 hours per day
coast-to-coast.
This diverse, satellite-delivered program-
ming is available for a monthly subscrip-
tion fee.
For more information, call the Sirius ser-
vice or contact www.siriusradio.com.
Program categories
The channels are categorized. The catego-
ries allow you to tune to stations broad-
casting a certain type of program
(PTY mode) (
page 171).
iAdditional optional satellite radio
equipment and a subscription to satel-
lite radio service provider is required
for the satellite radio operation de-
scribed here. Feature description is
based on preliminary information avail-
able at time of printing.
At time of printing, no date for availabil-
ity of optional equipment required for
satellite radio operation had been set.
Contact your authorized Mecedes-Benz
Center for details and availability for
your vehicle.
Satellite radio service may be unavail-
able or interrupted from time to time
for a variety of reasons, such as envi-
ronmental or topographic conditions
and other things we can't control. Ser-
vice might also not be available in cer-
tain places (e.g., in tunnels, parking
garages, or within or next to buildings)
or near other technologies.

169
Controls in detail
Audio system
Starting satellite radio (SAT)
Start radio mode.
If the radio was in SAT radio mode be-
fore being turned off or changed to an-
other operating mode, the last
SAT channel selected is called up.
or

Press the
SAT
key.
When you call up the SAT radio mode
for the first time,
ACQUIRING
will appear
on the display during the initialization
process.
or
The last channel selected is called up. Entering the Electronic Serial Number
(ESN)
The first time SAT radio is called up, you
must give your SAT radio provider the Elec-
tronic Serial Number (ESN) of your
SAT receiver over the telephone.

Press the
SAT
key.
The radio switches to SAT mode.
CALL SIRI
appears on the display.

Press the
ESN
key.
The provider’s phone number will ap-
pear first. After pressing the
ESN
key
again, the ESN number will appear.
Make note of the phone number and
ESN number.

Press the
ESN
key repeatedly until all
required information has appeared on
the display.

Call the telephone number and give
provider your ESN number.iCredit card information is also required
for your application.
The activation process takes approxi-
mately five to ten minutes after calling
the SIRIUS Service Center.