2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE ECU

95
Controls in detail
Memory function*
 Memory function*
The memory button and stored position
switch are located on the door.
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position


Front passenger seat position
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired
(
page 131).
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also the
section on airbags (
page 57) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

100 Controls in detailLighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU .
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the parking
lamps will also switch on.
Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to
position N or P, the low beam switches off
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to position B to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps. USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and exterior
lamp switch in position
M.
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 125).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 126) and “Exterior lamps delayed
shut off” (
page 127).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not be switched off automatically.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
cannot be switched on manually with
exterior lamp switch in position U.
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to position B and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or sec-
ond stop.
iFor exterior lamp switch, see
(page 98).

127
Controls in detail
Control system
Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed shut-off)
Use the
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF

function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed.
When the delayed shut-off feature is acti-
vated and the exterior lamp switch is in po-
sition U, the following lamps will
remain lit after you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lamps To activate night security illumination:

Select delayed shut-off period (see be-
low).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion
U .
To select delayed shut-off period:

Move the selection marker with
the æ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press button j ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press æ orç to select the de-
sired lamp-on period.
You can select:

0 s
, the delayed shut-off feature is
deactivated


15 s
, 30 s
, 45 s
or
60 s
, the delayed
shut-off feature is activated
You can temporarily deactivate the de-
layed shut-off feature:

Before leaving the vehicle turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.

Then turn it to position 2 and back
to 0.
The delayed shut-off feature is deacti-
vated. It will reactivate as soon as you
reinsert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after remov-
ing the SmartKey, the lamps will auto-
matically switch off after 60 seconds.

142 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in position P
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
position P to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
position P. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in position P.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in position P
(page 291).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
position R only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engage N while
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever to N
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are available.

197
Controls in detail
Loading
 Loading
Roof rack*
Mount the roof rack only between the fas-
tening points 1 and in the recess of the
rubber strip 2.
Luggage cover
Removal
Take off securing straps 1.

Pull cover towards rear 2.
Installation

Place cover into holder.

Attach securing straps to trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Do not place anything on the luggage
cover below the rear window.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.

198 Controls in detailLoadingFolding the backrest forward
Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion 2 forward.

Fully retract and fold rearward head re-
straints (
page 92).

Pull release lever 3.

Fold backrest 4 forward.
Setting up rear seat bench

Fold backrest rearward until it engag-
es.

Fold seat cushion rearward until it
locks into position.
If the backrest is not locked into position,
a red indicator 1 will be visible.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Warning!
G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest
up, then the backrest is not properly locked
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.

199
Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

200 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1 Glove box
2 Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release 2.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close. Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key into the glove
box lock and turn it to position
4.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key in the glove box
lock to position 3.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the luggage
cover below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iPrior to closing the glove box, close the
compartment for glasses first.