2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON alarm

84 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the tailgate


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control1‹ Lock button
2Mechanical key locking tab
3ΠUnlock button
4Battery check lamp
5Â Panic button* (
page 73)
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 198) and
sliding/pop-up roof* (
page 200)
from outside using the SmartKey.
iCanada only:
Only vehicles equipped with an
anti-theft alarm system* have
SmartKeys with integrated panic
button*5.

87 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handle
Pull on door handle2.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will
move up.
Opening the tailgate
A minimum height clearance of 6.40 ft
(1.95 m) is required to open the tailgate.
The handle is located above the rear
license plate recess.
1Handle
Pull on handle1 and lift the tailgate.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside with the
SmartKey, opening a door from the
inside will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system*.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
!The tailgate swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.

224 Controls in detailUseful featuresEmergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically:

following an accident in which the
emergency tensioning devices (ETDs)
or airbags deploy.


if the anti-theft alarm or the tow-away
alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds. See anti-theft alarm
system (
page 80) and tow-away
alarm (
page 81).
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled “SOS”,
then briefly pressing the button located
under the cover. See (
page 225) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message EMERGENCY CALL –
CONNECTING CALL
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
EMERGENCY CALL – CALL CONNECTED

appears in the multifunction display. All in-
formation relevant to the emergency, such
as the location of the vehicle (determined
by the GPS satellite location system), vehi-
cle model, identification number and color
are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
When a voice connection is established,
the audio system mutes and the message
TELE AID – EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE

appears in the multifunction display. The
Response Center will attempt to determine
more precisely the nature of the accident
provided they can speak to an occupant of
the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if:


it has been activated and is
operational. Activation requires a
subscription for monitoring services,
connection and cellular air time


the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the response
centeriLocation of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the
response center.

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

Move locking tab1 in direction of
arrow and slide mechanical key2 out
of the housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocked
2Locked

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 left1.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the
mechanical key will trigger the
anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch

329 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 81) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 131).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

331 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. 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. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 81).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 131).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. See notes on the
battery (
page 324) or on jump
starting (page 327).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. See notes on
manually unlocking transmission
gear selector lever (
page 308).

363 Index
A
ABS 23, 74, 357
Indicator lamp 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 274
Messages in display 284
ABS control 74
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 144
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 156, 166
Air recirculation mode 154, 163
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control* 159
Central locking (control system) 131
Charcoal filter 165
Climate control 151
Climate control system 155
Defrosting 154, 163
Easy-entry/exit feature 132ESP 78
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 101
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 147
Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 46
High beams 104
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 80
Rapid seat heater* 96
Rear fog lamp 102, 103
Rear window defroster 149
Residual heat 167
Seat heater* 96
Tow-away alarm 82
Windshield wipers 47
Adding
Coolant 257
Engine oil 256
Additional turn signals 310Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 157, 168
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 153, 162
Air volume 153, 162
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 34, 35, 92
Head restraint tilt 34, 36, 93
Head restraints 93
Instrument cluster illumination 107
Interior rear view mirror 38
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 95
Power seat* 35
Rear seat head restraints 92
Seat cushion depth 95
Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 35
Seat height 33, 35

364 Index
Seats 32, 33
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 36
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 156, 166
Turning on 156, 166
Air conditioning refrigerant 348
Air distribution
Adjusting 153, 162
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 154, 163
Activating 154, 163
Deactivating 155, 164
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 157, 168
Air volume
Adjusting 153, 162Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 68
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Side impact 62
Window curtain 62
Alarm
Audible 73, 81
Canceling 81
Visual 80
Alarm system
Anti-theft 80
Alignment bolt 357
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 320
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 353
Antiglare
Automatic 146
Manual 146
Antilock brake system (ABS) 357Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 80
Canceling alarm 81
Disarming 81
Anti-theft systems 80
Anti-theft alarm system* 80
Immobilizer 80
Tow-away alarm 81
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 217
Storage spaces 218
Ashtray 219
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 256
AUDIO menu 116
Selecting radio station 117
Audio system 169
Audio and telephone, operation 169
Button and soft key operation 172
Cassette operation 182
CD operation 185
Operating and display elements 170