2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON tow

146 Controls in detailGood visibilityRear view mirrors
More information for setting the rear view
mirrors can be found in the “Getting
started” section (
page 38).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
1Lever

Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night
position by moving lever1 towards
the windshield.Automatic antiglare rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when


the ignition is switched on
and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror.The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned onWarning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Glare can endanger you and others.

175 Controls in detail
Audio system
You can select from among the
following settings:

DRV
: The tone level is set to the
Driver position; sound is directed
toward the passengers.


SP: The tone level is set for Speech,
optimizing the sound for the spoken
word.


AMB
: The tone level is set for
Ambience, producing a
three-dimensional sound.


OFF
: The audio system sound
selection is turned off.
Telephone* muting
If a telephone has been installed in the
vehicle, the radio will switch to telephone
mode when a call is incoming. The current
audio source is muted.
Radio operation
Selecting radio mode
Pressb button.

You can now receive radio stations
over the analog FM, AM or WB station
frequencies or you can receive chan-
nels digitally via satellite radio (SAT)*.
Analog station frequencies
Selecting the band
You can select from among FM, AM or WB
frequency bands.
Weather band (
page 178).

Press FM, AM or WB key repeatedly un-
til desired band has been selected.
The FM, AM and WB frequency bands
are called up one after the other.
The frequency band currently selected
appears in the upper left-hand corner
of the display.
Selecting a station
The following options are available for
selecting a station:


Direct frequency band input
(page 176)


Manual tuning (
page 176)


Automatic seek tuning (
page 176)


Scan tuning (
page 177)


Preset buttons (
page 177)


Automatic station memory (Autostore)
(page 177)
iFM frequency band:
FM 87.7......107.9 MHz
AM frequency band:
MW (medium wave) 530......1710 KHz

211 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing
Fold split rear bench seat forward.

Place twin-reel roller blind1 into right
and left guide rails2.

Slide towards right to the end stop.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.Folding the backrest forward

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
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.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 214).

214 Controls in detailLoadingThe 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.
Cargo tie-down rings
Four rings1 are located in the cargo
compartment.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all rings with rope of suffi-
cient strength to hold down the cargo.
Always follow loading instructions
(page 213).
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.
Never drive vehicle with tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

215 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key (
page 305)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key (
page 305) in
the glove box lock to position1.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
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.

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.

226 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button•
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Roadside Assistance button•.
Press and hold button (for longer than
two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
TELE
DIAGNOSIS – CONNECTING CALL
will
appear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
TELE DIAGNOSIS –
CALL CONNECTED
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. When a
voice connection is established, the audiosystem mutes and the message
TELE AID
– ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE

appears in the multifunction display.

Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
manual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.


Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This
function permits the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance dispatcher to
download malfunction codes and actu-
al vehicle data.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately ten sec-
onds during the system self-check after
turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position2 (together with the
SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 223)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than
approximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
TELE DIAGNOSIS –
CALL FAILED
appears in the
multifunction display.

241 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps
prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP.
When parking on hills, always turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible 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
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey with you and lock
vehicle when leaving.