2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 COUPE ignition

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the Smart-
Key is removed from the starter switch.
If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism
to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
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. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 307).


Get a jump start (
page 310).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.

40 Getting startedAdjustingExterior rear view mirrorsThe buttons are located above the exterior
lamp switch.
1Adjustment button
2Passenger side mirror
3Driver’s side mirror

Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
come on.

Press button3 for the left mirror or
button2 for the right mirror.

Push adjustment button1 up, down,
left or right according to the setting de-
sired.For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 146).
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes. !Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can only be
completely removed while in their
liquid state by applying plenty of water.
iThe memory function* (
page 95) lets
you store the setting for the exterior
rear view mirrors together with the set-
tings for the steering wheel and seat
positions.
!If an exterior rear view mirror was forc-
ibly pushed forward (hit from the rear)
or forcibly pushed backward (hit from
the front), reposition it by applying firm
pressure until it snaps into place.
The mirror housing is now properly po-
sitioned and you can adjust the mirror
normally.iAt low ambient temperatures, the mir-
rors will be heated automatically.

49 Getting started
Driving
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure the ignition is switched on.Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speediVehicles without rain sensor*: Fast
wiper speedIII goes to settingII when
the vehicle is standing still.
Vehicles with rain sensor*: Intermittent
wiping interval dependent on wetness
of windshield. Wiping will not occur
with a door open.
!Vehicles with rain sensor*: Do not
leave in intermittent setting when vehi-
cle is taken to an automatic car wash or
during windshield cleaning. Wipers will
operate in presence of water sprayed
on the windshield, and wipers may be
damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.

50 Getting startedDrivingSingle wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 243).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.

For safety reasons, withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch be-
fore attempting to remove any
blockage.


Remove blockage.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed


have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsDisarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
Turn off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch comes
on briefly.

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is turned on.

87 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Illumination of the emergency release but-
ton:

The button will flash for 30 minutes af-
ter opening the trunk.


The button will flash for 60 minutes af-
ter closing the trunk.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk lid automatically
lock when the ignition is switched on and
the wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.For more information on towing the vehi-
cle, see “Towing the vehicle” (
page 313).
You can deactivate the automatic locking
mode using the control system
(
page 129).
iThe emergency release button unlocks
and opens the trunk while the vehicle is
standing or driving.
The emergency release button does
not open the trunk lid, if the vehicle
battery is discharged or disconnected.
iIf the emergency release button is
pressed and the vehicle was centrally
locked, the exterior lamps will flash and
the alarm will sound as the trunk lid
opens. To cancel the alarm, do one of
the following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact ex-
ceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle automatically locks when
the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle

is pushed or towed


is on a test stand

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 button1 and pull out
head restraint.
Installing rear seat head restraints

Insert head restraint and push it down
until it engages.

Press release button1 and adjust
head restraint to desired position.
Heated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid 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.

96 Controls in detailMemory function*1Memory button
2Stored position button
Make sure the ignition is switched on
or the relevant door is open and the
SmartKey is inserted in the starter
switch.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats, steering wheel and
rear view mirrors to the desired posi-
tion (
page 32).

Turn button2 to selected memory po-
sition.

Press memory button1.

Release memory button and press
button2 within three seconds.
All the settings are stored at the select-
ed position.
Recalling positions from memory
Turn button2 to se le cte d m e mory po-
sition.

Press and hold button2 until the seat,
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors have fully moved to the stored
positions.iReleasing the button immediately
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.Warning!
G
Do not operate the power seats using the
memory button if the seat backrest is in an
excessively reclined position. Doing so
could cause damage to front or rear seats.
First move backrest to an upright position.