2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 Steering column

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, manual
1Handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle1 out to its stop limit.

Move steering wheel to the desired
position.

To lock the steering column, push
handle1 all the way in until it
engages.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or2 (
page 31).
or

Open the driver’s door.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the warning message
STEERING
WHEEL ADJ. - LOCK!
(page 298) is
displayed while the engine is running,
the steering column is not locked.

38 Getting startedAdjustingAdjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in the
direction of arrow1 until a comfort-
able steering wheel position is reached
with your arms slightly bent at the
elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down

Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (incl. malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the instru-
ment cluster are clearly visible.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
Interior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the interior rear view
mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 149).Exterior rear view mirrors
iThe memory function* (
page 99) lets
you store the setting for the steering
wheel together with the settings for the
seat position and exterior rear view
mirrors.
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
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-
terior 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.

47 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press combination switch up1 or
down2.High beam

Push combination switch forward.
The high beam symbolA in the
instrument cluster comes on.
For more information on high beam, see
“Combination switch” (
page 105).
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.
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal flashes three times.

92 Controls in detailSeats
SeatsFor information on seat adjustment, see
“Seats” (
page 32).
Easy-entry/exit feature*
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards and the
driver’s seat moves to the rear.
This allows easier entry into and exit from
the vehicle when the driver’s door is
opened. However, the engine must be
turned off.
When the SmartKey is inserted in the
starter switch and the driver’s door is
closed, the steering wheel and the driver’s
seat return to their last set positions.You can activate the following functions:


Steering column:
Only the steering column is adjusted.


Steering column and seat:
The steering column and the seat are
adjusted.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
switched on or off in the convenience
submenu of the control system
(
page 133).
Warning!
G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel and the driver’s seat when the
easy-entry/exit feature* is activated, the
driver’s door is being opened and the engine
is turned off or the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could open the driver’s
door and unintentionally activate the
easy-entry/exit feature*, which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
iTo cancel seat/steering wheel
movement, do one of the following:

Press the seat adjustment switch*
(page 28)


Move the steering column stalk*
(page 37)


Press the memory button*
(page 28)

105 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on front fog lamps
Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The green indicator lamp‡ beside
the lamp switch comes on.
Switching on rear fog lamp

Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The yellow indicator lamp† beside
the lamp switch comes on.
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left side of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasher
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps
on. Fog lamps should only be used in
conjunction with low beam headlamps.
Consult your State or Province Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding allow-
able lamp operation.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
cannot be switched on manually with
exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to positionB and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or
second stop (
page 102).

134 Controls in detailControl systemActivating easy-entry/exit feature*
Use this function to activate and
deactivate the easy-entry/exit feature.
When the feature is activated, the steering
wheel and driver’s seat will move back to
facilitate exiting when you

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch


open the driver’s door
However, the engine must be turned off.After entering the vehicle the steering
wheel and seat will move into the position
stored in memory when you


close the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position2.


you put the SmartKey in the starter
switch with the driver’s door closed.
Warning!
G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel and the driver’s seat when the
easy-entry/exit feature* is activated and
the driver’s door is being opened and the en-
gine is turned off or the SmartKey is re-
moved from the starter switch.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature*, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iTo cancel seat/steering wheel
movement, do one of the following:

press the seat adjustment switch*
(page 35)


move the steering column stalk*
(page 37)


press the stored position button*
(page 100)

135 Controls in detail
Control system

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the CONVENIENCE
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the
display:
EASY-ENTRY FEATURE
ACTIVATE.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to change the
easy-entry/exit setting.The following settings are available for
the easy-entry/exit feature:Setting key-dependency
Use this function to set whether the
memory settings for the seats, the steering
wheel and the mirrors should be stored
separately for each SmartKey (
page 99).

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the CONVENIENCE
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the
display:
SETTINGS KEY-DEPENDENT
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to set
key-dependency to
ON or
OFF
.
OFF
The
easy-entry/exit
feature is
deactivated
STEERING COLUMN
Only the
steering column
is moved
STEERING COLUMN +
SEAT
Both the
steering column
and the seat are
moved

206 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
For information on the BAS, ABS and ESP
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 72).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.