2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320S center console

220 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake. Move the
gear selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Slide ashtray insert in direction of
arrow2 until it disengages.

Grip ashtray at indents (arrows3) and
remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing back into
frame until it engages again.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN. With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN turn off the engine.

221 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear seat ashtray
Opening ashtray
Pull at top of cover2 to open ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert

Press latch1 to disengage ashtray
insert and remove it.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter is located in the
center console compartment in front of the
armrest.
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Slide cover2 rearward.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.iThe lighter socket can be used to
accommodate electrical accessories
up to a maximum 85 W.

279 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
The indicator lamp comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed
on the front passenger seat. There-
fore the passenger front airbag is
switched off.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
The system is malfunctioning when
there is no BabySmart
TM child seat
installed on the front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon
as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The indicator lamp does not
come on with a BabySmart
TM
child seat properly installed
on the front passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing
between seat cushion and child
seat and check installation of the
child seat.

If the lamp remains out, have the
system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM
restraint to transport children on
the front passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.

361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

372 IndexCenter console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 279
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 127
Central locking
Automatic 90
From inside 91
Switch 91
Switching on/off
(control system) 133
Unlocking from inside 91
Central locking switch 91
Certification label 338
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 307
CDs 189
Key setting 133
Charcoal filter 169Charging
Vehicle battery 324
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp 276
Checking
Brake fluid 251
Coolant level 251, 257
Engine oil level 251, 254
Tire inflation pressure 251
Vehicle lighting 251
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint
systems 60, 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors
see LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 221Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 148
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 271
Instrument cluster 270
Leather upholstery 271
Light alloy wheels 270
MB Tex upholstery 272
Plastic and rubber parts 272
Seat belts 271
Steering wheel 271
Upholstery 271
Windows 270
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272

384 IndexMultifunction display messages
ABS 284
BAS 281
Battery, vehicle 285
Brake fluid 286
Brake pads 286
Coolant 287–289
Cruise control 290
Display 290
Doors 290
Engine oil 291–292
ESP 282–283
Fuel cap 293
Fuel reserve tank 293
Hood 293
Key, SmartKey 293
Lamps, exterior 293–296
Oil 291–292
Parking brake 286
Restraint system 297Seat belts 297
Sliding/pop-up roof* 299
SRS 297
Steering column not
properly locked 298
Steering gear oil level 298
Tele Aid* 299
Telephone* 299
Trunk lid 299
Windshield washer fluid 299
Multifunction steering
wheel 24, 114, 363
Buttons 114
N
Navigation system*
Operating 121
See separate COMAND*
operating instructions
Night security illumination 104
Setting 131O
Occupant safety 54
Airbags 55
Children and airbags 56
Children in the vehicle 63
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Seat belts 40, 58
Odometer, main 23
Oil level see Engine oil level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 143
Canceling gear range limit 143
Downshifting 143
Upshifting 143
Opening
Ashtray, center console 220
Ashtray, rear seat 221
Cup holder, in front of
seat armrest 217

386 IndexPedals 239
Performance
In cold weather 355
In hot weather 355
Phone book*
Loading 140
Quick search 140
Phone number*
Dialing 140
Redialing 140
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 272
Playing
CDs 191
Poly-V-belt drive 363
Layout 339
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 100
Storing into memory 100
Power assistance 239Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 35
Adjusting head restraint height 35
Adjusting head restraint tilt 36
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 35
Adjusting seat height 35
Memory function* 99
Removing/installing front
head restraints 94
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Power train 364
Power washer 268
Power windows 200
Blocking of
rear door window operation 70
Side windows 200
Synchronizing 202
Practical hints
First aid kit 300
Fuses 332
Lamp in center console 279Lamps in instrument cluster 274
Messages in the display 280
Minispare wheel 302
Minispare wheel bolts 304
Symbol messages 284
Text messages 281
Towing the vehicle 328
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle tool kit 300
Premium unleaded gasoline 353
Problems
While driving 49
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 364
Automatic transmission* 146
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 140

387 Index
R
Radio
Selecting stations 119
Station search 119
Station selection setting 132
Radio operation 179
Radio see Radio operation
Radio transmitters,
control and operation 246
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 138
Rapid seat heating*
Switching off 98
Switching on 98
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat
Foldable* 212
Rear door window
Blocking operation 70
Rear fog lamp 311
Bulb 311
Switching on 105Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 315
Rear lamps
Messages in display 293–296
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 94
Rear passenger compartment,
adjustable air vents
Automatic climate control* 172
Climate control 161
Rear seat head restraints 94
Adjusting 94
Adjusting tilt 96
Folding back 95
Folding back with
switch in center console 95
Installing 97
Outer seats 96
Placing upright 95
Removing 96
Rear view mirrors see MirrorsRear window defroster 153
Rear window sunshade* 152
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 325
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 352
Refueling 249
Regular checks 251
Reinstalling vehicle battery 324
Remote control
SmartKey 82
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 230
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 364
Removing
Minispare wheel 302
Ski sack* 212
Vehicle battery 324
Vehicle tool kit 300
Wheel 319
Wiper blades 316