2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320S ECU

79 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey. The
turn signal lamps flash once to indicate
that the alarm system is deactivated.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
Tow-away alarm*
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times, one of the following
elements may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk lid
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
no door or the trunk lid was opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is
triggered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid
system* (
page 223) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.The switch is located on the center
console.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press upper switch position1.
Indicator lamp2 in switch comes on
briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.

99 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
The memory button and stored position
switch are located on the door.
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position


Front passenger seat position
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired
(
page 135).
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to
ensure adequate control, reach and
comfort. The head restraint should also
be adjusted for proper height. See also
the section on airbags (
page 55) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

104 Controls in detailLightingDaytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions the parking
lamps will also switch on.Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.
USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be
activated when driving with the daytime
running lamp mode activated and exterior
lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 129).Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 130) and “Setting night security
illumination” (
page 131).
Switching on fog lamps
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not switch off automatically.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).
iSee notes on the exterior lamp switch
(page 102).
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill. Switching
fromU toB will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.

131 Controls in detail
Control system
Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed shut-off)
Use the
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF

function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed.
When the delayed shut-off feature is acti-
vated and the exterior lamp switch is in
positionU, the following lamps will re-
main lit after you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lampsTo activate night security illumination:

Select delayed shut-off period
(page 131).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
To select delayed shut-off period:

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

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the
display:
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED
SHUT-OFF.The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to select the
desired lamp-on period.
You can select:

0 s
, the delayed shut-off feature is
deactivated


15 s
, 30 s
, 45 s
or
60 s
, the delayed
shut-off feature is activated
You can temporarily deactivate the
delayed shut-off feature:

Before leaving the vehicle turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position0.

Then turn it to position2 and back
to0.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after
removing the SmartKey, the lamps will
automatically switch off after
60 seconds.


145 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in positionP
(page 308).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are available.

209 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*

Mount the roof rack only to the
fastening bolts (see arrows) located
under the door weatherstrips.

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Ski sack*
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).

Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof*.


you can fully open the trunk.


210 Controls in detailLoading4Velcro strap
Unfasten velcro strap4.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.5Button

Open trunk lid.

Press button5.
The flap opens downward.

From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.Warning!
G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.