2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE center console

77
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Self-test Occupant Classification
System
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position
1 or 2, the
56 indicator lamp 1 located in
the center console illuminates. If an adult
occupant is properly sitting on the front
passenger seat and the system senses the
occupant as being an adult, the
56 indicator lamp will illuminate
and go out after approximately six sec-
onds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 56indicator lamp will
illuminate and not go out. For more information, see “Lamp in center
console” (
page 345).Installation of infant and child restraint
systems
This vehicle is equipped with tether an-
chorages for a top tether strap at each of
the rear seating positions.
1 Anchorage rings

Release rear seat backrest
(page 251).

Fold rear seat backrest slightly for-
ward.

Guide tether strap between head
restraint and top of the seat back.
Warning!
G
If the 56 indicator lamp should not
illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the Occupant Classifi-
cation System. The bottom of the child seat
must make full contact with the passenger
seat cushion. An incorrectly mounted child
seat could cause injuries to the child in case
of an accident, instead of increasing protec-
tion for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.


85
Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The switch is located on the center
console.
1 ESP switch (off/on)
Press ESP switch 1.
The ESP warning lamp v in the
speedometer comes on.
The ESP is deactivated. Switching on the ESP

Press switch
1 again
The ESP warning lamp v in the
speedometer goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP switched on.
Warning!
G
When the ESP warning lamp v is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP.!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating


Switch on the ignition.
Anti-theft alarm system*
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk lid


the hood.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle
(page 87).


opening the vehicle with the
mechanical key. Arming the alarm system
The indicator lamp is in the switch for the
tow-away alarm* in the center console.
1 Indicator lamp
iStarting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
a door or the trunk lid is not opened.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system* (
page 261) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.

98 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingLocking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
trunk lid from inside using the central lock-
ing switch. This can be useful, for example,
if you want to lock the vehicle before start-
ing to drive.
You cannot lock or unlock the fuel filler flap
with the central locking switch.Depending on production date, your
vehicle is equipped with either switch de-
sign A or B.
The switches are located in the center
console.
Switch design A1
Central locking switch
2 Central unlocking switch
Switch design B1Central locking switch
2 Central unlocking switch
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

106 Controls in detailSeatsSeat heating*
The switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console.1 Seat heating switch
2 Indicator lamps The red indicator lamps
2 on the switch
show the heating level selected:

Switch on the ignition (
page 33). Switching on seat heating

Press switch
1 twice.
Three red indicator lamps 2 in the
switch come on.

Continue pressing switch 1 until
desired seat heating level is reached.
Switching off seat heating

Press switch 1 repeatedly until all
indicator lamps 2 go out.
Level3
Three indicator lamps on.
After approximately 5 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched to level 2 .
2
Two indicator lamps on.
After approximately 10 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched to level 1.
1
One indicator lamp on.
After approximately 20 minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched off.
off
No indicator lamp on.
iIf one or all of the indicator lamps 2
on the seat heating switch are flashing,
there is insufficient voltage due to too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heating switches off
automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on
again automatically as soon as
sufficient voltage is available.

116 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is locat-
ed on the upper part of the center console.1 Hazard warning flasher switch Switching on the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher
switch
1.
All turn signal lamps are flashing. Switching off the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher
switch
1again.
iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective turn signals will operate when
the ignition is switched on (
page 33).
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch 1 once to
switch it off.

164 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.1 Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving

Press program mode selector
switch 1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired program mode appears in
the multifunction display (
page 159).
Select Cfor comfort driving:


The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range 1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
position P. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.iThe last selected program
mode ( Sor C) is switched on when
the engine is restarted in the
automatic program mode.

180 Controls in detailClimate control
Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the climate
control panel (
page 173).The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1 Left center air vent
2 Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
3 Right center air vent
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment 1 and 3 is the same as
at the dashboard center air vents.