2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE tow

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Air bags .......................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 66
Children in the vehicle .................... 70
Panic alarm* ........................................ 80
Activating ....................................... 80
Deactivating ................................... 80
Driving safety systems ......................... 81
ABS ................................................ 81
BAS ................................................ 82
ESP ................................................. 83
Anti-theft systems................................ 86
Immobilizer..................................... 86
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 86
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 87
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
Opening the doors from the inside . 94
Opening the trunk lid ..................... 95
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 95
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 96
Automatic central locking .............. 97
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ............................................. 98
Seats ................................................. 100
Easy-entry/exit feature* .............. 100
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................. 102
Rear seat head restraints ............. 103
Seat heating* ............................... 106
Memory function* ............................. 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 109Lighting ............................................. 110
Exterior lamp switch .................... 110
Combination switch ..................... 114
Cornering fog lamps*................... 114
Hazard warning flasher ................ 116
Interior lighting ............................ 117
Instrument cluster ............................. 119
Instrument cluster illumination .... 119
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 120
Trip odometer .............................. 121
Tachometer .................................. 121
Outside temperature indicator ..... 121
Control system .................................. 123
Multifunction display.................... 123
Multifunction steering wheel........ 124
Menus .......................................... 126
Standard display menu ................ 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 129
NAV* menu .................................. 131
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 132
Settings menu .............................. 133
Trip computer menu..................... 151
TEL menu* ................................... 153

Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 320
Tire ply material ........................... 322
Tire and loading terminology ........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 328
Winter tires .................................. 328
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 329
Snow chains................................. 329
Maintenance...................................... 330
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 331
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 332
Vehicle care ....................................... 333
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 333
Practical hints.................................. 339
What to do if … ................................... 340
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 340
Lamp in center console................. 345
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 347
Where will I find ...? ............................ 373
First aid kit.................................... 373
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 373
Spare wheel .................................. 375
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 377
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 377
Locking the vehicle ....................... 379
Fuel filler flap ................................ 379
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 380
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 381
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ......................... 381
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 382
SmartKey ...................................... 383
Replacing bulbs .................................. 384
Bulbs ............................................. 384
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 386
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 390Replacing wiper blades ...................... 393
Removing ...................................... 393
Installing ....................................... 393
Flat tire............................................... 394
Preparing the vehicle .................... 394
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 394
Battery ............................................... 401
Disconnecting the battery ............ 402
Removing the battery ................... 402
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 402
Reconnecting the battery ............. 403
Jump starting...................................... 404
Towing the vehicle.............................. 406
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 409
Fuses.................................................. 410
Aids for changing fuses ................ 410
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 411
Fuse box in engine compartment . 411
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 412

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modification made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver‘s side
106
2
ESP control switch
83
3
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
116
4
Central locking switch
98
Central unlocking switch
98
5
Tow-away alarm switch*
87
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp*
86
6
Seat heater*, passenger
side
106
7
Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
76
8
Audio system
195
orCOMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
9
Climate control
172
Automatic climate control*
182

45 Getting started
Driving
The seat belt presenter for driver and pas-
senger makes it easier to put on the seat
belt.
1Seat belt presenter
Manually adjust the seat belt presenter
to the desired position.1Latch plate
2Release button
3Buckle
Warning!
G
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are seat belts available. Be sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use a seat belt for more than one person at
a time.Warning!
G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Warning!
G
Read and observe the additional warning
notices printed in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 64) and (
page 66).
iThe seat belt presenter must be put
back to its original position before lean-
ing the seat backrest toward the rear or
letting someone enter the rear passen-
ger compartment.

56 Getting startedParking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake 2.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp ; (USA only) or 3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.


Take the SmartKey with you and lock
the vehicle when leaving.

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 51).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 110).
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear)
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an
incline, positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear) alone may not prevent
your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting
people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
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. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from positionP
(manual transmission: into neutral), either of
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious injury.

84 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 343).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP


the ESP does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel


the ESP continues to operate when you
are braking
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.!Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
iWhen the ESP is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP warning lampv in the speed-
ometer flashes. However, the ESP will
then not stabilize the vehicle.