2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON Owner's Manual

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The 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 79).
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 on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
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.

224 Controls in detailDriving systems1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Moving the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear
selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving, except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.

225 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever to position1
and hold it up until the desired speed is
reached.

Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster

Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly push cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will
automatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the
vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.

226 Controls in detailLoadingRoof rack*
Attach the roof rack only to the roof
rails.

Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Parcel net in cargo compartment
There is a parcel net located on left side of
the cargo compartment. Dependent on the
equipment of your vehicle, there is another
parcel net located on right side of the car-
go compartment.
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 tilt/sliding
sunroof*.


you can fully open the tailgate.
Warning!
G
The parcel net is designed only to carry light
loads.
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.

227 Controls in detail
Loading
1Rail
2Mounting lug
Removal of parcel net
Slide rails1 upward and remove.
Installation of parcel net

Place mounting lugs2 in opening.

Slide rails1 down as far as they can
go.Storage compartment under cargo
compartment floor
To open cargo compartment floor
Press handle1 on the recess.

Lift compartment cover.To close cargo compartment floor

Lower the cover and lock by applying
light pressure to handle1.
iThe compartment can be used to store
small, light or flat objects.
Warning!
G
If items are stored in the compartment,
make sure compartment is securely closed.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.

228 Controls in detailLoadingRetractable luggage cover and partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a lug-
gage cover and a partition net. It is mount-
ed on the backrest of the rear seat and can
also be used with backrest folded down.
Partition netPartition net with rear seats folded up
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof

Pull out upper blind (partition net) by
tab1.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.Partition net with rear seats folded
down
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof

Pull out upper blind (partition net) by
tab1 until it engages.

Fold the backrest forward
(page 230).

Pull out upper blind fully.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.

229 Controls in detail
Loading
Luggage cover
Closing
Pull luggage cover back by handle1
until it locks into position.
Opening

Press handle1 down and release.
The luggage cover retracts automati-
cally.Twin-reel roller blind
1Twin-reel roller blind
2Guide rail

Retract the partition net and luggage
cover.Removing

Fold the backrest forward
(page 230).

Slide twin-reel roller blind1 to left
and remove.
Installing

Fold the backrest forward
(page 230).

Place twin-reel roller blind1 into right
and left guide rails2.

Slide towards right to the end stop.
iWith the luggage cover rolled up, fold
the lip down.

230 Controls in detailLoadingSplit rear bench seat
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down
separately.Folding the backrest forward

Pull release handle1.

Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Right hand side of rear seat
Slip seat belt webbing behind
retainer3.

Fully retract and fold rearward head
restraints (
page 101).
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 233).