2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 Center console

81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When 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 brakingThe switch is located on the center
console.
1ESP switch (off/on)

Press switch1.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.
Switching on the ESP

Press switch1 again.
The ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP switched on.
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.
Warning!
G
When the ESP warning lampv 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.

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming the alarm system
The indicator lamp is in the switch for the
tow-away alarm* in the center console.
1Indicator lamp
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is
activated. Indicator lamp1 begins to
flash after approximately 30 seconds
after arming the alarm system.Disarming the alarm system

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:

Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
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


the hood
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.

85 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
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.Arming tow-away alarm

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
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 ignition.
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
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system* (
page 248) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically. The tow-away alarm
remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.


97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
The switches are located in the center
console.
1Central locking switch
2Central unlocking switchLocking

Press central locking switch1.
If all doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
Unlocking

Press central unlocking switch2.
The vehicle unlocks.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked using the SmartKey, it will not
unlock using the central unlocking
switch2.
If the vehicle was previously locked
with the central locking switch1

while in the selective remote con-
trol mode, only the door opened
from the inside is unlocked.


while in the global remote control
mode, the complete vehicle is
unlocked when a door is opened
from the inside.

102 Controls in detailSeatsFolding head restraints back with
release button
The rear seat head restraints can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
1Release button
Push release button1.
The head restraint will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with
switch in the center console (rear outer
seats)
1Switch for rear seat head restraints

Start the engine (
page 46).

Press switch1.
The rear seat head restraints will fold
backward.Placing head restraints upright

Pull the head restraint forward until it
locks into position.
iYou can also fold the rear outer seat
head restraints back using the switch
in the center console (
page 102).
Warning!
G
Make sure the head restraints engage when
placing them upright. Otherwise their
protective function cannot be assured.

105 Controls in detailSeats
Seat heating*
The switches for the front seats are
located in the center console.
1Seat heating switch
2Indicator lampsThe red indicator lamps2 in the switch
show the heating level selected.

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

Press switch1 twice.
Three red indicator lamps2 in the
switch come on.

Continue pressing switch1 until
desired seat heating level is reached.
Switching off seat heating

Press switch1 repeatedly until all
indicator lamps2 go out.
Level3
Three indicator lamps on.
After approximately five minutes,
seat heating is automatically
switched to level 2.
2
Two indicator lamps on.
After approximately ten 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 lamps2
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 auto-
matically.
The seat heating will switch back on
again automatically as soon as
sufficient voltage is available.

114 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at 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
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on hazard warning flasher

Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.Switching off hazard warning flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
iWith the hazard warning flasher
activated and the combination switch
set for either left or right turn, only the
respective turn signals will operate
when the ignition is switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch1 once to
switch it off.

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

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired program mode appears in
the multifunction display (
page 157).
SelectCfor 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
range1 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
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.iThe last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted in the automatic
program mode.