2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 Center console

166 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard drivingActivating manual shift program

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for the
manual program modeM appears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (M/C/S) is
indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 157).Downshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction
(page 158).
or

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 164).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.

172 Controls in detailGood visibilityRear window sunshade*
The switch is located in the center console.
1Rear window sunshade switch

Switch on ignition (
page 33).
Always raise the sunshade fully for its
support against the window frame.
Raising the sunshade

Press switch1 briefly.
The sunshade is raised completely.
Stopping the raising procedure

Press switch1 again.
The sunshade stops.
Lowering the sunshade

Press switch1 briefly.
The sunshade is lowered completely.
Stopping the lowering procedure

Press switch1 again.
The sunshade stops.
!Make sure that the movement of the
rear window sunshade is not restricted
by objects on the rear window shelf.
Otherwise, the sunshade or the objects
could be damaged.
Warning!
G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
make sure there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering proce-
dure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be
immediately halted by briefly pressing the
switch.
Briefly press switch again to raise or lower
the rear window sunshade completely.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from starter switch, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment can cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

182 Controls in detailClimate controlRear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the climate
control panel (
page 175).The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1Left center air vent
2Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
3Right center air ventAdjusting air distribution

Push the slide for the left center
vent1 or right center vent3 to the
left, right, up or down.
The air flow is directed in the corre-
sponding direction.
Adjusting air volume

Turn thumbwheel2 up or down.
The air volume is increased or
decreased.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment1 and3 i s t h e s a m e a s
at the dashboard center air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, push
slides1 and3 upward.

245 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening cup holder
Briefly press the front of cup holder1.
The cup holder slides out slightly.

Pull out the cup holder until it stops.
Closing cup holder

Slide cup holder1 in until it engages.
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding button
3Ashtray insert
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionN (manual transmission:
second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.

Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray insert3 slides out
slightly.

Remove the ashtray insert.
Warning!
G
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.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN (manual trans-
mission: second gear). With gear selector
lever in positionN (manual transmission:
second gear) turn off the engine.

308 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
56
The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed
on the front passenger seat. Therefore
the passenger front air bag is switched
off.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
The system is malfunctioning when
there is no BabySmart
TM child seat
installed on the front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
does not come on with a
BabySmart
TM child seat
properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between seat
cushion and child seat and check
installation of the child seat.

If the front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp remains out, have the
system checked as soon as possible by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint to
transport children on the front passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.

338 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking and opening the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The trunk lid lock is located next to the
handle above the rear license plate recess.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Handle

Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key
counterclockwise to position1.
The trunk lid unlocks.

Pull on handle2.
The trunk lid opens.

Turn the mechanical key back and
remove it from the trunk lid lock.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, do the following:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 96).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors have
moved down.

If necessary push them down manually.
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.

399 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the56indicator lamp located
in the center console comes on). See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front air bag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

409 Index
High mounted brake lamp 345
License plate lamps 345, 351
Low beam headlamps 345
Parking lamps, front 345, 348, 350
Parking lamps, rear 345, 351
Rear lamps 345
Side marker lamps, front 345, 350
Side marker lamps, rear 345, 351
Standing lamps, front 345, 348, 350
Standing lamps, rear 345, 351
Tail lamp unit 351
Tail lamps 345, 351
Turn signal lamps,
front 345, 348, 350
Turn signal lamps,
rear 345, 351
Button
Audio system 186C
CAC 399
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 293
Range (distance to empty) 150
CAN system 399
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 240
Catalytic converter 273
CD changer* 201
CD changer* operation 203
CD player*
Operating 129
CD* operation 201
Center console 27
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 27, 63, 70, 308
Lower part 28
Upper part 27Center console ashtray 245
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 135
Central locking
Automatic 96
From inside 96
Locking from inside 96
Switch 96
Switching on/off
(control system) 145
Unlocking from inside 96
Central locking switch 96
Central unlocking
Switch 96
Unlocking from inside 96
Central unlocking switch 96
Certification label 376
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 343
CDs 201
Changing key setting 147