2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 height

103 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Front doors
Pull on door handle2 on the
respective front door to open door.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will
move up.
Rear doors

Pull up locking knob1 on the
respective rear door to unlock door.

Pull on door handle2 on the
respective rear door to open door.
Opening the trunk
Opening the trunk from the outside
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The handle is located above the rear
license plate recess.
1HandleThe vehicle must be unlocked.

Pull on handle1.
The trunk opens.
The trunk can also be opened using
buttonŠ on the SmartKey or from its
inside in an emergency, see “Trunk emer-
gency release” (
page 105). To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:


Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.iIf the trunk does not open, it is still
locked separately (
page 106).

104 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingOpening the trunk from the inside
You can open the trunk from the inside if
the vehicle is stationary.
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The remote trunk opening switch is locat-
ed on the driver’s door.
1Remote trunk opening switch with indi-
cator lamp

Press switch1 until the trunk begins
to open.
The indicator lamp in the switch
remains lit as long as the trunk is open.
The trunk can also be opened using
buttonŠ on the SmartKey or from its
inside in an emergency, see “Trunk emer-
gency release” (
page 105).
Closing the trunk
1Handle
2Handles
Lower trunk lid by pulling firmly on
handle1 or handles2.

Close trunk lid with hands placed flat
on the trunk lid.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.iIf the trunk does not open, it is still
locked separately (
page 106).

110 Controls in detailSeatsHead restraint height (rear outer seats)
1Release button
Raising
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward.
If the head restraint is fully retracted,
push release button1 and pull the
head restraint out.
Lowering

To lower the head restraint, push
release button1 and push down on
the head restraint.Folding 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.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as
possible.Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
iYou can also fold the rear outer seat
head restraints back using the switch
in the center console (
page 111).

113 Controls in detailSeats
Multicontour seats* (Canada only)
This driver’s multicontour seat has a mov-
able seat cushion and inflatable air cush-
ions built into the backrest to provide
additional lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest
cushion height and curvature can be
continuously varied with switches on the
side of the seat after switching on ignition.
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolster adjustment

Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
Seat cushion depth

Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg using
switch1.
Backrest contour

Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and3.
Backrest side bolsters

Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.
Seat heating*
The switches for the front seats are
located in the center console.
1Seat heating switch
2Indicator lamps

115 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver
should check and adjust the seat height,
seat position fore and aft, and seat back-
rest angle if necessary, to ensure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head re-
straint should also be adjusted for proper
height. See also the section on air bags
(page 63) for proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, operation
and comfort. Both the interior and exterior
rear view mirrors should be adjusted for
adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small chil-
dren should be seated in a properly se-
cured restraint system that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.With the memory function you can store up
to three different settings.
The following settings are stored for the
driver’s seat when using the buttons on the
driver’s door:


Driver’s seat, backrest and head
restraint position


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirrorsThe following settings are stored for the
front passenger seat when using the but-
tons (if so equipped depending on vehicle
equipment configuration) on the passen-
ger door:


Front passenger seat, backrest and
head restraint positionWarning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holders
Cup holders in front of seat armrest
Underneath the swiveling cup holder is
another stationary cup holder. You can
only use this when the swiveling cup holder
is pulled out and completely turned
outward.Sliding out swiveling cup holder

Push button1.
The cup holder slides upward.
Warning!
G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or an ac-
cident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occupants
may cause serious personal injury. Liquids
spilled on vehicle equipment may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking, vehi-
cle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle interi-
or may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!No objects should be in the swiveling
cup holder when the swiveling cup
holder is slid upward. Otherwise the
swiveling cup holder or the objects
could be damaged.

297 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
The hood lock release lever is located to
the left of the steering wheel under the
dashboard.
1Hood lock release lever

Pull lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked and handle2
will extend out of the radiator grille.
2Handle for opening the hood

Pull handle2 to its stop out of
radiator grille.

Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the hood
could be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield
wipers or hood, never open the hood if
the wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or even restart
after the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.

298 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.