2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Controls

106 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIllumination of the emergency release
button:

The button flashes 30 minutes after
opening the trunk.


The button flashes 60 minutes after
closing the trunk.
Valet locking
The lock is located next to the handle
above the rear license plate recess.
1Neutral position
2Locked
Close the trunk (
page 104).
iThe emergency release button unlocks
and opens the trunk while the vehicle is
standing still or in motion.iThe emergency release button does
not open the trunk lid if the vehicle
battery is discharged or disconnected.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked with the SmartKey, opening the
trunk from the inside using the emer-
gency release button will trigger the
anti-theft alarm system*.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iTo deny any unauthorized person ac-
cess to the trunk, lock it separately
with the mechanical key. Leave only
the SmartKey less its mechanical key
with the vehicle.

107 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking

Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 389).

Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position2 and remove the mechani-
cal key in that position to lock the
trunk.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.

Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to neutral position1 and remove
the mechanical key in that position to
unlock the trunk.
You can now open the trunk
(page 103).
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock
when the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
mode using the control system, see “Set
automatic locking” (
page 152).
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
trunk from inside using the central locking
or unlocking switch. This can be useful, for
example, if you want to lock the vehicle
before starting to drive.
You cannot lock or unlock the fuel filler flap
with the central locking or unlocking
switch.
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk
locking mode by means of the
mechanical key.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact
exceeds a preset threshold.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking when the vehicle

is pushed or towed


is on a test stand
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. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

108 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingThe 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.

109 Controls in detailSeats
Seats
For information on seat adjustment, see
“Adjusting” (
page 35).
Front seat active head restraintsYou cannot remove the active head re-
straints on the driver’s and passenger’s
seat.
For removal of the active head restraints
we recommend that you contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on head restraint
adjustment, see “Seats” (
page 35).
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraint” (page 73).
Rear seat head restraints
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.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as
possible.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.

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).

111 Controls in detailSeats
Folding head restraints back with
switch in the center console
1Switch for rear seat head restraints
Start the engine (
page 48).

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

Pull the head restraint forward until it
locks into position.Head restraint tilt (rear outer seats)
Two different head restraint angle
positions are available:

Press the release button (
page 110)
and tilt the head restraint to the
desired position.
Removing and installing rear seat head
restraints (rear outer seats)
Warning!
G
Make sure the head restraints engage when
placing them upright. Otherwise their
protective function cannot be assured.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as
possible.iThe rear center seat head restraint
cannot be removed.

112 Controls in detailSeats
1Release button
Removing rear seat head restraints
Fold back head restraint (
page 110).

Pull head restraint to its highest
position.

Push release button1 and pull out
head restraint.
Installing rear seat head restraints

Insert head restraint and push it down
until it engages.

Push button1 and adjust head
restraint to desired position.
Lumbar support*
The curvature of the driver’s seat can be
adjusted to help enhance lower back sup-
port and seating comfort.
1Adjustment lever
Move adjustment lever1 in the direc-
tion of arrows until you have reached a
comfortable seating position.
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 intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from
front and rear seat.

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