2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG ESP

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Air bags .......................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 67
Active head restraint ...................... 71
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 80
Panic alarm* ........................................ 81
Activating ....................................... 81
Deactivating ................................... 81
Driving safety systems ......................... 82
ABS ................................................ 82
BAS ................................................ 84
ESP
®............................................... 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 88
Immobilizer..................................... 88
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 88
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 90
Controls in detail............................... 93
Locking and unlocking ......................... 94
SmartKey ....................................... 94
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 99
Opening the trunk .......................... 99
Closing the trunk.......................... 101
Trunk emergency release ............. 102
Valet locking ................................ 103
Automatic central locking ............ 103
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 104
Seats ................................................. 106
Front seat active head restraints . 106
Rear seat head restraints ............. 106
Lumbar support*.......................... 109
Seat heating ................................. 110
Memory function ............................... 111
Storing positions into memory ..... 112
Recalling positions from memory . 112
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 113Lighting ............................................. 114
Exterior lamp switch .................... 114
Combination switch ..................... 118
Hazard warning flasher ................ 119
Interior lighting ............................ 120
Door entry lamps ......................... 121
Trunk lamp ................................... 121
Instrument cluster ............................. 122
Instrument cluster illumination .... 122
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 123
Trip odometer .............................. 123
Tachometer .................................. 124
Outside temperature indicator ..... 124
Control system .................................. 125
Multifunction display.................... 125
Multifunction steering wheel........ 126
Menus .......................................... 128
Standard display menu ................ 130
AUDIO menu ................................ 131
NAV* menu .................................. 134
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 134
Settings menu .............................. 135
Trip computer menu..................... 150
TEL menu* ................................... 152

9
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories
approved by us are available at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where
you will receive comprehensive informa-
tion, also on permissible technical modifi-
cations, and where proper installation will
be performed.

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:

ESP® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.

HomeLink® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.

BabySmartTM is a trademark of
Siemens Automotive Corp.

SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
indicate cross-references to
term definitions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display and audio dis-
play are printed in the type
shown here.
Warning!G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.
!
Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.
i
Helpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

19 Introduction
Vehicle data recording
Vehicle data recording
Information regarding electronic
recording devices
(Including notice pursuant to California Code § 9951)
Please note that your vehicle is equipped with devices that can record vehicle systems data and, if equipped with the Tele Aid system,
may transmit some data in certain accidents.
This information helps, for example, to diagnose vehicle systems after a collision and to continuously improve vehicle safety.
DaimlerChrysler may access the information and share it with others

for safety research or vehicle diagnosis purposes

with the consent of the vehicle owner or lessee

in response to an official request by law enforcement or other government agency

for use in dispute resolution involving DaimlerChrysler, its affiliates or sales/service organization and/or

as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Please check the Tele Aid subscription service agreement for details regarding the information that may be recorded or transmitted
via that system.

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Speedometer with:
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
84,
354
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only46, 54,
351
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only46, 54,
351
BLow beam headlamp
indicator lamp48,
114
2LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp49
3Multifunction display
with:125

Trip odometer123

Main odometer125

Gear selector lever
position45,
125,
157
ItemPage

Program mode161

Status indicator (outside
temperature/digital
speedometer124,
139

Digital clock125
4KRight turn signal
indicator lamp49
5Tachometer with:124
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp82,
350
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only352,
353
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only352,
353
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp60,
356
ItemPage
355
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp49,
118
6Fuel gauge with:
Fuel reserve warning lamp354
4The arrow indicates
that the fuel filler cap
is on the rear
right-hand side.
7Coolant temperature gauge123
8Button for:122

Resetting trip odometer123

Resetting all settings135

Instrument cluster
illumination122

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Seat heating, driver’s side110
2Rear window sunshade
switch*172
3ESP® control switch84
4Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off119
5Central locking switch104
Central unlocking switch104
6Switch for folding back rear
seat head restraints108
7Tow-away alarm switch*
(if equipped)90
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp*89
ItemPage
8Seat heating, passenger
side110
9Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp75,
357
aAudio system,197
or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
bClimate control174
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only)184
Rear window defroster173

32 Getting started
The “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 94) will provide you
with further information. The correspond-
ing page references are located at the end
of each segment.
Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKey
SmartKey with remote control
1‹Lock button
2ŠOpening button for trunk
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button* (
page 81)
Press unlock buttonΠon the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system* is dis-
armed.
Get in the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 94).
i
Canada only:
Only vehicles equipped with an
anti-theft alarm system* have
SmartKeys with integrated panic
button4.

34 Getting started
Unlocking
i
When you switch on ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
low beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high beam headlamp indicator lamp,
and turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except low beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, high beam headlamp indi-
cator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps if activated) will go out when the
engine is running. This indicates that
the respective systems are operational.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 411).

Get a jump start (page 415).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery
discharge or a completely discharged
battery, always remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch when the en-
gine is not in operation.