2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG service

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.

47 Getting started
Driving
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Release parking brake by pulling on
handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Driving
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
!
If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake ap-
pears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to re-
lease the parking brake.
!
Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
i
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
For more information, see “Automatic
central locking” (
page 103).
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.

88 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 33).
Anti-theft alarm system*
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door

the trunk

the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (e. g. a door) is immediately
closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle
(only vehicles with tow-away alarm)

opening the vehicle with the
mechanical key

someone opens a door from the inside

someone opens the trunk with the
emergency release button
i
Starting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
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 264)
provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.

90 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Disarming the alarm system
Unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once and an
acoustic signal sounds once (if
equipped and feature activated), to
indicate that the alarm system is dis-
armed.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press theŒ or‹ button on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Tow-away alarm*
Depending on vehicle production date,
your vehicle may not be equipped with the
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 the tow-away alarm
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
Disarming the 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.
i
The alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
neither a door nor the trunk lid was
opened.i
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 264) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.
i
When you unlock the vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically. The tow-away alarm
remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.

125 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1. The control system
enables you to

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for service, to set the language
for messages in the instrument cluster
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Current program mode
(automatic transmission)
4Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
(automatic transmission)
5Digital clock
6Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
i
The displays for the audio systems
(radio, CD player) will appear in English,
regardless of the language selected.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6Menu7
Standard
displayAUDIONAV*Vehicle status
message memorySettingsTrip computerTelephone*
(page 130)(page 131)(page 134)(page 134)(page 135)(page 150)(page 152)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat
Indicator*
(Canada only)Select radio
stationShow route guid-
ance instructions,
current direction
traveledCall up vehicle mal-
function, warning and
system status messag-
es stored in memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Reset to
factory
settingsFuel consumption
statistics after
startLoad phone
book
Digital speed-
ometer or out-
side temperatureSelect satellite
radio station*
(USA only)Instrument
cluster sub-
menuFuel consumption
statistics since
the last resetSearch for
name in
phone book
Call up main-
tenance service
displayOperate
CD player* Time/Date
submenuDistance to emp-
ty
Check engine oil
levelLighting
submenu
Vehicle
submenu
Convenience
submenu

130 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer are shown in the
multifunction display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Display digital speedometer or outside
temperature
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see the digital speedometer.
The current vehicle speed is shown in
the multifunction display.
1Digital speedometerFunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada
only)318
Call up digital speedometer or
outside temperature130
Call up maintenance service
display338
Check engine oil level299
i
Select either the display of the digital
speedometer or the outside tempera-
ture indicator (
page 139).

197 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.Operating safety
Warning!G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a
standstill and operate the system only when
road and traffic conditions permit. Always
pay full attention to traffic conditions first
before operating system controls while
driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Warning!G
Any alterations made to electronic
components can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite
radio* and telephone* are interconnected.
When one of the components is not opera-
tional or has not been removed/replaced
properly, the function of other components
may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.