2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Driving

223 Controls in detail
Power windows
Pull the power window switches until
the side windows are closed.
Hold the switches for approximately
1 second.
The power windows are synchronized.
Summer opening feature
If the weather is warm, you can ventilate
the vehicle before driving off by simulta-
neously:

opening the side windows

opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
Aim transmitter eye at the driver’s door
handle. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the door handle.
Press and hold button Πuntil the
windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof*
have reached the desired position.
Release button Πto interrupt pro-
cedure.
Convenience closing feature
Aim transmitter eye at the driver’s door
handle. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the door handle.
Press and hold button ‹ until the
windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof*
are completely closed.
Release the ‹ button to stop
procedure.
Make sure all windows and the tilt/sliding
sunroof* are properly closed before leav-
ing the vehicle.
Warning!G
When closing the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof*, make sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the clos-
ing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button ‹ to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold
buttonŒ. To continue the closing
procedure after making sure that there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure, press and hold
button‹.

227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
For information on the BAS, ABS and ESP
®,
see “Driving safety systems” (
page 82).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always re-
main responsible for the vehicle’s speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

228 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever to position1
and hold it up until the desired speed is
reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise control
may not be able to maintain the set speed. Once
the grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Moving the gear selector lever to positionN
while driving also cancels cruise control. Howev-
er, the gear selector lever should not be moved
to positionN while driving, except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iVehicles with manual transmission: The set
cruise controlled speed is switched off when de-
clutching exceeds 4 seconds during shifting a
new gear.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate cruise control. After brief accelera-
tion (e.g. for passing), cruise control will resume
the last speed set.

229 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a lower speed
Depress cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
FasterBriefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
“Resume” function)
Briefly push cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
When you use the cruise control lever to deceler-
ate, the transmission will automatically down-
shift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.

230 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack*
Mount the roof rack only between the
fastening points (see arrows).
Secure the roof rack according to
manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
Ski sack* (Canada only)
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).
Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lbs (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the tilt/sliding sunroof*.

you can fully open the trunk.
!Do not sit on or lean your body weight
against the armrest when it is folded down, as
you could otherwise damage it.

244 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND* (see separate operating in-
structions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 122)

audio system (page 208)
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND*
1 if road, weath-
er and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.

259 Operation
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

260 Operation
In the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.

During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive
engine speeds (no more than
2/3 of
maximum rpm in each gear).

Shift gears in a timely manner.

Avoid accelerating by kick-down.

Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.

Select positions3,2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).

SelectC as the preferred shift program
(
page 157) for the first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km). After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine
speeds to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when
driving the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
after the engine or the rear differential has
been replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.