2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Owner's Manual

88 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with the ESP®
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!G
If you see the ESP® warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, proceed
as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be conduct-
ed on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position0 or1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the front or rear axle
brake system.
Operational tests with the engine running can
only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
iAt highly demanding operating conditions,
the electronic traction system may temporarily
switch off to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes. The message
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
will then appear in
the multifunction display while the ESP® warning
lampv is flashing. The ESP® is still function-
ing normally.

89 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
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 32).
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

opening the vehicle with the
mechanical key

someone opens a door from the inside

someone opens the trunk with the
emergency release button
iStarting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the ve-
hicle’s battery is charged), the system is not op-
erational. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system*
(
page 247) 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
Arming the alarm system
The indicator lamp is in the center console.
1Indicator lampLock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
and an acoustic signal sounds three
times, to indicate that the alarm sys-
tem is armed.
Indicator lamp1 begins to flash after
approximately 30 seconds after arming
the alarm system.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once and an
acoustic signal sounds once, 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.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:

a door

the trunk
Close the respective element and lock the vehi-
cle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automatically
after approximately 40 seconds if neither a door
nor the trunk lid was opened.

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission*
Good visibility
Climate control
Automatic climate control
Audio system
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

92 Controls in detail
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the
basic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are
given at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
For more information on locking and
unlocking, see “Getting started”
(
page 32) and (page 54).
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key
portion of the two SmartKeys are a
different color to help distinguish each
SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors

the trunk

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control
1‹ Lock button
2Š Opening button for trunk
(
page 95)
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button* (
page 81)
iCanada only:
Only vehicles equipped with an anti-theft alarm
system* have SmartKeys with integrated panic
button6.
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid ex-
posing the SmartKey to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.

93 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press buttonŒ.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once.

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system* is dis-
armed.
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. It is possible
for children to open a locked door from the
inside, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iYou can also open or close the windows and
the tilt/sliding sunroof* using the SmartKey
(
page 223).
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the vehi-
cle with the SmartKey, then either the batteries
in the SmartKey are discharged, the SmartKey is
malfunctioning or the vehicle battery is drained.

Try second SmartKey.

Check the batteries in the SmartKey
(
page 95) and replace them if necessary
(
page 366).

Use the mechanical key to unlock the driv-
er’s door (
page 361) and the trunk
(
page 362).

Use the mechanical key to lock the driver’s
door (
page 362) and the trunk
(
page 99).

Have the vehicle battery and the battery con-
nections checked (
page 383).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, contact
Roadside Assistance or an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen unlocking or locking the vehicle with
the SmartKey an acoustic signal sounds. The
acoustic signal is activated at the factory. If you
wish to deactivate the feature, or adjust its signal
volume, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

94 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
The vehicle will lock again automatically
and rearm the anti-theft alarm system*
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if:

neither door nor trunk is opened

the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch

the central locking switch is not
activated
Global locking
Press button‹.

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.

An acoustic signal sounds three
times.

The locking knobs in the doors
move down.

The anti-theft alarm system* is
armed.Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey so that press-
ing buttonŒ only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds un-
til battery check lamp5 (
page 92)
flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as
follows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap
Press buttonΠonce.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once.

The locking knob in the driver’s
door moves up.

The anti-theft alarm system* is dis-
armed.Global unlocking
Press buttonΠtwice.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once.

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system* is dis-
armed.
Global locking
Press button‹.
With the trunk and all doors closed:

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.

An acoustic signal sounds three
times.

The locking knobs in the doors
move down.

The anti-theft alarm system* is
armed.

95 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Restoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds un-
til Battery check lamp5 (
page 92)
flashes twice.
Unlocking and opening the trunk
You can unlock and open the trunk
separately.
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
Press buttonŠ until trunk lid
unlocks and begins to open.
The trunk can also be opened from its
inside in an emergency, see “Trunk emer-
gency release” (
page 98).
Checking the batteries
Press button‹ orŒ.
Battery check lamp (
page 92) comes
on briefly to indicate that the SmartKey
batteries are in order.
Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.
Have the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a
replacement.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards automat-
ically. Always make sure there is sufficient over-
head clearance.
iIf the trunk does not open, it is still locked
separately (
page 99).
!If the battery check lamp does not come on
briefly during check, then the SmartKey batter-
ies are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 366).
You can obtain the required batteries at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing the‹ orŒ
button will lock or unlock the vehicle
accordingly.