2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Driving

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Adjusting
Driving
Parking and locking

33 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (except low beam headlamp
indicator lamp, high beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (page 322).
3Starting position
iWhen 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 ac-
tivated) in the instrument cluster come on. The
indicator and warning lamps (except low beam
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps if
activated) will go out when the engine is running.
This indicates that the respective systems are
operational.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in
positionP.
iIf the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
SmartKey from starter switch and reinsert.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be sufficient-
ly charged.

Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(
page 383).

Get a jump start (page 386).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged battery, always re-
move the SmartKey from the starter switch when
the engine is not in operation.

34 Getting started
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 101).
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer
is in a nearly upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body. Your seat
must be adjusted so that you can correctly
fasten your seat belt (
page 43).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the power seats* can be
operated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat adjustment
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat cushion tilt
3Seat backrest tilt
4Seat height
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Lift handle1.
Slide seat to the desired position.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach
the accelerator/brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far rearward
as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.
Allow handle1 to reengage with an
audible click.
Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Seat cushion tilt
Turn handwheel2 forward or back-
ward until your upper legs are lightly
supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press switch3 in direction of arrow
until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.
Seat height
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press switch4 in direction of arrow
until your legs are lightly supported.
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats
whenever possible. Regardless of seating
position, children 12 years old and under
must be seated and properly secured in an
appropriate infant, or toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”
(
page 74).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.
!When moving the seats, make sure that
there are no items in the footwell or behind the
seat. Otherwise you could damage the seats.

38 Getting started
Adjusting
Head restraint adjusting
Manually adjust the head restraint.
Push or pull the head restraint cushion
to the desired position.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 101).
Steering wheel
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
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving, or driving without the steering wheel
adjustment feature locked could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the electrical steering wheel
adjustment feature* can be operated when
the driver’s door is open. Therefore, do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, manualThe handle for steering wheel adjustment
is located below the steering column.
1Steering wheel adjustment release
handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle1 out to its stop limit.
Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (including mal-
function and indicator lamps) on the in-
strument cluster are clearly visible.
To lock the steering column, push
handle1 all the way in until it
engages.
The steering wheel is locked into posi-
tion again.
Make sure the steering wheel is
securely locked by trying to move it up
and down, and in and out before driving
off.
Warning!G
Only adjust the steering wheel with the
vehicle at a standstill and make sure the
steering column is securely locked in place
before driving off.
Driving without the steering column locked
may cause an unexpected steering wheel
movement which could cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle. Make sure the
steering column is securely locked by trying
to move it up and down, and in and out be-
fore driving off.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have prop-
erly locked the steering column.

41 Getting started
Adjusting
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you:

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on,
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch with the driver’s door closed.
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you:

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch,
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
iThe last set steering wheel position is stored
when

the ignition is switched off

the position is stored in memory
(
page 107)
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted
when the engine is started.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. All steering wheel adjustments must be
completed before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving off with the steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose con-
trol of the vehicle.
Warning!G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass
breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can only be completely
removed while in their liquid state and by apply-
ing plenty of water.

43 Getting started
Driving
Driving
Fastening the seat belt
Warning!G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
or beneath the pedals. You could then no
longer brake or accelerate. This could lead
to accidents and injury.
Warning!G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they were designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(
page 69).
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats.
Regardless of seating position, children
12 years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 74).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.