2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Warning messages

65 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Both driver and the front passenger should
always use the 56indicator lamp
as an indication of whether or not the front
passenger is properly positioned.
iIf your seat, including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a
small individual is in the front passenger
seat, have the front passenger re-position
himself or herself in the seat until the
56indicator lamp goes out.
More information about air bag display
messages (
page 332).
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS classified
the front passenger seat occupant as being
up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint or if the front passenger seat is
sensed as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat occupant is classified as being up
to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 56indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and re-
main illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat is classified as being empty, the
56indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat occupant is classified as being
heavier than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint or as being a small individual
(such as a young teenager or a small adult),
the 56indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the en-
gine is started and then, depending on occu-
pant weight sensor readings from the seat,
remain illuminated or go out. With the
56indicator lamp illuminated, the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
With the 56indicator lamp out, the
front passenger front air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat occupant is classified as an adult or
someone larger than a small individual, the
56indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then go out, indicating that the
front passenger front air bag is activated.


118 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “At a glance” (
page 24).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you

open a door

switch on ignition (page 32)

press reset button1

switch on the exterior lighting
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 134).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use reset button1 to adjust the
illumination brightness for the instrument
cluster.
To brighten illumination
Turn reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the
failure of any systems. Driving
characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit am-
bient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be
adjusted automatically when you switch on the
vehicle’s exterior lamps.

121 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)
iThe 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.

130 Controls in detail
Control system
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the
system. Such messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display and are based on condi-
tions or system status the vehicle’s system
has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the vehicle status message
memory appears in the multifunction
display.
If the vehicle status message memory
menu does not appear, then there are
no messages stored.Vehicle status messages have been
recorded
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display:
1Number of messages
Press buttonk orj.
The stored messages will now be
displayed in the order in which they
have occurred. For malfunction and
warning messages, see “Vehicle status
messages in the multifunction display”
(
page 333).
Warning!G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and
safety checks performed on the vehicle and
by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the mal-
function and warning messages
(
page 333).

146 Controls in detail
Control system
Distance to empty
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the first function of the trip
computer menu appears in the
multifunction display.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Range: appears in
the multifunction display.
The calculated remaining driving range
based on the current fuel tank level
appears in the multifunction display.
TEL menu*
You can use the functions in the
TEL menu
to operate your telephone, provided it is
connected to a hands-free system and
switched on.
Switch on the telephone and Audio or
COMAND*.
Press buttonÿ orè on the
steering wheel repeatedly until the
message
TEL appears in the
multifunction display.
Which messages will appear in the
multifunction display depends on whether
your telephone is switched on or off:
Warning!G
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
recommend that you pull over to a safe
location and stop before placing or taking a
telephone call. If you choose to use the
telephone while driving, please use the
hands-free device and only use the
telephone when weather, road and traffic
conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving a
vehicle.
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.
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.

263 Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 84).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 324).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 344).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP
® switched off. Doing so may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

331 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center console
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
56The front passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp illuminates and
remains illuminated with the
weight of a typical adult or some-
one larger than a small individual
on the front passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.Have the system checked as soon as possible
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Also note any messages in the multifunction
display and follow corrective steps
(
page 333).
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp illuminates
and remains illuminated with the weight of a
typical adult or someone larger than a small
individual on the front passenger seat, do
not have any passenger use the front
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.

332 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
56The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
does not illuminate
and/or does not remain
illuminated with the
weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or
less on the front passen-
ger seat. The system is malfunctioning.Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion and
child seat and check installation of the child seat.
Make sure that no objects applying supplemental
weight onto the seat are present.
If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp
remains out, have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not
transport a child on the front passenger seat until the
system has been repaired.
Also note any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 337).
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp does not
illuminate or remains out with the weight of
a typical 12-month-old child in a standard
child restraint or less on the front passenger
seat, do not transport a child on the front
passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.