Back in a Benz! Few ?'s ...

[AuctorEcclesiae]

From what has been a rather lengthy hiatus, I am happy to report that I'm the new owner of an '00 C230 Kompressor. It's in great shape, and had an extended warranty, for which I am grateful ...

Drove it back to WI yesterday. Came out to start it this morning, and the thing wouldn't start. Unbelieveable! After a tow and some diagnostics, the fuel pump relay was found to be faulty, and was replaced. Now all is well.

Just a few initial questions that I couldn't find decisive answers to when searching. Don't have an owner's manual yet:

1. On the passenger seat (not motorized; manual), WHERE is the switch to recline the seatback? I can't seem to find it. I found the roll switch that controls front swivel, and the bar which raises the seat, but can't figure out how to recline the seatback.

2. Winter/Summer switch on the 722.6 - any preferred setting over another that benefits the box, or is it strictly user preference?

3. Passenger headlight comes on when car is parked, and then goes off. I'm assuming this is normal?

I think that's all for now! Boy it sure is nice to have a Merc again after several US disappointments. Looking forward to being a bit more active in my online activity here at the forum as well.

Thanks for the replies.

-Michael

[nckmsn]

The w/s switch is for Standard or Winter conditions. Standard start the trans in 1st gear, Winter starts the trans in 2nd gear to avoid slipping tires.

[engatwork]

welcome back Michael.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

You can use either W or S mode based on personal preferance. The 2nd gear start is kind of useful in snow, I have found.

[Benzadmiral]

Welcome back. I think you'll find this car quite solid and pleasant to drive.

1) On my '97 C230, which also has a manual passenger seat, you change the angle of the seat back via a large black knurled knob (say that 5 times fast!). It's on the inboard side of the seat back, right behind the bulge of the seat bolster.

2) I leave mine in S mode all the time, since we see snow and ice only about once in 15 years. (I'm not being smug. I like having some cold weather.) If you put it in W, when you start the car from cold, the transmission will act oddly, since it's programmed to shift late when it's cold. Last year I thought I needed transmission work until I looked at the switch and found I'd accidentally set it to W.

3) That could be the safety lighting system, which was optional in '97, and which my car doesn't have. I think it's supposed to put the headlights on for a few moments after the car is parked, so as to light your way out of the garage. But shouldn't both headlights come on? Anybody know?

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

I believe the courtesy lighting feature turns on the fog lamps not the headlights.

On the W202, the foglamps are in the main headlight unit. Maybe your driver's side fog lamp is burned out. The bulbs are below the low beam bulbs in the unit.

[AuctorEcclesiae]

Thanks everyone - great to be back! I found the seatback recline knob this morning ... I never even thought of looking on the other side of the seat as I figured everything would be on one side!

It's a blast to drive ... am having a good time.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season,

Michael

[manny]

Congratulations.
You now own the best M-B ever built.
See my sign.

[AuctorEcclesiae]

I was waitin' for your post, Manny!

[420 SE]

Are you sure you are not turning your headlight switch too far to off thus turning on the parking light??

There are 2 stops past off which switch on the left and right side head/tail lights respectively for parking on left/right sides of the road (if you didn't already know this).

Cheers

[page62]

Originally Posted by 420 SE

There are 2 stops past off which switch on the left and right side head/tail lights respectively for parking on left/right sides of the road (if you didn't already know this).

Cheers

Folks who've never been to Europe don't have a CLUE what these positions are for... And I can't say as I blame 'em...

[AuctorEcclesiae]

I looked tonight when I got home, and Ali wins this one. When the driver's door is closed, the fog lamps come on for about 30 seconds, and then go out. I verified that by playing with the headlamp switch and pulling the switch out to activate the lamps. The lamp in the driver's headlight is indeed burnt out - thus only one works.

I'm surprised that this wouldn't throw on the little lightbulb light in the instrument cluster ... or is that only for rear lights?

[tuultyme]

My dash light function for burned out bulb lite when I had a headlight out should not this also work when a fog light is out? A recent post noted that he got no indication when both fogs were out. Yes the fogs are the night safety feature when getting out of the car.

From 420 SE
"There are 2 stops past off which switch on the left and right side head/tail lights respectively for parking on left/right sides of the road (if you didn't already know this)."

How many of the newer Benz have this feature?