w204 secrets thread...
 

any interest in one of these? i know there are some things that our dealers didn't explain to us that i had to learn after the fact. it might be a good idea to have a running thread as we figure things out...

1) aux input in glove compartment.
1a) if you have ipod integration, the aux input is tucked away under the plastic cover.

2) aux input is accessed from cd menu (in my non-multimedia pkg).

3) hold alarm on/off pointed at small square on driver's-side door handle to open/close sunroof and windows.

4) power source in glove box is 12v switched (i remember there was some discussion about that).

5) if you have the automatic tranny, push the stick to the left and hold it there, it'll downshift to the gear lowest possible to allow you to be in the powerband to pass cars. And pushing the stick to the right side and hold it there will put you back into the normal automatic shifting mode.

6) Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.

7) there is a way to reset your service indicators and other lighting options by pressing the OK and TALK button I believe.

8) badges in back leave no holes except for the star.

9) A slight tap of up or down on the turn signal tree allows the turn signal to flash 3-4 times for a lane change and then shuts off automatically. No need to full engage the turn signal and shut it off manually.

10) Steps to Reset the TCU. Resetting the TCU will reset transmission to factory shift points and the car will 'relearn' your driving style.
(1.) Turn the ignition key to the on (not start) position.
(2.) Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds.
(3.) Turn the key to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
(4.) Wait at least two minutes for TCU to reset.

11) brake rotors stay at peak efficiency from feathering initiated after a certain number of windshield wipes during rain.

12) headlamp cleaners activate every 10 windshield washes.

13) when the sun / Pano roof is left open on an extremely hot sunny day, the
car will automatically close it (tilt position) after a while ( when the car is
parked) (euro p2 version only)

14) again if the car is equipped with Sun/Pano roof as well as rain sensing
wipers, the car will again close (tilt position) the roof as soon as the sensors
detect rain ( when the car is parked ) (possible euro p2 only)

15) PRE-SAFE system, which automatically closes open windows, sunroof, and move the seats, headrest + steering wheel to a more protective position - all done within milliseconds as soon as the car senses that an accident is imminent. This is the 2nd stage of pro-safe. First stage is the passive pre-emptive measure, like ESP etc. The 3rd stage is post an accident, which includes automatice shut down of engine and cutting off fuel supply + turning on hazards lights + lowering windows slightly + unlocking all doors.

16) rollbackassist : if i am on steep hills, i notice a roll back assist engages. I think it might happen if i press down on the brakes a bit harder. Release and the car holds itself for a few seconds before rolling back. Works Great!

17) autosense wipers that actually work!

18) on the cruise control stalk: If you push the stalk all the way up, it will increase the speed to the next 5mph increment (ie 52 goes to 55). If you push it down it will decrease the speed to the next 5mph increment (ie 58 goes to 55).

19) this is not somthing you can controll but the new W204 also has vents behind the rear wheels that exit out of the tail lights to keep them clean but more inportantly helps to give the car an overall drag coeffienecy of ONLY .29

20) with the MM the stereos volume will raise if you enter an area with loud noise.

21) If you have the transmission in C, and you punch off the line hard, it uses 1st gear, not second.

22) Leave your headlights in Auto mode & the parking lights & fogs will remain lit when you arm or disarm your car when it is dark.

23) Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.

24) While listening to a cd, the music register or satelite radio, we all know that sometimes you can't read the full title of the song playing. Just press the # button on the dash and you will see the full title and the artist.

25) * key will allow you to jump to a specific track or radio station

26) If you have previously engaged your cruise control at lets say 70mph and are off cruse control but want to reset it to your current speed, raise the cruise control lever to the up position. This will reset it to your current speed where if you pulled the lever towards you, you'll be returned to the previous set speed.

27) slight tap on blinker gives a short 3 blinks for lane changes

28) if you use two fingers you can do all fore windows at the same time, up or down.

29) when the trunk is up and you're still in the driver's seat, you can see out the back, through the center mirror. The hinge lifts up and away, letting you see oncoming traffic before you open the door.

30) Auto dimming mirrors get light when in reverse.

31) dial mounted on the center console will not allow you to change stations or functions display unit unless the hood is raised.

32) In autos, u dont have to turn the ignition key all the way to start the vehicle. in other words, car can start before u complete the turn of the key. Also the car won’t let you re-try the ignition if the car is already on.

33) hood can be pushed up to 90 degrees while open

34) Discovered this feature yesterday. I had the wipers on permanent, not auto intermittent. When I stopped at a traffic light, rather than continuing on wiping permanently, it went into auto intermitent mode by itself. Then as soon as I started driving again, it reverted back to permanent wiping.

35) Wipers, will auto stop when the car stops, then resume when you start driving, with an occasional wipe as needed. This functions works in any mode you have your wipers on. It is dependent on how much it is raining. If it is raining alot dont expect them to stop.

36) Also when you are going down hill with your foot off the gas or on the brake, the car will shift down the tranny so you will have more controll and power to the wheels if you need it.

37) you only get the beep beep beep on the alarm if you actually have an alarm. otherwise just lights will flash.

38) tilt down mirror won't tilt down if you're backing up quickly

39) tunnel mode is available on the 2009 w204 (hold down air-recirculation button)

40) trunk has emergency release on the inside that stays lit for 60 minutes after closing.

keep it going?

my dealer explained to me about the one you mentioned in #3.

One I learned from the forum was,

5) if you have the automatic tranny, push the stick to the left and hold it there, it'll downshift to the gear lowest possible to allow you to be in the powerband to pass cars. And pushing the stick to the right side and hold it there will put you back into the normal automatic shifting mode.

Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.

Useful if you change cars often or have a poor memory:)

there is a way to reset your service indicators and other lighting options by pressing the OK and TALK button I belive. You can find instructions on this forum (sorry very lease)

1) aux input in glove compartment
2) aux input is accessed from cd menu (in my non-multimedia pkg)
3) hold alarm on/off pointed at small square on driver's-side door handle to open/close sunroof and windows
4) power source in glove box is 12v switched (i remember there was some discussion about that)
5) if you have the automatic tranny, push the stick to the left and hold it there, it'll downshift to the gear lowest possible to allow you to be in the powerband to pass cars. And pushing the stick to the right side and hold it there will put you back into the normal automatic shifting mode.
6) Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.
7) there is a way to reset your service indicators and other lighting options by pressing the OK and TALK button I believe.
8) badges in back leave no holes except for the star

kind of a cheesy one but i remember there being discussion...

search on youtube , it shows the whole process :y

1) aux input in glove compartment
1a) if you have ipod integration, the aux input is tucked away under the plastic cover
2) aux input is accessed from cd menu (in my non-multimedia pkg)
3) hold alarm on/off pointed at small square on driver's-side door handle to open/close sunroof and windows
4) power source in glove box is 12v switched (i remember there was some discussion about that)
5) if you have the automatic tranny, push the stick to the left and hold it there, it'll downshift to the gear lowest possible to allow you to be in the powerband to pass cars. And pushing the stick to the right side and hold it there will put you back into the normal automatic shifting mode.
6) Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.
7) there is a way to reset your service indicators and other lighting options by pressing the OK and TALK button I believe.
8) badges in back leave no holes except for the star

TCU Reset
 

I saw this from AkaSigFreak a few months ago.

Step to Reset the TCU. Resetting the TCU will reset transmission to factory shift points and the car will 'relearn' your driving style.

1. Turn the ignition key to the on (not start) position.
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds.
3. Turn the key to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
4. Wait at least two minutes for TCU to reset.

oh yea good one...forgot about it

for the manual transmissions...does the WOT button do anything?

If you hold the air-recirculation button for a few seconds, it will close the car windows

nice secrets :bow: I am about to poke around my car just to see if I find any secrets... hehe

I had heard that before but it doesn't seem to work.:nix:
Just tried it again...nothing.

Yeah, doesn't work in US cars .....

this is called tunnel mode and it has been confirmed that it is not included in US 08 C's, works for 07's though and for 08's overseas

1) aux input in glove compartment
1a) if you have ipod integration, the aux input is tucked away under the plastic cover
2) aux input is accessed from cd menu (in my non-multimedia pkg)
3) hold alarm on/off pointed at small square on driver's-side door handle to open/close sunroof and windows
4) power source in glove box is 12v switched (i remember there was some discussion about that)
5) if you have the automatic tranny, push the stick to the left and hold it there, it'll downshift to the gear lowest possible to allow you to be in the powerband to pass cars. And pushing the stick to the right side and hold it there will put you back into the normal automatic shifting mode.
6) Little arrow on the fuel gauge points to the side of the car that the fuel filler is on.
7) there is a way to reset your service indicators and other lighting options by pressing the OK and TALK button I believe.
8) badges in back leave no holes except for the star
9) A slight tap of up or down on the turn signal tree allows the turn signal to flash 3-4 times for a lane change and then shuts off automatically. No need to full engage the turn signal and shut it off manually.

in my 05 you need to have the ac on or just the blower and it will close the windows then when you press and hold again it will open then to the same position.

I read somewhere that the W204 C class keeps the brake rotors warm & at peak efficiency by feathering the brakes when it is raining. It is activated by a certain number of windscreen wiper wipes.John.

does this work for Canadian models?

i dont think so, cuz i tried it

I know the new X5 does something similar. I heard that it tries the brakes though...

True. When the car senses rain it will ever so slightly engage the calipers to skim the water off the rotors.

The headlamp washer comes on automatically every 10th time you've used the windsreen washer.

I have not checked it out yet. Somehow my wife thought I was mad when I asked her to stand in front of the car whilst I washed the windsreen 10 times to see if the headlamp washer came on. Was that such a strange request? :nix:

Only if the car was in gear...:p:

:D :rolf: