2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Owner's Manual

Tires

Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law.
These indicators are located in six places on the
tread circumference and become visible at a depth of
approximately1/16 in (1.5 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across
the tread.




Warning !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As tread depth approaches 1/16 in (1.5 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced. Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions),
the tire traction varies widely.


Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This applies particularly if the tires are subjected to
high loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temperatures).


Warning !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose control
of the car. Continued driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will cause excessive heat
build-up and possibly a fire.


Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, aquaplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with new
tires.
Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.


Tire Traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the condition of the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to the
freezing point.
Warning !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be substantially reduced. Under such weather conditions,
drive, steer and brake with extreme caution.

We recommend M + S radial- ply tires for the winter season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced handling
characteristics. On packed snow, they can reduce your stopping distance as compared with summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is not snow or ice covered.

Tire Speed Rating

Model C 43 AMG only: This vehicle is factory equipped with "Z"-rated tires. All other models: These vehicles are factory
equipped with "H"-rated tires, which have a European spee d rating of 130 mph (210 km/h). An electronic speed limiter
prevents your vehicle from exceeding the speed rating. Despit e the tire rating, local speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to prevailing conditions.

Warning !

Even when permitted by law, never operate a vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed rating of the
tires. Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury and possible death.



Parking

Warning !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle always:

1. Keep right foot on brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position "P".
4. Slowly release brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering lock position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when leaving.

Important !

It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move selector lever
to position "P". When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.



Winter Driving Instructions

The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to driv e sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control system under such conditions.

When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move selector le ver to position "N". Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action. Road salts and chem icals can adversely affect braking efficiency.

Increased pedal force may become necessary to produce t he normal brake effect. We therefore recommend depressing
the brake pedal periodically when travelling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can bring road salt impaired
braking efficiency back to normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this is done without endangering other drivers on the
road. If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observi ng the safety rules in the previous paragraph.


Warning !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around the vehicle with engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter
vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death. To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the car that is out of the wind.



Deep Water

Caution !
Do riot drive through flooded areas or water of unknown dept h. If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or being ingested by the air intake, possibly causing damage to
electrical components or wiring, to engine or transmission t hat is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Passenger Compartment


Warning !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as possible. In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle occupants unless
the items are securely fastened in the vehicle. The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.

Climate Control
1. Air volume control for center air outlets, turn wheel
up to open.
2. Air volume control for side air outlet.
To open side air outlet:
Turn wheel to position
3. Center air outlets, adjustable
4. Side air outlet, adjustable
5. Windshield air outlet
6. Temperature selector, left side passenger compartment
7. Temperature selector, right side passenger compartment
8. Air volume control switch
9. Air distribution control switch
10. Rear window defroster
11. Economy mode
12. Air recirculation,
Residual engine heat utilization.


(Model C 230 Kompressor)

The system is always at operational readiness, except when manually switched off. The climate control only
operates with the engine running. To quickly cool down the passenger compartment, turn temperature
selectors fully downward. Turn temperature selector to maintain desired temperature. The climate control removes
considerable moisture from the air during operation in the cooling mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.

Basic Setting - Heater

Select temperature for each side of the passenger compartment.
Select air volume with control switch, set at least to position 2 to
prevent windows from fogging up. Set air distribution control switch to
position shown above.
Turn side air outlets (4) to the detent position.
Open center air outlets as desired.


Basic Setting - Air Conditioner

Select temperature for each side of the passenger compartment.
Select air volume with control switch, at least to position 1 to start
the air conditioner. Set air distribution control switch to position
Open center air outlets .
Open left and right side air outlets .


Special Settings (use only for short duration)

Defrosting
Set temperature selectors and switches for air volume and air distribution to position
.

Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (2) to position to open left and right side air outlets (4).
Adjust side air outlets upward.

Defogging Windows

Windows fogged up on inside
Switch off economy mode Indicator lamp goes out.
Switch off air recirculation . Indicator lamp goes out.
Set air distribution control switch to position .
Increase air volume with control switch.
Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (2) to position to open left and right side
air outlets (4). Adjust side air outlets upward.

Windshield fogged up on outside
Switch on windshield wipers. Set air distribution control switch to position or


Economy
The function of this setting corresponds to the air conditioning mode. However, because the air
conditioning compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not possible to air condition in this setting.
Press button to activate.
Press button once again to return to previous setting.


Climate Control - OFF
To switch the climate control off, set air volume control switch to position 0.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off. While driving, use this setting only
temporarily, otherwise the windshield could fog up.


Rear Window Defroster
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster uses a large amount of power. To keep the battery drain to a minimum,
turn off the defroster as soon as the window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after a maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned on simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged, it is possible
that the defroster will automatically turn itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside the switch starts
blinking. As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the defroster automatically turns itself back on.

Air Recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the entry of annoying odours or dust from vehicle's interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car's interior.
To select, press button.
To cancel, press button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated air to fresh air
• after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures below approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside temperatures above approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 5 minutes, if button is pressed.
At hight ouside temperatures, the system automatically engages the recirculated air mode for approx.
30 minutes, thereby increasing the cooling capacity performance. Press button again to extend the recirculated
air mode.

Residual Engine Heat Utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume is controlled automatically
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or remove . Close air outlet in rear passenger compartment.
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button lights up.
This function selection will not activate if the battery charge level is insufficient.
To cancel:
Press button. Indicator lamp in the button goes out
The system will automatically shut off
• if you turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• after approx. 30 minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.


Dust Filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out before outside air enters the passenger compartment through the
air distribution system.

Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of snow and debris.

Important !
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon)
as a refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician, and refrigerant
should be collected in a recovery system for recycling.

Automatic Climate Control
(Models C 280 and C43 AMG)



The system is always at operational readiness, except when manually
switched off. The automatic climate control only operates with the engine
running. The temperature selector should be left at the desired temperature
setting.
The temperature selected is reached as quickly as possible. The system
will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a higher or lower temperature.


1. Air volume control for center air outlet,
turn wheel up to open
2. Air volume control for side air outlet.
To open air outlets:
Turn wheel to position
3. Center air outlets, adjustable
4. Side air outlets, adjustable
5. Display and Controls



The automatic climate control removes considerable moisture from the air during operation in the cooling mode.
It is normal for water to drip on the ground through ducts in the underbody.

Important !
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system that uses HFC-134a (HFC hydrofluorocarbon) as a refrigerant.
Repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected in a recovery
system for recycling.

Display and Controls
Press to activate, indicator lamp is on while activated.
Automatic mode Air recirculation
Raise temperature Air distribution, manual
Lower temperature Economy mode
Defrost Air volume, manual
Rear window defroster Residual engine heat
utilization
Basic Setting - Automatic Mode
Press button for automatic mode.
Simultaneously press both
and button for temperature setting of 72°F.



Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically. This setting can be used all year
around.

Economy
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air
conditioning compressor will not engage (fuel
savings), it is not possible to air condition in this
setting.
Press button to activate.
Press button once again to return to previous
setting.