
4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260
Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals ........................................... 261
Power assistance ........................262
Brakes ..........................................262
Driving off ...................................263
Parking ........................................264Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271
Cruise control ................................ 272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 278
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 284
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system ........ 286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 286Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................292
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....297
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE .......................299
OM_203.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

5 ContentsSEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..300
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR ...........................306
DOOR ............................................306
TRUNK OPEN .............................307
HOOD ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......308
TELE AID .....................................308
WASHER FLUID ..........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 311
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ...................................... 314
Stowing things in the vehicle ....... 314
Fuses ................................................ 315
Hood ................................................. 318
Adding engine oil .......................... 321
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 322
Coolant level ................................... 322
Adding coolant ........................... 323
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 323
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 325
TIREFIT, vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(C 32 AMG only) ....................... 326
Vehicle jack .................................... 327
Wheels ............................................ 328
Tire replacement ....................... 328
Rotating wheels ......................... 329Spare wheel ....................................330
Spare wheel bolts .......................330
Changing wheels ........................... 331
TIREFIT ...........................................337
Tire inflation pressure .................. 341
Battery .............................................342
Jump starting ..................................344
Towing the vehicle .........................347
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................350
Exterior lamps ................................ 351
Replacing bulbs .......................... 351
Standby bulb function ...................356
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................357
Synchronizing
remote control ............................359
Emergency engine shut-down .....359
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...360
Replacing wiper blade insert .......362
Roof rack .........................................363
OM_203.book Seite 5 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 58
2Rear window sunshade switch (optional), see
page 205
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 278
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 151
5Central locking switch, see page 39
6Rear seat head restraints switch, see page 60
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 46
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 47
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 58
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 292
10COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 173
11Climate control (C 240), see page 152
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 160
Rear window defroster, see page 170
P 68.10-2501-27
OM_203.book Seite 24 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

99 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage100
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 101 and
individual settings, see page 121
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 291
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage298
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 148
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 292
8Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
9CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp,
seepage286
10High beam headlamp indicator,
seeexterior lamp switch, page143, and
combination switch, see page 14811Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
12Multifunction display, see page 102.
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 293
13Trip odometer, see page 101 and 106
14Main odometer, see page 106
15Display for program mode and gear range
indicators, see page 254
16Malfunction/warning message memory,
seepage119
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 101
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 121
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 148
20Fasten seat belts, see page 292
21Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 289
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 290
OM_203.book Seite 99 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

231 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 261
Drinking and driving ................ 261
Pedals .......................................... 261
Power assistance ........................ 262
Brakes .......................................... 262
Driving off ................................... 263
Parking ........................................ 264
Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271Cruise control .................................272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
What you should know
at the gas station .......................282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................284
OM_203.book Seite 231 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

269 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
seepage383.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 323.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
OM_203.book Seite 269 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

278 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 347, “Towing the vehicle”), the engine must be
shut of f (elec tr oni c key in starter s witch p osi ti on 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
OM_203.book Seite 278 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

285 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........286
On-board diagnostic system .........286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................286
Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................292Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .................... 292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ....... 296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .... 297
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 297
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 298
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 298
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 299
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 300COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR ...........................306
DOOR ...........................................306
TRUNK OPEN .............................307
HOOD ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......308
TELE AID .....................................308
WASHER FLUID .........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE ...........................311
UNDERVOLTAGE .........................311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
OM_203.book Seite 285 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11