
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 

238 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside 
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the 
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a 
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The 
button will flash while the call is in progress. The 
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING 
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When 
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE 
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit 
data generating the vehicle identification number, 
model, color and location (subject to availability of 
cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance 
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be 
established. When a voice connection is established the 
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –  
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the 
multifunction display. The nature of the need for 
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz 
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a 
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow 
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
For services such as labor and/or towing charges may 
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more 
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•S ign  an d  Drive s erv ices : Ser vi ces  such as  jump start,  
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire 
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits 
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher 
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle 
data.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the 
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in 
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for 
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency 
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a 
safe location. The Response Center will 
automatically contact local emergency officials 
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they 
rec eive a n a utom at ic  “SO S” si gna l a nd  ca nn ot ma ke 
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.
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261 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving 
habits and operating conditions. 
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•remove roof rack when not in use,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular 
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold 
weat her, i n stop -and -go  traf f ic,  on  short trip s an d i n hilly  
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very 
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of 
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, 
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is 
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs 
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow 
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects 
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.
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266 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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).
Aq uaplaning
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.
We recommend M+S rated 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.
Wa r n i n g !
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 vehicle. 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.
Wa r n i n g !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be 
substantially reduced. Under such weather 
conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme 
caution.
OM_203.book  Seite 266  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

313 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
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 ................325TIREFIT, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment 
(C 32 AMG only)  ....................... 326
Vehicle jack  .................................... 327
Wheels  ............................................ 328
Tire replacement  ....................... 328
Rotating wheels  ......................... 329
Spare wheel .................................... 330
Spare wheel bolts  ...................... 330
Changing wheels  ........................... 331
TIREFIT  ........................................... 337
Tire inflation pressure  ................. 341
Battery ............................................. 342
Jump starting  ................................. 344Towing 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 313  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

329 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be 
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm) 
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of 
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as 
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the 
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front 
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes 
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time 
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread 
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics 
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and 
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for 
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be 
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove 
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after 
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see 
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 282.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread 
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained 
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the 
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in 
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
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334 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for steel rims11. Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub. 
Install wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts and 
tighten them slightly.
To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat against hub 
and hold it there while installing first wheel bolt.
Unscrew the alignment bolt to install the last wheel 
bolt.
P 40.10-2429-26
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337 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index TIREFIT  
(C 32 AMG only)
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread can be 
sealed with TIREFIT.
Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails) should not be 
removed from the tire.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures down to 
approx. - 4
°F (- 20
°C).
Wa r n i n g !
Cuts or punctures larger than approx. 0.16 in 
(4 mm), tire damage caused by driving with 
extremely low tire pressure or on a flat tire, or a 
damaged wheel can pose a hazard while driving. 
TIREFIT should not be used in such circumstances.Do not drive the vehicle under such circumstances.Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Center for 
assistance.Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT to 
come in contact with hair, eyes or clothing. 
TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or 
absorbed through the skin - causes skin, eye and 
respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be flushed 
immediately with plenty of water.If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT, change 
clothing as soon as possible.In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a 
physician immediately.Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children. 
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with plenty 
of water and drink plenty of water.Do not induce vomiting!Consult a physician immediately.Keep away from open flame or heat source.
OM_203.book  Seite 337  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11