
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
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247 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch 
position 0 for a extended period of time, it can no longer 
be  turn ed  in  t he lock . In  t his  cas e, rem ove electron ic  key 
from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible 
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the 
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter 
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened 
with the electronic key is in starter switch position 1 
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter 
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently 
charged. See battery on page 342 or jump starting on 
page 344.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the 
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off 
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of 
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system 
may be minimized by turning off the following power 
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the 
automatic climate air volume control should be set to 
the lowest position.
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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
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296 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR
* C = Category, see page 293
This message indicates a malfunction which must be 
repaired immediately.
It may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should 
this condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced 
before continuing to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the 
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump 
which may result in damage to the engine.
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message 
displayed.
Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
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376 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3VIN, visible (lower edge of windshield)
4Engine number
5Emission control label
6Information label, California version
Vacuum line routing for emission control system
When ordering spare parts, please specify vehicle 
identification and engine numbers.Layout of poly-V-belt drive
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Crankshaft
3Air conditioner compressor
4Generator (alternator)
5Idler pulley
6Power steering pump
7Coolant pump, fan
4
6
3
5
P 01.00-2220-26
6
5
1
2
3
7
4
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379 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electrical system
We i g h t s Model C 240 (203.061)C 320 (203.064)C 32 AMG (203.065)
Generator (alternator) 14 V/120 A 14 V/120 A 14 V/120 A
Starter motor 12V/1.7 kW 12V/1.7 kW 12V/1.7 kW
B a t t e r y 12 V / 10 0   A h 12 V / 10 0   A h 12 V / 74   A h
Spark plugs
Electrode gap
Tightening torqueBosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 2
NGK IFR 5 D 10
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15–22ft.lb (20–30Nm)Bosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 2
NGK IFR 5 D 10
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15–22ft.lb (20–30Nm)NGK IFR 6 D 10
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15–22ft.lb (20–30Nm)
Roof load max. 220 lb (100 kg)
Trunk load max. 220 lb (100 kg)
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