
155 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except 
when manually switched off.
The 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.
The desired interior temperature can be selected 
separately for the left and right side of the passenger 
compartment. Adjust the temperature settings in small 
increments.
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.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode S is selected, see page 159. Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be 
ventilated. See page 171 for notes on ventilating the 
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
pl ac e. Ec on omy  mod e S cann ot be  switched  of f . Have 
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center 
should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system.
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163 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Temperature, left
2Temperature, right
3Air volume
4Automatic mode is selectedAutomatic climate control
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 q uicker by setting a 
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature and air distribution 
can be selected separately for the left and right side of 
the passenger compartment. Make the temperature 
settings in small increments.
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.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode S is selected, see page 169.
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164 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
Do not obstruct the air f low by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be 
ventilated. See page 171 for notes on ventilating the 
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
place. Economy mode S can n ot be s witched  of f. Have 
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center 
should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system.Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the automatic climate control 
cools or heats the interior depending on the direction 
and strength of the sunlight, outside temperature and 
the selected interior temperature of the vehicle. With 
the automatic mode switched off, the air volume and 
distribution can still be set manually.
Briefly press left or right U button. The h, j 
and k symbols will no longer be visible.
The economy mode and air recirculation functions will 
be switched off. The automatic blower will be activated 
at the same time.
We recommend to set the temperature switches on the 
left and right to 72
°F (22
°C). Please make changes from 
this setting to suit your personal requirements.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 160).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 160) 
for an even air distribution.
OM_203.book  Seite 164  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

301 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 293When this message appears while driving, the coolant 
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks 
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not 
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station 
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be 
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed 
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have 
the cooling system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The 
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving, 
see page 137.
See page 323 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may 
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. 
You can be seriously burned.
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302 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 293
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this 
con dition o ccur, the poly-V-belt must be repla ced befo re co ntin uin g 
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.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant 
temperature gauge. See page 137
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious 
engine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can 
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the 
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be 
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious 
burns and can occur just by opening the engine 
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear 
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do 
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
OM_203.book  Seite 302  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

323 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and 
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield 
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate 
commercially available premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient 
temperatures).
Wa r n i n g !
• In order to avoid possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the hood if 
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking 
from the cooling system, or if the coolant 
temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is 
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194
°F 
(90
°C). Allow engine to cool down before 
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains 
hot fluid and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened 
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will 
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may 
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine 
parts.
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381 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended 
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Recommended engine oils
Automatic 
transmission8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.2 US qt (1.1 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4+) 
Cooling system approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
C 32 AMG only: approx. 15.3 US qt (14.5 l)MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON)
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385 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gasoline additives 
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon 
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz 
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing 
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such 
ad ditives , car bon  d ep osits  c an bui ld  up esp eci ally on  t he 
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to 
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel. 
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be 
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel 
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and 
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a 
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately 
- 22
°F (- 30
°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to - 22
°F (- 30
°C), 
the boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized 
cooling system is reached at approximately 266
°F 
(130
°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide 
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the 
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every 
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the 
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze 
(equals a freeze protection to approximately - 22
°F 
(- 30
°C). If you use a solution that is more than 55% 
anticorrosion /antifreeze (freeze protection to 
approximately - 49
°F (- 45
°C), the engine temperature 
OM_203.book  Seite 385  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11