
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 

283 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel tank capacity approximately 16.4 US gal (62.0 l).
This includes approximately 2.1 US gal (8.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline: 
Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Engine oil
Checking oil level, see instructions on page 141 
and 321.
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality). For further information refer to page 322.
Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the 
fuel filler flap. See page 341 for further details.Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, refer to “Technical Data”.
Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, refer to 
“Technical Data”.
Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H B4 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front: 1156 NA (26.9 / 5 W/32/4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: W 5W (5 W)
side marker lamps, front: 5 W / 4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: PY 21 W bulb (yellow),
stop lamps: P 21 W/32 cp bulb,
rear fog lamp, driver’s side: P 21 W/32 cp bulb,
tail, parking, standing and 
side marker lamp: R 5 W / 4 cp,
backup lamps: P 21 W / 32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W / 4 cp
OM_203.book  Seite 283  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 

371 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with chemical 
cleaning agents. Use only clear, lukewarm water and 
soap. Do not dry the webbing at temperatures above 
176
°F (80
°C) or in direct sunlight.
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo 
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.Leather upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing clothing that 
have the tendency to give off coloring (e.g. when wet 
etc.) may cause the upholstery to become permanently 
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper 
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will be 
prevented.
Leather Upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry 
thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved 
Leather Care. Exercise particular care when cleaning 
perforated leather as its underside should not become 
wet.
MB Tex Upholstery
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care onto soft 
lint-free cloth and apply with light pressure.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care onto soft 
lint-free cloth and apply with light pressure.
Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely 
weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to 
provide adequate protection.
OM_203.book  Seite 371  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

384 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance, 
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium 
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used, 
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded 
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon 
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the 
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two 
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed 
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal 
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in 
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be 
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane 
number and the Motor (M) octane number: (R+M) / 2). 
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as 
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the 
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not 
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3% 
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed. 
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded 
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements 
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor 
pressure etc.
OM_203.book  Seite 384  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

394 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
MMaintenance  ...................................................................233
Malfunction/warning message memory .....................119
Manual seat  ............................................................... 52, 56
Manual transmission  ....................................................249
Mechanical key  ......................................................... 28, 36
Memory function  ............................................................. 95
Mirror, exterior,
parking position, front passenger side  ................... 92
Multicontour seat  ............................................................ 57
Multifunction display  .................................................... 102
Coolant temperature ................................................. 106
Engine oil level indicator  ......................................... 106
FSS  .............................................................................. 106
Individual settings .................................................... 121
Tire inflation pressure monitor  .............................. 106
Trip and main odometer  .......................................... 106
Vehicle speed ............................................................. 106
Multifunction steering wheel  ...................................... 102
NNavigation system  .......................................................... 116
Night security illumination  .......................................... 146OOn-board diagnostic system  ........................................ 286
Overhead control panel  ................................................... 21PPanic button  ......................................................................36
Parcel net in front passenger footwell  ........................ 216
Parking brake  ................................................................ 260
Power windows  ............................................................... 197
Blocking of rear door window operation  ............... 199
Express opening and closing  .................................. 198
Opening and closing  ...................................................35
Synchronizing power windows  ............................... 199
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 14
Product information  .......................................................... 7
OM_203.book  Seite 394  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11