2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 power steering

6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................366
Power washer ..............................367
Tar stains .....................................367
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................367
Engine cleaning ..........................368
Vehicle washing .........................368
Ornamental moldings ................369
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................369
Window cleaning ........................369
Wiper blade .................................369
Light alloy wheels ......................370
Instrument cluster .....................370
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................370
Cup holder ...................................370
Seat belts ..................................... 371
Headliner and
shelf below rear window ........... 371
Leather upholstery ..................... 371Hard plastic trim items ..............371
Plastic and rubber parts ............371
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................374
Warranty coverage .........................374
Identification labels ...................... 375
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............376
Technical data ................................ 377
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 381
Engine oils ...................................... 383
Engine oil additives ...................... 383
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 383
Brake fluid ...................................... 383
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 384
Fuel requirements ........................ 384
Gasoline additives ......................... 385
Coolants .......................................... 385
Consumer information ................. 387
Uniform tire quality grading ....... 387
IndexIndex ................................................389
OM_203.book Seite 6 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

20 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Door control panel1Door handle, pull to open, see page 37
2Memory function (for storing seat, steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirror settings), see page 95
3Front seat adjustment switch, see page 49
4Steering wheel adjustment switch, see page 89
5Power window switch, see page 197
6Switch for rear door window override, see page 197
and 199
7Trunk lid release switch, see page 45
OM_203.book Seite 20 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

50 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seat
The switches are located in each front door.
We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up / down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
5Head restraint
The height of the head restraint is adjusted
automatically with the seat so that the back of the
head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust
the head restraint using the switch to support the
back of your head approximately at ear level.
For exterior rear view mirrors, see page 91;
inside rear view mirror, see page 90;
steering wheel adjustment, see page 89.
OM_203.book Seite 50 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

96 Memory function
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Storing positions into memory:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 2
or with the relevant door open and the electronic key
inserted in the starter switch.
Adjust the seat to the desired position.
Driver’s seat:
You can also adjust the steering wheel and the exterior
rear view mirrors electrically for the driver’s seat. See
page 91 for exterior rear view mirror adjustment and
page 89 for steering wheel adjustment.
Turn button (2) to selected memory position.
Push memory button (1), release and push the position
button (2) within 3 seconds.Recalling positions from memory:
To recall a seat / steering wheel / exterior rear view
mirror position, turn button (2) to selected memory
position and press to recall.
The seat / steering wheel / exterior rear view mirror
movement stops when the button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move backrest to an upright position.
OM_203.book Seite 96 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

262 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of road salt and other snow melting
chemicals spread on roads during the winter months
may cause a build up of moisture or residue to form on
the braking components. This build up or residue could
cause light corrosion of the braking components if the
vehicle is parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and
even braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to
warm up and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 275.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
OM_203.book Seite 262 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

276 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
OM_203.book Seite 276 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

279 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 292.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
d ial com es on ). For t his reas on, all wheels, in cludin g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.
OM_203.book Seite 279 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

349 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission:
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 47) as well as
the ESP (see page 278).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
OM_203.book Seite 349 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11