2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE ABS

319
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, use
only engine oils recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on recom-
mended brands is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may be harmful to the engine opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil, otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

327
Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
in the center console lights
up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps* Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam. CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system (C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

333
Index
A
ABS 23, 73, 327
ABS control 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 247
Messages in display 253
Warning lamp 247
Accelerator position, automatic transmis- sion 137
Accident In case of 50
Activating Air conditioning (cooling) 148, 157
Air recirculation mode 146, 154
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Automatic climate control 151
Central locking (control system) 122
Climate control 143
Defrost 146, 154
Easy-entry/exit feature 123
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 97
Hazard warning flasher 99
Headlamps 47
High beams 99
Ignition 31 Immobilizer 53, 78
Rear fog lamp 97
Rear window defroster 147, 156
Residual heat 158
Seat heater* 92
Tow-away alarm 79
Windshield wipers 48
Adding Coolant 230
Engine oil 228
Additional turn signals 280
Adjustable air outlets, rear passenger com- partment 149, 158
Adjusting 32 Air distribution 145, 153
Air volume 145, 153
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Head restraint height 33, 35, 37
Head restraint tilt 34, 35
Head restraints 37
Inside rear view mirror 39
Instrument cluster illumination 102
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 39
Rear seat head restraints 36 Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 34
Seat height 33, 35
Seats 32
Steering column height 39
Steering column length 39
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner (cooling) Turning off 148, 157
Turning on 148, 157
Air conditioner refrigerant 319
Air distribution Adjusting 145, 153
Air outlets, rear passenger compartment Adjustable 149, 158
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 234
Air recirculation mode 146, 154 Activating 146, 154
Deactivating 147, 155
Air volume Adjusting 145, 153
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 251
Airbags 57 BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 327
BabySmartTM deactivation system 67

334 Index
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm Audible 72, 79
Canceling 79
Visual 78
Alarm system Anti-theft 78
Alignment bolt 290
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 327
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 322
Antiglare Automatic 138
Antilock brake system (ABS) 327
Anti-theft alarm system Arming 78
Canceling alarm 79
Disarming 79
Anti-theft systems 78 Anti-theft alarm system 78
Immobilizer 78
Tow-away alarm 79 Aquaplaning 219
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 196
Storage spaces 197
Ashtray 198
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 229
AUDIO menu 110 Selecting radio station 111
Audio system Audio and telephone, operation 159
Button and soft key operation 162
Cassette mode 168
CD mode 172
Operating and display elements 160
Operating safety 159
Operation 162
Radio mode 165
Switching off 162
Switching on 162
Telephone operation 176
Audio systems 159
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror 138
Automatic central locking Activating/deactivating (control sys-
tem) 122 Automatic climate control
Adjusting air distribution 153
Air recirculation mode 154
Deactivating 148
Defrosting 154
Rear window defroster 156
Residual heat utilization 158
Residual ventilation 158
Setting the temperature 152
Automatic climate control* 150
Automatic headlamp mode 97
Automatic lighting control Activating 100
Deactivating 100
Automatic locking when driving 87
Automatic transmission 132 Accelerator position 137
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode) 137
Fluid level 229
Gear ranges 134
Gear selector lever position 135
Gear shifting malfunctions 137
Kickdown 137
Manual shifting 133
One-touch gearshifting 133

338 Index
Front fog lamps 120
Hazard warning flasher 99
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 78
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 121
Rear window defroster 147, 156
Residual heat 158
Seat heater 92
Tow-away alarm 80
Deep water see Standing water 221
Defogging Windshield 145, 153
Defrosting 146, 154
Delayed shut-off Exterior lamps 120
Interior lighting 121
Dialing A number (telephone) 128
Difficulties While driving see Problems while driving 50
With starting 45
Digital speedometer 110
Direction of rotation (tires) 234
Discharged battery
Jump starting 297 Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 295
Display Selecting 118
Display elements Audio system 160
Displays Digital speedometer 110
Messages 229, 252
Selecting 118
Service indicator 238
Showing malfunctions 113
Distance to empty (range) Calling up 125
Door control panel 27
Door handle 27
Door unlock With Tele Aid* 208
Doors Message in display 260
Opening from inside vehicle 85
Opening from outside 83
Downhill driving Cruise control 190
Downshifting 131, 133
Drink holder see Cup holder 196 Drinking and driving 215
Driving
Aquaplaning 219
General instructions 41, 215
In winter 220
Problems 50
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 221
Driving abroad 221
Driving instructions 215
Driving off 217
Driving safety systems ABS 73
BAS 74
ESP 75
Driving systems 189 Cruise control 189
Driving safety systems 73
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 89 Activating 123
Interrupting movement 123
Electrical fuses 303
Electrical system
Technical data 314

343
Index
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 247
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 83
Brakes 249
CHECK ENGINE 250
Coolant 257
Engine diagnostics 250
ESP 246
Fuel reserve 250
Instrument cluster 246–250
Seat belts 250
Service indicator 238
SRS 57
Turn signals 23
Language Multifunction display 118
Setting 118
LATCH child seat mounts 70 Folding back 70
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 309
Leather upholstery Cleaning 244
License plate lamps Messages in display 266
Replacing bulbs 281, 286 Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 243
Technical data 311
Light sensor 263
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 199
Lighting 96 Automatic headlamp mode 97
Combination switch 99
Daytime running lamp mode 98
Exterior lamp switch 96
Front fog lamps 98
High beam flasher 99
High beams 99
Instrument cluster illumination 102
Interior 100
Locator lighting 98
Low beam 96
Manual headlamp mode 97
Night security illumination 98
Parking lamps 96
Rear fog lamp 98
Settings (control system) 119
Trunk 101
Limiting the gear range 134
Limp Home Mode 137 Loading 192
Instructions 194
Roof rack 192
Split rear bench seat 192
Locator lighting 98 Setting 120
Lock button 329
Lock buttons 329
Locking 51, 82 Fuel filler flap 224
Global, SmartKey 83
Vehicle in an emergency 275
Loss of keys 84
Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet 307
Low beam headlamps Messages in display 264
Replacing bulbs 280, 282
Lowering Vehicle 291
Lubricants Technical data 317
Luggage cover 192
M
Main dimensions 315
Maintenance 238

344 IndexMalfunctionDisplaying 113
Malfunction memory 112 Calling up 112
Manual headlamp mode 97
Manual operations Fuel filler flap 277
Interior lighting control 100
Locking the vehicle 275
Sliding/pop-up roof 278
Unlocking the driver’s door 274
Unlocking the trunk lid 275
Unlocking transmission selector lever 277
Manual seat Adjusting 33
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting head restraint height 33
Adjusting head restraint tilt 34
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Front seat head restraints 90
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Manual transmission 130 Shifting into reverse 131
Starting with 44 MAXCOOL maximum cooling 154
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 244
Mechanical key 274, 275
Memory function 93, 329 Recalling positions from memory 94
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-ing positions 95
Storing key dependent settings 94
Menus 106 AUDIO 110
Control system 329
In control system 108, 109
Malfunction memory 112
NAV 112
Settings menu 114
Standard display 110
Submenus 107
TEL* 126
Trip computer 125
Microphone Hands-free microphone 26
Miles/kilometers in speedometer Setting 117 Mirrors
Adjusting 39
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror 138
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Exterior rear view mirror parking posi- tions 124
Inside rear view mirror 39
Storing exterior rear view mirror park- ing position 95
MON 225
MON (Motor Octane Number) 329
Mph or km/h in speedometer 117
Multifunction display 105, 329 Selecting language 118
Standard display 109
Multifunction display messages ABS 253
BAS 254
Battery 270
Brake fluid 256
Brake pads 256
Check engine 250
Coolant 258
Coolant level 257
Display 270