2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE brake

Contents
Introduction ......................................... 9
Product information ............................... 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10 Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership .... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada ......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16 Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects ...................... 18 Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
At a glance .......................................... 19
Cockpit .................................................20
Instrument cluster ................................22
Multifunction steering wheel ................24
Center console .....................................25
Overhead control panel ........................26
Door control panel ................................27Getting started ...................................29
Unlocking .............................................30 Unlocking with the SmartKey ..........30
Adjusting ..............................................32 Seats ...............................................32
Steering wheel ................................37
Mirrors ............................................39
Driving ..................................................41 Fastening the seat belt ...................41
Starting the engine .........................44
Switching on headlamps .................47
Turn signals and high beam ............47
Windshield wipers ...........................48
Problems while driving ....................50 Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake .................................. 51
Switching off headlamps ................. 52
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security ........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Panic alarm* ........................................ 72 Activating ........................................ 72
Deactivating .................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73 ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems ................................ 78 Immobilizer ..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ............................ 79

Contents
Air recirculation mode .................. 154
Charcoal filter .............................. 156
Rear window defroster ................. 156
Air conditioning ............................ 157
Residual heat and ventilation* ..... 158
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 158
Audio system ..................................... 159 Audio and telephone, operation ... 159
Operating safety ........................... 159
Operating and display elements ... 160
Button and soft key operation ...... 162
Operation ..................................... 162
Radio mode .................................. 165
Cassette mode ............................. 168
CD changer* operating mode ...... 172
Telephone* operation .................. 176
Power windows .................................. 182 Opening and closing the windows 182
Synchronizing power windows ..... 184
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* ......... 185 Opening and closing the
sunshades for the panorama
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 185
Opening and closing the panorama
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 186 Synchronizing the panorama
sliding / pop-up roof ..................... 188
Driving systems ................................. 189 Cruise control .............................. 189
Loading .............................................. 192 Roof rack* ................................... 192
Luggage cover ............................. 192
Split folding rear bench seat ......... 192
Loading instructions .................... 194
Useful features .................................. 195 Interior storage spaces ................ 195
Ashtrays ....................................... 198
Cigarette lighter ........................... 199
Telephone* ................................... 200
Tele Aid* ...................................... 201
Garage door opener ...................... 209
Operation ......................................... 213
The first 1000 miles (1500km) .......... 214
Driving instructions ........................... 215 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 215
Drinking and driving ..................... 215
Pedals .......................................... 215
Power assistance .......................... 216
Brakes........................................... 216 Driving off .....................................217
Parking .........................................217
Tires ..............................................218
Hydroplaning ................................ 219
Tire traction ..................................219
Tire speed rating ...........................219
Winter driving instructions ............220
Standing water .............................221
Passenger compartment ...............221
Driving abroad ..............................221
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ....................................222
Catalytic converter .......................222
Emission control ...........................223
Coolant temperature ....................223
At the gas station ...............................224 Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................225
Engine compartment .......................... 226 Hood .............................................226
Engine oil ......................................227
Transmission fluid level ................229
Coolant level .................................229
Battery ..........................................231
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ...........232

Contents
Technical data................................. 305
Spare parts service ............................ 306
Warranty coverage ............................. 307 Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 307
Identification labels ........................... 308 Certification label ......................... 308
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............................................. 308
Identification labels and numbers 308
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 309 C 230 Kompressor ....................... 309
C 320 ........................................... 309
Engine ................................................ 310
Rims and Tires ................................... 311 Same size tires ............................. 311
Mixed size tires ............................ 312
Spare wheel ................................. 313 Electrical system ................................ 314
Main Dimensions ................................ 315
Weights .............................................. 316
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 317
Capacities ..................................... 317
Engine oils .................................... 319
Engine oil additives ....................... 319
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 319
Brake fluid .................................... 319
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 320
Fuel requirements ........................ 320
Gasoline additives ........................ 321
Coolants ...................................... 321
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 324
Consumer information ....................... 325 Uniform tire quality grading ......... 325
Technical terms ...............................327Index .................................................333

21
At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Headlamp washer switch*
140
2
Combination switch
47


Turn signals
47


Windshield wipers
48


High beam
99
3
Cruise control lever
189
4
Instrument cluster
22,
102
5
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
106
6
Horn
7
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate op-
erating instructions
8
Overhead control panel
26
9
Glove box lid release
195
Item
Page
10
Glove box lid
195
11
Center console
25
12
Starter switch
31
13
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
38
14
Hood lock release
226
15
Parking brake pedal
46
16
Power window switches
182
17
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk, electrical*
38
18
Parking brake release
46
19
Door control panel
27
20
Exterior lamp switch
47, 96
21
Exterior mirror adjustment
39

23
At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Reset knob for:

Resetting trip odome-
ter
103


Instrument cluster illu-
mination
102


Resetting individual
settings
114
2
Tachometer with:?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
250
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
247
;
Brake warning
lamp, except Cana-
da
249
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
249
Item
Page
3
Speedometer with:L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
246
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator
99
E
Indicator lamp with-
out function
1
1The indicator lamp illuminates briefly when you
turn the key in the starter switch to position
2
DTRIndicator lamp with-
out function
1
Item
Page
4
Multifunction display
with:Trip odometer
103
Main odometerOutside temperature dis-
play
104
Digital clock
116
5
Display for program
mode and selector lever
position
135
136
6
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
250
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
250
1
Supplemental re-
straint system indi-
cator lamp
248

33
Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat
1 Seat fore and aft adjustment
2 Seat cushion tilt
3 Seat height
4 Backrest tilt Seat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle
1.

Slide seat to the desired position.

Allow handle 1 to reengage. Check for
proper engagement before driving.

Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the accelera-
tor/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far rearward as possible, con-
sistent with ability to properly operate con-
trols.
Seat cushion tilt

Turn handwheel 2 forward or backward
until your upper legs are lightly sup-
ported. Seat height

Pull handle
3 up to raise seat cushion.
Push handle 3 down to lower seat
cushion
Backrest tilt

Turn handwheel 4 forward or back-
ward.
Head restraint height
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
iWhen moving the seats, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

34 Getting startedAdjusting1Release knob
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward. To lower
the head restraint, push release knob 1
and press down on the head restraint.
Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 89) Power seat*

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position
1 or 2.
or

Open the driver’s or front passenger
door.
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each front door.
1 Head restraint height
2 Seat height
3 Seat cushion tilt
4 Seat fore and aft adjustment
5 Backrest tilt Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow
4.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.
With the memory function*
(page 93) you can store seat posi-
tions together with settings for the
steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.

41
Getting started
Driving
Driving
Fastening the seat beltWarning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passenger should al-
ways wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The airbags can only protect as ex-
pected if the occupants are using their seat
belts (
page 56).
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the airbag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle’s
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.