2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE tire size

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

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 246).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must
be shut off (key in
starter switch position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

233
Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

235
Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.
Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
become worn over time even if never used,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3000
to 6000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden de
flation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 ft.lb. (110 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

237
Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.


Use only snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 75) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle‘s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes 225/ 50 R16 and with
tire sizes 225/45 R17.

290 Practical hintsFlat tireRemoving the wheel1 Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and re-
move.

Replace this wheel bolt with the align-
ment bolt 1 supplied in the tool kit.

Remove the remaining bolts.

Remove the wheel.

Take the spare tire out of the trunk.
Mounting the new wheel
1 Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2 Wheel bolt for light alloy spare wheel
rim size 4
1/2B x15 H2

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.

Inflate the spare tire using the electric
pump (
page 292).
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
!Wheel bolts 2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2B x 15 H2 (
page 313).
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts 2 for spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2B x15 H2 can cause physical
damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use original lenght wheel bolts
when remounting the original wheel after it
has been repaired.Warning!
G
Inflate spare wheel with collapsible tire only
after the wheel is properly mounted.
Inflate the spare wheel tire using the electric
air pump before lowering the vehicle.


311
Technical data
Rims and Tires
Rims and Tires
Use only tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as

poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Same size tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle can be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. A tire inflation pressure
table is located on the fuel filler cap of
the vehicle. The tire pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be
adjusted on cold tires. Follow tire man-
ufacturer’s maintenance recommenda-
tion included with vehicle.
C230Kompressor
C320
C230Kompressor*
C320*
C230Kompressor
C320
Evolution Package*
Rims (light alloy)
7J x16 H2
7 1/2J x17
7 1/2J x17
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H
225/45 R17 91 W
1
225/45 R17 91 W
1
1Must not be used with snow chainsWinter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
225/45 R17 91 H M+S
1
225/45 R17 91 H M+S
1

312 Technical dataRims and TiresMixed size tires
C 230 Kompressor*
C320*
Front axleRims (light alloy)
7J x16 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 V
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
Rear axleRims (light alloy)
8J x16 H2
Wheel offset
1.26 in (32 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/50 R16 92 V
1
1Must not be used with snow chainsWinter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S