2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 COUPE brake light

250 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which impact emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
lights up while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 224).

267 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TAIL LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, LF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The left side marker lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, RF
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!

The right side marker lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LAMPS!
This display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
key in the starter switch.

Insert key in the starter switch.

Switch off lights.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
Key in the starter switch position1 or2.

Remove key from the starter switch.
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).
<
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

273 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for light alloy spare wheel
rim size 4
1/2B x15 H2Refer to “Technical data” section
(
page 313) for model and spare wheel
rim size information.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up brack-
et. Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jack stands before working under
the vehicle.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2Bx15 H2 (
page 313).
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts2 for spare wheel rim
size 4
1/2B x15 H2 can cause physical
damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel af-
ter it has been repaired.

281 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Additional turn signals in the exteri-
or rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
License plate lamps
C5W
9
Brake lamp
P 21 W (21W)
Turn signal lamp
PY21W (21W)
Tail, parking stand-
ing and side marker
lamp
W5W (5W)
Rear fog lamp, driv-
er’s side
P21W (21W)
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

298 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off the engine.
On both vehicles:

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with under hood
terminal2 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp
cable to charged battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with under hood
terminal4 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp
cable to charged battery3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
After the engine has started, you can again
turn on the electrical consumers. Do not
turn on the lights under any circumstanc-
es.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 231).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

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.

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 79Aquaplaning 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) 122Automatic 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

335 Index
Program mode selector switch 136
Selector lever position 132
Starting with 45
Transmission fluid 229
Winter program mode 136
Auxiliary fuse box 304
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67
Compatible child seats 67, 327
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
327
Backrest
Folding forward 193
Folding rearward 193
BAS 74, 327
Messages in display 254
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 276
Check lamp 83
Checking 84
Battery discharged
Jump starting 297Battery, vehicle 231, 294
Charging 295
Disconnecting 295
Messages in display 270
Reconnecting 295
Reinstalling 295
Removing 295
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 327
Bi-Xenon type
Front lamp bulbs 283
Block heater 237
Bolts
For spare wheel 273
Brake assist system (BAS) 327
Brake fluid 225, 319
Brake lamp bulbs 281
Brake lamp, high mounted 281
Brake pads
Message in display 256
Brakes 216
Warning lamp 249
Break-in period 214
Bulbs, replacing 280
Additional turn signals 280
Brake lamps 281
Fog lamps 280Front lamps 280
High beam 280
High mounted brake lamp 281
License plate lamps 281, 286
Low beam 280
Parking lamps 280, 281, 283, 284
Rear fog lamp 281
Rear fog lamps 285
Side marker lamps 280, 285
Standing lamps 280, 281, 283, 284
Tail lamp assemblies 281, 285
Turn signal lamps 280, 281
Button
Audio system 162
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 327
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 126
Service indicator 239
CAN system 327
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 317
Cargo compartment
Lighting 101
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 168