2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON phone

236 OperationEngine compartmentYou can check the engine oil level on the
multifunction display.
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position2.
The standard display (
page 112) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press button
k
or
j
on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASUREMENT IN
PROCESS! CORRECT MEASUREMENT ONLY
IF VEH. LEVEL
After about three seconds this mes-
sage is displayed:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL –
MEASURING NOW
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL – OK



ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1 QUART
(1.0 LITER)!


ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD
1.5 QUARTS (1.5 LITERS)!


ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2 QUARTS
(2.0 LITERS)!
Adding engine oil
1Filler neck
Unscrew the cap from filler neck1. Be
careful not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.!Excessive oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to
the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 236 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

237 Operation
Engine compartment

Screw the cap back on the filler neck.
Other display messages
If there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL 
Have excess oil siphoned.
If the key is not turned to position2 in the
starter switch, the following message will
appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL IGNITION ON
PLEASE!
Switch on the ignition.If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
Wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN ENGINE ON! 
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-
gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If a proper oil level check cannot be per-
formed, the following message will appear:
MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE
.

Repeat the engine oil level check after
a short while.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 330).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 237 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK LEVEL!
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.

Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its
disposal.
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.

If you must add engine oil frequent-
ly, have the engine checked for
possible leaks.
There is water in the oil.

Have the oil checked.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 270 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

277 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
L
TELE AID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid* system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid* system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì
or
í
on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not
equipped with a telephone.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
tailgate is open.

Close the tailgate.
1
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the
SRS may not be activated when needed in
an accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 277 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

340 Technical termsCOMAND*
(Cockpit Management and Data Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other op-
tional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up vehi-
cle information and to change component
settings. Information and messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display. The driv-
er uses the buttons on the multifunction
steering wheel to navigate through the sys-
tem and to adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for automati-
cally maintaining the vehicle speed set by
the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer and
placed on the cylinder block to uniquely
identify each engine produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (viscos-
ity) of the oil at different temperatures. The
higher the temperature an oil can tolerate
without becoming thin, or the lower the
temperature it can tolerate without be-
coming viscous, the better the viscosity.
ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(Emergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(Flexible Service System)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to the
automatic transmission for shifting. The
automatic gear shifting process can be
adapted to specific operating conditions
using the selector lever.
GPS
(Global Positioning System)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.S203 MY03_A.book Page 340 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

343 Technical terms
Tele Aid* System
(Telematic Alarm Identification on De-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecommuni-
cations” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug wrench)
with which threaded fasteners such as
wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires.
VIN
(Vehicle Identification Number)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones, por-
table cell phones and audio systems (ra-
dio, CD, etc.).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 343 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

346 IndexAir volume
Adjusting 147, 155
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 259
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 67
Children 58
Front 60
Passenger 60
Safety guidelines 59
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm
Audible 72, 80
Canceling 80
Visual 79
Alarm system
Anti-theft 79
Alignment bolt 302, 339
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 335
Antiglare
Automatic 141
Antilock brake system (ABS) 339
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 79
Canceling alarm 80Disarming 80
Anti-theft systems 79
Anti-theft alarm system* 79
Immobilizer 79
Tow-away alarm 80
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 226
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 205
Storage spaces 206
Ashtray 207
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 237
AUDIO menu 112
Selecting radio station 113
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation 161
Button and soft key operation 164
Cassette mode 170
CD mode 174
Operating and display elements 162
Operating safety 161
Operation 164
Radio mode 167
Switching off 164
Switching on 164
Telephone operation 178
Audio systems 161Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 141
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 125
Automatic climate control 152
Adjusting air distribution 155
Air recirculation mode 156
Deactivating 150
Defrosting 156
Rear window defroster 158
Residual heat utilization 159
Residual ventilation 159
Setting the temperature 154
Automatic headlamp mode 99
Automatic lighting control
Activating 102
Deactivating 102
Automatic locking when driving 88
Automatic transmission 135
Accelerator position 140
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 140
Fluid level 237
Gear ranges 137
Gear selector lever position 138
S203 MY03_A.book Page 346 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

350 Index
Driving uphill 191
Fine adjustment 192
Saving current speed 191
Setting speeds 192
Cruise control lever 190
Cruising range, fuel 333
Cup holder
Cleaning 251
In front seat armrest 204
In rear seat armrest 205
Customer assistance system (CAC) 339
D
Daytime running lamp mode 100
Setting 121
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 150
Air recirculation mode 148, 157, 158
Alarm 80
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control 153
Central locking (control system) 125
Climate control 145
Cruise control 191
Defrost 148, 156
Engine with the key 52
ESP 77Exterior lamps 99
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 122
Front fog lamps 122
Hazard warning flasher 101
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 79
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 124
Rear window defroster 149, 158
Residual heat 159
Seat heater 94
Tow-away alarm 81
Deep water see Standing water 229
Defogging
Windshield 147, 155
Defrosting 147, 156
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 122
Interior lighting 124
Dialing
A number (telephone) 132
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 50
With starting 45
Digital clock 23
Digital speedometer 112Direction of rotation (tires) 242
Discharged battery
Jump starting 308
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 306
Display
Selecting 120
Display elements
Audio system 162
Displays
Digital speedometer 112
Messages 237, 260
Selecting 120
Service indicator 246
Showing malfunctions 115
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 128
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 103
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 217
Doors
Message in display 268
Opening from inside vehicle 88
Opening from outside 85
S203 MY03_A.book Page 350 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM