2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 ESP

257 Practical hints
What to do if …
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
1
The red SRS indicator lamp lights
up while driving.
There is a malfunction in the restraint sys-
tems. The airbags or emergency tensioning
device (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to activate in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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 result in an
accident and/or injury to you or to others.

262 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS
are also deactivated. The brake system is
still functioning normally but without the
ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock in hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock in hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
BAS
BRAKE ASSIST
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts and the BAS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.

269 Practical hints
What to do if …
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The ESP is deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.

With vehicle stationary and the engine
running, turn the steering wheel
completely to the left and then to the
right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed.
The display will clear itself after driving a
short distance at more than 12 mph
(20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts and the ESP has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …ESP
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is deactivated because of a
malfunction.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of accident.
:
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 236) and add oil as required.
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.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

305 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.

Connect the negative lead.

Reinstall the filter box (
page 303).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 120)
Vehicles with COMAND*:
see COMAND operator’s manual.


Resynchronize the front seat head
restraints (
page 94).


Resynchronize the ESP
(page 75).


Resynchronize side windows
(page 189).


Resynchronize sliding/pop-up
roof* (
page 191).

308 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC*) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 80) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 129).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC*:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC*), the engine must be
shut off (key in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN (manual transmission:
gears disengaged) and the key must be
in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

320 Technical dataEngine
EngineModel
C 230 Kompressor Sport (203.040)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and
special equipment.
C 240 (203.061)
1
C 240 4MATIC (203.081)
1
Engine
271
112
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
4
6
Bore
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
Stroke
3.35 in (85.00 mm)
2.68 in (68.20 mm)
Total piston displacement
109.6 cu.in. (1 796 cm
3)
158.5cu.in. (2597cm
3)
Compression ratio
8.5:1
10.5:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
189 hp / 5 800 rpm
(141 kW / 5 800 rpm)
167 hp / 6 000 rpm
(125 kW / 6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349
192ft.lb/3500rpm
(260 Nm / 3 500 rpm)
177 ft.lb / 4 500 rpm
(240 Nm / 4 500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6 200 rpm
Firing order
1-3-4-2
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
7ft 11in (2420mm)
7 ft 10 in (2 390 mm)

321 Technical data
Engine
Model
C 320 (203.064)
1
C 320 4MATIC (203.084)
1
C 320 Sport (203.064)
1
C 320 4MATIC Sport (203.084)
1
C 32 AMG (203.065)
1
Engine
112
112
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
Bore
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
195.2cu.in. (3199cm
3)
195.2 cu.in. (3 199 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
214 hp / 5 700 rpm
(160 kW / 5 700 rpm)
348 hp / 6 100 rpm
(260 kW / 6 100 rpm)
Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349
229 ft.lb / 3 000 rpm
(310 Nm / 3 000 rpm)
333ft.lb/4400rpm
(450 Nm / 4 400 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6200 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
7ft 10in (2390mm)
9ft 6in (2902mm)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and
special equipment.