2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 C 240 matic

C 230 Kompressor Sport
C240
C 240 4MATIC
C320
C 320 4MATIC
C320Sport
C 320 4MATIC Sport
C32AMG

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the starter switch. If
necessary, move steering wheel slight-
ly to allow the locking mechanism to
engage.
1Power supply to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.


Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 240).


Get a jump start (
page 306).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the starter
switch.

228 OperationDriving instructionsC240, C2404MATIC, C320, and
C 320 4MATIC
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
C 230 Kompressor Sport, C 320 Sport,
and C 320 4MATIC Sport
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).C32AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to positionN or in
case of manual transmission declutch. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iInformation on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 246).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

307 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine
compartment 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 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 the 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 the under hood
terminal4 of the discharged battery
with the jumper cables. Clamp cable to
charged battery3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

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

Have the battery checked at the near-
est 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 240).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

310 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the key in starter switch
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 80).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 129).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged

the key will not turn in the starter
switch. See notes on the battery
(page 240) or on jump starting
(page 306).


the selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. See notes on
manual unlocking of gear selector
lever (
page 288).

319 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
C 230 Kompressor Sport
1Power steering pump
2Idler pulley
3Mechanical loader
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
C240 / C320 (all models)
1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3Power steering pump
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump, fan
7Generator (alternator)
C32AMG
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Supercharger
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Power steering pump
6Air conditioning compressor
7Crankshaft
8Coolant pump, fan
9Generator (alternator)

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)

323 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Same size tires
C240
C2404MATIC
C320
C3204MATIC
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C320Sport
C 320 4MATIC Sport
C32AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7J x 16 H2
71/2J x 17
-
Rims (steel - Canada only)
7J x 16 H2
-
-
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
-
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H
-
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
225/45 R17 91 W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/50 R17 89 H M+S
2
or
225/45 R17 91 H M+S1, 2
2Only on rim 71
/
2 Jx17 H2 ET 37