2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 octane

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available.


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:


in the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350


in Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

234 OperationAt the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
More information on the coolant level
can be found in the “Operation” section
(
page 238).
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(page 332).
Removing fuse box cover
(page 312).
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see the “Operation” section
(page 241).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Operation” section
(
page 236).
Opening hood (
page 235).
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). More information on
coolant can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 238).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 290).
Exterior lamp switch (
page 101).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the “Operation” section
(
page 243).
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (MY 2003
Mercedes-Benz C 320 models, except
those equipped with manual transmis-
sion or 4MATIC*):
More information on Flexible Fuel Vehi-
cles can be found in the “Technical da-
ta” section (
page 334).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the
?
lamp to
illuminate.
See also “Practical hints” section
(
page 259).

330 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Front axle
C2404MATIC
C3204MATIC
C3204MATICSport
0.5 US qt (0.46 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
C2404MATIC
C3204MATIC
C3204MATICSport
approx. 0.62 US qt (0.59 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C240 (all models)
C320 (all models)
C32AMG
approx. 8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
approx. 15.3 US qt (14.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / antifreeze agent
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON)Flexible Fuel Vehicle (MY 2003 Mercedes-Benz
C 320 models, except those equipped with
manual transmission or 4MATIC*):
Alternative fuel -- Ethanol fuel (E85)
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10

333 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded meeting
ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2. This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can
be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure etc.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2/3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the
vehicle is fully loaded or operating
in mountainous terrain.
iFlexible Fuel Vehicles (MY 2003
Mercedes-Benz C 320 models, except
those equipped with manual transmis-
sion or 4 - MATIC system*) are
designed to operate on premium
unleaded gasoline or Ethanol fuel (E85)
or any mixture of these two.
See notes on Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(page 334).

343 Technical terms
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each key.Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
SELECT
RADIO STATION
or
OPERATE CD PLAYER
.
Using commands you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

344 Technical termsPoly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case*


drive shaft


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
winter operationW.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal
depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

359 Index
Mechanical key 285
Memory function* 98, 343
Recalling positions from memory 99
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 100
Storing key dependent settings 99
Menus 112
AUDIO 116
Control system 343
In control system 114, 115
Malfunction memory 118
NAVI* 118
Settings menu 119
Standard display 116
Submenus 113
TEL* 134
Trip computer 132
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 123
Minispare wheel 300
Bolts 284
Removing 283Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 145
Adjusting 39
Automatic antiglare* for inside
mirror 144
Automatic antiglare* for rear view
mirror 144
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 131
Inside rear view mirror 39
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 100
MON (Motor Octane Number) 234, 343
Mph or km/h in speedometer 123
Multicontour seat* 96
Multifunction display 111, 343
Selecting language 124
Standard display 115
Multifunction display messages
ABS 262
BAS 263
Battery 278
Brake fluid 265
Brake pads 265Check engine 259
Coolant 267
Coolant level 266
Display 278
Doors 272
Engine 259
Engine oil level 270
ESP 269
Fuel reserve tank 272
Hood 272
Key 272
Lamps 272–275
Parking brake 264
Steering column not properly
locked 276
Steering gear oil level 276
Tele Aid* 277
Telephone* 277
Trunk lid 272
Washer fluid 278
Multifunction steering
wheel 24, 112, 343
Buttons 112

363 Index
Fuses 313
High beam bulbs 292
High beam bulbs
(xenon-type* headlamps) 293
License plate lamp bulbs 295
Low beam bulbs 292
Parking lamp bulbs 293, 294
Rear fog lamp bulb 295
Rear lamp bulbs 291, 295
Rear turn signal bulbs 295
Side marker lamp bulbs 294
Standing lamp bulbs 293, 294
Wiper blade insert 296
Wiper blades 296
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the
instrument cluster 23, 120
Resetting
All functions (control system) 120
All functions of a submenu 120
Fuel consumption 132, 133
Service indicator (FSS) 248
Trip odometer 109
Residual heat utilization 163
Residual ventilation 163Restraint system see Infant and child
restraint systems 65, 68, 344
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 137
Rims 322
Roadside Assistance 12
Rolling code programming 219
RON
(Research Octane Number) 234, 344
Roof rack* 196
Rotating wheels 244
Rubber parts
Cleaning 252
S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 41
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 73
Saving current speed 194
Searching
Radio station 117Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belt height adjustment 43
Seat belts 61
Cleaning 252
Fastening 41
Height adjustment 43
Proper use of 43, 63
Safety guidelines 59
Warning lamp 259
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 96
Seat heater*
Switching off 97
Switching on 97
Seats 93
Adjusting 32, 33
Easy entry/exit feature* 93
Heater* 97
Manual seat 33
Multicontour seat* 96
Power seat* 34
Rapid seat heating* 97
Split rear bench seat* 199
Selecting
Display 124