2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC wheel

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).

309 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC*: disconnected
at the front and rear axle drive flanges)
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

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).

313 Practical hintsFuses
Opening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps
Release clamps5.

Remove cover4.
Closing fuse box

Ensure that the sealing rubber is prop-
erly positioned.

Press the cover4 down and secure
with clamps5.
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk
The auxiliary fuse box is located in the
trunk.
1Trim panel
2Cover of auxiliary fuse box
3Special fuse extractor
Opening
Pull away trim panel1.

Remove cover2.Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found in the vehicle tool kit
in the spare wheel well.

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

324 Technical dataRims and TiresMixed size tires
C32AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
71/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/45 R17 91 Y
1
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R17 91 Y
2, 3
1Also permissible: 225/45 ZR17 91 Y2Also permissible: 245/40 ZR17 91 Y3Must not be used with snow chains.

325 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Spare wheel
Your vehicle is equipped with either a spare wheel with full size tire or Minispare wheel.
Spare wheel with full size tire
Minispare wheel
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C 240 (all models)
C 320 (all models)
C32AMG
Rim (light alloy)
-
71/2J x 17 H2
Rim (steel)
7J x 16 H2
-
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
All season tire (radial-ply tire)
205/55 R16 91 H
225/45 R17 91 Y
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C 240 (all models)
C 320 (all models)
Rim (steel)
3.5B x 16 H2
Wheel offset
0.67 in (17 mm)
All season tire (radial-ply tire)
T 125/90 R16 M 98
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

327 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
C230KompressorSport
C240
C320
C320Sport
C2404MATIC
C3204MATIC
C3204MATICSport
C32AMG
Overall vehicle length
178.2 in (4 526 mm)
178.2 in (4 526 mm)
178.2 in (4 526 mm)
178.2 in (4 526 mm)
Overall vehicle width
68.0 in (1 728 mm)
68.0 in (1 728 mm)
68.0 in (1 728 mm)
68.0 in (1 728 mm)
Overall vehicle height
56.4 in (1 433 mm)
56.3 in (1 429 mm)
56.0 in (1 422 mm)
56.1 in (1 426 mm)
Wheelbase
106.9 in (2 715 mm)
106.9 in (2 715 mm)
106.9 in (2 715 mm)
106.9 in (2 715 mm)
Track, front
58.8 in (1 493 mm)
58.8 in (1 493 mm)
58.8 in (1 493 mm)
58.8 in (1 493 mm)
Track, rear
57.6 in (1 464 mm)
57.6 in (1 464 mm)
57.6 in (1 464 mm)
58.0 in (1 474 mm)