2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC brakes

242 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

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).

349 Index
Automatic transmission 138
Accelerator position 143
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 143
Fluid level 238
Gear ranges 140
Gear selector lever position 141
Gear shifting malfunctions 143
Kickdown 143
Manual shifting 139
One-touch gearshifting 139
Program mode selector switch 142
Selector lever position 138
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 238
Winter program mode 142
Auxiliary fuse box 313
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67, 341
Compatible child seats 67, 341
Self-test 67
Backrest
Folding forward 200
Folding rearward 200
Backrest tilt 33Backup lamps 291, 295
Bulbs 291
BAS 74, 341
Messages in display 263
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 286, 287
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 306
Battery, vehicle 240, 303
Charging 304
Disconnecting 304
Messages in display 278
Reconnecting 305
Reinstalling 304
Removing 304
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 341
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 293
Block heater 246
Blocking
Rear door window operation 71
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 284
For spare wheel 282Brake assist system (BAS) 341
Brake fluid 332
Checking 234
Brake lamp bulbs 291
Brake lamp, high mounted 291
Brake pads
Message in display 265
Brakes 224
Warning lamp 258
Break-in period 222
Bulbs, replacing 290
Additional turn signals 290
Backup lamps 291
Brake lamps 291
Fog lamps 290
Front lamps 290
High beam 290
High mounted brake lamp 291
License plate lamps 291, 295
Low beam 290
Parking lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Rear fog lamp 291, 295
Side marker lamps 290, 294
Standing lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Tail lamp assemblies 291, 295
Turn signal lamps 290, 291

357 Index
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 206
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 205
J
Jack 279
Jump starting 306
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 131
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 285
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 85
Changing the batteries 287
Checking the batteries 86
Factory setting 85
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Loss of 87
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote control 84
Restoring to factory setting 85
Selective setting 85
Starting the engine 44Turning off the engine 53
Unlocking the trunk lid 86
Unlocking with 30
Keys 84
Kickdown 143, 343
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 123
Km/h or mph in speedometer 123
L
Labels, identification 318
Lamp bulbs, exterior 290
Lamps, exterior
Front 290
Light sensor 272
Messages in display 272–275
Rear 291
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 257
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 85
Brakes 258
CHECK ENGINE 259
Coolant 266
Engine diagnostics 257, 259
ESP 256
Fuel reserve 259
Instrument cluster 256–259Seat belts 259
Service indicator 247
SRS 57
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 124
Setting 124
LATCH child seat anchors 69
Folding back 70
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 319
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 253
License plate lamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 291, 295
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 252
Technical data 323
Light sensor 272
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 208
Lighting 101
Automatic headlamp mode 102
Combination switch 104
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Door entry lamps 106