Page 6 of 376

ContentsOperation.........................................  221
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) .........  222
Driving instructions ............................  223
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  223
Drinking and driving .....................  223
Pedals ..........................................  223
Power assistance .........................  224
Brakes ..........................................  224
Driving off.....................................  225
Parking .........................................  225
Tires .............................................  226
Hydroplaning ................................  227
Tire traction ..................................  227
Tire speed rating ..........................  227
Winter driving instructions ...........  228
Standing water .............................  229
Passenger compartment ..............  230
Driving abroad ..............................  230
Control and operation of 
radio transmitter ..........................  230
Catalytic converter .......................  231
Emission control...........................  231
Coolant temperature ....................  232At the gas station ..............................  233
Check regularly and before 
a long trip .....................................  234
Engine compartment .........................  235
Hood ............................................  235
Engine oil .....................................  236
Transmission fluid level ................  238
Coolant level ................................  238
Battery .........................................  240
Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning* system .........  241
Tires and wheels ................................  242
Important guidelines ....................  242
Life of tire.....................................  243
Direction of rotation .....................  243
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  243
Rotating wheels ...........................  244
Winter driving ....................................  245
Winter tires ..................................  245
Block heater (Canada only) ..........  246
Snow chains .................................  246Maintenance......................................  247
Clearing the service indicator ......  247
Service term exceeded ................  247
Calling up the service indicator ....  248
Resetting the service indicator ....  248
Vehicle care.......................................  249
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........  249 
     
        
        Page 8 of 376
ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ..........  329
Capacities ....................................  329
Engine oils ....................................  332
Engine oil additives ......................  332
Air conditioning refrigerant ..........  332
Brake fluid ....................................  332
Premium unleaded gasoline .........  333
Fuel requirements ........................  333
Gasoline additives ........................  334
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ...................  334
Coolants .......................................  336
Windshield washer and 
headlamp cleaning* system .........  338
Consumer information .......................  339
Uniform tire quality grading..........  339
Technical terms...............................  341Index.................................................  347 
     
        
        Page 50 of 376
50 Getting startedDrivingThe coolant temperature is over 248°F 
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer 
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible 
and turn off the engine. Allow engine 
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 238).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner. 
     
        
        Page 108 of 376

108 Controls in detailInstrument clusterCoolant temperature display
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to 
position1 or2.
Call up the trip odometer and main 
odometer by pressing button
è
 
or
ÿ
 on the multifunction steering 
wheel (page 112).
Press button
j
 or
k
 until the 
coolant temperature display appears.During severe operating conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature above 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which 
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the engine hood. Stay away 
from the engine if you see or hear steam 
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until it 
cools down.
iExcessive coolant temperatures trigger 
a warning in the multifunction display. 
     
        
        Page 115 of 376
115 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu 1
Menu 2
Menu 3
Menu 4
Menu 5
Menu 6
Menu 7
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI*
Malfunction 
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone*
Commands/submenusCoolant temper-
ature display
Select radio 
station
Activate route 
guidance
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
after start
Load phone book
Digital speedom-
eter
Operate CD 
player*
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
since the last 
reset
Search for name 
in phone book
Call up FSS
Operate casette 
player
Lighting sub-
menu
Call up range
Check engine oil 
level
Vehicle submenuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 116 of 376

116 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
You can select the functions in the stan-
dard display menu with button
k
 
or
j
.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press button
j
 twice.
The current vehicle speed is shown in 
the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the 
AUDIO
 menu operate 
the audio equipment which you currently 
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned 
on, the message 
AUDIO OFF
 i s  s h o w n  i n  t h e  
display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table 
are designed to facilitate navigation 
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the 
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each 
menu will automatically show you 
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up coolant temperature 
display
108
Call up digital speedometer 
see 
below
Call up FSS
247
Check engine oil level
236
Function
Page
Select radio station
117
Operate CD player*
117
Operate cassette player
118 
     
        
        Page 232 of 376

232 OperationDriving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approx. 248°F 
(120°C).
The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature over 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to 
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon 
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas 
(such as a garage) which are not properly 
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas 
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, 
have the cause determined and corrected 
immediately. If you must drive under these 
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which 
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the engine hood. Stay away 
f r o m  t h e  e n g i n e  i f  y o u  s e e  o r  h e a r  s t e a m  
coming from it. 
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until it 
cools down. 
     
        
        Page 234 of 376

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).