2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC heating

97 Controls in detail
Seats
Heated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.
Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.A red indicator lamp on the switch
lights up.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
light up.Switching off seat heating

If one indicator lamp is on, press upper
switch position1.

If both indicator lamps are on, press
lower switch position2.
!If one or both of the lamps on the seat
heater switch are blinking, there is in-
sufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heater switches off auto-
matically.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.

155 Controls in detail
Climate control
Ventilated storage compartment
The front center console storage compart-
ment has its own air vent that allows for
cooling ventilation when the automatic cli-
mate control system is activated.
1LeverOpening the air vent

Raise lever1.
Closing the air vent

Lower lever1.Rear passenger compartment adjust-
able air vents
1Center air vent, left
2Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
3Center air vent, right
To open center air vents:
Turn thumbwheel2 upward.
iYou should keep this air vent closed
when outside temperatures are low.
iThe compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent while heating
the passenger compartment.!Do not obstruct the air vent in the
storage compartment.
iThe temperature at the air vents for the
rear passenger compartment1 and3
is the same as at the dashboard center
air vents.

206 Controls in detailUseful featuresArmrest storage spaces
Opening compartment in armrest
Lift armrest by handle1.
Opening compartment under armrest

Lift armrest by handle2.
Closing

Lower armrest until it engages in lock.Changing inclination of armrest

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle2 to lower armrest.Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 155)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the
storage compartment.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.

208 Controls in detailUseful featuresCigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter is located in the cen-
ter console compartment in front of the
armrest (
page 25).
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover

Turn key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Slide cover2 rearward.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.iThe lighter socket can be used to ac-
commodate electrical accessories up
to a maximum 85 W.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and personal
injury.

224 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistanceBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subject to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
When the engine is not running, the brake
and steering systems are without power as-
sistance. Under these circumstances, a
much greater effort is necessary to stop or
steer the vehicleWarning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 74).

225 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow one drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
can result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission: first or reverse gear).
In addition, when parking on hills,
always turn front wheels towards road
curb.

362 IndexProblems
While driving 49
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 344
Automatic transmission 142
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 136
R
Radio
Selecting stations 117
Station search 117
Station selection setting 128
Radio mode 171
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 230
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 133
Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 97
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat
Foldable* 199Rear door window
Blocking operation 71
Rear fog lamp 291
Bulb 291
Switching on 103
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 295
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 37
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 155, 164
Rear seat head restraints
Adjusting 35
Adjusting tilt 36
Folding back 36
Folding back with switch 36
Installing 95
Outer seats 95
Placing upright 36
Removing 95
Rear view mirror automatic
antiglare* 144
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 153, 162
Rear window sunshade* 147Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 305
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 332
Regular checks 234
Reinstalling vehicle battery 304
Remote control
Integrated 218
SmartKey 84
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 216
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 344
Removing
Minispare wheel 283
Spare wheel 281
Vehicle battery 304
Vehicle tool kit 279
Wheel 299
Wiper blade insert 296
Wiper blades 296
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 295
Brake lamp bulbs 295
Bulbs 290
Front lamp bulbs 292
Front turn signal bulbs 292, 293

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