2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON ABS

190 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
The BAS, ABS and ESP driving systems are
described in the “Safety and Security” sec-
tion (page 73).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 190 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

195 Controls in detail
Loading

Connect snap hook6 of front strap to
eye7 located on center tunnel in front
of rear seat bench.Unloading and folding

Loosen strap, open clasp by pressing
tabs8 together (arrows).

Unload skis.

Close flap in cargo compartment.

Disconnect snap hook6 from eye7.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise
and place folded ski sack inside recess
of backrest.

Close ski sack compartment cover1.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 195 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Storage compartment under cargo compartment floor
To open cargo compartment floor
Press handle1 on the recess.

Lift compartment cover.To close cargo compartment floor

Lower the cover and lock by applying
light pressure to the handle1.
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a lug-
gage cover and a partition net. It is mount-
ed on the backrest of the rear seat and can
also be used with backrest folded down.Partition net
Partition net with rear seats folded up
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof

Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.
iThe compartment can be used to store
small, light or flat objects.
Warning!
G
If items are stored in the compartment,
make sure compartment is securely closed.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 197 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

198 Controls in detailLoadingPartition net with rear seats folded
down
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof
Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1 until it engages.

Fold seat forward (
page 199).

Pull out upper blind fully.

Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.Luggage cover
Closing

Pull luggage cover back by handle1
until it locks into position.
Opening

Press handle1 down and release.
The luggage cover retracts automati-
cally.Twin-reel roller blind

Retract the safety net and luggage cov-
er.
Removing

Fold split rear bench seat forward
(page 199).

Slide twin-reel roller blind1 to left and
remove.
iWith the luggage cover rolled up, fold
the lip down.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 198 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

228 OperationDriving instructionsWinter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to positionN or in
case of manual transmission declutch. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling at
length on salt-strewn roads.
This can bring road salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal. Be very careful
that you carry out these braking maneu-
vers without endangering any other road
users.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
For more information on winter driving
(
page 244).
iInformation on driving with snow
chains (
page 245).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
s i g n e d t o s e r v e a s a n i c e - w a r n i n g d e v i c e a n d
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 228 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

244 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 336).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP and 4MATIC*
in winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 244 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

255 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 255 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

261 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS
are also deactivated. The brake system is
still functioning normally but without the
ABS available.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion. Wheels will lock in hard brak-
ing reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion. Wheels will lock in hard brak-
ing reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 261 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM