Page 262 of 370
268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS might not be operational.
With vehicle stationary and the en-
gine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize the
ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added cau-
tion.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear itself after driving
a short distance at more than 12 mph
(20 km/h).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 268 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 263 of 370
269 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.
When the voltage is above this val-
ue again, the ESP is operational
again.
If necessary, have the generator
and battery checked.
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function.
Continue driving with added cau-
tion.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added cau-
tion.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 269 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 264 of 370

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK LEVEL!
The engine oil level is too low.
Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its
disposal.
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.
Check the engine oil level
(page 235) and add oil as re-
quired.
If you must add engine oil frequent-
ly, have the engine checked for
possible leaks.
There is water in the oil.
Have the oil checked.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
Have the measuring system
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 270 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 291 of 370
297 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Side marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Carefully slide lamp towards rear.
Remove front end first.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert new bulb in socket.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Open tailgate (
page 87).
Switch off the lights.
Press button1 on the corresponding
side.
Fold down trim panel2.
Squeeze tabs together3.
Remove bulb holder.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 297 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 301 of 370

307 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the batteries
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2.
Connect the negative lead1.
Reinstall the filter box.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.!NEVER invert the terminal connections.!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 118) (vehi-
cles with COMAND*: see COMAND
operator’s manual).
Resynchronize the ESP
(page 268).
Resynchronize side windows
(page 186).
Resynchronize sliding/pop-up roof
(page 189).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 307 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 304 of 370

310 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 88).
!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).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 310 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 316 of 370

322 Technical dataEngine
EngineModel
C 240 (203.261)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
C 320 (203.264)
1
C 240 4MATIC (203.281)
1
C 320 4MATIC (203.284)
1
Engine
112
112
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
Bore
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
Stroke
2.68 in (68.20 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
158.5 cu.in. (2 597 cm
3)
195.2 cu.in. (3 199 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.5:1
10:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
167 hp / 5 500 rpm
(125 kW / 5 500 rpm)
214 hp / 5 700 rpm
(160 kW / 5 700 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
177ft.lb/4500rpm
(240 Nm / 4 500 rpm)
229 ft.lb / 3 000 rpm
(310 Nm / 3 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
7ft 10in (2390mm)
7 ft 10 in (2 390 mm)
S203 MY03_A.book Page 322 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 322 of 370

328 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and recommended by us.
Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
C 240
C 320
C 240 4MATIC
C 320 4MATIC
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Manual transmission
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
2
2MB part no. 001 989 26 03 10Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Front axle
C 240 4MATIC
C 320 4MATIC
0.5 US qt (0.46 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
C 240 4MATIC
C 320 4MATIC
approx. 0.62 US qt (0.59 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
S203 MY03_A.book Page 328 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM