2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON parking brake

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
47


Windshield wipers
48


High beam
47
2
Cruise control lever
190
3
Instrument cluster
22,
104
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
108
5
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
6
Overhead control panel
27
7
Opening glove box
203
8
Glove box
203
Item
Page
9
Center console
25
10
Starter switch
31, 44
11
Horn
12
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
37
13
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk (electrical)*
37
14
Hood lock release
234
15
Parking brake pedal
46
16
Door control panel
28
17
Parking brake release
51
18
Exterior lamp switch
47, 98
19
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38, 97
20
Headlamp washer switch
143
S203 MY03_A.book Page 21 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

46 Getting startedDrivingParking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle1.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move selector lever to positionD orR
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking
brake, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 46 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake 2.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp
;
(USA only) or
3

(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to stop or steer the vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the key to starter switch position0
and remove.


Take the key and lock vehicle when leav-
ing.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 51 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

52 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
M

(
page 47).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 98).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).
Turning off

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The key can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector le-
ver in positionP.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 52 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 254) and
(
page 268).
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp
v
flashing in the
speedometer dial. In this case proceed as
follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving ease up on the accelerator


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it in-
crease the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
t i o n , t h e e n g i n e m u s t b e s h u t o f f ( k e y i n
starter switch position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 76 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFour wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC*) with ESP
Only models with all-wheel-drive*
(4MATIC).
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy con-
ditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lamp
v
flash-
ing in the speedometer dial, proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving ease up on the accelerator


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a 2-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
t i o n , t h e e n g i n e m u s t b e s h u t o f f ( k e y i n
starter switch position0 or1) when
the parking brake is being tested on a
brake test dynamometer
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine run-
ning can only be conducted on a 2-axle
dynamometer.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 78 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

134 Controls in detailManual transmission
Manual transmissionInformation for driving with a manual
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
page 44).
Gearshift leverDo not exceed the maximum speed in the
individual gears. Refer to tachometer
(page 105) for engine speeds.
Shifting into reverse
Stop the vehicle completely.

Pull gearshift lever up and shift in
Rreverse.
Warning!
G
For vehicles equipped with a manual trans-
mission, getting out of your vehicle with the
gearshift lever not engaged in first or re-
verse gear and parking brake engaged is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
an engaged first or reverse gear alone may
not prevent your vehicle from moving, possi-
bly hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
engaging first or reverse gear (
page 51).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the gearshift
lever, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.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 loss of control.!Downshifting gears leading to overrev-
ving the engine can result in engine
damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not exceed the engine speed limits
(page 105).
Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill
by using the clutch pedal. The clutch
may be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 134 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

138 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Gear selector lever position
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
positionP when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP. With the key re-
moved the selector lever is locked in
positionP.
Effect
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmission,
never engageN while driving.
If ESP is deactivated or malfunction-
ing:
Only move selector lever toN if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g.
on icy roads).
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with selector lever inN
can result in transmission damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, positionP alone is not intend-
ed to or capable of preventing your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or ob-
jects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 51).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 138 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM