2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 COUPE checking oil

227 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

229 Operation
Engine compartment

Screw the cap back on the filler neck.
Other display messages
If there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned.
If the key is not turned to position 2 in the
starter switch:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL IGNITION ON
PLEASE!
Switch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
Wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If a proper oil level check cannot be per-
formed, the following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL - MASURING NOT POS-
SIBLE
Repeat the engine oil level check after
a short while.
See “Practical hints” (
page 262) if an en-
gine oil level indicator appears on the dis-
play when the engine is running.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 317).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.

234 OperationTires and wheelsLife of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better aquaplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days. If the tires are warm you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops

check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects


check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.

268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
<
FRT. PASSENGER SEAT
LOOK!
The display reminds you and your passen-
ger to fasten the seat belt.

Fasten the seat belts.
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you to fasten the seat
belt.

Fasten the seat belts.
_
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST
LOCK!
The steering column is not properly locked.

Lock the steering column properly
(page 38).
POWER STEERING FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The power steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear damage.

Have the system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

336 IndexCassette player
Operating 112
Catalytic converter 222
CD changer* 172
CD mode 172
CD player
Operating 111
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 251
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 117
Central locking
From inside 87
Switch 87
Switching on/off (control system) 122
Unlocking from inside 87
Central locking switch 87
Certification label 308
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 276
Key setting 123
Changing CDs 172
Charcoal filter 156
Charging
Vehicle battery 295CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 250
Checking
Coolant level 225, 229
Oil level 225, 227
Tire inflate pressure 225
Vehicle lighting 225
Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
65
LATCH child seat mounts 70
Child seat mounts see LATCH child seat
mounts 70
Cigarette lighter 199
Cleaning
Cup holder 243
Gear selector lever 243
Hard plastic trim items 244
Headlamps 140
Headliner 244
Instrument cluster 243
Leather upholstery 244
Light alloy wheels 243
MB Tex upholstery 244
Plastic and rubber parts 244Seat belts 244
Steering wheel 243
Windows 243
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 243
Climate control 142
Adjusting 145
Defogging windshield 145
Defrosting 146
Rear window defroster 147
Setting the temperature 145
Clock 23, 116
Closing
Glove box 195
Hood 227
Side windows 182
Sliding/pop-up roof 186, 278
Sliding/pop-up roof with SmartKey
187
Sunshades for the
sliding/pop-up roof 185
Trunk lid 86
Windows 182
Windows with SmartKey 183
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 278

339 Index
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP 23, 75, 328
Emergency call
Telephone 179
Emergency call system* 201
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 204
With Tele Aid* 202
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 137
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 278
Locking the vehicle 275
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 278
Remote door unlock 208
Unlocking the vehicle 274
Emergency release
Trunk lid 86
Emergency tensioning device
see ETD 64, 328
Emission control 223
Emission control label 308
Ending
A call (telephone) 128
Engine
Compartment 226Message in display 250
Starting with automatic transmission
45
Starting with manual transmission 44
Starting with the key 45
Technical data 310
Turning off with the key 52
Engine cleaning 242
Engine compartment 226
Fuse box in 303
Hood 226
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23, 250
Engine number 328
Engine oil 227, 319
Adding 228
Additives 319
Checking level 227
Consumption 227
Display messages 262
Filler neck 228
Messages in display 229, 262
Viscosity 328
Engine oil level see Oil level 225
ESP 23, 75, 328
Messages in display 260
Switching off 76Switching on 77
Warning lamp 246
ETD 328
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 64
Exterior lamp switch 96
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 120
Exterior rear view mirror
Activating parking position 140
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 40
Parking position for 124
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 117
Fastening the seat belts 41
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 191
First aid kit 271
Flat tire 288
Inflating the spare tire 292
Lowering the vehicle 291
Mounting the spare wheel 288
Preparing the vehicle 288
Spare wheel 271

345 Index
Doors 260
Engine 250
Engine oil level 262
ESP 260
Fuel reserve tank 263
Hood 263
Key 263
Lamps 264–267
Parking brake 267
Power steering fluid 268
Steering wheel adjust 268
Tailgate 269
Tele Aid 269
Telephone* 269
Washer fluid 270
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 106, 329
Buttons 106
N
Navigation system
Operating 112
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 98
Setting 120O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 41
Infant and child restraint systems 65
LATCH child seat mounts 70
Seat belts 41, 60
Odometer, main 23
Oil
Adding 228
Checking level 227
Consumption 227
Dipstick 227
Filler neck 228
Viscosity 328
Oil level
Checking 225
One-touch gearshifting 133
Canceling gear range limit 133
Downshifting 133
Upshifting 133
Opening
Ashtray 198
Doors from the inside 85Fuel filler flap 224
Fuel filler flap manually 277
Glove box 195
Hood 226
Side windows 183
Sliding/pop-up roof 186, 278
Sliding/pop-up roof in an emergency
278
Sliding/pop-up roof with SmartKey
187
Sunshades for the sliding/pop-up roof
185
Trunk lid 85
Windows 182
Windows with SmartKey 183
Operating
Audio system 159
Cassette player 112
CD player 111
COMAND* see separate operating
instructions
Garage door opener 212
Integrated remote control 212
Navigation system 112
Radio 111
Radio transmitters 222