2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 technical data

340 Technical dataConsumer informationTemperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. Grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

341 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
located in the center con-
sole lights up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

344 Technical termsPoly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case*


drive shaft


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
winter operationW.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal
depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

353 Index
Driving
Driving abroad 230
General instructions 41, 223
Hydroplaning 227
In winter 228
Problems 49
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 229
Driving abroad 230
Driving instructions 223
Driving off 225
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 78
ABS 73
BAS 74
ESP 75
Driving systems 193
Cruise control 193
Driving safety systems 73
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 93
Activating 129
Interrupting movement 93, 130
Electrical fuses 312
Electrical system
Technical data 326Electronic Stability Program
see ESP 23, 75, 342
Emergency call system* 210
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 212
Telephone* 185
With Tele Aid* 211
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 143
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Locking the vehicle 286
Opening sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Releasing trunk lid from inside 89
Remote door unlock 216
Unlocking the vehicle 285
Emergency tensioning device
see ETD 64, 342
Emission control 231
Emission control label 318
Ending
A call (telephone) 135
Engine 320
Compartment 235
Message in display 259Starting with automatic
transmission 44
Starting with manual
transmission 44
Starting with the key 44
Turning off with the key 53
Engine cleaning 250
Engine compartment 235
Fuse box in 312
Hood 235
Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 23, 259
Engine number 342
Engine oil 236, 332
Adding 237
Additives 332
Checking level 236
Consumption 236
Display messages 270
Filler neck 237
Messages in display 238, 270
Viscosity 342
Engine oil level see Oil level 234
ESP 23, 75, 342
Four wheel electronic traction
system with ESP 78

354 Index
Messages in display 269
Switching off 76
Switching on 77
Warning lamp 256
ETD 64, 342
Safety guidelines 59
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 233
Requirements 334
Switching fuels 334
Exterior lamp switch 47, 101
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 126
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Parking position* for 131
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 123
Fastening the seat belts 41
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
First aid kit 279
Flat tire 297
Lowering the vehicle 301
Mounting the spare wheel 297Preparing the vehicle 297
Spare wheel 281
Flexible fuel vehicles 334
At the gas station 233
Switching fuels 334
Flexible Service System (FSS) 247, 342
Fog lamp, rear 103, 291
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 290
Fog lamps, front 103
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 291
Switching on 103
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 78
4MATIC 78
Front airbags 60
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon type* 293
Halogen-type 292
Messages in display 272–275
Replacing bulbs 290, 292
Switching on 101
Front seat head restraints
Installing 94
Manual seat 94Power seat* 94
Removing 94
Front seats
Heater* 97
FSS (Flexible Service System) 247, 342
Fuel 234
Additives 334
Cruising range 335
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 335
Fuel reserve warning lamp 259
Gasoline additives 334
Premium unleaded
gasoline 234, 330, 333
Requirements 333, 334
Reserve warning 23
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 334
Technical data 329
Fuel additives 334
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 132
Since last reset 132, 133
Fuel filler flap 233
Locking 233
Opening 287
Unlocking 233

357 Index
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 206
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 205
J
Jack 279
Jump starting 306
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 131
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 285
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 85
Changing the batteries 287
Checking the batteries 86
Factory setting 85
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Loss of 87
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote control 84
Restoring to factory setting 85
Selective setting 85
Starting the engine 44Turning off the engine 53
Unlocking the trunk lid 86
Unlocking with 30
Keys 84
Kickdown 143, 343
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 123
Km/h or mph in speedometer 123
L
Labels, identification 318
Lamp bulbs, exterior 290
Lamps, exterior
Front 290
Light sensor 272
Messages in display 272–275
Rear 291
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 257
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 85
Brakes 258
CHECK ENGINE 259
Coolant 266
Engine diagnostics 257, 259
ESP 256
Fuel reserve 259
Instrument cluster 256–259Seat belts 259
Service indicator 247
SRS 57
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 124
Setting 124
LATCH child seat anchors 69
Folding back 70
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 319
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 253
License plate lamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 291, 295
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 252
Technical data 323
Light sensor 272
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 208
Lighting 101
Automatic headlamp mode 102
Combination switch 104
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Door entry lamps 106

358 Index
Exterior lamp switch 101
Front fog lamps 103
High beams 104
Instrument cluster illumination 107
Instruments 107, 108
Interior 105
Locator lighting 103
Low beam 101
Manual headlamp mode 102
Night security illumination 103
Parking lamps 101
Rear fog lamp 103
Settings (control system) 125
Trunk lamp 106
Limiting the gear range 140
Limp Home Mode 143
Loading 196
Instructions 202
Roof rack* 196
Ski sack* 196
Split rear bench seat* 199
Locator lighting 103
Setting 126
Lock button 343Locking 51, 84
Automatic while driving 91
Centrally from inside 92
Fuel filler flap 233
Global, SmartKey 85
Separately the trunk 90
Vehicle in an emergency 286
Loss of keys 87
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet 317
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 272
Replacing bulbs 290, 292
Lowering
Vehicle 301
Lubricants
Technical data 329
M
Main dimensions 327
Maintenance 12, 247
Vehicles with E85 fuel 335
Malfunction
Displaying 119
Malfunction memory 118
Calling up 118
Clearing 119Manual headlamp mode 102
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 287
Interior lighting control 105
Locking the trunk 90
Locking the vehicle 286
Sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Unlocking the driver’s door 285
Unlocking the trunk 91
Unlocking transmission
selector lever 288
Manual seat
Adjusting 33
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting head restraint height 33
Adjusting head restraint tilt 34
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Front seat head restraints 94
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Manual transmission 137
Shifting into reverse 137
Starting with 44
MAXCOOL Maximum cooling 160
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 253

365 Index
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 137
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 294
Side windows
Automatic opening 188
Cleaning 251
Closing 187, 188
Closing with SmartKey 188
Opening 187, 188
Opening fully 188
Opening with SmartKey 188
Stopping 188
Synchronizing power windows 189
Signal strength (telephone*) 134
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 49
Single wipe 49
Ski sack* 196
Removing 199
Unfolding and loading 196
Unloading and folding 198
Sliding/pop-up roof* 190
Closing 190, 289
Closing with SmartKey 191Opening 190, 289
Opening with SmartKey 191
Stopping 191
Synchronizing 192
SmartKey
Changing battery 286
Locking and unlocking 84
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof* with 191
Opening and closing
windows with 188
Unlocking with 30
Snow chains 246
Soft keys
Audio system 168
Spare fuses 313
Spare parts service 316
Spare wheel 281
Bolts 282
Minispare 300
Mounting 297
Removing 281
Speed
Saving current 194
Speed settings
Cruise control 195Speedometer 23
Settings units 123
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 123
Split rear bench seat* 199
SRS 63, 344
Indicator lamp 257
Standing lamps 101
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 293, 294
Standing water
Driving instructions 229
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 44
Station (radio)
Search 117
Station selection
Setting 128
Steel rims
Technical data 323
Steering column
Height adjustment 37, 38
Length adjustment 37, 38
Messages in display 276