2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 241

ContentsOperation......................................... 221
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 222
Driving instructions ............................ 223
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 223
Drinking and driving ..................... 223
Pedals .......................................... 223
Power assistance ......................... 224
Brakes .......................................... 224
Driving off..................................... 225
Parking ......................................... 225
Tires ............................................. 226
Hydroplaning ................................ 227
Tire traction .................................. 227
Tire speed rating .......................... 227
Winter driving instructions ........... 228
Standing water ............................. 229
Passenger compartment .............. 230
Driving abroad .............................. 230
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 230
Catalytic converter ....................... 231
Emission control........................... 231
Coolant temperature .................... 232At the gas station .............................. 233
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 234
Engine compartment ......................... 235
Hood ............................................ 235
Engine oil ..................................... 236
Transmission fluid level ................ 238
Coolant level ................................ 238
Battery ......................................... 240
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning* system ......... 241
Tires and wheels ................................ 242
Important guidelines .................... 242
Life of tire..................................... 243
Direction of rotation ..................... 243
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 243
Rotating wheels ........................... 244
Winter driving .................................... 245
Winter tires .................................. 245
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 246
Snow chains ................................. 246Maintenance...................................... 247
Clearing the service indicator ...... 247
Service term exceeded ................ 247
Calling up the service indicator .... 248
Resetting the service indicator .... 248
Vehicle care....................................... 249
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 249

49 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Press switch in the direction of arrow1
past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
Information on filling up the washer reser-
voir can be found in the “Operation” sec-
tion (page 241).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If leaves, snow, etc. block the wind-
shield wipers, switch off the wipers.

For safety reasons, withdraw key
from starter switch. Remove block-
age.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.


have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

146 Controls in detailGood visibilityHeadlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition.

Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
Information on filling up the washer
reservoir can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 241).
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Swing sun visors down when you
experience glare.1Mounting
2Mirror cover
3Mirror lamp
4Sun visor

To use illuminated mirror, lift up
cover2.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.
iIf sunlight enters through a side
window, disengage sun visor from
mounting1 and pivot to the side.
The mirror lamp3 will switch off.

234 OperationAt the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
More information on the coolant level
can be found in the “Operation” section
(
page 238).
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(page 332).
Removing fuse box cover
(page 312).
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see the “Operation” section
(page 241).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Operation” section
(
page 236).
Opening hood (
page 235).
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). More information on
coolant can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 238).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 290).
Exterior lamp switch (
page 101).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the “Operation” section
(
page 243).
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (MY 2003
Mercedes-Benz C 320 models, except
those equipped with manual transmis-
sion or 4MATIC*):
More information on Flexible Fuel Vehi-
cles can be found in the “Technical da-
ta” section (
page 334).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the
?
lamp to
illuminate.
See also “Practical hints” section
(
page 259).

241 Operation
Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning* system
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of

Vehicles without headlamp cleaning
system: approx. 3.2 US qt. (3.0 l).


Vehicles with headlamp cleaning
system*: approx. 6.4 US qt. (6.0 l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent / antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing. Failure to do so could result in
damage to the washer system/reser-
voir.
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 338).1Washer fluid reservoir
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer solvent /
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it
may ignite. You could be seriously burned.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.

278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
can no longer supply the convenience
functions such as seat heater*.

Start the engine (
page 44).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center (
page 259).
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 241).

355 Index
Fuel requirements 333
For ethanol fuel 334
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 272
Fuel tank
Capacity 330
Filler flap 233
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 329
Functions (control system) 112, 115
Resetting 120
Fuse box 312
Fuse chart 312
Fuse extractor 313
Fuses 312
Auxiliary fuse box in the trunk 313
F us e box in e ng ine com pa rtm ent 3 12
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 312
Fuse chart 312
Fuse extractor 313
Spare fuses 313G
Garage door opener 27, 217
Erasing in remote control 220
Integrated remote control 218
Rolling code programming 219
Gasoline see Fuel 234
Gasoline additives 334
Gear range 342
Automatic transmission 140
Limiting 140
Shifting into optimal 139
Gear range limit
Canceling 139
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 252
Position 141
Global
Locking 85
Unlocking 85
Global Positioning System (GPS) 342
Glove box 21, 203
Closing 203
Opening 203
Good visibility 144
GPS 342
GPS see COMAND* 210H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 292
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 218
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 252
Hazard warning flasher 104
Switching off 104
Switching on 104
Head restraints 94
Manual seats 33
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 35
Headlamp cleaning system* 241
Headlamp shut-off delay
see Delayed shut-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic control 102
Bi-Xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 293
Bi-Xenon* 341
Cleaning 251
Cleaning system* 146, 241, 338

356 Index
Halogen-type
Replacing bulbs 292
Refilling washer fluid 241
Switching off 52
Switching on 47
Washer fluid 338
Headliner
Cleaning 252
Heated seats* 97
Height adjustment
Head restraints 33, 35, 37
Seat belts 43
Steering wheel 37
High beam flasher 47, 104
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 290, 292
Switching on 104
High beam headlamps xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 293
High mounted brake lamp 291
Hood 235
Closing 236
Message in display 272
Opening 235
Hydroplaning 227I
Identification labels 318
Certification label 318
Vehicle identification
number (VIN) 318
Ignition 31
Switching on 44
Immobilizer 79
Activating 79
Deactivating 79
Indicator lamps
see Lamps, indicator and warning
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Installing 68
LATCH child seat anchors 69
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 214
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 39
Antiglare 144
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 68
Towing eye bolt 311
Wiper blades 296Instrument cluster 22, 107, 342
Cleaning 252
Coolant temperature display 108
Illumination 107
Lamps in 256–259
Multifunction display 111
Outside temperature indicator 110
Selecting language 124
Instrument lighting 107, 108
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 20
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 219
Erasing memory 220
Hand-held transmitter 218
Operating 220
Rolling code programming 219
Interior lighting 105
Activating automatic control 105
Deactivating automatic control 105
Delayed shut-off 127
Manual operation 105
Interior storage spaces 203
Armrest 206
Cup holder 204, 205
Glove box 203