2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 heater system

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

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
97
2
Rear window sunshade
switch
147
3
ESP control switch
75
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
104
5
Central locking switch
92
6
Rear seat head restraints
switch
36
7
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
79
Tow-away alarm switch
80
Item
Page
8
Seat heater*, passenger
side
97
9
Indicator lamp
7
67,
260
10
Audio system, or
165
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
11
Climate control
148
Automatic climate control*
156
Rear window defroster
153,
162

97 Controls in detail
Seats
Heated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are locat-
ed in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.
Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.A red indicator lamp on the switch
lights up.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
light up.Switching off seat heating

If one indicator lamp is on, press upper
switch position1.

If both indicator lamps are on, press
lower switch position2.
!If one or both of the lamps on the seat
heater switch are blinking, there is in-
sufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heater switches off auto-
matically.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.

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).

347 Index
A
ABS 23, 73, 341
ABS control 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 257
Messages in display 262
Warning lamp 257
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 143
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 154, 163
Air recirculation mode 152, 160
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Automatic climate control* 157
Central locking (control system) 129
Charcoal filter 161
Climate control 149
Climate control system 153
Defrosting 151
Easy-entry/exit feature* 129
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 102
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 145Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 47
High beams 104
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 53, 79
Rear fog lamp 102
Rear window defroster 153, 162
Residual heat 163
Seat heater* 97
Tow-away alarm 80
Windshield wipers 48
Adding
Coolant 239
Engine oil 237
Additional turn signals 290
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 155, 164
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 151, 159
Air volume 151, 159
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 33, 35, 37
Head restraint tilt 34, 35, 36
Head restraints 36
Inside rear view mirror 39Instrument cluster illumination 107
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 39
Multicontour seat* 96
Power seat* 34
Rear seat head restraints 35
Seat belt height 43
Seat cushion depth 96
Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 34
Seat height 33, 35
Seats 32, 33
Steering column height 37, 38
Steering column length 37, 38
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 154, 163
Turning on 154, 163
Air conditioning refrigerant 332
Air distribution
Adjusting 151, 159
Air pressure
see Tire inflation pressure 243
Air recirculation mode 152, 160
Activating 152, 160
Deactivating 152, 161

349 Index
Automatic transmission 138
Accelerator position 143
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 143
Fluid level 238
Gear ranges 140
Gear selector lever position 141
Gear shifting malfunctions 143
Kickdown 143
Manual shifting 139
One-touch gearshifting 139
Program mode selector switch 142
Selector lever position 138
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 238
Winter program mode 142
Auxiliary fuse box 313
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67, 341
Compatible child seats 67, 341
Self-test 67
Backrest
Folding forward 200
Folding rearward 200
Backrest tilt 33Backup lamps 291, 295
Bulbs 291
BAS 74, 341
Messages in display 263
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 286, 287
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 306
Battery, vehicle 240, 303
Charging 304
Disconnecting 304
Messages in display 278
Reconnecting 305
Reinstalling 304
Removing 304
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 341
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 293
Block heater 246
Blocking
Rear door window operation 71
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 284
For spare wheel 282Brake assist system (BAS) 341
Brake fluid 332
Checking 234
Brake lamp bulbs 291
Brake lamp, high mounted 291
Brake pads
Message in display 265
Brakes 224
Warning lamp 258
Break-in period 222
Bulbs, replacing 290
Additional turn signals 290
Backup lamps 291
Brake lamps 291
Fog lamps 290
Front lamps 290
High beam 290
High mounted brake lamp 291
License plate lamps 291, 295
Low beam 290
Parking lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Rear fog lamp 291, 295
Side marker lamps 290, 294
Standing lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Tail lamp assemblies 291, 295
Turn signal lamps 290, 291

352 IndexCruising range, fuel 335
Cup holder
Cleaning 252
In front seat armrest 204
In rear seat armrest 205
Opening 204
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 341
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Setting 125
Deactivating
Air conditioner 154
Air recirculation mode 152, 161, 162
Alarm 80
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control* 157
Central locking (control system) 129
Climate control 149
Climate control system 153
Cruise control 194
Defrosting 152, 160
Engine with the key 53
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 102
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 126
Front fog lamps 126Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 52
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 127
Rear window defroster 153, 162
Seat heater* 97
Tow-away alarm 80
Deep water see Standing water 229
Defogging
Windshield 151, 159
Defrosting 151, 160
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 126
Interior lighting 127
Dialing
A number (telephone) 135
Difficulties
While driving
see Problems while driving 49
With starting 45
Digital speedometer 116
Direction of rotation (tires) 243
Discharged battery
Jump starting 306
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 304Display elements
Audio system 166
Displays
Digital speedometer 116
Messages 238, 261
Selecting 124
Service indicator 247
Showing malfunctions 119
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 132
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 106
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 216
Doors
Message in display 272
Opening from inside vehicle 87
Opening from outside 85
Downhill driving
Cruise control 194
Downshifting 137, 139
Drink holder see Cup holder 204
Drinking and driving 223

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