2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C32AMG warning

339 Technical data
Consumer information
Consumer information
The following text is published as required
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Tread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

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.

342 Technical termsCOMAND*
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other
optional equipment (CD changer,
telephone, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer
and fuel gauge.

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

351 Index
Climate control 148
Adjusting 151
Defogging windshield 151
Defrosting 151
Setting the temperature 150
Clock 23, 122
Closing
Glove box 203
Hood 236
Side windows 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* 190, 289
Sliding/pop-up roof*
with SmartKey 191
Trunk lid 89
Windows 187
Windows with SmartKey 188
Closing sliding/pop-up roof*
In an emergency 289
Cockpit 20, 341
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND*) 342
COMAND* see separate operating
instructionsCombination switch 104
High beam flasher 47
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Consumer information 339
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 230
Control system 111, 342
AUDIO menu 116
Convenience submenu 129
Display digital speedometer 116
Functions 112, 115
Instrument cluster submenu 122
Lighting submenu 125
Malfunction memory menu 118
Menus 114, 115, 343
Multifunction display 111
Multifunction steering wheel 112
NAVI menu* 118
Selecting radio system 117
Settings menu 119
Standard display menu 116
Submenus 113, 115
TEL* menu 134
Trip computer menu 132
Vehicle submenu 128Convenience submenu 129
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 129
Setting key dependency 131
Setting parking position* for
exterior rear view mirror 131
Coolant 238, 336
Adding 239
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 336
Capacities 329
Checking level 238
Messages in display 266, 267
Temperature 232
Temperature display 108
Warning lamp 267
Coolant level
Checking 234, 238
Cruise control 193, 342
Canceling 194
Driving downhill 194
Driving uphill 194
Fine adjustment 195
Saving current speed 194
Setting speeds 195
Cruise control lever 193

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