Page 233 of 376

233 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the remote control automatically
locks/unlocks the fuel filler flap.
Remove the key from the starter
switch.
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.
Take off the cap and set it in the recess
on the fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline! Warning!
G
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (MY 2003
Mercedes-Benz C 320 models, except those
equipped with manual transmission or
4MATIC*) only:
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its vapors are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of Ethanol
fumes and skin contact with Ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
Page 287 of 376
287 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
SmartKey
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove mechanical key1
(page 285).
Insert the mechanical key in side open-
ing and push gray slide.
The battery compartment2 is un-
latched.
Pull the battery compartment2 out of
the key housing in direction of arrow.3Battery
4Contact spring
Remove the batteries.
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.
Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.
Fuel filler flap
Open trunk lid.
Fold away right-side tail lamp trim.
Reach inside through opening2.
Turn release knob1 clockwise (arrow).
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
Page 292 of 376

292 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Halogen headlamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam head-
lamp, parking and standing lamp
3Headlamp cover for low beam head-
lamp4Low beam headlamp bulb
5High beam headlamp bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulb
Low and high beam bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 235).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover2 or 3.
Pull electrical connector off.
Unclip the retainer springs and take out
the bulb.
Insert the new bulb so that the base
locates in the recess on the holder.
Clip the retainer springs and plug the
connector onto the bulb.
Align headlamp cover2 or 3 and click
into place.
Front turn signal lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 235).
Twist bulb socket1 counterclockwise
and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.
Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise.
Page 302 of 376
302 Practical hintsFlat tireWheel cover on vehicles with steel rims
(Canada only)
Position small wheel cover opening
over tire valve and press wheel cover
against wheel rim.
Now press (do not hit) opposite side of
wheel cover against wheel rim until
seated.
Make certain that the springs of the
wheel cover are firmly seated in the
outer rim of the steel wheel.
Page 332 of 376

332 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, use
only engine oils recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available in the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet, or at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may be harmful to the engine opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil, otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.