2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT Brake light

251 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 257).
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
Removing fuse box cover
(
page 333).
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 259).Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 253).
Opening hood (
page 252).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (page 310).
Exterior lamp switch (page 102).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
(
page 261).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 275).

293 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
RESERVE FUEL
GO TO GAS STATION!
The fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 249).
CHECK GAS CAP!
SEE OPERATOR’S MANUAL
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap (
page 249).
Y
HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 252).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
REPLACE KEY!
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
No additional code available for
SmartKey.

Change the SmartKey.
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT!

The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
SmartKey in starter switch position1
or2.

Remove SmartKey from the starter
switch.
BRAKE LIGHT
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!

The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!

The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

304 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 342).Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel or other
steel rims. The use of any wheel bolts
other than wheel bolts2 for the
Minispare wheel or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

311 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


12 volt bulbs of the same type and
with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the
following lamps replaced by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:

Additional turn signals in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Brake lamp
P21W
9
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
a
Backup lamp
P21W
b
Tail, parking,
standing and side
marker lamp
P21/5W
c
License plate lamps
C5W
d
Rear fog lamp,
driver’s side
P21/4W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

320 Practical hintsFlat tireMounting the new wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide Minispare wheel onto the
alignment bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel or other
steel rims. The use of any wheel bolts
other than wheel bolts2 for the
Minispare wheel or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct mounting
bolts.

327 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the
discharged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal4 of the discharged
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp
cable to charged battery3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and2.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 258).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

361 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
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). 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
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. 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
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

372 IndexCenter console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 279
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 127
Central locking
Automatic 90
From inside 91
Switch 91
Switching on/off
(control system) 133
Unlocking from inside 91
Central locking switch 91
Certification label 338
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 307
CDs 189
Key setting 133
Charcoal filter 169Charging
Vehicle battery 324
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp 276
Checking
Brake fluid 251
Coolant level 251, 257
Engine oil level 251, 254
Tire inflation pressure 251
Vehicle lighting 251
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint
systems 60, 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors
see LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 221Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 148
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 271
Instrument cluster 270
Leather upholstery 271
Light alloy wheels 270
MB Tex upholstery 272
Plastic and rubber parts 272
Seat belts 271
Steering wheel 271
Upholstery 271
Windows 270
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272