2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT Windshield

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Adjusting .............................................. 32
Seats .............................................. 32
Steering wheel ................................ 36
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belt ................... 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Problems while driving.................... 49
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off engine ........................... 52

Contents
Manual transmission ......................... 141
Shifting into reverse ..................... 141
Automatic transmission* ................... 142
One-touch gearshifting................. 143
Gear ranges ................................. 144
Gear selector lever position ......... 145
Program mode selector switch..... 146
Accelerator position ..................... 147
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 147
Good visibility .................................... 148
Windshield wipers ........................ 148
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 148
Rear view mirrors ......................... 149
Sun visors .................................... 151
Rear window sunshade* .............. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Climate control .................................. 154
Setting the temperature ............... 156
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 157
Defrosting .................................... 158
Air recirculation mode.................. 158
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 159
Air conditioning ............................ 160Ventilated storage compartment .. 160
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 161
Automatic climate control* ................ 162
Setting the temperature................ 165
Adjusting air distribution............... 166
Adjusting air volume ..................... 166
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 167
Defrosting ..................................... 167
Air recirculation mode .................. 167
Charcoal filter ............................... 169
Air conditioning............................. 170
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 172
Audio system ...................................... 173
Audio and telephone, operation .... 173
Operating safety ........................... 173
Operating and display elements.... 174
Button and soft key operation....... 176
Operation ...................................... 176
Radio operation ............................ 179
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)... 182
Cassette operation ....................... 186
CD changer* operation ................. 189
Telephone* operation ................... 193Power windows .................................. 200
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 200
Synchronizing power windows ...... 202
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 203
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 203
Synchronizing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 205
Driving systems .................................. 206
Cruise control ............................... 206
Loading .............................................. 209
Roof rack* .................................... 209
Ski sack* ...................................... 209
Split rear bench seat* .................. 212
Loading instructions ..................... 214
Useful features ................................... 216
Interior storage spaces ................. 216
Ashtrays........................................ 220
Cigarette lighter ............................ 221
Telephone* ................................... 222
Tele Aid* ....................................... 223
Garage door opener ...................... 231

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 239
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 241
Parking ......................................... 241
Tires ............................................. 242
Hydroplaning ................................ 242
Tire traction .................................. 243
Tire speed rating .......................... 243
Winter driving instructions ........... 244
Standing water ............................. 245
Passenger compartment .............. 246
Driving abroad .............................. 246
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 246
Catalytic converter ....................... 247
Emission control........................... 247
Coolant temperature .................... 248At the gas station .............................. 249
Refueling ...................................... 249
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 251
Engine compartment ......................... 252
Hood ............................................ 252
Engine oil ..................................... 253
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant level ................................ 257
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 260
Life of tire..................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Rotating wheels ........................... 262Winter driving .................................... 263
Winter tires .................................. 263
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 264
Snow chains................................. 264
Maintenance...................................... 265
Clearing the service indicator ...... 265
Service term exceeded ................ 265
Calling up the service indicator .... 266
Resetting the service indicator .... 266
Vehicle care....................................... 267
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 267

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 335
Spare parts service ............................ 336
Warranty coverage ............................. 337
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 337
Identification labels............................ 338
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 339
C 230 Kompressor Sport.............. 339
C 240/C 320 (all models) ............ 339
C 32 AMG..................................... 339
Engine ................................................ 340
Rims and Tires ................................... 342
Same size tires ............................. 343
Mixed size tires ............................ 344
Minispare wheel ........................... 345
Electrical system................................ 346
Main dimensions................................ 347
Weights .............................................. 348Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 349
Capacities .................................... 349
Engine oils.................................... 352
Engine oil additives ...................... 352
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 352
Brake fluid .................................... 352
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 353
Fuel requirements ........................ 353
Gasoline additives ........................ 354
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 354
Coolants....................................... 356
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 358
Consumer information ....................... 359
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 359
Technical terms............................... 361Index................................................. 367

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
47


Windshield wipers
47


High beam
47
2
Cruise control lever
206
3
Instrument cluster
22,
109
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
114
5
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
6
Overhead control panel
27
7
Glove box lid release, glove
box lock
216
8
Glove box
216
9
Center console
25
a
Starter switch
31
b
Horn
c
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
37
d
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk (electrical)*
37
Item
Page
e
Hood lock release
252
f
Parking brake pedal
45, 50
g
Trunk lid release switch
86
h
Door control panel
28
j
Parking brake release
45
k
Exterior lamp switch
102
l
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38
m
Headlamp washer switch*
148

47 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press combination switch up1 or
down2.High beam

Push combination switch forward.
The high beam symbolA in the
instrument cluster comes on.
For more information on high beam, see
“Combination switch” (
page 105).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal flashes three times.

48 Getting startedDrivingSwitching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the
desired position depending on the
intensity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speedSingle wipe

Press combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push combination switch in direction of
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 259).
iVehicles without rain sensor*:
Fast wiper speedIII goes to settingII
when the vehicle is standing still.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Intermittent wiping interval is depen-
dent on wetness of windshield. Wiping
will not occur with a front door open.
!Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when the vehicle is tak-
en to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will oper-
ate in the presence of water sprayed on
the windshield, and wipers may be
damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.

49 Getting started
Driving
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.
The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 257).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.
!If anything blocks the windshield
wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch
them off immediately.

For safety reasons, withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch
before attempting to remove any
blockage.


Remove blockage.


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