2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON warning

288 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could
otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which may
have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message
ADD 1.0 Qt. ENGINE
OIL WHEN NEXT REFUELING!
(Canada:
1.0 LITER
) appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to
approximately the minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved oil.
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 254) and add oil as required
(page 256).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
ENGINE OIL SENSOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

297 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your
passengers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
FR. PASS. SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your
passengers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
1
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the SRS may
not be activated when needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.

298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
_
STEERING WHEEL ADJ.
LOCK!
The steering column is not properly
locked.

Lock steering column (
page 37).
STEERING OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear
damage.

Have the system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

301 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
3Vehicle tool kit
The following is included:

Towing eye bolt


Wheel wrench


Alignment bolt


Vehicle jack


Wheel bolts


Special fuse puller


Spare fusesVehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment behind the left trim panel.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.

Push crank handle up.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.

303 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?

Place storage well casing2 over the
luggage bowl5 and turn retaining
screw1 clockwise as far as it will go
to secure the Minispare wheel.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 341).
iArrow3 on luggage bowl5 must
point in the direction of travel. Other-
wise you cannot place the storage well
casing2 on top and secure the
Minispare wheel with the retaining
screw1.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.

304 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in vehicle tool kit)
!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.

306 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the tailgate
A minimum height clearance of 6.40 ft
(1.95 m) is required to open the tailgate.
The emergency release is located on the
inside of the tailgate.
1Release lever
2Cover
Remove cover2 from the trim on the
tailgate.

Push release lever1 all the way to the
right.

Open the tailgate.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
tailgate.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 89).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are
down. If necessary push them down
manually.

Slide mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 305).

Lock the driver’s door with the
mechanical key (
page 305).
Changing batteries in the SmartKey
If the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!The tailgate swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there
is sufficient overhead clearance.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.