2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON checking oil

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 .............. 245
Driving abroad .............................. 245
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 246
Catalytic converter ....................... 246
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 ..................................... 254
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

254 OperationEngine compartmentEngine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2.
The standard display (
page 111) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message is seen in the multifunction
display:ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW
MEASURE. CORRECT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the indicator:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK


ADD 1.0 Qt. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)


ADD 1.5 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)


ADD 2.0 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

255 Operation
Engine compartment

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 256).
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 346) and (
page 348).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2
in the starter switch, the following
message will appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH ON IGNITION!
Switch on the ignition.If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating check procedure.

If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.

If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
More information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil can be found
in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 291).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

261 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at
intervals of no more than 14 days. If the tires are warm you should only
correct the tire pressure if it is too low for
current operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the
specified tire inflation pressures for warm
and cold tires as well as for various
operating conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:

Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.

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.

367 Index
Storage compartment inside 209
Tailgate 87
Tie-down rings 214
Cargo tie-down rings 214
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 182
Cassette player
Operating 119
Catalytic converter 246
CD changer* 185
CD operation 185
CD player
Operating 118
Center console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 279
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 125Central locking
Automatic 88
From inside 89
Switch 89
Switching on/off
(control system) 131
Unlocking from inside 89
Central locking switch 89
Certification label 338
Changing
Key setting 132
Changing CDs 185
Charcoal filter 165
Charging
Vehicle battery 325
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp 23, 276
Checking
Coolant level 257
Oil level 251, 254
Tire inflate pressure 251
Vehicle lighting 251Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child
restraint systems 62, 65
LATCH-type child seat anchors 71
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Cigarette lighter 220
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 145
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

371 Index
Electrical outlet 221
Electrical system
Technical data 343
Electronic stability program (ESP) 358
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Emergency call system* 222
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 225
Telephone* 194
With Tele Aid* 224
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 144
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 309
Locking the vehicle 306
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 309
Remote door unlock 229
Unlocking the vehicle 305
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 358
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 247
Emission control label 338Ending
A call (telephone) 137
Engine
Compartment 252
Message in display 276
Starting with automatic
transmission 43
Technical data 340
Turning off with the key 53
Engine cleaning 269
Engine compartment 252
Fuse box in 333
Hood 252
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 23, 276
Engine number 358
Engine oil 254, 348
Adding 256
Additives 348
Checking level 254
Consumption 254
Display messages 291Filler neck 256
Messages in display 255, 291
Viscosity 358
Engine oil level see Oil level
ESP 23, 76, 358
Four wheel electronic
traction system with ESP 79
Messages in display 282
Switching off 77
Switching on 78
Synchronizing 282
Warning lamp 277
ETD 358
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 65
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 249
Switching fuels 350
Exterior lamp switch 100
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 129
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position for 134

379 Index
N
Navigation system
Operating 119
See separate COMAND*
operating instructions
Night security illumination 102
Setting 129
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 65
LATCH-type child seat anchors 71
Seat belts 40, 60
Odometer, main 23
Oil
Adding 256
Consumption 254
Filler neck 256Oil level
Checking 251
One-touch gearshifting 140
Canceling gear range limit 140
Downshifting 140
Upshifting 140
Opening
Ashtray 219
Doors from the inside 87
Fuel filler flap 250
Fuel filler flap manually 308
Glove box 215
Hood 252
Side windows 197
Sliding/pop-up roof 199, 309
Sliding/pop-up roof in an
emergency 309
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 200
Tailgate 87
Windows 196
Windows with SmartKey 198Operating
Audio system 169
Cassette player 119
CD player 118
COMAND* see separate
operating instructions
Navigation system 119
Radio 117
Radio transmitter 246
Telephone* 136, 169, 189
Vehicle outside
the USA and Canada 13
Operating safety
Audio system 169
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 269
Outer seats
Rear seat head restraints 94
Outside temperature indicator 109
Overdue service 265
Overhead control panel 27