2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 starter

228 Controls in detailUseful featuresA voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. When a voice connection is estab-
lished, the audio system mutes and the
message
TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE

appears in the multifunction display.
Information regarding the operation of
your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products
and services is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you
separately) to learn more (USA only).
iThe indicator lamp on the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red
for approximately ten seconds during
the system self-check after turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 (together with the SOS
button and the Roadside Assistance
button•).
See system self-check (
page 224)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than
approximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Information
button¡ is illuminated continuous-
ly and there was no voice connection to
the Response Center established, then
the Tele Aid system could not initiate
an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message
INFO –
CALL FAILED
appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Information calls can be terminated
using theì button on the multi-
function steering wheel.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flash-
ing after pressing one of the buttons or
remain illuminated (in red) at any time,
the Tele Aid system has detected a
fault or the service is not currently
active, and may not initiate a call. Visit
your Mercedes-Benz Center and have
the system checked or contact the
Response Center at 1-800-756-9018
(in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada) as soon as possible.

241 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps
prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
When parking on hills, always turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey with you and lock
vehicle when leaving.

249 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
RefuelingThe fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the SmartKey automatically locks/unlocks
the fuel filler flap.

Turn the engine off by turning the
SmartKey to position0.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. 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 only (identified by a
label reading Premium gasoline or E85
only! on fuel filler flap):
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.


254 OperationEngine compartmentChecking 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 113) 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
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 255).
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 349) and (
page 352).
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.iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.

270 OperationVehicle careWiper blades
Fold wiper arms forward.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning

Fold wiper arms forward.

Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
using a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water.
Follow the instructions on container.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the wiper blades, otherwise
the wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the windshield, otherwise
the wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.

274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 280).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and battery checked.

280 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 122) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 22) and are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 122).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display. High priority
messages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in starter switch
to position2, causes all lamps as well
as the multifunction display to come
on. Ensure that they are all in working
order before starting your journey.

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.