2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320S wheel alignment

300 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the left side secured by a velcro strap.
Unfasten velcro strap.

Remove first aid kit.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:

Towing eye bolt


Wheel wrench


Alignment bolt


Vehicle jack


Wheel bolts


Special fuse extractor


Spare fusesRemoving the vehicle tool kit

Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing

Loosen retaining screw1 in the
middle of storage well casing2.

Remove storage well casing2.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.

319 Practical hints
Flat tire
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.
1Jack
2Take-up bracket
Place jack1 on firm ground.

Position jack1 under take-up
bracket2 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.

Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.Removing the wheel
1Alignment bolt

Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and
remove.

Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt1 supplied in the tool kit.

Remove the remaining bolts.

Remove the wheel.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolts
and wheel hub threads.

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.

321 Practical hints
Flat tire

Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.Lowering the vehicle

Lower vehicle by turning crank
counterclockwise until vehicle is
resting fully on its own weight.

Remove the jack.
1 - 5Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1to5), until all bolts are
tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).Before storing the jack, it should be fully
collapsed, with handle folded in (storage
position) (
page 302).

Store the jack and the other vehicle
tools in the vehicle tool kit storage well
casing (
page 303).

Store the wheel cover (Canada only)
and the damaged wheel in the trunk.
Warning!
G
Only use genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could tip over.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).

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.

396 Index
Upholstery 271
Vehicle washing 269
Window cleaning 270
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle lighting
Checking 251
Vehicle tool kit 300
Alignment bolt 300
Removing 300
Spare fuses 300
Special fuse puller 300
Towing eye bolt 300
Vehicle jack 300
Wheel bolts 300
Wheel wrench 300
Vehicle washing 269Ventilated storage compartment 160
Ventilation
Storage compartment 160
VIN 338, 365
Voice control system* 365
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning lamps
see Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 60
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 337
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 267
Wear pattern (tires) 262
Weights 348
Wheel change
Tightening torque 321Wheels
Rotating 262
Tires and wheels 260
Window curtain airbags 60
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Refilling washer fluid 259
Replacing wiper blades 316
Washer fluid 259, 358
Washer system 358
Windshield washer fluid 358
Message in display 299
Mixing ratio 358
Refilling 259
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 358