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
Vehicle data recording......................... 19 Information regarding
electronic recording devices .......... 19
At a glance .......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27 Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30
Getting started ................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32 Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 35 Seats .............................................. 35
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 42
Driving .................................................. 44 Fastening the seat belt ................... 44
Starting the engine ......................... 48
Switching on headlamps ................. 51
Turn signals .................................... 52
Windshield wipers ........................... 53
Problems while driving.................... 55
Parking and locking .............................. 56 Parking brake ................................. 56
Switching off headlamps................. 57
Turning off the engine ..................... 58
ContentsPanorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 241Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel ........ 241
Opening and closing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 242
Synchronizing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel and
the roller sunblinds....................... 246
Driving systems ................................. 247 Cruise control............................... 247
Loading .............................................. 250 Roof rack* .................................... 250
Split rear bench seat .................... 250
Luggage cover .............................. 252
Loading instructions ..................... 252
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 253
Useful features .................................. 254 Storage compartments................. 254
Ashtrays ....................................... 257
Cigarette lighter ........................... 259
Electrical outlet ............................ 260
Telephone*................................... 260
Tele Aid* ...................................... 261
Garage door opener* ................... 269
Operation ......................................... 275
The first 1000 miles (1500km) .......... 276
Driving instructions............................ 277 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 277
Drinking and driving ..................... 277
Pedals .......................................... 277
Power assistance ......................... 277
Brakes .......................................... 278
Driving off .................................... 279
Parking ......................................... 279
Tires ............................................. 280
Hydroplaning ................................ 281
Tire traction.................................. 281
Tire speed rating .......................... 282
Winter driving instructions ........... 283
Standing water ............................. 284
Passenger compartment .............. 284
Driving abroad.............................. 284
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 284
Catalytic converter ....................... 285
Emission control .......................... 286
Coolant temperature .................... 286 At the gas station .............................. 288
Refueling ...................................... 288
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 290
Engine compartment ......................... 291 Hood ............................................ 291
Engine oil ..................................... 292
Transmission fluid level ................ 296
Coolant level ................................ 296
Battery ......................................... 297
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 299
Tires and wheels................................ 300 Important guidelines .................... 300
Tire care and maintenance........... 301
Direction of rotation..................... 303
Loading the vehicle ...................... 303
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 309
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 311
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 413
Parts service ...................................... 414
Warranty coverage ............................. 415 Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 415
Identification labels............................ 416
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 417 C 230 Kompressor ....................... 417
C 320 ........................................... 417
Engine ................................................ 418
Rims and Tires ................................... 419 Same size tires ............................. 420
Mixed size tires ............................ 421
Spare wheel ................................. 422
Electrical system................................ 423
Main Dimensions ............................... 424
Weights .............................................. 425 Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 426
Capacities .................................... 426
Engine oils.................................... 428
Engine oil additives ...................... 428
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 428
Brake fluid .................................... 428
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 429
Fuel requirements ........................ 429
Gasoline additives ........................ 430
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 431
Coolants....................................... 432
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 435
Technical terms ............................... 437Index................................................. 443
23
At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
247
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26
124
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24
119
5
Overhead control panel
29
6
Glove box lid release
254
Item
Page
7
Glove box lock
254
8
Center console
27
9
Starter switch
33
a
Hood lock release
291
b
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
41
c
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk (electrical)*
41
d
Parking brake pedal
50, 56
e
Door control panel
30
Item
Page
f
Parking brake release
50
g
Combination switch
Turn signals
52
High beam
52
Windshield wipers
53
h
Exterior lamp switch
51
110
j
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
42
k
Headlamp washer switch*
167
25
At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Speedometer with:v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
83
343
; Brake warning lamp,
USA only
50
56
341
3 Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
50
56
341
B Low beam headlamp
indicator lamp
51
110
2
L Left turn signal
indicator lamp
52
3
Multifunction display with:Trip odometer
121
Main odometer
123
Gear selector lever position
49
162
Item
Page
Program mode
164
Status indicator
(outside temperature/ digital
speedometer)
121
138
Digital clock
123
139
4
K Right turn signal
indicator lamp
52
5
Tachometer with:-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
81
340
< Seat belt telltale
66
344
1 Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
60
344
A High beam headlamp
indicator lamp
51
114
Item
Page
ú Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
342
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
342
6
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
344
4Fuel filler cap location
indicator: The fuel
filler cap is on the rear
right-hand side.
7
Coolant temperature gauge
120
8
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
121
Resetting individual
settings
135
Instrument cluster
illumination
119
36 Getting startedAdjustingManual seat adjustment1 Backrest tilt
2 Seat height
3 Seat cushion tilt
4 Seat fore and aft adjustment Seat fore and aft adjustment
Lift handle
4.
Slide seat to the desired position.
Allow handle 4 to reengage.
Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the accel-
erator/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls. Seat cushion tilt
Turn handwheel
3 forward or back-
ward until your upper legs are lightly
supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Turn handwheel 1 forward or back-
ward until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.
Seat height
Pull handle 2 up to r ai se s ea t cus hi on.
Push handle 2 down to lower seat
cushion.
!W h e n m o v i n g t h e s e a t s , m a k e s u r e t h a t
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
38 Getting startedAdjustingPower seat* adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
in each door.1 Head restraint height
2 Seat height
3 Seat cushion tilt
4 Seat fore and aft adjustment
5 Backrest tilt
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
or
Open the respective door. Seat fore and aft adjustment
Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow
4.
Adjust seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach
the accelerator / brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far to the rear
as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls. Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow
3 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow 5 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Seat height
Press the switch up or down in the
direction of arrow 2.
Head restraint height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow 1.
!W h e n m o v i n g t h e s e a t s , m a k e s u r e t h a t
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.iThe memory function* (
page 107)
lets you store the settings for the seat
position together with the setting for
the steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as possi-
ble.
44 Getting startedDrivingFastening the seat beltWarning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they were designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(page 66).
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats.
Regardless of seating position, children
12 years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 70).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.