MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE 2005 CL203 Owner's Manual

Sommer Corporate\ Media\ AG
Operator’s Manual
C-Class Sport Coupe
Order No. 6515 0146 13 Part No. 203 584 22 71 USA Edition B 2005
Ê4Ct6gbË2035842271
Operator’s Manual C-Class Sport Coupe

C 230 Kompressor
C 320

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

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

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Air bags .......................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 66
Children in the vehicle .................... 70
Panic alarm* ........................................ 80
Activating ....................................... 80
Deactivating ................................... 80
Driving safety systems ......................... 81
ABS ................................................ 81
BAS ................................................ 82
ESP ................................................. 83
Anti-theft systems................................ 86
Immobilizer..................................... 86
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 86
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 87
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
Opening the doors from the inside . 94
Opening the trunk lid ..................... 95
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 95
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 96
Automatic central locking .............. 97
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ............................................. 98
Seats ................................................. 100
Easy-entry/exit feature* .............. 100
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................. 102
Rear seat head restraints ............. 103
Seat heating* ............................... 106
Memory function* ............................. 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 109Lighting ............................................. 110
Exterior lamp switch .................... 110
Combination switch ..................... 114
Cornering fog lamps*................... 114
Hazard warning flasher ................ 116
Interior lighting ............................ 117
Instrument cluster ............................. 119
Instrument cluster illumination .... 119
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 120
Trip odometer .............................. 121
Tachometer .................................. 121
Outside temperature indicator ..... 121
Control system .................................. 123
Multifunction display.................... 123
Multifunction steering wheel........ 124
Menus .......................................... 126
Standard display menu ................ 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 129
NAV* menu .................................. 131
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 132
Settings menu .............................. 133
Trip computer menu..................... 151
TEL menu* ................................... 153

Contents
Manual transmission ......................... 157
Shifting into reverse ..................... 158
Automatic transmission* ................... 159
One-touch gearshifting................. 160
Gear ranges ................................. 161
Gear selector lever position ......... 162
Automatic shift program .............. 164
Driving tips ................................... 165
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 166
Good visibility .................................... 167
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 167
Rear view mirrors ......................... 167
Sun visors .................................... 169
Rear window defroster ................. 170
Climate control .................................. 172
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 175
Setting the temperature ............... 175
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 176
Defrosting .................................... 177
Air recirculation mode.................. 177
Air conditioning ............................ 179
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 180Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 185
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Adjusting air volume ..................... 187
Defrosting ..................................... 188
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 188
Air recirculation mode .................. 189
Charcoal filter ............................... 191
Air conditioning............................. 192
Residual heat and ventilation
(available on automatic climate
control panel design A only).......... 193
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 194Audio system...................................... 195
Audio and telephone, operation .... 195
Operating safety ........................... 195
Operating and display elements ... 196
Button and soft key operation ...... 198
Operation...................................... 198
Radio operation ............................ 203
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 208
CD mode....................................... 213
GSM network phones ................... 220
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 227
Emergency calls “911” ................. 234
Power windows .................................. 237
Opening and closing the windows 237
Synchronizing power windows ...... 240

ContentsPanorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 241
Opening 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 .................... 286At 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

Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 320
Tire ply material ........................... 322
Tire and loading terminology ........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 328
Winter tires .................................. 328
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 329
Snow chains................................. 329
Maintenance...................................... 330
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 331
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 332
Vehicle care ....................................... 333
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 333
Practical hints.................................. 339
What to do if … ................................... 340
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 340
Lamp in center console................. 345
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 347
Where will I find ...? ............................ 373
First aid kit.................................... 373
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 373
Spare wheel .................................. 375
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 377
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 377
Locking the vehicle ....................... 379
Fuel filler flap ................................ 379
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 380
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 381
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ......................... 381
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 382
SmartKey ...................................... 383
Replacing bulbs .................................. 384
Bulbs ............................................. 384
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 386
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 390Replacing wiper blades ...................... 393
Removing ...................................... 393
Installing ....................................... 393
Flat tire............................................... 394
Preparing the vehicle .................... 394
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 394
Battery ............................................... 401
Disconnecting the battery ............ 402
Removing the battery ................... 402
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 402
Reconnecting the battery ............. 403
Jump starting...................................... 404
Towing the vehicle.............................. 406
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 409
Fuses.................................................. 410
Aids for changing fuses ................ 410
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 411
Fuse box in engine compartment . 411
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 412

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 .............................................. 425Fuels, 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

9
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories
approved by us are available at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be
performed.