Heat MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class 2000 W202 Owner's Guide

Low Engine Coolant Level Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the warning lamp comes on.
It should go out when the engine is running. If the warning la mp does not go out after starting the engine, or if it
comes on while driving, then the coolant level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks are noticeable and
the engine temperature does not increase, continue to driv e to the nearest service station and have coolant added to
the coolant system (see Index).
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated may
cause serious engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have t he cooling system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer as soon as possible.

Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. T he engine will overheat causing major engine damage. Monitor
the coolant temperature gauge while driving.

Warning !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn if it comes into contact
with hot engine parts. You can be seriously burned.


Low Windshield and Headlamp Washer System Fluid Level Warning Lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the warning lamp comes on. It should go out when the engine is
running. If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approx.1/4 of the total volume. T he reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield Washer
Concentrate "S" and water (or commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperature - see Index) at the next opportunity. The reservoir fo r the windshield and headlamp washer
systems is located in the engine compartment.

Hood






To open:
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the driver's side of the instrument panel. At the same time handle
(2) will extend out of the radiator grill (it may be necessary to lift the hood up slightly).

Caution !
To avoid damage to the windshield wiper or hood, open the hood only with wiper in the parked position. Pull handle
(2) completely out of radiator grill and open hood (do not pull up on handle).

To close:
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of approx. 1 ft. (30 cm), assisting with hands placed flat on edges
of hood (3). To avoid hood damage, if hood is not fully closed, repeat closing procedure. Do not push down on hood
to attempt to fully close it.

Warning!

To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open and the engine is running.
Be sure the hood is properly closed before driving. When closing hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers. The engine is equipped with a transistorized ignition system. Because of the high voltage it
is dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the ignition
system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is "on" and the engine is turned manually.
If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not
open the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary, call a fire department.

Example



Checking Coolant Level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the reservoir.


Adding Coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and MB anticorrosion/antifreeze should be added. The drain
plugs
for the cooling system are located on the right side of the engine block and at the bottom of the radiator.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze, see Coolants in Index.

Warning!
In order to avoid possibly serious burns or injury:
•Use extreme caution when opening the hood if there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking from the
cooling system, or if the coolant temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is overheated.
•Do not remove pressure cap on coolant reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F (90°C). Allow
engine to cool down before removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is under pressure.

•Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened immediately,
scalding hot fluid and steam will be blown out under pressure.

•Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn if it comes
into contact with hot engine parts.

Tire Inflation Pressure
A table (see fuel filler flap) lists the tire inflation pressures specified for Mercedes-Benz recommended tires as well as
for the varying operating conditions.

Important !
Tire pressure changes by approx. 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage - especially in the winter.
Example:
If garage temperature = approx. +68°F (+20°C) and ambient te mperature = approx. +32°F (0°C) then the adjusted air
pressure = specified air pressure +3 psi (+0.2 bar).
Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values o ffering high driving comfort. Increased inflation pressures for
heavy loads produce favorable handling characteristics with lighter loads arid are perfectly permissible. The ride of
the vehicle, however, will become somewhat harder.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with the vehicle speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be corrected on
cold tires. Correct tire pressure in warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the pressure listed in the table and
the respective operating conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread separation, bulging etc.. Regular tire pressure checks (including the
spare tire) at intervals of no more than 14 days are therefore essential. If a tire constantly loses air, it should be
inspected for damage.

Warning !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinfiating tires can result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more
likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.. Follow recommended inflation
pressures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label on the
driver's door latch post). Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

Coolants

The engine coolant is a mixture of water and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
• corrosion protection,
• freeze protection,
• boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a coolant providing freeze protection to approx. -22°F
(-30°C) and corrosion protection. The coolant solution must be used year round to provide the
necessary corrosion protection and increase in the boil-over protection. You should have it replaced
every 3 years. To provide the important corrosion protection, the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (equals a freeze protection to approx. -22°F [-30°C]). If you use a solution
that is more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. -49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze. If the coolant level is low, water and MB
anticorrosion/antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper level (have cooling system
checked for signs of leakage). The water in the cooling system must meet minimum requirements,
which are usually satisfied by normal drinking water. If you are not sure about the water quality,
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The use of aluminum components in motor
vehicle engines necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant used in such engines be specifically
formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly recommended for use in your car: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent. Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in the hot
southern regions), you should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze concentration checked. The coolant is
also regularly checked each time you bring your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for
service.

Model Approx.freeze Protection
-35°F
(~37°C)
-49°F
(-45°C)



C 230 Kompressor 5.0 US qt
(4.75 I)
5.5 US qt
(5.25 I)

C 280 5.3 US qt
(5.0 I)
5.8 US qt
(5.5 I)

C 43 AMG 5.9US qt
(5.6 I)
6.6 US qt
(6.2 I)

Consumer Information

This has been prepared as required of all manufacturers of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Refer to the tire sidewall for the specific tire grades for t he tires with which this vehicle is equipped. All passenger car
tires must conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on t he wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For ex ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (11/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire grad ed 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart signi ficantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, Those grade represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked "C" ma y have poor traction performance.

Warning !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C co rresponds to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

Warning !
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build up and possible tire failure.