Pressure MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class 2000 W202 Owner's Manual

Drive Sensibly - Save Fuel

Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving habits and operating conditions. To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
• remove unnecessary loads,
• remove roof rack when not in use,
• allow engine to warm up under low load use,
• avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
• have all maintenance work performed at regular intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in hilly country.





MERCEDES-BENZ
24 HOUR
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
1-800-FOR MERCEDES
1-0800-367-6372 USA.
1-800-387-0100 Canada









What You Should Know
at the Gas Station


• Fuel:
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully insert filler nozzle unit. Only fill fuel tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out - do not overfill. Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can cause the "Check Engine" lamp to
illuminate. Use premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 I).
This includes approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 I) reserve.

Warning !
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!


• Engine Oil:
Engine oil level check, see Index.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 I).
Recommended engine oils, see Index.

• Spark Plugs:
Approved spark plugs, refer to "Technical Data".


• Coolant:
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/antifreeze), refer to Index.

• Bulbs:
High beam: H1 (55 W),
low beam: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps, parking and standing la mps, front: 2357 NA (28.5/8.3 W/30/2.2 cp),
stop lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/32 cp,
tail, parking, side marker and standing lamp: 5 W/4 cp,
tail and parking lamp, passenger side: 21/4 W,
tail, parking arid rear fog lamp, driver's side: 21/4 W,
license plate lamps: 5 W.

• Tire Pressure:
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the fuel filler flap.

• Air Conditioner: R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, re fer to "Technical Data" (also see Index).

Driving Instructions

Warning !
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage
to your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the hazard flashers, carefully slow down, and drive with
caution to an area which is a safe distance from the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for possible da mage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have
it towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz or tire dealer for repairs.

Power Assistance
Warning !
When the engine is not running, the brake and steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effo rt is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.


Brakes
Warning !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without applying the brakes or through water deep enough to
wet brake components, the first braking action may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary. Be sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating th ereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the car in sufficient time to avoid an accident.

The condition of the parking brake system is checked each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required service .

If the parking brake is released and the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid level in
the reservoir is too low. Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an aut horized Mercedes-Benz dealer immediately.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake system s hould be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by Mercedes-Benz.


Warning !
If other than recommended brake pads are installed, or other than recommended brake fluid is used, the
braking properties of the vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe braking is substantially impaired.
This could result in an accident.


Caution !
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brak e pad wear. After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some time, rather
than
immediately parking, so the air stream will cool down the brakes faster.

Tires

Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law.
These indicators are located in six places on the
tread circumference and become visible at a depth of
approximately1/16 in (1.5 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across
the tread.




Warning !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As tread depth approaches 1/16 in (1.5 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced. Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions),
the tire traction varies widely.


Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This applies particularly if the tires are subjected to
high loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temperatures).


Warning !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose control
of the car. Continued driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will cause excessive heat
build-up and possibly a fire.


Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, aquaplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with new
tires.
Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.


Tire Traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the condition of the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to the
freezing point.
Warning !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be substantially reduced. Under such weather conditions,
drive, steer and brake with extreme caution.

We recommend M + S radial- ply tires for the winter season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced handling
characteristics. On packed snow, they can reduce your stopping distance as compared with summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is not snow or ice covered.

Warning !

USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.
• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, including rollovers. "SRS" (driver
airbag, front passenger airbag, front door side impact airbags), "ETR" (seat belt emergency
tensioning retractors), and knee bolsters are impacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds.
• Improperly positioned seat belts do not provide maximum protection and may
cause serious injuries in case of an accident.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoulder. In a
crash, your body would move too far forward. That would increase the chance of head and
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could
severely injure infernal organs such as your liver or spleen.

• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdomen. If the
belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.
• Each seat belt should never be used for more than one person at a time. Do not fasten a
seat belt around a person and objects.
• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn't have the full width of the belt to
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned
as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.

Warning !

USE CHILD RESTRA INTS PROPERLY.
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized Baby Smart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions. Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle's seat belt, fully in accordance with the seat manufacturer's instructions.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is signi ficantly increased if the child restraints are not
properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.
Children too big for child restraint systems must ride in back seats using regular seat belts.
Position shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat may be
necessary to achieve proper belt positioning.

Exterior Rear View Mirrors

The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted - press button:
Left mirror
Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to either side. With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
driver's side mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in light sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position
"R",
or with the interior lamp switched on, the driver's side mirror brightness does not respond to changes in light
sensitivity.

Warning !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is convex
(outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
Check your inside rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature. If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its normal position, it must be repositioned by
applying firm pressure until it snaps into place.

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

Important !
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during braking maneuvers. Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use
firm, steady brake pedal pressure. Pu mping the brake pedal defeats the pur pose for ABS and significantly reduces
braking effectiveness.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a vehicl e speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent of
road surface conditions.
At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal, indicating that the
ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while experiencing the pulsation.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re spond even with light brake pedal pressure because of the increased
likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.

ABS Control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cl uster comes on with the electronic key in steering lock
position 2 and should go out when the engine is running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is switched off.
When the voltage is above this value again, the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the ABS is operational.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ASR or ESP, if vehicl e so equipped, are also switched off. Both malfunction
indicator lamps come on with the engine running. If the ABS malfunction indicator lamp does not go out or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the ABS has detected a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without antilock assistance.
Have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.

Warning !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
made available by the road conditions. The ABS ca nnot prevent accidents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too cl osely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped car must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.

Note:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.

Brake Assist System (BAS)

Warning !

BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped car must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.

The Brake Assist System is designed to maximize the vehicle's braking capability during emergency braking
maneuvers by having maximum power boost applied to the br akes more quickly in emergency braking conditions
than might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver's braking style. This can help reduce braking distances over
what ordinary driving and braking style might do. The BAS complements the Antilock Brake System (ABS).
To receive the benefit of the system you must apply continuous full braking power during the stopping sequence.
Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivat ed The malfunction indicator lamps for the ASR and ESP are
combined with the BAS malfunction indicator lamp.
The BAS/ASR or BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster come on with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2 and should go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ASR or BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on permanently while the engine is running,
a malfunction has been detected in either system. As a resul t, it is possible that now only partial engine output will be
available, and pressing the accelerator pedal will require more effort. If the BAS malfunctions. The brake system
functions in the usual manner, but wi thout BAS. If the charging voltage falls be low 10 volts, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on and the BAS is switched off. When the volt age is above this value again, the malfunction indicator
lamp should go out and the BAS is operational. With t he ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ASR or ESP are also
switched off.
Both malfunction indicator lamps come on with the engine running. Have the BAS, ASR or ESP checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible .

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.

Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. See your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for further information. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for information
on tested and recommended rims and tires for summer and wi nter operation. They can also offer advice concerning
tire service and purchase.


Tire Replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions, see
"Technical Data". We recommend that you break in new ti res for approx. 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed. It is
imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm) whenever wheels are
mounted. For rim and tire specifications, refer to "Technical Data".

Warning !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace
them. When replacing rirns, use only genuine Mercedes-Benz w heel bolts specified for the particular rim type. Failure
to do so can result in the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.


Rotating Wheels
Rotation of wheels with summer tires does not apply to m odel C 43 AMG. The wheels can be rotated according to the
degree of tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel. Rotating, however, should be carried out at the
scheduled service intervals, before the characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels) becomes visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.

Important !
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.

Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside. The use
of retread tires is not recommended. Retread tires may adversely affect the handling charac teristics and safety of the
vehicle. Dented or bent rims can caus e tire pressure loss and damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims
for damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove burrs, if
any. Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after rotating the wheels. For Tire Inflation Pressure refer to
Index.


Spare Wheel (except C 43 AMG)

Important !
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional.
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized an d has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) use
before a standard wheel rim must replace it. In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the spare wheel. Do
not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel mounted.
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement. If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restrictions:

• Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as possible.

For rim and tire specifications, refer to "Technical Data".

Warning !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use for over a total of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) may cause wheel rim failure leading to an accident and possible injuries.