MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE 2004 Owners Manual

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 ............... 18At a glance ......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................ 20
Instrument cluster ............................... 22
Multifunction steering wheel ............... 24 Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started ................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30 Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 30
Adjusting .............................................. 32 Seats............................................... 32
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 39
Driving .................................................. 41 Fastening the seat belt ................... 41
Starting the engine ......................... 44
Switching on headlamps ................. 48
Turn signals .................................... 48
High beam ...................................... 48
Windshield wipers ........................... 49
Problems while driving .................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 52 Parking brake.................................. 52
Switching off headlamps................. 53
Turning off the engine ..................... 53
Safety and Security ........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56 Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Panic alarm* ........................................ 72 Activating........................................ 72
Deactivating.................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73 ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems ................................ 78 Immobilizer ..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ............................ 79Controls in detail ................................ 81
Locking and unlocking ......................... 82 Keys ................................................ 82
Opening the doors from the inside . 85
Opening the trunk lid ...................... 85
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 86
Trunk lid emergency release ........... 86

Contents
Automatic central locking .............. 87
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 88
Seats.................................................... 89 Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 89
Removing and installing
front seat head restraints ............... 90
Rear seat head restraints ............... 91
Heated seats* ................................ 93
Memory function*................................ 95 Storing positions into memory ....... 96
Recalling positions from memory ... 96
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ............................. 97
Lighting ................................................ 98 Exterior lamp switch ....................... 98
Combination switch...................... 102
Hazard warning flasher................. 102
Interior lighting ............................. 103
Instrument cluster ............................. 105 Instrument cluster illumination..... 105
Coolant temperature display ........ 106
Trip odometer............................... 107
Tachometer .................................. 107
Outside temperature indicator ..... 107
Control system .................................. 109 Multifunction display .................... 109
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 110
Menus .......................................... 112
Standard display menu ................ 114
AUDIO menu ................................ 114
NAVI* menu ................................. 117
Malfunction memory menu .......... 117
Settings menu .............................. 118
Trip computer menu ..................... 132
TEL menu* ................................... 134
Manual transmission ......................... 137 Shifting into reverse ..................... 138
Automatic transmission* ................... 139 One-touch gearshifting................. 140
Gear ranges.................................. 141
Gear selector lever position ......... 142
Program mode selector switch..... 144
Accelerator position ..................... 145
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 145
Good visibility .................................... 146 Rear view mirrors ......................... 146
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 148
Sun visors .................................... 148
Rear window defroster ................. 149
Climate control .................................. 150 Setting the temperature............... 153
Adjusting
air distribution and volume .......... 153
Defrosting .................................... 154
Air recirculation mode.................. 154
Deactivating the
climate control system................. 155
Air conditioning............................ 156
Ventilated storage compartment . 157
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 158
Audio system ..................................... 159 Audio and telephone, operation ... 159
Operating safety .......................... 159
Operating and display elements... 160
Button and soft key operation...... 162
Operation ..................................... 162
Radio operation ........................... 165
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only) .. 168
Cassette operation ...................... 172
CD changer* operation ................ 175
Telephone* operation .................. 179
Power windows ................................. 186 Opening and closing the windows 186
Synchronizing power windows ..... 188
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* ........ 189

Contents
Opening and closing the roller sun-
blinds for the
panorama sliding/pop-up roof ..... 189
Opening and closing the
panorama sliding/pop-up roof ..... 190
Synchronizing the
panorama sliding / pop-up roof
and the roller sunblinds ............... 193
Driving systems ................................. 194 Cruise control .............................. 194
Loading.............................................. 197 Roof rack*.................................... 197
Luggage cover.............................. 197
Split rear bench seat .................... 197
Loading instructions..................... 199
Useful features .................................. 200 Interior storage spaces ................ 200
Ashtrays ....................................... 203
Cigarette lighter ........................... 204
Telephone* .................................. 205
Tele Aid* ...................................... 206
Garage door opener ..................... 214
Operation ......................................... 221
The first 1000 miles (1500km) .......... 222 Driving instructions ............................ 223
Drive sensibly – save fuel.............. 223
Drinking and driving ...................... 223
Pedals ........................................... 223
Power assistance .......................... 223
Brakes........................................... 224
Driving off ..................................... 225
Parking.......................................... 225
Tires .............................................. 226
Hydroplaning................................. 227
Tire traction .................................. 227
Tire speed rating ........................... 228
Winter driving instructions ............ 228
Standing water.............................. 229
Passenger compartment ............... 230
Driving abroad .............................. 230
Control and operation of
radio transmitter ........................... 230
Catalytic converter........................ 231
Emission control ........................... 231
Coolant temperature..................... 232
At the gas station ............................... 233 Refueling....................................... 233
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 234
Engine compartment .......................... 236 Hood ............................................. 236
Engine oil ...................................... 237
Transmission fluid level ................ 241
Coolant level ................................. 241
Battery .......................................... 242
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 243
Tires and wheels ................................ 244 Important guidelines ..................... 244
Life of tire ..................................... 245
Direction of rotation ..................... 245
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 245
Rotating wheels ............................ 246
Winter driving ..................................... 247 Winter tires ................................... 247
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 248
Snow chains ................................. 248
Maintenance ...................................... 249 Clearing the service indicator ....... 249
Service term exceeded ................. 249
Calling up the service indicator .... 250
Resetting the service indicator ..... 250
Vehicle care ....................................... 251 Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 251

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 257
What to do if … .................................. 258 Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 258
Lamp in center console ................ 263
Messages in the display ............... 264
Where will I find ...?............................ 284 First aid kit ................................... 284
Spare wheel ................................. 285
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 285
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 288 Unlocking the vehicle ................... 288
Locking the vehicle ...................... 289
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 290
Fuel filler flap ............................... 291
Manually unlocking the
gear selector lever........................ 291
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 292 Panorama sliding/pop-up roof ..... 292
Replacing bulbs ................................. 293 Bulbs ............................................ 293
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 295
Side marker lamp bulb ................. 298
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 298
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 300 Removing ..................................... 300
Installing ...................................... 300
Flat tire .............................................. 301 Preparing the vehicle ................... 301
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 301
Battery ............................................... 307 Disconnecting the battery ............ 308
Removing the batteries ................ 308
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 308
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 308
Jump starting ..................................... 310
Towing the vehicle ............................. 313 Installing towing eye bolt ............. 316
Fuses ................................................. 317 Fuse box in
passenger compartment .............. 317
Fuse box in engine compartment . 317
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 318
Technical data ................................. 319
Spare parts service ............................ 320
Warranty coverage............................. 321 Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 321 Identification labels ........................... 322
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 323
C 230 Kompressor ....................... 323
C 320 ........................................... 323
Engine ............................................... 324
Rims and Tires ................................... 325 Same size tires............................. 326
Spare wheel ................................. 326
Electrical system ............................... 327
Main Dimensions ............................... 328
Weights ............................................. 329
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 330 Capacities .................................... 330
Engine oils ................................... 332
Engine oil additives ...................... 332
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 332
Brake fluid.................................... 332
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 333
Fuel requirements ........................ 333
Gasoline additives ........................ 334
Flexible Fuel Vehicles................... 334
Coolants ...................................... 336
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 338
Consumer information ....................... 339
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 339

Contents
Technical terms............................... 341Index................................................. 347

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 suitabili-
ty 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 ap-
proved by us are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.

10 IntroductionOperator’s Manual
Operator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures. We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n fo r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Book-
let are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty,


Emission System Warranty,


Emission Performance Warranty,


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only),


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws).