checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON 2005 S203 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 255
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 256
Driving instructions ............................ 257
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 257
Drinking and driving ..................... 257
Pedals .......................................... 257
Power assistance ......................... 257
Brakes .......................................... 258
Driving off..................................... 259
Parking ......................................... 259
Tires ............................................. 260
Hydroplaning ................................ 260
Tire traction .................................. 261
Tire speed rating .......................... 261
Winter driving instructions ........... 262
Standing water ............................. 263
Passenger compartment .............. 263
Driving abroad .............................. 263
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 264
Catalytic converter ....................... 264
Emission control........................... 265
Coolant temperature .................... 266At the gas station .............................. 267
Refueling ...................................... 267
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 269
Engine compartment ......................... 270
Hood ............................................ 270
Engine oil ..................................... 272
Transmission fluid level ................ 274
Coolant level ................................ 275
Battery ......................................... 276
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 277
Tires and wheels ................................ 278
Important guidelines .................... 278
Life of tire..................................... 279
Direction of rotation ..................... 279
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 279
Rotating tires ............................... 281Winter driving .................................... 282
Winter tires .................................. 282
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 283
Snow chains................................. 283
Maintenance...................................... 284
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 285
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 285
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 285
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 286
Vehicle care....................................... 287
Cleaning and care of the
vehicle ......................................... 287

124 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer are shown in the
multifunction display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometerIf you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until the
standard display appears.
You can select the functions in the
standard display menu with buttonk
orj.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table
are designed to facilitate navigation
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each
menu will automatically show you
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Display digital speedometer or
outside temperature
125
Calling up maintenance service
display
284
Checking engine oil level
272

272 OperationEngine compartmentEngine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least five minutes with
the engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:

Switch on ignition (
page 33).
The standard display (
page 119) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message is seen in the multifunction
display:One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the indicator:


Engine oil level
OK


Add 1.0 qt engine oil
for max. oil level(Canada:
1.0 l
)


Add 1.5 qts engine oil
for max. oil level(Canada:
1.5 l
)


Add 2.0 qts engine oil
for max. oil level(Canada:
2.0 l
)
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

273 Operation
Engine compartment

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 274).
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 373) and (
page 375).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2
in the starter switch, the following
message will appear:
Switch ignition on to
check engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.

If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait five minutes before checking
oil.

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
More information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil can be found
in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 312) and (
page 313).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

279 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of tire rotation.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at
intervals of no more than 14 days.
If the tires are warm you should only
correct the tire pressure if it is too low for
current operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the
specified tire inflation pressures for warm
and cold tires as well as for various
operating conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:

Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.

319 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
Belt system
Drive to workshop
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
_
Steering oil
Visit workshop.
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear
damage.

Have the system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

396 IndexChecking
Brake fluid 269
Coolant level 269, 275
Engine oil level 269, 272
Tire inflation pressure 269
Vehicle lighting 269
Washer reservoir level 269
Child safety 69
Air bags 62
Infant and child
restraint systems 66, 69
LATCH-type child seat anchors 75
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors see
LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 239
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 292
Cup holders 291
Gear selector lever 291
Hard plastic trim items 291Headlamps 161
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 291
Instrument cluster 290
Leather upholstery 291
Light alloy wheels 290
MB Tex upholstery 292
Plastic and rubber parts 292
Rear window 53
Seat belts 291
Steering wheel 291
Upholstery 291
Windows 290
Windshield 52
Wiper blades 290
Wood trims 292
Climate control 166
Clock 25, 119, 135, 136
Closing
Cup holder, in rear seat armrest 238
Glove box 234
Hood 271
Tailgate 94Tilt/sliding sunroof* 219
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
in an emergency 329
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
with SmartKey 221
Windows 215, 216
Windows with SmartKey 217
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 292
Cockpit 22, 385
Cockpit Management and
Data System see COMAND*
Collapsible wheel chock 323
COMAND* 386
COMAND* see
separate operating instructions
Combination switch 112
High beam flasher 49
Rear window wiper 53
Turn signals 50
Windshield wipers 50
Consumer information 382
Control and operation of
radio transmitter 264

400 IndexEngine
Compartment 270
Starting with
automatic transmission 47
Starting with the SmartKey 47
Technical data 366
Turning off with the SmartKey 57
Engine cleaning 289
Engine compartment 270
Fuse box in 358
Hood 270
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 25, 296
Engine number 364, 386
Engine oil 272
Adding 274
Additives 375
Checking level 269, 272
Consumption 272
Display messages 273, 312–313
Filler neck 274
Messages in display 273, 312–313
Viscosity 386Engine oil level
Checking 269, 272
Engine oils 375
ESP 81, 386
Four wheel electronic
traction system with ESP 84
Messages in display 304–305
Switching off 82
Switching on 83
Warning lamp 25, 298
ETD 69, 386
Safety guidelines 64
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 267
Requirements 377
Switching fuels 378
Exterior lamp switch 49, 108
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 141
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Parking position* for 146F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 133
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 225
First aid kit 321
Flat tire 342
Lowering the vehicle 346
Minispare wheel 324
Mounting the Minispare wheel 342
Preparing the vehicle 342
Flexible fuel vehicles 377
At the gas station 267
Switching fuels 378
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fog lamp, rear
Message in display 317
Replacing bulb 333
Switching on 112