223 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR 2003 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 221
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 222
Driving instructions ............................ 223
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 223
Drinking and driving ..................... 223
Pedals .......................................... 223
Power assistance ......................... 224
Brakes .......................................... 224
Driving off..................................... 225
Parking ......................................... 225
Tires ............................................. 226
Hydroplaning ................................ 227
Tire traction .................................. 227
Tire speed rating .......................... 227
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 .................... 232At the gas station .............................. 233
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 234
Engine compartment ......................... 235
Hood ............................................ 235
Engine oil ..................................... 236
Transmission fluid level ................ 238
Coolant level ................................ 238
Battery ......................................... 240
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning* system ......... 241
Tires and wheels ................................ 242
Important guidelines .................... 242
Life of tire..................................... 243
Direction of rotation ..................... 243
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 243
Rotating wheels ........................... 244
Winter driving .................................... 245
Winter tires .................................. 245
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 246
Snow chains ................................. 246Maintenance...................................... 247
Clearing the service indicator ...... 247
Service term exceeded ................ 247
Calling up the service indicator .... 248
Resetting the service indicator .... 248
Vehicle care....................................... 249
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 249

46 Getting startedDriving
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only)
or
3
(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move selector lever to positionD orR
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
More information on driving can be found
in the “Operation” section (
page 223).
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP orN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

223 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at regular intervals by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident is sharply increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or
allow anyone to drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.

352 IndexCruising range, fuel 335
Cup holder
Cleaning 252
In front seat armrest 204
In rear seat armrest 205
Opening 204
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 341
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Setting 125
Deactivating
Air conditioner 154
Air recirculation mode 152, 161, 162
Alarm 80
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control* 157
Central locking (control system) 129
Climate control 149
Climate control system 153
Cruise control 194
Defrosting 152, 160
Engine with the key 53
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 102
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 126
Front fog lamps 126Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 52
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 127
Rear window defroster 153, 162
Seat heater* 97
Tow-away alarm 80
Deep water see Standing water 229
Defogging
Windshield 151, 159
Defrosting 151, 160
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 126
Interior lighting 127
Dialing
A number (telephone) 135
Difficulties
While driving
see Problems while driving 49
With starting 45
Digital speedometer 116
Direction of rotation (tires) 243
Discharged battery
Jump starting 306
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 304Display elements
Audio system 166
Displays
Digital speedometer 116
Messages 238, 261
Selecting 124
Service indicator 247
Showing malfunctions 119
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 132
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 106
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 216
Doors
Message in display 272
Opening from inside vehicle 87
Opening from outside 85
Downhill driving
Cruise control 194
Downshifting 137, 139
Drink holder see Cup holder 204
Drinking and driving 223

353 Index
Driving
Driving abroad 230
General instructions 41, 223
Hydroplaning 227
In winter 228
Problems 49
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 229
Driving abroad 230
Driving instructions 223
Driving off 225
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 78
ABS 73
BAS 74
ESP 75
Driving systems 193
Cruise control 193
Driving safety systems 73
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 93
Activating 129
Interrupting movement 93, 130
Electrical fuses 312
Electrical system
Technical data 326Electronic Stability Program
see ESP 23, 75, 342
Emergency call system* 210
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 212
Telephone* 185
With Tele Aid* 211
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 143
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Locking the vehicle 286
Opening sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Releasing trunk lid from inside 89
Remote door unlock 216
Unlocking the vehicle 285
Emergency tensioning device
see ETD 64, 342
Emission control 231
Emission control label 318
Ending
A call (telephone) 135
Engine 320
Compartment 235
Message in display 259Starting with automatic
transmission 44
Starting with manual
transmission 44
Starting with the key 44
Turning off with the key 53
Engine cleaning 250
Engine compartment 235
Fuse box in 312
Hood 235
Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 23, 259
Engine number 342
Engine oil 236, 332
Adding 237
Additives 332
Checking level 236
Consumption 236
Display messages 270
Filler neck 237
Messages in display 238, 270
Viscosity 342
Engine oil level see Oil level 234
ESP 23, 75, 342
Four wheel electronic traction
system with ESP 78

361 Index
P
Paintwork 250
Panic alarm 72
Panic button on SmartKey 72
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 206
Parking 51, 225
Parking brake 45, 51
Engaging 51
Message in display 264
Releasing 45
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 293, 294
Switching on 101
Parking position*
Exterior rear view
mirrors 100, 131, 145
Parts see Spare parts service 316
Passenger compartment 230
Fuse box in 312
Inside rear view mirror 39
Interior lighting 105
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 206
Passenger safety
see Occupant safety 56Pedals 223
Performance
In cold weather 335
In hot weather 335
Phone book*
Loading 135
Quick search 136
Phone number*
Dialing 135
Redialing 136
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 252
Playing
CDs 179
Poly-V-belt drive 344
Layout 319
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 99
Storing into memory 99
Power assistance 224
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 35
Adjusting head restraint height 35
Adjusting head restraint tilt 35
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 35Adjusting seat height 35
Memory function 98
Removing/installing head
restraints 94
Seat fore and aft adjustment 34
Power train 344
Power washer 250
Power windows 187
Blocking of rear door window
operation 71
Side windows 187
Synchronizing 189
Practical hints
First aid kit 279
Fuses 312
Lamp in center console 260
Lamps in instrument cluster 256
Messages in the display 261
Minispare wheel bolts 284
Spare wheel 281
Spare wheel bolts 282
Towing the vehicle 308
Vehicle jack 280
Vehicle tool kit 279
Premium unleaded gasoline 333