MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE 2002 CL203 Owner's Manual

C-Class Sportcoupé
Operator’s Manual

C 230 Kompressor

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out..................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control.............. 33
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 34
Panic button ................................. 35
Mechanical keys .......................... 35
Doors ................................................. 36
Central locking switch.................... 38
Automatic central locking.............. 40
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 40
Trunk.................................................. 41
Trunk lid emergency release ....... 43
Antitheft alarm system................... 44
Tow-away alarm ............................... 46
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 47
Front seat adjustment..................... 48
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 54
Front seat backrest
- locking and unlocking ............. 56
Heated seats ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints ............... 60Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 62
Seat belts ........................................... 62
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 63
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 69
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ........ 69
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)................................ 70
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR)............................. 71
Airbags .............................................. 72
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag.................... 80
Infant and child
restraint systems......................... 82
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 87
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 88
Rear view mirrors ............................ 89
Instrument cluster ........................... 96

2 Contents
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 102
Trip and main odometer and
sub menu.................................... 106
Audio systems ................................ 108
Radio ............................................ 108
CD player ..................................... 109
Cassette player ........................... 110
Telephone ......................................... 111
Navigation system ........................... 116
Trip computer ................................. 117
Malfunction/warning
message memory ....................... 119
Individual settings......................... 121
Setting the audio volume.............. 136
Coolant temperature gauge .......... 137
Flexible service system (FSS) ...... 138
Engine oil level indicator .............. 141
Engine oil consumption ................ 142
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 143
Headlamp mode ............................. 144Night security illumination ......... 146
Locator lighting .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 147
Combination switch ...................... 148
Hazard warning flasher switch .... 151
Climate control .............................. 152
Automatic climate control............ 160
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ............... 172
Operation Audio and
telephone ................................... 173
Operating safety ............................ 173
Operating and display elements .. 174
Button and soft key operation ...... 176
Component malfunctions ............. 195
Power windows .............................. 197
Sunshade for panorama
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 199
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof .... 200
Interior lighting ............................. 203
Sun visors ....................................... 205
Vanity mirrors................................ 205Interior............................................. 206
Storage compartments
and armrests ..............................206
Glove box ..................................... 207
Cup holder ...................................... 210
Ashtrays .......................................... 211
Lighter ............................................. 213
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell ....................................... 214
Split folding rear seat bench ........ 215
Luggage cover – removal
and installation ......................... 217
Loading instructions (vehicle
with enlarged cargo area) ........ 218
Cellular telephone ......................... 219
Telephone, general ........................ 220
Garage door opener ....................... 221
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 226
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 227

3 ContentsMaintenance ................................... 227
Tele Aid............................................ 228
Catalytic converter......................... 238
Emission control ............................ 239
Starter switch ................................. 240
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 242
Manual transmission .................... 244
Automatic transmission................ 246
Parking brake ................................. 256
Driving instructions ...................... 257
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel........ 257
Drinking and driving................. 257
Pedals ........................................... 257
Power assistance ........................ 258
Brakes .......................................... 258
Driving off ................................... 259
Parking ........................................ 260
Tires ............................................. 261
Snow chains ................................ 263
Winter driving instructions ...... 264
Deep water .................................. 266
Passenger compartment............ 267
Traveling abroad......................... 267Cruise control ................................ 268
Brake assist system (BAS)............ 271
Antilock brake system (ABS)....... 272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 274
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 278
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................. 280
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster......................................... 282
On-board diagnostic system......... 283
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 283
Brake warning lamp .................. 284
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 285
Fuel reserve warning ................ 286
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ............................................. 287Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 288
Seat belt nonusage warning
lamp ............................................288
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ...... 289
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp..... 289
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ............... 290
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 291
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR........ 292
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM..... 293
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 293
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 294
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 294
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 295
SEAT BELT SYSTEM................... 295
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) .. 296
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 297
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 298
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 299

4 Contents
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 300
LIGHT SENSOR........................... 302
DOOR............................................ 302
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 303
HOOD ........................................... 303
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION........ 304
TELE AID ..................................... 304
WASHER FLUID.......................... 305
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 306
KEY ............................................... 306
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 307
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 307
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST. ..... 308
Practical hintsFirst aid kit...................................... 310
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 311
Fuses ................................................ 311
Hood ................................................. 315
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 317
Adding engine oil........................... 318
Coolant level ................................... 319Adding coolant ............................ 319
Windshield and headlamp
washer system .......................... 320
Spare wheel, storage
compartment ............................. 321
Vehicle tools and air pump .......... 322
Vehicle jack .................................... 323
Wheels ............................................ 324
Tire replacement........................ 324
Rotating wheels ......................... 325
Spare wheel .................................... 326
Changing wheels ........................... 327
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ..................................... 333
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ................................... 334
Tire inflation pressure ................. 335
Battery............................................. 336
Jump starting.................................. 338
Towing the vehicle ........................ 341
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 344
Exterior lamps ............................... 345
Replacing bulbs ......................... 345Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 351
Synchronizing remote
control .......................................... 353
Emergency engine shut-down ..... 353
Fuel filler flap, manual release ... 354
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 356
Roof rack ......................................... 357
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle.................................. 360
Power washer.............................. 361
Tar stains ..................................... 361
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................. 361
Engine cleaning.......................... 362
Vehicle washing ......................... 362
Ornamental moldings................ 363
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 363
Window cleaning........................ 363
Wiper blade ................................. 363

5 ContentsLight alloy wheels ...................... 364
Instrument cluster ..................... 364
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................364
Cup holder................................... 364
Seat belts ..................................... 365
Headliner and shelf below
rear window ................................ 365
Leather upholstery ..................... 365
Hard plastic trim items ............. 365
Plastic and rubber parts............ 365
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................ 368
Warranty coverage ......................... 368
Identification labels....................... 369
Layout of poly-V-belt drive............ 371
Technical data................................. 373
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 377
Engine oils ...................................... 379
Engine oil additives ....................... 379
Air conditioner refrigerant........... 379
Brake fluid ...................................... 379Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 380
Fuel requirements......................... 380
Gasoline additives ......................... 381
Coolants .......................................... 381
Consumer information ................. 383
Uniform tire quality grading ....... 383
IndexIndex ............................................... 385

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original 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 their special
suitability 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 individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.