flat tire MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE 2004 CL203 Owner's Manual

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) .......... 222Driving 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 .......................... 236Hood ............................................. 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 ...................... 300Removing ..................................... 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 ..................... 321Identification 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

210 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
Press and hold the button (for longer
than two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
TELE DIAGNO-
SIS – CONNECTING CALL will appear in
the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
TELE DIAGNOSIS - CALL CON-
NECTED
appears in the multifunction dis-
play. The Tele Aid system will transmit data
generating the vehicle identification num-
ber, model, color and location (subject to
availability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. When a
voice connection is established the audio system mutes and the message
TELE AID
– ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.


Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This func-
tion permits the Mercedes-Benz Road-
side Assistance dispatcher to
download malfunction codes and actu-
al vehicle data.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside As-
sistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approx. ten seconds
during the system self-check after turn-
ing the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (together with the “SOS”
button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 207)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center es-
tablished, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
TELE DIAGNOSIS – CALL
FAILED
appears in the multifunction
display.

227 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning 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.Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1/6 in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
Warning!
G
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 vehicle. 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.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the driv-
etrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

235 Operation
At the gas station
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 237).
Opening hood, see (
page 236).
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 241)Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 293).
Exterior lamp switch (
page 98).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 245).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see “Practical Hints”
(page 259).

245 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 advantag-
es, such as better aquaplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days. If the tires are warm you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified 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 for-
eign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.

246 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
b e c o m e w o r n o v e r t i m e e v e n i f n e v e r u s e d ,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3000
to 6000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

257 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

301 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever toP (man-
ual transmission to 1st or reverse
gear).

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described under
“Preparing the vehicle” on this page.

Take the wheel wrench and the jack
out of wheel well below the trunk floor
(page 285).

Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
(page 285).
Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one chock in front of and one be-
hind the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted, en-
sure proper tire pressure and do not exceed
vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.

302 Practical hintsFlat tireWhen changing wheel on a hill:
Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.

Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the vehicle tool kit
(page 285). Assemble wheel wrench.

On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts (ap-
proximately one full turn with wrench).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.1Jack
2Crank
3Take-up bracket

Place jack on firm ground.

Position jack1 under the take-up
bracket3 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an in-
cline.

Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while vehi-
cle is raised.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.