wheels MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2002 W203 Owner's Manual

5 ContentsSEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..300
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR ...........................306
DOOR ............................................306
TRUNK OPEN .............................307
HOOD ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......308
TELE AID .....................................308
WASHER FLUID ..........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 311
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ...................................... 314
Stowing things in the vehicle ....... 314
Fuses ................................................ 315
Hood ................................................. 318
Adding engine oil .......................... 321
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 322
Coolant level ................................... 322
Adding coolant ........................... 323
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 323
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 325
TIREFIT, vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(C 32 AMG only) ....................... 326
Vehicle jack .................................... 327
Wheels ............................................ 328
Tire replacement ....................... 328
Rotating wheels ......................... 329Spare wheel ....................................330
Spare wheel bolts .......................330
Changing wheels ........................... 331
TIREFIT ...........................................337
Tire inflation pressure .................. 341
Battery .............................................342
Jump starting ..................................344
Towing the vehicle .........................347
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................350
Exterior lamps ................................ 351
Replacing bulbs .......................... 351
Standby bulb function ...................356
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................357
Synchronizing
remote control ............................359
Emergency engine shut-down .....359
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...360
Replacing wiper blade insert .......362
Roof rack .........................................363
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6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................366
Power washer ..............................367
Tar stains .....................................367
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................367
Engine cleaning ..........................368
Vehicle washing .........................368
Ornamental moldings ................369
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................369
Window cleaning ........................369
Wiper blade .................................369
Light alloy wheels ......................370
Instrument cluster .....................370
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................370
Cup holder ...................................370
Seat belts ..................................... 371
Headliner and
shelf below rear window ........... 371
Leather upholstery ..................... 371Hard plastic trim items ..............371
Plastic and rubber parts ............371
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................374
Warranty coverage .........................374
Identification labels ...................... 375
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............376
Technical data ................................ 377
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 381
Engine oils ...................................... 383
Engine oil additives ...................... 383
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 383
Brake fluid ...................................... 383
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 384
Fuel requirements ........................ 384
Gasoline additives ......................... 385
Coolants .......................................... 385
Consumer information ................. 387
Uniform tire quality grading ....... 387
IndexIndex ................................................389
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157 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Defrosting
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO, the indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (8, page 152) up to open left and right side
air outlets (9, page 152). Adjust side air outlets upward.
Pressing the switch again returns the system to the
previous setting.Windows fogged up on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected. Press
buttonS. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets (9, page 152) and direct them
onto the side windows.
Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Close air outlet at dashboard top center (7, page 152).
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution control switch to positionh
ork.
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264 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position “P” (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear). When parking on hills, always set the
parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of
vehicle movement, before
turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle always:
1. Keep right foot on service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear).
4. Slowly release service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to starter switch
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when
leaving.
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266 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
Aq uaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
aquaplaning 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.
We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires for the winter
season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. On packed snow, they can
reduce your stopping distance as compared with
summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is not snow or
ice covered.
Wa r n i n 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.
Wa r n i n 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.
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267 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tire speed rating
Vehicles without Sport Package:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “H”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding the speed rating.Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 280.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed
rating of the tires.Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.
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269 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
seepage383.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 323.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
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276 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
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279 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 292.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
d ial com es on ). For t his reas on, all wheels, in cludin g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.
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281 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•During take-off, apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
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