snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ C240 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

73 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


4MATIC* (Four Wheel Electronic Trac-
tion System)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 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 experi-
encing the pulsation.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP and
4MATIC* is only achieved with winter
tires (M + S tires), or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP and 4MATIC* cannot re-
duce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 256).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a ESP equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP‘s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off (key in
starter switch position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

228 OperationDriving instructionsC240, C2404MATIC, C320, and
C 320 4MATIC
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 a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
C 230 Kompressor Sport, C 320 Sport,
and C 320 4MATIC Sport
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).C32AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to positionN or in
case of manual transmission declutch. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iInformation on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 246).
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 control loss.

246 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.


Use only snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 75) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

225/45 R17 91 H M+S


225/45 R17 91 W


245/40 R17 91 Y


T 125/90 R16 M 98

323 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Same size tires
C240
C2404MATIC
C320
C3204MATIC
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C320Sport
C 320 4MATIC Sport
C32AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7J x 16 H2
71/2J x 17
-
Rims (steel - Canada only)
7J x 16 H2
-
-
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
-
All season tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H
-
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
225/45 R17 91 W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/50 R17 89 H M+S
2
or
225/45 R17 91 H M+S1, 2
2Only on rim 71
/
2 Jx17 H2 ET 37

324 Technical dataRims and TiresMixed size tires
C32AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
71/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/45 R17 91 Y
1
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R17 91 Y
2, 3
1Also permissible: 225/45 ZR17 91 Y2Also permissible: 245/40 ZR17 91 Y3Must not be used with snow chains.

325 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Spare wheel
Your vehicle is equipped with either a spare wheel with full size tire or Minispare wheel.
Spare wheel with full size tire
Minispare wheel
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C 240 (all models)
C 320 (all models)
C32AMG
Rim (light alloy)
-
71/2J x 17 H2
Rim (steel)
7J x 16 H2
-
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
All season tire (radial-ply tire)
205/55 R16 91 H
225/45 R17 91 Y
C 230 Kompressor Sport
C 240 (all models)
C 320 (all models)
Rim (steel)
3.5B x 16 H2
Wheel offset
0.67 in (17 mm)
All season tire (radial-ply tire)
T 125/90 R16 M 98
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

365 Index
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 137
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 294
Side windows
Automatic opening 188
Cleaning 251
Closing 187, 188
Closing with SmartKey 188
Opening 187, 188
Opening fully 188
Opening with SmartKey 188
Stopping 188
Synchronizing power windows 189
Signal strength (telephone*) 134
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 49
Single wipe 49
Ski sack* 196
Removing 199
Unfolding and loading 196
Unloading and folding 198
Sliding/pop-up roof* 190
Closing 190, 289
Closing with SmartKey 191Opening 190, 289
Opening with SmartKey 191
Stopping 191
Synchronizing 192
SmartKey
Changing battery 286
Locking and unlocking 84
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof* with 191
Opening and closing
windows with 188
Unlocking with 30
Snow chains 246
Soft keys
Audio system 168
Spare fuses 313
Spare parts service 316
Spare wheel 281
Bolts 282
Minispare 300
Mounting 297
Removing 281
Speed
Saving current 194
Speed settings
Cruise control 195Speedometer 23
Settings units 123
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 123
Split rear bench seat* 199
SRS 63, 344
Indicator lamp 257
Standing lamps 101
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 293, 294
Standing water
Driving instructions 229
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 44
Station (radio)
Search 117
Station selection
Setting 128
Steel rims
Technical data 323
Steering column
Height adjustment 37, 38
Length adjustment 37, 38
Messages in display 276

370 IndexWindshield washer fluid 338
Message in display 278
Mixing ratio 338
Refilling 241
Wiping with 49
Windshield washer system 338
Windshield wipers 48
Fast wiper speed 48
Replacing wiper blades 296
Single wipe 49
Switching on 48
Wiping with windshield
washer fluid 49
Winter driving 245
Block heater 246
Snow chains 246
Tires 245
Transmission program mode 142
Winter driving instructions 228
Winter tires 245Wiper blades
Cleaning 251
Installing 296
Removing 296
Replacing 296
Replacing insert 296
Wiping
Interval 48
With windshield washer fluid 49
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 341