MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

C-class
Operator’s Manual

C240
C320

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. Furt her, 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

Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 1
Operator’s manual ............................. 2
Where to find it .................................. 7
Reporting Safety Defects .................. 9Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 12
Door control panel ....................... 14
Overhead control panel ............... 15
Dashboard ..................................... 16
Center console .............................. 18OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 25
Locking and unlocking ................ 27Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control ............. 27
Opening the trunk ....................... 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 29
Panic button ................................. 30
Mechanical keys .......................... 30
Doors ..................................................31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .............. 34
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lid release switch ................ 37
Antitheft alarm system ................... 38
Tow-away alarm ............................... 39
Easy-entry/exit feature ................... 41
Front seat adjustment ..................... 42
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 47
Multicontour seat ............................ 49
Heated seats ..................................... 50
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 55
Seat belts ........................................... 55
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 56
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 62
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 63
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 64
Airbags .............................................. 65
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 72
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 73
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 79
Rear view mirrors ............................ 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 88
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92

Contents
Trip and main odometer, FSS, coolant
temperature, vehicle speed,
engine oil level indicator ........... 96
Audio systems .................................. 98
Radio .............................................. 98
CD player ....................................... 99
Cassette player ........................... 100
Telephone ........................................ 101
Navigation system .......................... 106
Trip computer ................................. 107
Malfunction/warning
message memory ...................... 109
Individual settings ..........................111
Setting the audio volume .............. 123
Coolant temperature gauge .......... 124
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 125
Engine oil level indicator .............. 128
Engine oil consumption ................ 129
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 130
Headlamp mode ............................. 131Night security illumination ..........132
Locator lighting ...........................133
Headlamp cleaning system ...........133
Combination switch .......................134
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................137
Climate control ...............................138
Automatic climate control ............ 146
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ..........158
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................159
Operation Audio and telephone ...160
Operating safety .............................160
Operating and
display elements ........................ 161
Button and soft key operation ......163
Operation .........................................163
Power windows ...............................184
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................187
Interior lighting ..............................189
Rear window sunshade ................. 191Sun visors ....................................... 192
Vanity mirrors ................................ 192
Interior ............................................ 193
Storage compartments and
armrests ..................................... 193
Glove box ..................................... 194
Cup holder ...................................... 197
Ashtrays .......................................... 199
Lighter ............................................. 201
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell .......................................202
Ski sack ...........................................202
Enlarged cargo area .......................207
Split folding rear seat bench ........207
Loading instructions
(vehicle with enlarged
cargo area) ..................................209
Cellular telephone ......................... 210
Telephone, general ........................ 211
Garage door opener ....................... 212

Contents
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 218
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 219
Maintenance ................................... 219
Tele Aid ...........................................220
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission control ............................229
Starter switch .................................230
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................232
Manual transmission ....................233
Automatic transmission ...............234
Parking brake .................................243
Driving instructions ......................244
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........244
Drinking and driving .................244
Pedals ...........................................244Power assistance ........................ 245
Brakes .......................................... 245
Driving off ................................... 246
Parking ........................................ 246
Tires ............................................. 247
Snow chains ............................... 250
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 250
Deep water .................................. 252
Passenger compartment ........... 253
Traveling abroad ........................ 253
Cruise control ................................ 254
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 257
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 258
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 260
What you should know at the gas
station ......................................... 264
Check regularly and before a long
trip .............................................. 266
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............268
On-board diagnostic system .........268
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................268
Brake warning lamp ..................270
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 271
Fuel reserve warning ................. 271
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............273
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................273
Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .....................273
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....273

Contents
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 274
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................275
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 276
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .....277
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................277
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............278
BRAKE FLUID .............................278
PARKING BRAKE .......................279
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................279
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..280
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 281
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................282ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 283
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 284
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 286
DOOR ........................................... 286
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 287
HOOD ........................................... 287
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 288
TELE AID ..................................... 288
WASHER FLUID ......................... 289
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................ 290
KEY .............................................. 290
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 291
UNDERVOLTAGE ....................... 291
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 292
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 292
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................294
Stowing things in the vehicle ......294
Fuses ................................................295
Hood .................................................297
Checking engine oil level .............300
Automatic transmission fluid
level ............................................. 301
Coolant level ................................... 301
Adding coolant ...........................302
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .........................................302
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment .............................304
Vehicle jack .....................................305

ContentsWheels .............................................306
Tire replacement ........................306
Rotating wheels ..........................307
Spare wheel ....................................308
Changing wheels ...........................309
Tire inflation pressure .................. 315
Battery ............................................. 316
Jump starting .................................. 318
Towing the vehicle ......................... 321
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................325
Exterior lamps ................................326
Replacing bulbs ..........................326
Trunk lamp ..................................... 331
Changing batteries in the electronic
main key .....................................332Synchronizing remote
control ......................................... 334
Emergency engine shut-down ..... 334
Fuel filler flap, manual release ... 335
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 337
Roof rack ......................................... 338
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle ................................. 340
Power washer ............................. 341
Tar stains .................................... 341
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 341
Engine cleaning ......................... 342
Vehicle washing ......................... 342Ornamental moldings ................343
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................343
Window cleaning .......................343
Wiper blade .................................343
Light alloy wheels ......................344
Instrument cluster .....................344
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................344
Cup holder ...................................344
Seat belts .....................................345
Headliner and shelf below rear
window ........................................345
Leather upholstery .....................345
Hard plastic trim items .............345
Plastic and rubber parts ............345

Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................348
Warranty coverage .........................348
Identification labels .......................349
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............350
Technical data ................................ 351
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ...................................355
Engine oils ......................................357Engine oil additives ...................... 357
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 357
Brake fluid ...................................... 357
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 358
Fuel requirements ........................ 358
Gasoline additives ......................... 359
Coolants .......................................... 359
Consumer information ................. 361
Uniform tire quality grading ....... 361
IndexIndex .................................................364

1 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.