warning MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 User Guide

56 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, a
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened.
Automatic comfort-fit seat belt:
An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front
passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key
in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2.
The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced,
increasing the level of seat belt comfort.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 345.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.

74 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is req uired by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to the
inside of the vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

78 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Unlocking:
Pull handle (1) out to its stop.
Adjusting:
Move steering wheel to the desired position.
Locking:
Push handle (1) in until it engages.Important!
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
See “STEERING WH. ADJUST” on page 292 for
malfunction and warning messages in the multifunction
display.

89 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage90
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 91 and
individual settings, see page 111
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 272
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage278
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 134
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 273
8Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
9CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp,
seepage268
10High beam headlamp indicator,
seeexterior lamp switch, page130, and
combination switch, see page 13411High beam headlamp indicator,
exterior lamp switch, see page 130 and
combination switch, see page 134.
12Multifunction display, see page 92
Instrument cluster display, see page 274
13Trip odometer, see page 91 and 96
14Main odometer, see page 96
15Display for program mode and gear range
indicators, page 237
16Malfunction/warning message memory,
seepage109
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 91
18Digital clock
To set the time, see individual settings on page 111
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 134
20Fasten seat belts, see page 273
21Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 271
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 271

91 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Outside temperature indicator (17)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Note:
The temperature indicator display can be set to read out
in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. See page 111.Trip odometer (13)
To reset to “0” miles / km:
Activate the instrument cluster if it is not already
activated, see page 90.
Press button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip odometer
appears if it is not displayed. See page 96.
Press button (1) on the instrument cluster, see page 90.
Tachometer (2)
The red marking on the tachometer denotes excessive
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted
if the engine is operated within the red marking.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

109 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction / warning message memory 1There are no messages stored in the system.
2Number of messages stored in the system.
3There are messages stored in the system.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
message memory (1 or 2) is displayed.
Press the j or k button if display (2) appears.
The stored messages will now be displayed in order.
See page 274 for malfunction and warning messages.
Display (2) will reappear after you have scanned all the
malfunction and warning messages.
Should any malfunction or warning messages be stored
while driving, they will reappear in the display (2) when
the electronic key is in starter switch position 0 or
removed from the starter switch.
The malfunction or warning messages will now be
displayed for approximately 5 seconds each.
Pressing the reset knob on the instrument cluster
(see page 88) displays the malfunction and warning
messages once more.

110 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The message memory will be cleared when the
electronic key is turned in the starter switch to
position 1 or 2. Should any subsequent faults occur,
they will be displayed in the message memory.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.Important!
Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated
for certain systems and displayed to a low level of detail.
The malfunction and warning messages are simply a
reminder with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the driver’s responsibility to
maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages. See page 274, for malfunction and
warning messages.

124 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel. See page 96.
Press button j or k until the coolant
temperature gauge appears.During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Note:
Excessive coolant temperatures trigger a warning in the
multifunction display. See page 282.
P54.30-3605-26
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

125 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Flexible service system (FSS)
(service indicator)
The FSS permits a flexible service schedule that is
directly related to the operating conditions of the
vehicle.
The symbol 9 or ½ appears together with a
message in the multifunction indicator prior to the next
suggested service.
Dep end in g on oper atin g c ond ition s t hr oughout t he year,
the next service is calculated and displayed in days or
distance remaining.The message is displayed for approximately 10 seconds
when turning the electronic key in starter switch to
position 2, or while driving when reaching the service
warning threshold.
The symbols and messages indicate the type of service
to be performed:
9Service A
½Service B
One of the following messages will appear in the display
(e.g. Service A):
“SERVICE A – IN xx DAYS”
“SERVICE A – IN xx MILES” (Canada: KM)
“SERVICE A – EXCEEDED BY xx DAYS”
“SERVICE A – EXCEEDED BY xx MILES” (Canada: KM)
“SERVICE A – DUE NOW”
The next service due date is displayed either in days or
in miles, depending on your driving style.
Once the suggested service term has passed, the symbol
and message appear for approximately 30 seconds and
a signal sounds every time when turning the electronic
key in starter switch to position 2.
P54.30-3606-26

129 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index One of the following messages will subseq uently appear
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 300 for
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.The “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” message will be displayed
if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short
while.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 300.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 274
and page 283 if an engine oil level indicator appears on
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.