ESP MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

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

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.

18 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 50
2Rear window sunshade (optional), see page 191
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 260
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 137
5Central locking switch, see page 33
6Rear seat head restraints, see page 52
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 38
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 39
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 50
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 273
10COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 160
11Climate control (C 240), see page 138
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 146
Rear window defroster, see page 157

31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
Important!
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.4Individual door from inside:
Push lock button down to lock.
5Front door from inside:
Pull handle to unlock.
When you lock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the door lock button should move down.
Each individual door must be locked with the respective
door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed.
2
1
3
4
5

71 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The distance from the center
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should be
able to accomplish this by a combination of
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any problems, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim
can increase the risk and potential severity of
hand / arm injury when driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered.• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized Baby Smart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger side 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.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.

80 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Rear view mirror, automatic antiglare
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

84 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driver’s side exterior mirror, antiglare mode
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

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

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.

114 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the menu “INSTRUMENT CLUSTER”
can be called up in this options menu.
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
3“SET TIME” - “HOURS”
1
4“SET TIME” - “MINUTES”
1
5“12/24 O’CLOCK” – the unit set is displayed in the
instrument cluster display
6“TEMP. INDICATOR” – the unit set is displayed in
the outside temperature display, in the instrument
cluster and in the automatic air conditioner display.
7“DISPLAY VALUES IN” – the unit set is displayed in
the multifunction display (except speedometer).
8“TEXT” – sets the language used in the
multifunction display1 Only vehicles without COMAND.
Vehicles with COMAND, see separate operator’s manual.
9“SELECT DISPLAY” – The selection “SPEED DISP.”
respectively “OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE” is
permanently displayed in the multifunction display.
“SPEED DISP.” can be used to display, for instance,
the present speed in km/h if the setting menu (7)
“DISPLAY VALUES IN” is set to indicate miles.
10See page 116 for instructions on returning the
setting menu “INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” to the
factory setting.
11Acknowledgment.
Note:
Vehicles with COMAND:
For setting clock and speedometer units, see separate
COMAND operator’s manual.