air MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

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
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

3 IntroductionImportant notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC or its authorized Mercedes-Benz Center fails to conform the vehicle to its express warranties
after a reasonable number of repair attempts during the period of one year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of
the vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of service by
reason of repair of substantial nonconformities for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days or (2) the same
substantial non-conformity has been subject to repair four or more times and you have at least once directly
notified us in writing of the need to repair the non-conformity and have given us an opportunity to perform the
repair ourselves. Notifications should be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional Office listed in the
Service and Warranty Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.

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

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle 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 ................ 27
Choosing 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 ................. 37Antitheft 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 ............... 52
Seat 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 ................... 72Infant 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
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

21 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge .......... 124
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 125
Engine oil level indicator .............. 128
Engine oil consumption ................ 129
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 130
Headlamp mode ............................. 131
Night 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 ......... 158Rear 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 ................. 191
Sun visors ........................................192
Vanity mirrors ................................192
Interior .............................................193Storage 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

34 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off. See page 111 for “Individual settings”.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See page 111
for “Individual settings” - “VEHICLE”.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

49 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Multicontour seat (optional)
We recommend to adjust the multicontour seat in the
following order:
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Side bolster adjustmentSome models may be equipped with driver’s
multicontour seat. These seats have movable seat
cushions and inflatable air cushions built into the
backrest to provide additional lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement and amount of backrest
cushion height and curvature can be continuously
varied with regulators (1, 2 and 3) after turning the
electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
The side bolsters of the backrest can be adjusted with
rocker switch (4):
•press to the left –
increase side support,
•press to the right –
decrease side support.
If the engine is turned off, the last cushion setting is
retained in memory, and automatically adjusts the
cushion to this setting when the engine is restarted.