brake fluid MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

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

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

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

245 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
i s u sed , the brak in g properties of t he vehi c le c a n b e
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

266 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 302.
2Coolant level,
see “Coolant level” on page 301
3Brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” on page 357
Opening hood, see page 297.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 326.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 130.
2
3

267 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 .............................273Malfunction and indicator lamp in
the center console .................... 273
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 273
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) ......... 281COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................282
ENGINE 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

270 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

278 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE LINING WEAR
* C = Category, see page 274When this message appears during braking, it indicates
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 274 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE LINING WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don’t add brake fluid before checking
the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid
reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.

340 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and/or eli minates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.

347 Contents - Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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