brake fluid MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2002 W203 Owner's Manual

4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260
Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals ........................................... 261
Power assistance ........................262
Brakes ..........................................262
Driving off ...................................263
Parking ........................................264Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271
Cruise control ................................ 272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 278
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 284
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system ........ 286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 286Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................292
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....297
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE .......................299
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6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................366
Power washer ..............................367
Tar stains .....................................367
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................367
Engine cleaning ..........................368
Vehicle washing .........................368
Ornamental moldings ................369
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................369
Window cleaning ........................369
Wiper blade .................................369
Light alloy wheels ......................370
Instrument cluster .....................370
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................370
Cup holder ...................................370
Seat belts ..................................... 371
Headliner and
shelf below rear window ........... 371
Leather upholstery ..................... 371Hard plastic trim items ..............371
Plastic and rubber parts ............371
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................374
Warranty coverage .........................374
Identification labels ...................... 375
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............376
Technical data ................................ 377
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 381
Engine oils ...................................... 383
Engine oil additives ...................... 383
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 383
Brake fluid ...................................... 383
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 384
Fuel requirements ........................ 384
Gasoline additives ......................... 385
Coolants .......................................... 385
Consumer information ................. 387
Uniform tire quality grading ....... 387
IndexIndex ................................................389
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99 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage100
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 101 and
individual settings, see page 121
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 291
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage298
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 148
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 292
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,
seepage286
10High beam headlamp indicator,
seeexterior lamp switch, page143, and
combination switch, see page 14811Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
12Multifunction display, see page 102.
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 293
13Trip odometer, see page 101 and 106
14Main odometer, see page 106
15Display for program mode and gear range
indicators, see page 254
16Malfunction/warning message memory,
seepage119
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 101
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 121
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 148
20Fasten seat belts, see page 292
21Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 289
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 290
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262 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of road salt and other snow melting
chemicals spread on roads during the winter months
may cause a build up of moisture or residue to form on
the braking components. This build up or residue could
cause light corrosion of the braking components if the
vehicle is parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and
even braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to
warm up and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 275.
The 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.
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 or salty road conditions,
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.
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263 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of the vehic l e c an be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.
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284 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 323.
2Coolant level,
see “Coolant level” on page 322
3Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed),
see “Brake fluid” on page 383.
Opening hood, see page 318.
Removing fuse box cover, see page 316.
Vehicle lighting: Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 351.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 143.
2
3
P 00.40-2005-26
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285 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 .........286
On-board diagnostic system .........286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................286
Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................292Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .................... 292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ....... 296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .... 297
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 297
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 298
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 298
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 299
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 300COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR ...........................306
DOOR ...........................................306
TRUNK OPEN .............................307
HOOD ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......308
TELE AID .....................................308
WASHER FLUID .........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE ...........................311
UNDERVOLTAGE .........................311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
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288 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.
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298 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 293When 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 293 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD 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 f luid 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.
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366 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.
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