spare wheel MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2003 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Practical hints................................ 255
What to do if … .................................. 256
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 256
Lamp in center console................ 260
Messages in the display ............... 261
Where will I find ...? ........................... 279
First aid kit ................................... 279
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 279
Spare wheel ................................. 281
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 285
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 285
Locking the vehicle ...................... 286
Changing batteries ....................... 286
Fuel filler flap ............................... 287
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 288
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 289
Sliding/pop-up roof* ................... 289
Replacing bulbs ................................. 290
Bulbs ............................................ 290
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 292
Side marker lamp bulb ................. 294
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 295Replacing wiper blades....................... 296
Removing ...................................... 296
Installing ....................................... 296
Flat tire ............................................... 297
Preparing the vehicle .................... 297
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 297
Battery................................................ 303
Disconnecting the battery............. 304
Removing the battery.................... 304
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 304
Reconnecting the battery.............. 305
Jump starting ...................................... 306
Towing the vehicle .............................. 308
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 311
Fuses .................................................. 312
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 312
Fuse box in engine
compartment ................................ 312
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk............. 313
Technical data.................................. 315
Spare parts service ............................ 316
Warranty coverage ............................. 317
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 317
Identification labels ............................ 318
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 319
C 230 Kompressor Sport .............. 319
C 240 / C 320 (all models)........... 319
C 32 AMG ..................................... 319
Engine ................................................ 320
Rims and Tires.................................... 322
Same size tires ............................. 323
Mixed size tires ............................. 324
Spare wheel .................................. 325
Electrical system ................................ 326
Main dimensions ................................ 327
Weights .............................................. 328

243 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better aquaplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.If the tires are warm you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Tire pressure changes by approx. 1.5 psi
(0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air tempera-
ture change.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops

check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects


check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.

244 OperationTires and wheelsKeep this in mind when checking tire pres-
sure where the temperature is different
from the outside temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.
Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
b e c o m e w o r n o v e r t i m e e v e n i f n e v e r u s e d ,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3 000
to 6 000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or
sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 ft.lb. (110 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

245 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 338).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of ABS, ESP and 4MATIC* in
winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

279 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is stored in the trunk on the
left side secured by a velcro strap.
Unfasten velcro strap.

Remove first aid kit.
Vehicle tool kit
The following is included:

Vehicle tool kit


Towing eye bolt


Wheel wrench


Alignment bolt


Vehicle jack


Wheel bolts


Special fuse extractor


Spare fusesRemoving the vehicle tool kit
Vehicles with full size tire spare wheel
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the space
underneath the trunk floor in the storage
tray (
page 281).
Vehicles with Minispare wheel

Lift up the trunk floor cover.

Loosen retaining screw1 in the middle
of storage well casing2.

Remove storage well casing2.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.


280 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?
Remove vehicle tool kit storage well
casing5.
3Arrow
4Minispare wheel
5Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
6Vehicle tool kit
Wheel wrench
Vehicle jackVehicle jackVehicles with full size tire spare wheel
The vehicle jack is stored in the space
underneath the trunk floor together with
the vehicle tool kit in the storage tray
(
page 281).
Vehicles with Minispare wheel
The vehicle jack is stored in the space
underneath the trunk floor together with
the vehicle tool kit in the vehicle tool kit
storage well casing (
page 279).
Storage position
Remove the vehicle jack from its
compartment.
iArrow3 on vehicle tool kit storage well
casing5 must point in the direction of
travel. Otherwise you cannot place the
storage well casing on top and secure
the Minispare wheel with retaining
screw1 (
page 279).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
e s p e c i a l l y o n h i l l s . A l w a y s t r y t o u s e t h e j a c k
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up
bracket. Always lower the vehicle onto
sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.


281 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?

Push the crank handle up.
Operational position
Turn the crank handle clockwise until it
engages (operational position).
Before storing the vehicle jack in its
compartment:


The vehicle jack should be fully
collapsed.


The handle must be folded in (storage
position).
Spare wheel
Your vehicle is equipped with either a
spare wheel with full size tire or a
Minispare wheel. Full size spare tire has
marking “205/55 R16” or “225/45 R17”
on sidewall. Minispare has marking
“T 125/90 R16” on sidewall. Identify the
spare tire in your vehicle and follow
appropriate instructions.
Vehicles with full size tire spare wheel
The spare wheel is located in the
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
Lift trunk floor cover and engage trunk
floor handle in upper edge of trunk.1Tool kit
2Spare wheel
3Storage tray
Removing the spare wheel

Remove tool kit1.

Turn storage tray3 counterclockwise.

Remove spare wheel2.

282 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Storing the spare wheel
Place spare wheel2 in wheel well.

Turn storage tray3 clockwise to its
stop to secure the spare wheel.

Insert toolkit1.Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for steel rimsVehicles with Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is located in the
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
1Vehicle tool kit
Wheel wrench
Jack
2Arrow
3Minispare wheel
4Vehicle tool kit storage well casing!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before
closing the trunk lid.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting steel wheel rim. The use of
any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for steel wheel rims can cause
physical damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

283 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Removing the Minispare wheel
Lift trunk floor cover and engage trunk
floor handle in upper edge of trunk.

Loosen the retaining screw
(page 279) in the middle of storage
well casing.

Remove the storage well casing.

Remove vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4.

Remove Minispare wheel3.
Storing the Minispare wheel

Place Minispare wheel3 in wheel well.

Place vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 over the Minispare wheel. Be
sure that the arrow2 on storage well
casing4 points in the direction of
travel.

Place storage well casing (
page 279)
over the vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 and turn the retaining screw
(
page 279) clockwise to its stop to
secure the Minispare wheel.
iThe arrow2 on vehicle tool kit storage
well casing4 must point in the
direction of travel, otherwise you
cannot place the storage well casing
(page 279) on top and secure the
Minispare wheel with the retaining
screw (
page 279).
!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before
closing the trunk lid.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.

284 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel. The use
of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for the Minispare wheel can
cause physical damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.