tire type MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2003 W203 Owner's Manual

228 OperationDriving instructionsC240, C2404MATIC, C320, and
C 320 4MATIC
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
C 230 Kompressor Sport, C 320 Sport,
and C 320 4MATIC Sport
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).C32AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to positionN or in
case of manual transmission declutch. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iInformation on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 246).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

242 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation.
Important guidelines

Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

345 Technical terms
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

354 Index
Messages in display 269
Switching off 76
Switching on 77
Warning lamp 256
ETD 64, 342
Safety guidelines 59
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 233
Requirements 334
Switching fuels 334
Exterior lamp switch 47, 101
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 126
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Parking position* for 131
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 123
Fastening the seat belts 41
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
First aid kit 279
Flat tire 297
Lowering the vehicle 301
Mounting the spare wheel 297Preparing the vehicle 297
Spare wheel 281
Flexible fuel vehicles 334
At the gas station 233
Switching fuels 334
Flexible Service System (FSS) 247, 342
Fog lamp, rear 103, 291
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 290
Fog lamps, front 103
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 291
Switching on 103
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 78
4MATIC 78
Front airbags 60
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon type* 293
Halogen-type 292
Messages in display 272–275
Replacing bulbs 290, 292
Switching on 101
Front seat head restraints
Installing 94
Manual seat 94Power seat* 94
Removing 94
Front seats
Heater* 97
FSS (Flexible Service System) 247, 342
Fuel 234
Additives 334
Cruising range 335
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 335
Fuel reserve warning lamp 259
Gasoline additives 334
Premium unleaded
gasoline 234, 330, 333
Requirements 333, 334
Reserve warning 23
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 334
Technical data 329
Fuel additives 334
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 132
Since last reset 132, 133
Fuel filler flap 233
Locking 233
Opening 287
Unlocking 233

364 IndexSelector lever 23
Lock 44
Position
(automatic transmission) 23, 138
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 67
Tele Aid* 210
Service
Calling up the service indicator 248
Major service (Service B) 247
Minor service (Service A) 247
Overdue 247
Spare parts 316
Types 247
When due 247
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 317
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 247
Calling up 248
Clearing 247, 248
Service life (tires) 243
Service see maintenance 247
Service System see FSS 247Setting
Convenience functions 121, 129
Cruise control 194
Daytime running lamp mode 125
Higher speed in cruise control 195
Hours (clock) 122
Individual vehicle settings 119
Instrument lighting 107, 108
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 127
Key dependent memory 131
Lamps and lighting
(control system) 125
Language, multifunction display 124
Locator lighting 126
Lower speed in cruise control 195
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 123
Minutes (clock) 122
Night security illumination 126
Parking position* for exterior rear
view mirrors 131
Slower speed in cruise control 195
Speed in cruise control 195
Speedometer display mode 123
Station selection mode 128
Temperature (Interior) 158Temperature (interior) 150
Temperature indicator 123
Time display mode (Clock) 123
Units
Speedometer 123
Temperature 123
Settings
Convenience functions 129
Factory, SmartKey 85
Individual (SmartKey) 131
Lighting (control system) 125
Menus and submenus 113
Resetting all (control system) 120
Resetting in the submenu 120
Selective 85
Settings menu
Functions in 119
Individual vehicle settings 119
Submenus 120
Shift lock 344
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 141
Gearshift lever 137
Into optimal gear range
(automatic transmission) 139