engine MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2004 W203 Owner's Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your
desire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Adjusting .............................................. 32
Seats .............................................. 32
Steering wheel ................................ 36
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belt ................... 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Problems while driving.................... 49
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off engine ........................... 52

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 239
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 241
Parking ......................................... 241
Tires ............................................. 242
Hydroplaning ................................ 242
Tire traction .................................. 243
Tire speed rating .......................... 243
Winter driving instructions ........... 244
Standing water ............................. 245
Passenger compartment .............. 246
Driving abroad .............................. 246
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 246
Catalytic converter ....................... 247
Emission control........................... 247
Coolant temperature .................... 248At the gas station .............................. 249
Refueling ...................................... 249
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 251
Engine compartment ......................... 252
Hood ............................................ 252
Engine oil ..................................... 253
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant level ................................ 257
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 260
Life of tire..................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Rotating wheels ........................... 262Winter driving .................................... 263
Winter tires .................................. 263
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 264
Snow chains................................. 264
Maintenance...................................... 265
Clearing the service indicator ...... 265
Service term exceeded ................ 265
Calling up the service indicator .... 266
Resetting the service indicator .... 266
Vehicle care....................................... 267
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 267

Contents
Practical hints................................ 273
What to do if … .................................. 274
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 274
Lamp in center console................ 279
Messages in the display ............... 280
Where will I find ...? ........................... 300
First aid kit ................................... 300
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 300
Minispare wheel ........................... 302
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 305
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 305
Locking the vehicle ...................... 306
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 307
Fuel filler flap ............................... 308
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 308
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 309
Sliding/pop-up roof* ................... 309Replacing bulbs .................................. 310
Bulbs ............................................. 310
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 312
Side marker lamp bulb .................. 314
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 315
Replacing wiper blades....................... 316
Removing wiper blades ................. 316
Installing wiper blades .................. 316
Flat tire ............................................... 317
Preparing the vehicle .................... 317
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 317
Battery................................................ 323
Disconnecting the battery............. 324
Removing the battery.................... 324
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 324
Reconnecting the battery.............. 325Jump starting...................................... 326
Towing the vehicle.............................. 328
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 331
Fuses.................................................. 332
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 332
Fuse box in engine compartment . 333
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 334

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 335
Spare parts service ............................ 336
Warranty coverage ............................. 337
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 337
Identification labels............................ 338
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 339
C 230 Kompressor Sport.............. 339
C 240/C 320 (all models) ............ 339
C 32 AMG..................................... 339
Engine ................................................ 340
Rims and Tires ................................... 342
Same size tires ............................. 343
Mixed size tires ............................ 344
Minispare wheel ........................... 345
Electrical system................................ 346
Main dimensions................................ 347
Weights .............................................. 348Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 349
Capacities .................................... 349
Engine oils.................................... 352
Engine oil additives ...................... 352
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 352
Brake fluid .................................... 352
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 353
Fuel requirements ........................ 353
Gasoline additives ........................ 354
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 354
Coolants....................................... 356
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 358
Consumer information ....................... 359
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 359
Technical terms............................... 361Index................................................. 367

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety
standards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair
facility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left turn signal indicator
lamp
47
2
Speedometer
3
Right turn signal indicator
lamp
47
4
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
278
5
warning lamp
60,
278
1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
54,
278
6
Multifunction display
with:
113
Trip odometer
111
Main odometer
113
Item
Page
Gear selector lever
position
44,
145
Program mode
146
Outside temperature
indicator
111
Digital clock
113
7
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
276
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
74,
277
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
47,
106
EIndicator lamp
without function
1
DTRIndicator lamp
without function
1
1The indicator lamp illuminates with SmartKey in
starter switch position2. It sh ould go out when the
engine is running.
Item
Page
8
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
72,
274
;Brake warning
lamp, USA only
45,
50,
275
3Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
45,
50,
275
9
Tachometer
111
a
Reset button for:

Resetting trip
odometer
111


Resetting individual
settings
124


Instrument cluster
illumination
109

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 323).


Get a jump start (
page 326).
To prevent accelerated battery
discharge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, manual
1Handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle1 out to its stop limit.

Move steering wheel to the desired
position.

To lock the steering column, push
handle1 all the way in until it
engages.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or2 (
page 31).
or

Open the driver’s door.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the warning message
STEERING
WHEEL ADJ. - LOCK!
(page 298) is
displayed while the engine is running,
the steering column is not locked.