tow MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2004 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 53
Occupant safety................................... 54
Airbags ........................................... 55
Seat belts ....................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 63
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 70
Panic alarm* ........................................ 71
Activating ....................................... 71
Deactivating ................................... 71
Driving safety systems ......................... 72
ABS ................................................ 72
BAS ................................................ 73
ESP ................................................. 74
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 77
Anti-theft systems................................ 78
Immobilizer..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 81
Locking and unlocking ......................... 82
SmartKey ....................................... 82
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 85
Opening the trunk .......................... 86
Closing the trunk............................ 87
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 88
Separately locking the trunk .......... 89
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 90
Automatic central locking .............. 90
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 91
Seats ................................................... 92
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 92
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 93
Rear seat head restraints ............... 94
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats* ................................ 98
Memory function* ............................... 99
Storing positions into memory ..... 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 101Lighting ............................................. 102
Exterior lamp switch .................... 102
Combination switch ..................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting ............................ 107
Door entry lamps ......................... 108
Trunk lamp ................................... 108
Instrument cluster ............................. 109
Instrument cluster illumination .... 109
Coolant temperature display........ 110
Trip odometer .............................. 111
Tachometer .................................. 111
Outside temperature indicator ..... 111
Control system .................................. 113
Multifunction display.................... 113
Multifunction steering wheel........ 114
Menus .......................................... 116
Standard display menu ................ 118
AUDIO menu ................................ 118
NAVI* menu ................................. 121
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu* ................................... 138

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

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.

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
98
2
Rear window sunshade
switch
152
3
ESP control switch
74
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
106
5
Central locking switch
91
6
Rear seat head restraints
switch
95
7
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp
78
Tow-away alarm switch
79
Item
Page
8
Seat heater*, passenger
side
98
9
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
66,
279
a
Audio system,
or
173
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
b
Climate control
154
Automatic climate control*
162
Rear window defroster
153

50 Getting startedParking and locking
Parking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake2.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch
toM(
page 46).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 102).
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. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

52 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).
Allow the retractor to completely
rewind the seat belt by guiding the
latch plate.

After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 30).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 82).
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

75 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 277) and (
page 282).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.!The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because of the ESP’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
For information on vehicles with
4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic
traction system (4MATIC) with the
ESP” (
page 77).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lampv flash-
ing in the speedometer, proceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Because of the ESP’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.

78 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

Removing the SmartKey from the
starter switch activates the
immobilizer.
Deactivating


Inserting the SmartKey in the starter
switch deactivates the immobilizer.
Anti-theft alarm system*
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk lid


the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the
activating element (a door, for example) is
immediately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


opening the vehicle with the
mechanical keyArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the SmartKey. The turn
signal lamps flash three times to indicate
that the alarm system is activated. A red
indicator lamp in the switch for the
tow-away alarm (
page 79) begins to
flash after approx. ten seconds after
arming the alarm system.
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid
system* (
page 223) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.