transmission MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC 2003 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 61
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm* .................................. 72
Activating ....................................... 72
Deactivating ................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73
ABS ................................................ 73
BAS ................................................ 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC*) with the ESP ..... 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 79
Immobilizer..................................... 79
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 79
Tow-away alarm ............................. 80
Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Keys ............................................... 84
Opening the doors from the inside . 87
Opening the trunk from the inside . 88
Opening the trunk .......................... 88
Closing the trunk............................ 89
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 89
Separately locking the trunk .......... 90
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 92
Seats ................................................... 93
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 93
Head restraints .............................. 94
Multicontour seat* ......................... 96
Heated seats* ................................ 97
Memory function* ............................... 98
Storing positions into memory ....... 99
Recalling positions from memory ... 99
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 100Lighting ............................................. 101
Exterior lamp switch .................... 101
Combination switch ..................... 104
Hazard warning flasher ................ 104
Interior lighting ............................ 105
Door entry lamps ......................... 106
Trunk lamp ................................... 106
Instrument cluster ............................. 107
Instrument cluster illumination .... 107
Coolant temperature display ........ 108
Trip odometer .............................. 109
Tachometer .................................. 109
Outside temperature indicator ..... 110
Control system .................................. 111
Multifunction display.................... 111
Multifunction steering wheel........ 112
Menus .......................................... 114
Standard display menu ................ 116
AUDIO menu ................................ 116
NAVI menu ................................... 118
Malfunction memory menu .......... 118
Settings menu .............................. 119
Trip computer menu..................... 132
TEL menu* ................................... 134
Manual transmission ......................... 137
Shifting into reverse ..................... 137

Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 138
One-touch gearshifting................. 139
Gear ranges ................................. 140
Gear selector lever position ......... 141
Program mode selector switch..... 142
Accelerator position ..................... 143
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 143
Good visibility .................................... 144
Rear view mirror........................... 144
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 146
Sun visors .................................... 146
Rear window sunshade* .............. 147
Climate control .................................. 148
Setting the temperature ............... 150
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 151
Defrosting .................................... 151
Air recirculation mode.................. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 153
Air conditioning ............................ 154
Ventilated storage compartment . 155
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 155Automatic climate control* ................ 156
Setting the temperature................ 158
Adjusting air distribution............... 159
Adjusting air volume ..................... 159
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 160
Defrosting ..................................... 160
Air recirculation mode .................. 160
Charcoal filter ............................... 161
Rear window defroster .................. 162
Air conditioning............................. 163
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 163
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 164
Audio system ...................................... 165
Audio and telephone, operation .... 165
Operating safety ........................... 165
Operating and display elements.... 166
Button and soft key operation....... 168
Operation ...................................... 168
Radio mode................................... 171
Cassette mode.............................. 174
CD changer* operating mode ....... 178
Telephone* operation ................... 182Power windows .................................. 187
Opening and closing the windows 187
Synchronizing power windows ...... 189
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 190
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 190
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 192
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Loading .............................................. 196
Roof rack* .................................... 196
Ski sack* ...................................... 196
Split rear bench seat*................... 199
Loading instructions ..................... 202
Useful features ................................... 203
Interior storage spaces ................. 203
Ashtrays........................................ 207
Cigarette lighter ............................ 208
Telephone* ................................... 208
Tele Aid* ....................................... 209
Garage door opener ...................... 217

ContentsOperation......................................... 221
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 222
Driving instructions ............................ 223
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 223
Drinking and driving ..................... 223
Pedals .......................................... 223
Power assistance ......................... 224
Brakes .......................................... 224
Driving off..................................... 225
Parking ......................................... 225
Tires ............................................. 226
Hydroplaning ................................ 227
Tire traction .................................. 227
Tire speed rating .......................... 227
Winter driving instructions ........... 228
Standing water ............................. 229
Passenger compartment .............. 230
Driving abroad .............................. 230
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 230
Catalytic converter ....................... 231
Emission control........................... 231
Coolant temperature .................... 232At the gas station .............................. 233
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 234
Engine compartment ......................... 235
Hood ............................................ 235
Engine oil ..................................... 236
Transmission fluid level ................ 238
Coolant level ................................ 238
Battery ......................................... 240
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning* system ......... 241
Tires and wheels ................................ 242
Important guidelines .................... 242
Life of tire..................................... 243
Direction of rotation ..................... 243
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 243
Rotating wheels ........................... 244
Winter driving .................................... 245
Winter tires .................................. 245
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 246
Snow chains ................................. 246Maintenance...................................... 247
Clearing the service indicator ...... 247
Service term exceeded ................ 247
Calling up the service indicator .... 248
Resetting the service indicator .... 248
Vehicle care....................................... 249
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 249

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

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
207
2
Selector lever for
automatic transmission*
44,
138
Gearshift lever for manual
transmission
44,
137
3
Storage compartment
205
Cup holder
204
Cigarette lighter
208
4
Armrest
206
5
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
142

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the starter switch. If
necessary, move steering wheel slight-
ly 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 key is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of
time, it can no longer be turned in the
starter switch.

Remove the key from the starter
switch and reinsert.
If the key can still not be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.


Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 240).


Get a jump start (
page 306).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the starter
switch.

44 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Manual transmission
Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
Make sure that the gearshift lever is in
Neutral position.

Do not depress accelerator.

Fully depress clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3. Release only when the en-
gine is firing regularly (
page 31).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (page 137).Automatic transmission*
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP .

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the key in the starter switch to
position3. Release only when the en-
gine is firing regularly (
page 31).
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as garage) which are not properly ven-
tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes
are entering the vehicle while driving, have
the cause determined and corrected imme-
diately. If you must drive under these condi-
tions, drive only with at least one window
fully open.


46 Getting startedDriving
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only)
or
3
(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move selector lever to positionD orR
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
More information on driving can be found
in the “Operation” section (
page 223).
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
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 loss of control.Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP orN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You 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 indica-
tor lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key 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 stop or steer the vehi-
cle.
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 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 key to starter switch position0
and remove.


Take the key and lock vehicle when
leaving.

52 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
M
(page 47).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 101).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. 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.