cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON 2003 S203 Owner's Manual

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
47


Windshield wipers
48


High beam
47
2
Cruise control lever
190
3
Instrument cluster
22,
104
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
108
5
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
6
Overhead control panel
27
7
Opening glove box
203
8
Glove box
203
Item
Page
9
Center console
25
10
Starter switch
31, 44
11
Horn
12
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
37
13
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk (electrical)*
37
14
Hood lock release
234
15
Parking brake pedal
46
16
Door control panel
28
17
Parking brake release
51
18
Exterior lamp switch
47, 98
19
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38, 97
20
Headlamp washer switch
143
S203 MY03_A.book Page 21 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

190 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
The BAS, ABS and ESP driving systems are
described in the “Safety and Security” sec-
tion (page 73).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 190 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

191 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at previously set speed
Saving current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control will be canceled. The
last speed set will be stored for later
use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).iVehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is
switched off when declutching exceeds
four seconds during downshifting a
gear.iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 191 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

192 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting stored speed (“Resume”
function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control will resume the last
previously set speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed

Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada :1 km/h) increments
Faster

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow2.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 192 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

228 OperationDriving instructionsWinter 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.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling at
length on salt-strewn roads.
This can bring road salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal. Be very careful
that you carry out these braking maneu-
vers without endangering any other road
users.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
For more information on winter driving
(
page 244).
iInformation on driving with snow
chains (
page 245).
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.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
s i g n e d t o s e r v e a s a n i c e - w a r n i n g d e v i c e a n d
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 228 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
can no longer supply the convenience
functions such as seat heater*.

Start the engine (
page 44).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
The instrument cluster display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
(page 258).
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 240).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 278 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

340 Technical termsCOMAND*
(Cockpit Management and Data Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other op-
tional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up vehi-
cle information and to change component
settings. Information and messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display. The driv-
er uses the buttons on the multifunction
steering wheel to navigate through the sys-
tem and to adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for automati-
cally maintaining the vehicle speed set by
the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer and
placed on the cylinder block to uniquely
identify each engine produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (viscos-
ity) of the oil at different temperatures. The
higher the temperature an oil can tolerate
without becoming thin, or the lower the
temperature it can tolerate without be-
coming viscous, the better the viscosity.
ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(Emergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(Flexible Service System)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to the
automatic transmission for shifting. The
automatic gear shifting process can be
adapted to specific operating conditions
using the selector lever.
GPS
(Global Positioning System)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.S203 MY03_A.book Page 340 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM

349 Index
MB Tex upholstery 252
Plastic and rubber parts 252
Seat belts 252
Steering wheel 251
Windows 251
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 251
Climate control 144
Adjusting 147
Defogging windshield 147
Defrosting 147
Rear window defroster 149
Setting the temperature 146
Clock 23, 118
Closing
Glove box 203
Hood 235
Side windows 185
Sliding/pop-up roof 187, 290
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 188
Tailgate 87
Trunk lid 87
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 186Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 290
Cockpit 20, 339
COMAND* 340
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch 101
High beam flasher 48, 101
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Consumer information 337
Control and operation of radio
transmitter 230
Control system 107, 340
AUDIO menu 112
Convenience submenu 126
Display digital speedometer 112
Functions 108, 111
Instrument cluster submenu 118
Lighting submenu 121
Malfunction memory menu 115
Menus 110, 111
Multifunction display 107
Multifunction steering wheel 108
NAVI menu 114
Selecting radio system 113
Settings menu 116Standard display menu 112
Submenus 109, 111
TEL* menu 131
Trip computer menu 128
Vehicle submenu 124
Convenience submenu 126
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature 126
Setting key dependency 127
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 128
Coolant 238, 334
Adding 238
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 334
Capacities 328
Checking level 238
Messages in display 265, 266
Temperature 231
Temperature gauge 104
Warning lamp 266
Coolant level
Checking 233, 238
Cruise control 190, 340
Canceling 191
Driving downhill 191
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350 Index
Driving uphill 191
Fine adjustment 192
Saving current speed 191
Setting speeds 192
Cruise control lever 190
Cruising range, fuel 333
Cup holder
Cleaning 251
In front seat armrest 204
In rear seat armrest 205
Customer assistance system (CAC) 339
D
Daytime running lamp mode 100
Setting 121
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 150
Air recirculation mode 148, 157, 158
Alarm 80
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control 153
Central locking (control system) 125
Climate control 145
Cruise control 191
Defrost 148, 156
Engine with the key 52
ESP 77Exterior lamps 99
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 122
Front fog lamps 122
Hazard warning flasher 101
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 79
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 124
Rear window defroster 149, 158
Residual heat 159
Seat heater 94
Tow-away alarm 81
Deep water see Standing water 229
Defogging
Windshield 147, 155
Defrosting 147, 156
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 122
Interior lighting 124
Dialing
A number (telephone) 132
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 50
With starting 45
Digital clock 23
Digital speedometer 112Direction of rotation (tires) 242
Discharged battery
Jump starting 308
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 306
Display
Selecting 120
Display elements
Audio system 162
Displays
Digital speedometer 112
Messages 237, 260
Selecting 120
Service indicator 246
Showing malfunctions 115
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 128
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 103
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 217
Doors
Message in display 268
Opening from inside vehicle 88
Opening from outside 85
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351 Index
Downhill driving
Cruise control 191
Downshifting 134, 136
Drink holder see Cup holder 204
Drinking and driving 223
Driving
General instructions 40, 223
Hydroplaning 226
In winter 228
Problems 50
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 229
Traveling abroad 229
Driving instructions 223
Driving off 225
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 78
ABS 73
BAS 75
ESP 75
Driving systems 190
Cruise control 190
Driving safety systems 73E
Easy-entry/exit feature 90
Activating 126
Interrupting movement 126
Electrical fuses 314
Electrical outlet 208
Electrical system
Technical data 325
Electronic stability program (ESP) 340
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
75
Emergency call
Telephone 181
Emergency call system* 210
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 213
With Tele Aid* 211
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 140
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 290
Locking the vehicle 286
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 290
Remote door unlock 217
Unlocking the vehicle 285
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 340Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 64
Emission control 231
Emission control label 320
Ending
A call (telephone) 132
Engine
Compartment 234
Message in display 258
Starting with automatic
transmission 44
Starting with manual
transmission 44
Starting with the key 44, 45
Technical data 322
Turning off with the key 52
Engine cleaning 250
Engine compartment 234
Fuse box in 314
Hood 234
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
258
Engine number 340
Engine oil 235, 330
Adding 236
Additives 330
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