tow MERCEDES-BENZ C320 WAGON 2002 S203 Owner's Manual

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control ............. 33
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 34
Panic button ................................. 35
Mechanical keys .......................... 35
Doors ................................................. 36
Central locking switch .................... 38
Automatic central locking .............. 39
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 39
Tailgate .............................................. 40
Opening the tailgate .................... 40
Emergency unlocking
the tailgate .....................................41
Closing the tailgate ..................... 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 45
Front seat adjustment ..................... 46
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 50
Multicontour seat .............................51Heated seats ..................................... 52
Rear seat head restraints ................ 53
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 56
Seat belts ........................................... 56
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 57
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 64
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 65
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 66
Airbags .............................................. 67
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 75
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 83
Rear view mirrors ............................ 84
Instrument cluster ........................... 92
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 96
S203.book Seite 1 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

5 ContentsELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..292
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................293
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................294
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................295
STEERING GEAR OIL .................296
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................297
LAMP SENSOR ...........................299
DOOR ............................................299
TRUNK OPEN .............................300
HOOD ...........................................300
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 301
TELE AID ..................................... 301
WASHER FLUID ..........................302
RESTRAINT SYSTEM .................303
KEY ...............................................303
FUEL RESERVE ..........................304
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................304
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 306
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 307
Fuses ............................................... 307
Hood ................................................. 311
Adding engine oil ........................... 314
Automatic transmission
fluid level .................................... 315
Coolant level .................................... 315
Adding coolant ............................ 316
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 316
Spare wheel,
storage compartment ................ 318
Vehicle tools .................................... 319
Vehicle jack .................................... 320
Wheels ............................................ 321
Tire replacement ....................... 321
Rotating wheels ......................... 322Spare wheel ....................................323
Spare wheel bolts .......................323
Changing wheels ...........................324
Tire inflation pressure ..................329
Battery .............................................330
Jump starting ..................................332
Towing the vehicle .........................335
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................338
Exterior lamps ................................339
Replacing bulbs ..........................339
Standby bulb function ...................345
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................346
Synchronizing
remote control ............................348
Emergency engine shut-down .....348
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...349
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 351
Roof rack .........................................352
S203.book Seite 5 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 52
2Rear window wiper/washer, see page 146
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 270
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 147
5Central locking switch, see page 38
6Antitheft alarm system, see page 43
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 44
7Right front seat heater switch, see page 52
8AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 284
9COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 161
10Automatic climate control, see page 148
Rear window defroster, see page 158
11Ashtray, see page 200
12Automatic transmission, see page 243
13Storage compartment, see page 196
14Armrest, see page 196
Storage compartment, see page 202
S203.book Seite 24 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 33
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 34
Panic button .................................. 35
Mechanical keys ........................... 35
Doors .................................................. 36
Central locking switch .................... 38
Automatic central locking .............. 39
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 39
Tailgate .............................................. 40
Opening the tailgate .................... 40Emergency unlocking
the tailgate .....................................41
Closing the tailgate ..................... 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 45
Front seat adjustment ..................... 46
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 50
Multicontour seat .............................51
Heated seats ..................................... 52
Rear seat head restraints ............... 53
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 56
Seat belts .......................................... 56
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 57
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 64
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 65
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 66
Airbags .............................................. 67Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 75
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 83
Rear view mirrors ............................ 84
Instrument cluster ........................... 92
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 96
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 100
Audio systems ................................ 102
Radio ............................................ 102
CD player ..................................... 103
Cassette player ........................... 104
Telephone ........................................ 105
Navigation system ...........................110
Trip computer .................................. 111
Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................113
Individual settings ..........................115
Setting the audio volume ............. 130
S203.book Seite 26 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

39 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom atic c entral lockin g s ystem ac tivate d, t he
doors and tailgate are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” –
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 115.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).
S203.book Seite 39 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

44 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow - away a l a r m
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off tow-away alarm
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 228.
To pr even t tr igger in g t he tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic key.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic key, at which
time it is automatically reactivated.
P54.25-2520-26
S203.book Seite 44 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

194 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Interior Storage compartments and armrests
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs.Always use partition net when transporting cargo.
Partition net cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.
S203.book Seite 194 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

212 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Luggage cover
1Handle
2To lock – pull luggage cover back by handle (1) until
it locks into position.
3To unlock – press handle (1) down and release. The
luggage cover retracts automatically.
Note:
With the luggage cover rolled up, fold the lip down.Removal, installation of twin-reel roller blind
The safety net and luggage cover must be retracted.
Removal:
Fold up split rear bench seat, see page 213.
Slide twin-reel roller blind (1) to left and remove.
Installation:
Fold up split rear bench seat.
Place twin-reel roller blind into right and left guide
rails (2) and slide towards right to the end stop.
P68.00-2488-26
2
13
2
P68.00-2489-26
S203.book Seite 212 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

217 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage/cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification tag which can be
found on the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
P68.00-2153-26
S203.book Seite 217 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

229 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the
“SOS” button, in the “Roadside Assistance” button and
in the “Information” button do not remain illuminated
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the multifunction
display after the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow-away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 43 and 44.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled “SOS”, then briefly pressing the button located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL”
appears in the multifunction display. When the
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle
(determined by the GPS satellite location system),
vehicle model, identification number and color are
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the
multif un ction d isp lay. The Res pon se Cen ter will attemp t
to determine more precisely the nature of the accident
provided they can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.
S203.book Seite 229 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13