2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class Owner's Manual
Year:
2003
Make:
Mercedes-Benz
Model:
C Class
Rating:
Table of Contents
Contents
3
Introduction
9
Product information
9
Operator’s Manual
10
Service and warranty information;Information:About service and warranty
10
California:Important notice
11
Maintenance
12
Roadside Assistance
12
Change of address or ownership
12
Operating:Vehicle outside the USA and Canada
13
Operating safety;Operating:Safety
16
Vehicle:Proper use of
16
Problems:With vehicle
17
Safety defects:Reporting;Reporting:Safety defects
18
Reporting Safety Defects
18
At a glance
19
Cockpit;Instruments and controls see Cockpit
20
Instrument cluster;Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and warning <$nopage>;Warning lamps see Lamp
22
Multifunction steering wheel;Steering wheel:Buttons
24
Center console
25
Center console:Upper part
25
Center console:Lower part
26
Overhead control panel
27
Door control panel
28
Getting started
29
Unlocking
30
Unlocking:With the SmartKey;SmartKey:Unlocking with;Key, SmartKey:Unlocking with
30
Adjusting
32
Adjusting:Seats;Seats:Adjusting
32
Adjusting:Steering wheel;Steering wheel:Adjusting;Height adjustment:Steering wheel
37
Mirrors:Adjusting;Adjusting:Mirrors
39
Driving:General instructions
41
Seat belts:Fastening;Fastening the seat belts;Safety belts see Seat belts;Occupant safety:Fastening
41
Starting the engine
44
Switching on:Headlamps;Headlamps:Switching on;Activating:Headlamps;Activating:Exterior headlamps
47
Turn signals;Combination switch:Turn signals
47
Windshield wipers;Combination switch:Windshield wipers;Switching on:Windshield wipers;Windshield wip
48
Problems:While driving;Driving:Problems;Difficulties:While driving see Problems while driving
49
Parking;Locking
51
Parking brake:Engaging
51
Headlamps:Switching off;Switching off:Headlamps;Deactivating:Headlamps
52
Turning off:Engine;Engine:Turning off with the key;Switching off:Engine
53
Safety and Security
55
Occupant safety;Safety:Occupant
56
Airbags;Occupant safety:Airbags
57
Seat belts
61
Child safety;Occupant safety:Children in the vehicle
65
Rear door window:Blocking operation;Blocking:Rear door window operation;Child safety switch see Bloc
71
Panic alarm;Panic alarm:Panic button on SmartKey
72
Activating
72
Deactivating
72
Driving:Safety systems;Safety systems:Driving;Driving systems:Driving safety systems
73
Driving safety systems:ABS;ABS
73
Driving safety systems:BAS;BAS
74
Driving safety systems:ESP;ESP;Electronic Stability Program see ESP
75
ESP:Four wheel electronic traction system with ESP
78
Anti-theft systems
79
Immobilizer;Activating:Immobilizer
79
Anti-theft systems:Anti-theft alarm system;Alarm system:Anti-theft
79
Tow-away alarm;Alarm system:Tow-away
80
Controls in detail
83
Locking;Unlocking;SmartKey:Locking and unlocking
84
Keys
84
Opening:Doors from the inside;Doors:Opening from inside vehicle
87
Opening:Trunk from the inside;Trunk:Opening from inside vehicle
88
Opening:Trunk;Trunk:Opening
88
Trunk lid:Closing;Closing:Trunk lid
89
Trunk:Trunk lid emergency release;Emergency operations:Releasing trunk lid from inside
89
Locking:Separately the trunk;Trunk:Separately locking;Manual operations:Locking the trunk
90
Unlocking:Separately the trunk;Trunk:Separately unlocking;Manual operations:Unlocking the trunk
91
Automatic locking when driving
91
Central locking:From inside;Central locking:Unlocking from inside
92
Seats
93
Seats:Easy entry/exit feature*;Easy-entry/exit feature*
93
Head restraints
94
Multicontour seat*;Adjusting:Multicontour seat*;Seats:Multicontour seat*
96
Seats:Heater*;Heated seats*;Front seats:Heater*
97
Memory function*;Power seat*:Memory function
98
Memory function*:Storing key dependent settings;Storing (Memory function*):Positions into memory;Pos
99
Memory function*:Recalling positions from memory;Positions (Memory function*):Recalling from memory
99
Mirrors:Storing exterior rear view mirror parking position*;Parking position*:Exterior rear view mir
100
Lighting
101
Exterior lamp switch;Lighting:Exterior lamp switch;Front lamps:Switching on;Lighting:Low beam;Lighti
101
Combination switch
104
Hazard warning flasher
104
Interior lighting;Lighting:Interior;Passenger compartment:Interior lighting
105
Lighting:Door entry lamps;Door entry lamps
106
Lighting:Trunk lamp;Trunk:Lamp
106
Instrument cluster
107
Instrument cluster:Illumination;Adjusting:Instrument cluster illumination;Lighting:Instrument cluste
107
Instrument cluster:Coolant temperature display;Coolant:Temperature display
108
Resetting:Trip odometer;Trip odometer:Resetting
109
Tachometer
109
Outside temperature indicator;Instrument cluster:Outside temperature indicator
110
Control system
111
Instrument cluster:Multifunction display;Multifunction display;Control system:Multifunction display
111
Multifunction steering wheel:Buttons;Control system:Multifunction steering wheel;Multifunction steer
112
Control system:Menus;Menus:In control system
114
Menus:Standard display;Control system:Standard display menu
116
Menus:AUDIO;Control system:AUDIO menu;AUDIO menu
116
Menus:NAVI*;Control system:NAVI menu*;Navigation system*:Operating;Operating:Navigation system*
118
Menus:Malfunction memory;Control system:Malfunction memory menu;Malfunction memory;Malfunction memor
118
Control system:Settings menu;Settings menu:Functions in;Setting:Individual vehicle settings;Settings
119
Menus:Trip computer;Control system:Trip computer menu;Trip computer
132
Menus:TEL*;Control system:TEL* menu;Telephone*:Operation;Operating:Telephone*
134
Manual transmission
137
Manual transmission:Shifting into reverse;Shifting:Into reverse (manual transmission);Reverse (manua
137
Automatic transmission
138
One-touch gearshifting;Automatic transmission:One-touch gearshifting
139
Gear range:Automatic transmission;Automatic transmission:Gear ranges
140
Automatic transmission:Gear selector lever position;Gear selector lever:Position;Shifting:Gear selec
141
Program mode selector switch:Automatic transmission;Automatic transmission:Program mode selector swi
142
Automatic transmission:Accelerator position;Accelerator position, automatic transmission
143
Automatic transmission:Gear shifting malfunctions
143
Good visibility
144
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors <$nopage>
144
Headlamps:Cleaning system*;Cleaning:Headlamps
146
Sun visors
146
Rear window sunshade*;Sunshade*
147
Climate control
148
Temperature:Setting interior temperature;Setting:Temperature (interior);Climate control:Setting the
150
Climate control:Adjusting;Adjusting:Air distribution;Adjusting:Air volume;Air distribution:Adjusting
151
Defrosting;Climate control:Defrosting
151
Air recirculation mode
152
Rear window defroster;Automatic climate control*:Rear window defroster
153
Deactivating the climate control s\x05ystem
153
Air conditioner (cooling):Turning on;Air conditioner (cooling):Turning off
154
Storage compartments:Ventilated compartments;Ventilation:Storage compartment;Ventilated storage comp
155
Rear passenger compartment:Adjustable air vents;Air vents, rear passenger compartment:Adjustable;Adj
155
Automatic climate control*
156
Setting:Temperature (Interior);Automatic climate control*:Setting the temperature
158
Air distribution:Adjusting;Adjusting:Air distribution;Automatic climate control*:Adjusting air distr
159
Adjusting:Air volume;Air volume:Adjusting;Automatic climate control*:Adjusting air volume
159
MAXCOOL Maximum cooling
160
Defrosting;Automatic climate control*:Defrosting
160
Air recirculation mode;Automatic climate control*:Air recirculation mode
160
Charcoal filter
161
Rear window defroster;Automatic climate control*:Rear window defroster
162
Air conditioner (cooling):Turning on;Air conditioner (cooling):Turning off
163
Residual heat utilization;Automatic climate control*:Residual heat utilization;Residual ventilation;
163
Rear passenger compartment:Adjustable air vents;Air vents, rear passenger compartment:Adjustable;Adj
164
Audio system
165
Audio system:Audio and telephone, operation;Operating:Audio system;Operating:Telephone*
165
Audio system:Operating safety;Operating safety:Audio system
165
Audio system:Operating and display elements;Display elements:Audio system
166
Audio system:Button and soft key operation;Button:Audio system;Soft keys:Audio system
168
Audio system:Operation
168
Audio system:Radio mode;Radio mode;Radio see Radio mode <$nopage>
171
Audio system:Cassette mode;Casette mode:Playing cassettes
174
Audio system:CD mode;CD mode;CD changer*;Changing CDs
178
Audio system:Telephone operation;Operating:Telephone*;Telephone*:Operation
182
Power windows;Power windows:Side windows
187
Side windows:Opening;Side windows:Closing;Opening:Windows;Closing:Windows
187
Power windows:Synchronizing;Synchronizing:Power windows;Side windows:Synchronizing power windows
189
Sliding/pop-up roof*
190
Opening:Sliding/pop-up roof*;Closing:Sliding/pop-up roof*;Sliding/pop-up roof*:Opening;Sliding/pop-u
190
Sliding/pop-up roof*:Synchronizing;Synchronizing:Sliding/pop-up roof*
192
Driving systems
193
Cruise control;Driving systems:Cruise control
193
Roof rack*;Loading:Roof rack*
196
Ski sack*;Loading:Ski sack*
196
Split rear bench seat*;Rear bench seat:Foldable*;Seats:Split rear bench seat*;Loading:Split rear ben
199
Loading:Instructions
202
Useful features
203
Interior storage spaces
203
Ashtray;Useful features:Ashtrays
207
Cigarette lighter;Useful features:Cigarette lighter;Lighter see Cigarette lighter
208
Telephone*;Useful features:Telephone*
208
Tele Aid*;Useful features:Tele Aid*
209
Garage door opener;Useful features:Garage door opener
217
Operation
221
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
222
Driving:General instructions;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:Driving instructions
226
Hydroplaning;Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning;Driving:Hydroplaning
227
Tire traction
227
Tire speed rating
227
Winter driving instructions;Driving:In winter
228
Standing water:Driving instructions;Deep water see Standing water;Driving:Through standing water
229
Passenger compartment
230
Driving abroad;Driving:Driving abroad
230
Control and operation of radio transmitters;Radio transmitters, control and operation;Operating:Radi
230
Catalytic converter
231
Emission control
231
Coolant:Temperature
232
Tanken
233
Regular checks
234
Engine:Compartment;Engine compartment
235
Hood;Engine compartment:Hood;Hood:Opening
235
Engine oil:Checking level;Oil:Dipstick
236
Transmission see Automatic or manual transmission;ATF (automatic transmission fluid);Automatic trans
238
Coolant:Checking level;Checking:Coolant level;Coolant;Coolant level:Checking
238
Battery, vehicle
240
Windshield:Washer fluid;Windshield washer fluid:Refilling;Headlamps:Cleaning system*;Headlamp cleani
241
Tires;Wheels:Tires and wheels
242
Important guidelines
242
Service life (tires);Tires:Service life
243
Direction of rotation (tires);Tires:Direction of rotation
243
Tire inflation pressure:Checking;Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure;Tire inflation pressure:Ch
243
Rotating wheels;Wheels:Rotating
244
Winter driving
245
Winter driving:Tires;Tires:Winter;Winter tires
245
Block heater;Winter driving:Block heater
246
Snow chains;Winter driving:Snow chains
246
Maintenance;Service see maintenance
247
Service indicator:Clearing
247
Service:Overdue;Overdue service;Service:Types
247
Service:Calling up the service indicator;Service indicator:Calling up;Calling up:Service indicator
248
Resetting:Service indicator (FSS);Service indicator:Clearing;Service indicator:Calling up
248
Vehicle care
249
Washing the vehicle
249
Practical hints
255
Practical hints:Lamps in instrument cluster
256
Practical hints:Lamp in center console;Center console:AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp;AIRBAG OFF indicator
260
Practical hints:Messages in the display;Displays:Messages
261
First aid kit;Practical hints:First aid kit
279
Vehicle tool kit;Tools;Practical hints:Vehicle tool kit
279
Practical hints:Spare wheel;Spare wheel;Flat tire:Spare wheel
281
Unlocking:In an emergency;Emergency operations:Unlocking the vehicle;Vehicle:Unlocking in an emergen
285
Unlocking the vehicle
285
Locking:Vehicle in an emergency;Emergency operations:Locking the vehicle;Manual operations:Locking t
286
Batteries, SmartKey:Changing;SmartKey:Changing battery
286
Fuel filler flap:Opening;Manual operations:Fuel filler flap;Opening:Fuel filler flap manually
287
Transmission selector lever:Unlocking manually;Unlocking:Transmission selector lever manually;Transm
288
Emergency operations:Opening sliding/pop-up roof*;Opening:Sliding/pop-up roof* in an emergency;Emerg
289
Sliding/pop-up roof*:Opening;Opening:Sliding/pop-up roof*;Sliding/pop-up roof*:Closing;Closing:Slidi
289
Bulbs, replacing;Replacing:Bulbs
290
Bulbs
290
Front lamps:Replacing bulbs;Replacing:Front lamp bulbs
292
Side marker lamps:Replacing bulbs;Bulbs, replacing:Side marker lamps;Replacing:Side marker lamp bulb
294
Replacing:Brake lamp bulbs;Replacing:Backup lamp bulbs
295
Replacing:Wiper blades;Windshield wipers:Replacing wiper blades;Wiper blades:Replacing;Windshield:Re
296
Wiper blades:Removing;Removing:Wiper blades
296
Wiper blades:Installing;Installing:Wiper blades
296
Flat tire
297
Flat tire:Preparing the vehicle
297
Flat tire:Mounting the spare wheel;Spare wheel:Mounting
297
Battery, vehicle;Vehicle:Service battery;Vehicle battery
303
Battery, vehicle:Disconnecting;Disconnecting:Vehicle battery
304
Battery, vehicle:Removing;Removing:Vehicle battery
304
Battery, vehicle:Charging;Charging:Vehicle battery;Battery, vehicle:Reinstalling;Reinstalling vehicl
304
Battery, vehicle:Reconnecting;Reconnecting:Vehicle battery
305
Jump starting;Discharged battery:Jump starting;Battery discharged:Jump starting
306
Towing the vehicle;Vehicle:Towing;Practical hints:Towing the vehicle
308
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit):Installing;Installing:Towing eye bolt
311
Fuses;Electrical fuses;Practical hints:Fuses
312
Fuses:Fuse box in passenger compartment;Fuse box;Passenger compartment:Fuse box in
312
Fuses:Fuse box in engine compartment;Fuse box;Engine compartment:Fuse box in
312
Fuses:Auxiliary fuse box in the trunk;Auxiliary fuse box;Trunk:Auxiliary fuse box
313
Technical data
315
Spare parts service;Parts see Spare parts service;Service:Spare parts
316
Warranty coverage
317
Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet;Service and Warranty Booklet:Loss of
317
Identification labels;Labels, identification
318
Layout of poly-V-belt drive;Poly-V-belt drive:Layout
319
C\x11230\x11Kompressor\x11Sport
319
C\x11240 / C\x11320 (all models)
319
C\x1132\x11AMG
319
Tires:Rims and tires;Rims;Tires;Technical data:Rims and tires
322
Same size tires
323
Mixed size tires
324
Spare wheel
325
Electrical system:Technical data;Technical data:Electrical system
326
Main dimensions;Technical data:Main dimensions
327
Weights;Technical data:Weights
328
Fuel:Technical data;Coolant:Capacities;Lubricants:Technical data;Technical data:Fuels;Technical data
329
Capacities:Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
329
Engine oil;Technical data:Engine oil
332
Engine oil:Additives;Technical data:Engine oil additives
332
Air conditioning refrigerant;Technical data;Air conditioning refrigerant;Refrigerant:Air conditionin
332
Brake fluid;Technical data:Brake fluid
332
Premium unleaded gasoline;Technical data:Premium unleaded gasoline;Fuel:Premium unleaded gasoline
333
Technical data:Fuel requirements;Fuel requirements;Fuel:Requirements
333
Technical data:Gasoline additives;Fuel additives;Gasoline see Fuel:Gasoline additives;Fuel:Additives
334
Technical data:Flexible fuel vehicles;Vehicle:With flexible fuel;Flexible fuel vehicles
334
Coolant;Technical data:Coolants
336
Windshield:Washer system;Windshield washer system;Headlamps:Cleaning system*;Technical data:Windshie
338
Consumer information;Tires:Consumer information
339
Uniform tire quality grading
339
Technical terms
341
Index
347
2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class Overview
Introduction
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class represents a blend of sporty performance and luxurious comfort, embodying the essence of what makes Mercedes-Benz a revered name in the automotive industry. With its striking appearance, sophisticated engineering, and a commitment to excellence, this compact executive car is designed to appeal to drivers who desire both style and substance. Whether navigating the city streets or enjoying a peaceful highway cruise, the C-Class delivers a driving experience that’s second to none.
Powertrains
For 2003, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers a variety of powertrain options designed to cater to different driving preferences. The base model, the C240, features a 2.6-liter V6 engine producing 168 horsepower, which strikes a fine balance between efficiency and performance. Enthusiasts can opt for the more powerful C320, outfitted with a robust 3.2-liter V6 engine that generates an impressive 215 horsepower, providing dynamic acceleration. Additionally, for those seeking a sportier performance, the C32 AMG showcases a supercharged 3.2-liter V6 engine with a staggering 349 horsepower, ensuring a thrilling drive.
Trims
The 2003 C-Class is offered in several trims, including the C240, C320, and the sport-oriented C32 AMG. Each trim delivers a unique set of features and performance characteristics. The C240 focuses on comfort with an emphasis on elegant styling, while the C320 provides added luxury with upgraded appointments. The C32 AMG, on the other hand, emphasizes high performance, boasting sport-tuned suspension and aggressive styling cues that set it apart from the more understated models.
Features
Standard features across the lineup include leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a premium sound system, creating a refined atmosphere for both the driver and passengers. Additional options such as a navigation system, upgraded audio packages, and advanced safety features like stability control and side airbags enhance the overall driving experience and ensure that occupants feel both secure and comfortable on the road.
Owners Manual
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with a comprehensive owner's manual that provides detailed information on operating the vehicle, maintenance schedules, troubleshooting tips, and guidelines for maximizing safety and performance. This essential resource equips owners with valuable knowledge, enabling them to fully appreciate and maintain their luxury sedan for years to come.
User manual download
The Mercedes-Benz C Class owner manual for the 2003 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2003 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.
Posted by, John Mana
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