Seats, Front
Warning !
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving. Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively
reclined position can be dangerous.
You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belt provide
the best restraint when the wearer is in an upright position and the belt is property positioned on the body.
Never place hands under seat or near any moving parts while a seat is being adjusted
1 - Seat, up/down
2 - Seat, fore7aft
3 - Seat cushion tilt
4 - Backrest tilt
5 - Head restraint
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level.
The head restraint angle can also be adjusted manually.
Note:
Your car is equipped with power head restraints, do not try to raise or lower them manually.
Power Seat (Optional on model C230 Kompressor passenger side)
The slide switches are located in each front door. Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with a front
door open, the power seats can also be operated with the electronic key removed or in steering lock position 0).
Warning !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the steering lock. The power seats can also
be operated with the driver's or passenger door open. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.
Caution !
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting seat covers. For removal refer to Head Restraints, Front, see
Index. Whenever restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them
before driving.
Important !
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft placement
and seat back angle to insure adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also airbag section for proper seat positioning. In addition, also adjust the steering
wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort, if vehicle so equipped. Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors
should be adjusted for adequate rearward vision. Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be seated in a
properly secured restraint system that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view mirror adjustments as well
as fastening of seat belts should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger side airbag when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag
when it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result. The back seat is the safest place
for children. Infants and small children must ride in the back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt, fully in accordance with the seat
manufacturer's instructions. A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child
restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.
Manual Seat
(Standard equipment on Model C 230 Kompressor passenger side)
We recommend to adjust the seat in the following order:
1. Seat height adjustment
2. Fore/aft adjustment
3. Seat cushion tilt
4. Backrest tilt
5. Head restraint inclination
6. Head restraint height
Fore/aft Adjustment
Lift handle (2), slide seat to desired position and allow handle to reengage.
Check for proper engagement before driving.
Seat Height Adjustment
Raise or lower lever (1). The seat will be raised or lowered one notch at a time.
Allow lever to re-engage. Check for proper engagement before driving.
Seat Cushion Tilt
Turn handwheel (3) forward or backward.
Backrest Tilt
Turn handwheel (4).
Head Restraint Height
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (6) and push down on head restraint.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level.
The head restraint inclination can also be adjusted manually (5).
Caution !
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting seat covers. For removal refer to Head
Restraints in Index. Whenever restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them before driving.
Seat Belts and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all se ats, emergency tensioning retractors for the front
seats, as well as front and side impact airbag s and knee bolsters for driver and front passenger.
Seat Belts
Important !
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require seat belt use. All states and provinces
require use of child restraints that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213
All child restraint systems are designed to be secure d in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your pass engers we strongly recommend their use.
Warning !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front airbag when it is properly
installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. If this
happens, serious or fatal injury will result. The back seat is the safest place for children.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt, fully in
accordance with the seat manufacturer's instructions. A child's risk of serious or fatal
injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle
and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.
Warning !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined
position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts provide the best restraint when the wearer is in an
upright position and belts are properly positioned on the body.
Seat Belt Warning System
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, a warning sounds for a short time if the driver's
seat belt is not fastened.
Warning !
Failure to wear and properly fasten and position your seat belt greatly increases your risk of
injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear
seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your
seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely
to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility for injury or death is lessened with your seat belt
buckled.
Infant and Child Restraint Systems
We recommend that all infants and children be properly restrained at all times while the vehicle is in
motion. All lap-shoulder belts except driver seat have special seat belt retractors for secure fastening
of child restraints. To fasten a child restraint, use th is seat belt: Follow child restraint instructions for
routing. Then pull shoulder belt out completely and let it retract. During the seat belt retraction a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate that the spec ial seat belt retractor is activated. The belt is
now locked. Push down on child restraint to take up any slack. To deactivate, release seat belt
buckle and let seat belt retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in the usual manner.
Warning !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is in motion, since the special seat belt
retractor will be deactivated.
Important !
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an approp riate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with this standard ca n be found on the instruction label on the restraint
and in the instruction manual provided with the re straint. When using any infant or child restraint
system, be sure to carefully read and follow all manu facturer's instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside of vehicle.
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart™ compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmart™ system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front airbag when it is properly
installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. If this
happens, serious or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating positions. Infants and small children must ride in
back seats and be seated in an infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle's seat belt, fully in accordan ce with the seat manufacturer's instructions.
Infants and small children should never share a seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could be crushed between the occupant and seat belt. Children too big for
child restraint systems must ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position shoulder
belt across chest and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat is necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from 41 Ibs. to the point where a lap/shoulder belt fits
properly without one.
When the child restraint is not in use, remove it from the car or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident.
U.S.A. Models only:
Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints comply with U. S. regulations without the use of a tether strap.
Canada Models only: This vehicle is provided with tether anchorages for a top tether strap. Consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for installa tion of these anchorages. In compliance with
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210.1, ch ild restraint tether anchorage hardware is
attached to the tool kit located in the trunk.
Program Mode Selector Switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch for Standard "S" and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) "W" program
modes.
Important !
Always be certain of the program mode selected since the vehicle driving characteristics change with the selection of
the program mode.
S - Standard mode Press switch on symbol "S". Use this mode for all regular driving. The vehicle starts out in 1st
gear.
Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly (not into kickdown position) while driving continuously, rather
than depressing the accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause the automatic transmission to shift down
into a lower gear.
This gear shifting process is dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the engine's braking
power during performance driving
W - Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode Press switch on symbol "W".
The vehicle starts out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position. The "W" mode helps to improve traction and driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle and engine speeds than in the "S,' program mode.
Important
Dependent on the program mode selector switch position "S" or "W" and the gear selector lever in position "13", the
ratio of power transmission changes.
Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in Limp
Home Mode which engages when there is a malfunction at the transmission. This condition may be accompanied by
the "CHECK ENGINE" malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move selector lever to position "P".
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position "D" (for 2nd gear), or move selector lever
to position "R" (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible.
Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. See your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for further information. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for information
on tested and recommended rims and tires for summer and wi nter operation. They can also offer advice concerning
tire service and purchase.
Tire Replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions, see
"Technical Data". We recommend that you break in new ti res for approx. 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed. It is
imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm) whenever wheels are
mounted. For rim and tire specifications, refer to "Technical Data".
Warning !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace
them. When replacing rirns, use only genuine Mercedes-Benz w heel bolts specified for the particular rim type. Failure
to do so can result in the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Rotating Wheels
Rotation of wheels with summer tires does not apply to m odel C 43 AMG. The wheels can be rotated according to the
degree of tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel. Rotating, however, should be carried out at the
scheduled service intervals, before the characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels) becomes visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important !
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside. The use
of retread tires is not recommended. Retread tires may adversely affect the handling charac teristics and safety of the
vehicle. Dented or bent rims can caus e tire pressure loss and damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims
for damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove burrs, if
any. Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after rotating the wheels. For Tire Inflation Pressure refer to
Index.
Spare Wheel (except C 43 AMG)
Important !
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional.
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized an d has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) use
before a standard wheel rim must replace it. In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the spare wheel. Do
not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel mounted.
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement. If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restrictions:
• Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as possible.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to "Technical Data".
Warning !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use for over a total of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) may cause wheel rim failure leading to an accident and possible injuries.
Technical Data C 230 KOMPRESSOR
Model C 230 KOMMPRESSOR
(202 024)1 Rims - Tires (except Sport Package)
Engine 111 Rims (light
alloy rims)
7J x 15 H 2
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
Wheel offset 1.46 in (37 mm)
No. of cylinders 4
All season
tires:;
Radial-ply tires
205/60R 15 91 H
Bore 3.58 in (90.90 mm) Winter tires;
Radial-ply tires
205/60 R 15 91 T M+S
Stroke 3.48 in (88.40 mm) C 230 KOMMPRESSOR - Canada only (ikl.spare wheel)
Total piston displacemen 140.8 cu.in. (2295 cm3)
Rims (steel
rims)
Wheel offset
61/2J x 15 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Compression ratio 8.8:1
All
season;Radial-
ply tires
Winter
tires;Radial-ply
tires
195/65 R 15 91 H
S
Output acc. to SAE J
1349
185 hp/5300 rpm
(136 kW/5300 rpm)
Rims All season Tires ( Sport Package)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349
200 ft.lb./2500 rpm
(270 Nm/2500rpm)
Rims (light
alloy rims)
Wheel offset
7J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Maximum engine speed 5800 rpm
All season
tires:
Radial-ply tires205/55 R 16 91 H
Firing order 1-3-4-2 Electrical System
tPoly-V-belt routing I 1875 mm Generator
(alternator)
14 V/90 A
Poly-V-belt routing II 1339 mm Starter motor 12 V/1.7KW
Weights See certification tag Battery 12 V/100 Ah
Roof load max.
Trunk load max.
220 lb(100 kg)
220 lb(100 kg)
Spark plugs
Electrode gap
Tightening
torque
Bosch F 7 KTCR
0.039 in (1,0 mm)
15-22ft.lb. (20-30 Mm)
Spare Wheel Main Dimensions
Rim (light alloy rim)
Wheel offset 7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm) Overall vehicle
length 178.2 in (4526 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 205/55 R 16 91 H Overall vehicle
width 67.8 in (1723mm)
Overall height 56.1 in (1424 mm)
Spare Wheel ( exept Canada model with steel rims) Wheel base 105.9 in (2690 mm)
Rim (light alloy rim)
Wheel offset 7 J x 15 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm) Track, front 59.0 in (1499 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 205/55 R 16 91 H Track, rear 57.6 in (1464mm)
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer for the correspon-ding data of ali specialbodies and special equipment,
Technical Data C 280
Model C 280 (202 029)1 Rims - Tires (except Sport Package)
Engine 112 Rims (light
alloy rims)7J x 15 H 2
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection Wheel
offset 1.46 in (37 mm)
No. of cylinders 6
All season
tires;
Radial-ply
tires
205/60R 15 91 H
Bore 3.54 in (89.90 mm)
Winter
tires;
Radial-ply
tires
205/60 R 15 91 T M+S
Stroke 2.89 in (73.50 mm) Weights See certification tag
Total piston displacemen 170.8 cu.in. (2799cm3) Roof load
max. 220 lb(100 kg)
Compression ratio 10.1 Trunk load
max. 220 lb(100 kg)
Output acc. to SAE J
1349 194 hp/5800 rpm
(145 kW/5800 rpm) Rims All season Tires ( Sport Package)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349 195 ft.lb./3000 rpm
(265 Nm/3000rpm)
Rims (light
alloy rims)
Wheel
offset
7J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm
tires:
Radial-ply
tires 205/55 R 16 91 H
Firing order 1-4-3-6-2-5 Electrical System
tPoly-V-belt 2390 mm Generator
(alternator)14 V/90 A
Starter
motor 12 V/1.7KW
Spare Wheel Battery 12 V/100 Ah
Rim (light alloy rim)
Wheel offset
7 J x 15 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Spark
plugs
Electrode
gap
Tightening
torque Bosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 20.03 in (1,0 mm)
15-22ft.lb. (20-30 Mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 205/55 R 16 91 H Main Dimensions
Overall
vehicle
length 178.4 in (4526 mm)
Overall
vehicle
width 67.8 in (1723mm)
Overall
height 56.1 in (1424 mm)
Wheel
base 105.9 in (2690 mm)
Track,
front 59.0 in (1499 mm)
Track, rear57.6 in (1464mm)
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
for the correspon-ding data of ali specialbodies and special equipment,