Contents
Practical hints................................. 273
What to do if … .................................. 274
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 274
Lamp in center console................ 279
Messages in the display ............... 280
Where will I find ...? ........................... 300
First aid kit ................................... 300
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 300
Minispare wheel ........................... 302
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 305
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 305
Locking the vehicle ...................... 306
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 306
Fuel filler flap ............................... 308
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 308
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 309
Sliding/pop-up roof* ................... 309Replacing bulbs .................................. 310
Bulbs ............................................. 310
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 312
Side marker lamp bulb .................. 315
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 315
Replacing wiper blades....................... 317
Removing wiper blades ................. 317
Installing wiper blades .................. 317
Flat tire ............................................... 318
Preparing the vehicle .................... 318
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 318
Battery................................................ 324
Disconnecting the battery............. 325
Removing the battery.................... 325
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 325
Reconnecting the battery.............. 326Jump starting...................................... 327
Towing the vehicle.............................. 329
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 332
Fuses.................................................. 333
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 333
Fuse box in engine compartment . 333
Auxiliary fuse box in
cargo compartment ...................... 334
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 335
Spare parts service ............................ 336
Warranty coverage ............................. 337
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 337
Identification labels............................ 338
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 339
C 240/C 320 (all models) ............ 339
Engine ................................................ 340
Rims and Tires ................................... 341
Same size tires ............................. 342
Minispare wheel ........................... 342
Electrical system................................ 343
Main Dimensions ............................... 344
Weights .............................................. 345Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 346
Capacities .................................... 346
Engine oils.................................... 348
Engine oil additives ...................... 348
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 348
Brake fluid .................................... 348
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 349
Fuel requirements ........................ 349
Gasoline additives ........................ 350
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 350
Coolants....................................... 352
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 354
Consumer information ....................... 355
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 355
Technical terms............................... 357Index................................................. 363
261 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
Driving style
Tire pressure
Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at
intervals of no more than 14 days. If the tires are warm you should only
correct the tire pressure if it is too low for
current operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the
specified tire inflation pressures for warm
and cold tires as well as for various
operating conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:
Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.
Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.
262 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approx. 1.5 psi
(0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air tempera-
ture change. Keep this in mind when
checking tire pressure where the tempera-
ture is different from the outside tempera-
ture.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.
Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
become worn over time even if never used,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3 000
to 6 000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or
sooner if necessary, according to the
degree of tire wear. The same direction of
tire rotation must be retained.Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and
ensure proper tire inflation pressure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes, etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indi-
cated by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.
263 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 354).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, ESP and 4MATIC
in winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
301 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
3Vehicle tool kit
The following is included:
Towing eye bolt
Wheel wrench
Alignment bolt
Vehicle jack
Wheel bolts
Special fuse puller
Spare fusesVehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment behind the left trim panel.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.
Push crank handle up.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
302 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Operational position
Turn crank handle clockwise until it
engages (operational position).
Before storing the vehicle jack in its
compartment:
It should be fully collapsed.
The handle must be folded in (storage
position).
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is located in the
storage compartment underneath the
cargo compartment floor.
Removing the Minispare wheel
Lift up cargo compartment floor cover.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
Loosen retaining screw1 in the
middle of storage well casing2.
Remove storage well casing2.3Arrow
4Minispare wheel
5Luggage bowl
Remove luggage bowl5.
Remove Minispare wheel4.
Storing the Minispare wheel
Place Minispare wheel4 in wheel
well.
Place luggage bowl5 over the
Minispare wheel.
Make sure arrow3 on the luggage
bowl5 points in the direction of
travel.
303 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Place storage well casing2 over the
luggage bowl5 and turn retaining
screw1 clockwise as far as it will go
to secure the Minispare wheel.In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 341).
iArrow3 on luggage bowl5 must
point in the direction of travel. Other-
wise you cannot place the storage well
casing2 on top and secure the
Minispare wheel with the retaining
screw1.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.