267 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
A n y d a m a g e s h o u l d b e r e p a i r e d a s s o o n a s
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
280 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 122) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 22) and are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 122).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display. High priority
messages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in starter switch
to position2, causes all lamps as well
as the multifunction display to come
on. Ensure that they are all in working
order before starting your journey.
339 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
C230KompressorSport
1Power steering pump
2Idler pulley
3Supercharger
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
C 240/C 320 (all models)
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
C32AMG
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Supercharger
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Power steering pump
6Air conditioning compressor
7Crankshaft
8Coolant pump
9Generator (alternator)
351 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil
(never R-12)
Windshield washer
3.2 US qt (3.0 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 358).
352 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, only
use engine oils approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on approved
engine oils is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air
conditioning system.Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of
bubbles in the system, thus reducing the
system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Always check the oil filler cap
(page 255) for important information
pertaining to the engine oil needing to
meet a specific Mercedes-Benz specifi-
cation (e.g. MB 229.5). If such informa-
tion is printed on the oil filler cap, only
use an engine oil from the list of ap-
proved engine oils in the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet that
meets the specification indicated on
the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
367 Index
A
ABS 23, 72, 361
ABS control 72
Malfunction indicator lamp 274
Messages in display 284
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission* 147
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling)
Automatic climate control* 170
Climate control 160
Air recirculation mode
Automatic climate control* 167
Climate control 158
Anti-theft alarm system* 78
Automatic climate control* 163
Central locking (control system) 133
Charcoal filter 169
Climate control 155Climate control system 159
Defrosting
Automatic climate control* 167
Climate control 158
Easy-entry/exit feature* 134
ESP 76
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 103
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 150
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 46
High beams 106
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 52
Rapid seat heating* 98
Rear fog lamp 104, 105
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat 171
Seat heating* 98
Tow-away alarm* 80
Windshield wipers 48Adding
Coolant 257
Engine oil 255
Additional turn signals 310
Adjustable air vents,
rear passenger compartment
Automatic climate control* 172
Climate control 161
Adjusting 32
Air distribution
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Air volume
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Backrest contour 97
Backrest side bolsters 97
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 33
Power seat* 35
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
368 Index
Head restraint height, front seats
Manual seat 34
Power seat* 35
Head restraint height, rear seats 94
Head restraint tilt, front seats
Manual seat 34
Power seat* 36
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 96
Head restraints, rear seats
Folding back 95
Folding back with release
switch 95
Placing upright 95
Instrument cluster illumination 109
Interior rear view mirror 38
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 97
Power seat* 35
Rear seat head restraints 94Seat belt height 42
Seat cushion depth 97
Seat cushion tilt
Manual seat 33
Power seat* 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Manual seat 33
Power seat* 35
Seat height
Manual seat 33
Power seat* 35
Seats 32
Steering column height,
electrical* 38
Steering column height,
manual 37
Steering column length,
electrical* 38
Steering column length,
manual 37
Steering wheel 36Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off
Automatic climate control* 170
Climate control 160
Turning on
Automatic climate control* 170
Climate control 160
Air conditioning refrigerant 352
Air distribution
Adjusting
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode
Activating
Automatic climate control* 167
Climate control 158
Deactivating
Automatic climate control* 168
Climate control 159