2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE coolant

430 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products Pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to engine opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

431
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a
label reading
Premium gasoline or E85
only! on fuel filler flap).
These vehicles are designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline or Ethanol fuel
(E85), or on any mixture of these two.
Ethanol fuel (E85) is a mixture of approxi-
mately 85% Ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the oth-
er fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:


Fuel level is below half full.


Fuel level is above reserve (reserve
warning lamp is not lit).


Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).


Ignition is off during refill.


Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel. If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline (at least 3 gallons
[12 liters]) to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.
Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures below
32°F (0°C). At low temperatures the use
of a block heater is recommended (see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information). Rough idling may also
be experienced at such temperatures
before the engine is fully warmed up.
Warning!
G
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of Ethanol
fumes and skin contact with Ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when am-
bient temperatures fall below 14°F
(-10°C).

432 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.
Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To ensure that engine per-
formance with Ethanol fuel is similar to
that when using gasoline, the engine must
burn more Ethanol fuel. As a result, it is to
be expected that the fuel consumption will
increase when using E85 compared to
gasoline operation.
Maintenance
Please inform your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if you use or have
used E85 fuel when your vehicle is deliv-
ered for maintenance or repairs.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C). The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet)
are used to renew the coolant concentra-
tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately - 22°F
[-30°C]).
iUse of E85 may reduce your driving
range.

433
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approximately - 49°F [-45°C]), the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a
significantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 Anticorrosion/Anti-
freeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

434 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection–35°F (–37°C)
–49°F (–45°C)
C 230 Kompressor
3.0 US qt (2.8 l)
3.3 US qt (3.1 l)
C320
3.4 US qt (3.2 l)
3.8 US qt (3.6 l)

435
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approximately

6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with head-
lamp cleaning system*


3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) water]
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) solvent].
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You can be seriously burned.

443
Index
A
ABS 25, 81, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 340
Messages in display 353
Warning lamp 340
Accelerator position, automatic transmission* 165
Accessory weight 323
Accident In case of 55
Activating Air conditioning (cooling) 193Climate control 179
Air recirculation mode 189 Climate control 177
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Automatic climate control* 183
Central locking (control system) 148
Charcoal filter 191
Climate control 173
Climate control system 175
Defrosting 188 Climate control 177
Easy-entry/exit feature* 148
Electric air pump 399
ESP 85 Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 111
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position* 169
Hazard warning flasher 116
Headlamps 51
High beams 114
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 86
Rear fog lamp 113
Rear window defroster 170
Residual heat 193
Seat heating* 106
Tow-away alarm 88
Windshield wipers 53
Adding Coolant 296, 297
Engine oil 294
Headlamp cleaning fluid 299
Windshield washer fluid 299
Additional turn signals 385
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger compartment 194Climate control 180 Adjusting 35
Air distribution 186 Climate control 176
Air volume 187 Climate control 176
Backrest tilt 36, 38
Exterior rear view mirrors 42
Head restraint height 37, 38
Head restraint height, rear seats 103
Head restraint tilt 37, 39
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 105
Head restraints, rear seats Folding back 104
Placing upright 105
Instrument cluster illumination 119
Interior rear view mirror 42
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 42
Rear seat head restraints 103
Seat cushion tilt 36, 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36, 38
Seat height 36, 38
Seats 35
Steering column height 42
Steering column length 42
Steering wheel 40

446 IndexBoltsFor spare wheel 376
Brake Indicator lamp 25
Brake assist system (BAS) 437
Brake fluid 290, 428 Checking 290
Message in display 358
Brake lamp bulbs 385
Brake pads Message in display 358
Brakes 278 Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 276
Bulbs, replacing 384 Additional turn signals 385
Brake lamps 385
Fog lamps 385
Front lamps 385
High beam 385
High beam flasher 385
License plate lamps 385, 392
Low beam 385
Parking lamps 385, 388, 390
Rear fog lamp 385, 390
Rear lamps 385 Side marker lamp 391
Side marker lamps 385, 390
Standing lamps 385, 388, 390
Tail lamp assemblies 385
Tail lamp unit 390
Turn signal lamps 385
Button Audio system 198
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 437
Calling up Range (distance to empty) 152
Service indicator 331
CAN system 437
Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 426
Cargo compartment Lighting 118
Tie-down rings 253
Cargo tie-down rings 253
Catalytic converter 285
CD changer* 213
CD changer* operation 215
CD player
Operating 131
CD* operation 213 Center console 27
Front passenger front air bag off indica-tor lamp 27, 76, 345
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade Setting temperature units 137
Central locking Automatic 97
From inside 98
Switch 98
Switching on/off (control system) 148
Unlocking from inside 98
Central locking switch 98
Changing CDs 213
Key setting 148
Charcoal filter 191 Activating 191
Deactivating 192
Charging Vehicle battery 402
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp 342